Socialist Republic Of South Yorkshire

They Must Be Russians - They Must Be Russians

Ripped from a vinyl album released on First Floor Records (FF 2) in 1983 to high resolution 24-bit flac audio. One of the Sheffield's bands who showed greatest promise were They Must Be Russians. Your blogmeister was first introduced via the splendid Four From The Floor and Hicks From The Sticks compilations. These tracks were strong enough to get me to buy the 1983 single and album, however they didn't live up to what I had hoped. This, their debut album, has the feel of a band who didn't know if they wanted to be Devo or Shriekback ....and then got a little lost somewhere in between. The record isn't helped by a mediocre production quality and poorly mastered vinyl. I am not slamming the album, it just could have been better with a little more thought ....but hey, that's the spirit of indie music. If anybody can provide a nice lossless rip of their 1979 debut EP and the excellent Don't Try To Cure Yourself, then I for one would be very chuffed.

A1 Gramophone
A2 Glory Of God
A3 Press The Point
A4 Shifting My Gaze
A5 Love Is A Word
A6 If This Is Love
B1 Disco Rise
B2 All I'm Asking
B3 Space To Breathe
B4 Treasure House
B5 Test Of Time
B6 The One Answer

They Must Be Yorkshiremen

They Must Be Russians - Chains

Ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on First Floor Records (FF 1 ) in 1983 to high resolution 24-bit flac audio. After ripping the Medium Medium single I just had to reach for this, o a quick run up the M1 from Nottingham to grey dreary industrial Sheffield for another of those fine local post-punk bands, They Must Be Russians who are represented here a fine catchy pop-funk mood. There is an album too which I must get around to ripping.... eventually!

A1 Chains
B1 Gramophone
B2 Fighting

Various - Four From The Floor

Various - Four From The Floor

The second coming of Sheffield experimental / industrial music was slightly more commercial that the original tamperings of Cabaret Voltaire, Clock DVA, early Human League etc.

By sheer coincidence, Surface Mutants were clearly influenced by the twisted methology of Adi Newton and Clock DVA.

Hula had heavy leanings to mid-period Cabs (and even let them borrow their drummer). Bass Tone Trap were very good avant-jazz.They Must Be Russians had a poppier feel, but after a few singles and albums, failed to break through.

Of the artists on this 7" EP, it was only really Hula who laid down a marker to their peers and left an impact on the national scene.

Re:Upped