Aquae Sulis Calling

Artists

Album Info

Release Date: 1987

Label: Trash City

Aquae Sulis Calling.... Aquae Sulis Calling... Aquae Sulis Calling...

This is Aquae Sulis calling, remember the name - that's not there just to please mythomaniacs like me, it shows that though this tape comes from the city of Bath, it's got very little to do with the way the city shows and sells itself to the world, nothing you can relate to imposing buildings and neatly controlled streets and parks, nothing that the city council can relate to (just the opposite); something different, deeper(?), closer to the spirit of the place...no I don't reckon that's too fanciful...

Perhaps that explains why there's no city sound identifiable, why there's no legions of Tears for Fears clones, why some of the bands sound like they feel as though they're in industrial wasteland, on the streets of Noo Yawk, Ladbroke Grove, Planet Thrash, somewhere in Cambodia (yeah?) or on Radio One already... The range of different music on this tape is my favourite thing about it, and the surest indication of a healthy music scene; shows there's something for everyone - whether your preferred mode of enjoyment is in skanking or slamming or jiving or posing or dreaming or spacing off or falling over, there's a perfect soundtrack for that somewhere on this, plus the best of chances you could pick up on something would wouldn't have thought you'd enjoy at all.

The scene doesn't stand still either - of the bands here, some have already passed on (sadly) some are metamorphosing into something else (better), some are changing gear and sound, the lucky few breaking into some support and recognition for what they are doing. At least two of the groups on show here are set for big things this year, and there's no shortage of others soon able to follow them. AND there's plenty of stuff that didn't get into the act quick enough to be on this tape (volume two soon come!) - I know you're out there, why aren't you in here? Where are the acoustic players, the jazz experimenters, the black musicians; let us hear what you do too, it's good for ALL of us.

"Here follows Four Minutes Silence - THIS COULD HAVE BEEN YOU!!!"
Aquae Sulis Calling, Callin, Calling... is anyone listening?

Hieronymus

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