Exploding The Teardrops

Version One - Zoo Records CAGE 005 - recorded 14th May 1979 released June 1979 Julian Cope - vocals, bass, organ Mick Finkler - guitar Gary Dwyer - drums Version Two - "Kilimanjaro" album, recorded Spring 1980, released October 1980 Julian Cope - vocals, bass David Balfe - organ Mick Finkler - guitar Gary Dwyer - drums Written by Finkler / Dwyer / Cope / Simpson The Teardrop Explodes had made a splash in the indie world with their debut single "Sleeping Gas" in February, and alongside the debut single by Echo and the Bunnymen (released in May 79, also on Zoo Records) it was clear there was a scene developing around the two bands in Liverpool. Of course both Bill Drummond and Dave Balfe wanted to encourage this as both bands were on their label and managed by the pair and oh yeah they were the producers too. Echo and Teardrop weren't the only bands in Liverpool but the first to move from stage to vinyl. They would soon be touring together around the ...

Version One - Zoo Records CAGE 003 - recorded 1st December 1978, released 4th February 1979 Julian Cope - bass Paul Simpson - organ Mick Finkler - guitar Gary Dwyer - drums Written by The Teardrop Explodes This is probably going to be the shortest entry on this blog as quite frankly there's not much to say about this song. It's an instrumental, four descending organ notes, a complementary guitar lick, a bass riff and occasional cymbal hits to keep time. It's sort of ominous. It passes by in two minutes and that's about it really. In "Head On", Julian Cope has little to say about this song. They had recorded three songs - "Sleeping Gas", "Camera Camera" and "Seeing through you", but weren't that happy with the third song so recorded "one of Simmo's dreary instrumentals" quickly to finish the session and the EP. Awash in light reverb, the instrumental sets its theme, repeats it then fades out slowly. I ...

Version One - Zoo Records CAGE 003 - recorded 1st December 1978, released 4th February 1979 Julian Cope -.vocals, bass Paul Simpson - organ Mick Finkler - guitar Gary Dwyer - drums Version two - "What's On" - Granada TV, 15th February 1979. Released on "Zoology" CD, 2004, which credits the performance with a date later in the year.  Julian Cope -.vocals, bass Paul Simpson - organ Mick Finkler - guitar Gary Dwyer - drums Written by The Teardrop Explodes (credit on Zoo single), Cope / Finkler (credit on "Zoology") If there is one song and recording which encapsulates the early magic of The Teardrop Explodes it is "Camera Camera". It makes sense that this song would appear on their debut EP, would be the first song they play on television and become an early set closer. Everything in "Camera Camera" works in cycles. Mick Finkler starts with a four note guitar figure, then Paul Simpson adds his five note organ figure, befor...

Version One - Zoo Records CAGE 003 - recorded 1st December 1978, released 4th February 1979 Julian Cope -.vocals, bass Paul Simpson - organ Mick Finkler - guitar Gary Dwyer - drums Version Two - "Kilimanjaro" album, recorded Spring 1980, released October 1980 Julian Cope -.vocals, bass David Balfe - organ, piano Mick Finkler - guitar Gary Dwyer - drums Hurricane Smith, Ray Martinez - Trumpets Version Three - "Zoology" compilation album, recorded 1981, released 2004 Julian Cope - vocals Jeff Hammer - keyboards, piano Troy Tate - guitar Alfie Agius - bass Gary Dwyer - drums Luke Tunney, Ted Emmett - trumpets Version Four - extra track on "Tiny Children" twelve inch single, recorded at Club Zoo December 22nd 1981, released June 1982 Julian Cope - vocals David Balfe - keyboards Troy Tate - guitar Ron Francois - bass Gary Dwyer - drums Luke Tunney, Ted Emmett - trumpets Written by The Teardrop Explodes (credit on Zoo single and "Tiny Children...

I fell in love with the Teardrop Explodes in May 1985 when I bought their "You disappear from view" double seven inch single for 50p from my local Oxfam store. I was aware of their hit singles from 1981 and knew Julian Cope was a bit of an acid casualty from the interviews and record reviews in Melody Maker in 1984 associated with his "World shut your mouth" and "Fried" albums, and I'd already bought the "Sunspots" double 7 inch by then, but I didn't know what to expect from the Teardrop Explodes. It turned out I vaguely remembered "You disappear from view" from the Spring of 1983 when it was released, but the collected b sides were something else - the tense "Suffocate", moody "Ouch Monkeys" and "Soft enough for you" and the frantic electropop of "The in-cyclopedia". I wanted more, and within days I'd bought their debut album "Kilimanjaro" and it sounded like a totally diffe...