Swell Maps “Jane From Occupied Europe” LP 1980

	A$		32
	$		21

Swell Maps “Jane From Occupied Europe” LP 1980

Original 1980 UK Rough Trade pressing in top-loading sleeve.

Swell Maps were an experimental English rock group of the 1970s from Birmingham, that foreshadowed the birth of post-punk.

Influenced by the disparate likes of T.Rex and the German progressive outfit, Can, they created a new soundscape that would be heavily mined by others in the post-punk era. Despite existing in various forms since 1972, Swell Maps only really came together as a musical entity after the birth of British punk rock.

Consisting of brothers Epic Soundtracks (real name Kevin Paul Godfrey) and Nikki Sudden (real name Adrian Nicholas Godfrey) two Solihull based teenagers, plus Biggles Books (Richard Earl), Phones Sportsman (David Barrington), John "Golden" Cockrill and Jowe Head, the band cut the single "Read About Seymour" as their debut in 1977, soon after the brothers left Solihull School (also home of Spizzenergi). It is widely considered one of the classic punk era singles. Epic's drumming mixed with Nikki's unique melodies crafted over the assorted threads cast by the six musicians set the band apart from the others. After recording their first John Peel session Swell Maps went into WMRS studio to record their first album A Trip to Marineville, which was released in 1979. With hard rocking punk numbers like "H.S. Art" interspersed by ambient instrumentals and other experimental interludes like "Gunboats", the album marked the band out as innovative musicians. The album went #1 on the new Independent chart.

The band cut one more album, The Swell Maps in 'Jane From Occupied Europe', in 1980, which pushed further into post-punk territory. They displayed their ingenuity for creating everything from industrial surf instrumentals like the opener "Robot Factory" to perverse ballads like "Cake Shop Girl". Even while they were falling apart during these sessions they were pushing the musical boundaries beyond what punk originally had to offer. They sought to release much of their early forays in lo-fi experimenation in the compilation, Whatever Happens Next..., before splitting up.

Since their split the legend of the Swell Maps has grown, through their influence on the C86 bands, lo-fi, and other pioneers like Sonic Youth and Pavement. Individual members of the band (especially Nikki Sudden, Epic Soundtracks and Jowe Head) went on to solo careers. The band's catalogue has recently been remastered and reissued and further dips into their archives can be expected. An EP of especially zany tracks was released under the name of the Phones Sportsman Band in 1980. This was played on radio by John Peel and Anne Nightingale, although later considered by ShitFi as one of the worst covers of all time.

After an interval of over 25 years away from music, the Phones Sportsman Band reformed in January 2008, but after two years of success on Topplers Records, disbanded after Phones was allegedly abducted by aliens. (This was disproved by the formation of "Phones Sportsman & his Brown and Pink Minstrels" in 2010, with old Solihull-vibe hanger-on Hugh Jarioli on keyboards and production).

Epic Soundtracks died of unknown causes at the age of 37 in 1997 and Nikki Sudden died at the age of 49 in March 2006.

Side 1:

"Robot Factory" (Soundtracks/Earl) – 2:23

"Let's Buy a Bridge" (Sudden) – 1:53

"Border Country" (Sudden) – 2:10

"Cake Shop" (retitled "Cake Shop Girl") (Head) – 2:26

"The Helicopter Spies" (Sudden) – 4:17

"Big Maz in the Desert" (Swell Maps) – 5:07

"Big Empty Field" (Soundtracks/Earl) – 3:44

"Mining Villages" (Soundtracks) – 1:04

Side 2:

"Collision with a Frogman..." (Swell Maps) – 3:41

"...vs. The Mangrove Delta Plan" (Swell Maps) – 4:23

"Secret Island" (Sudden) – 4:23

"Whatever Happens Next..." (Sudden) – 2:59

"Blenheim Shots" (Sudden) – 3:41

"A Raincoat's Room" (retitled "Raining in My Room") (Soundtracks) – 1:42

CONDITION:

SLEEVE:   VG++   No damage, minor shelf wear, radio station gold stamp top right front, 2 large stickers on back.

RECORD:  EX

RECORD GRADINGS

(May be further qualified by + or - )

M = Mint

Must be in perfect condition with no audible or visible defects whatsoever. The record and cover/sleeve should be exactly as brand new.

NM = Near Mint

Almost mint but has one or two minor visible marks on the cover/sleeve or surface with sound quality remaining perfect.

EX = Excellent

Not quite perfect. There may a slight chance of minor deterioration in sound quality. The cover/sleeve may show slight wear.

VG = Very Good

The surface and cover/sleeve shows visible signs of wear due to the fact that it has been played on a regular basis. There will be some audible surface noise but it will not effect the listening experience.

G = Good

The sound quality has deteriorated due to having been played often. The cover/sleeve and surface will show considerable signs of wear and tear with some possible damage.

F = Fair

Has been neglected, but is still playable. There will be major audible defects such as loud clicks or jumping. The cover/sleeve maybe badly damaged.

P = Poor

Technically playable, but with serious deterioration in condition and sound quality. The cover/sleeve will be badly damaged.

VP = Very Poor

In terrible condition and absolutely unplayable. Would only be of use as a last resort to complete a collection.

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TOS current 8 June, 2010