Tuesday, January 12, 2010

THE 45'S COULDN'T BELIEVE A WORD SINGLE)

Couldn't believe a word is near Powerpop perfection. It's a tune I never seem to get tired of. Mine doesent have a picture sleeve I'm not sure if this press had one or not. The 45's were formed in 1977 in Newcastle by five bored students who decided playing boppy pop songs in front of screaming fans was much more fun than lectures!
Originally called 'The Famous Five,' the line up back then was Phil Johnstone - Keyboards/ electric guitar/ vocals, Jamie Wood - Bass guitar/ vocals, Paul Metcalfe - Drums/ vocals, John Warrener - Electric guitar/ vocals and Mick Blowfield - Saxophone. After 2 years playing in Newcastle pubs Mick left to become a teacher, forcing the foursome to change their name from the Famous Five to The 45'S. In 1979 Phil went to London with armed a demo tape and came back with a hastily negotiated record deal. A few weeks later the band had signed with Chopper Records and were recording in Polydor studios, London. Two tracks were laid down, "Couldn't Believe a Word" and "Lonesome Lane". The single received substantial airplay, was voted 'Record of the Week' in several music papers including Melody Maker and also on Radio 1. Unfortunately Chopper Records was disorganised and rife with distribution problems and the single struggled even to make it onto the shelves let alone the record buying publics brand new Music Centres! After hearing "Couldn't Believe a Word," Stiff records contacted the group and took over distribution of the single on their own label, however by then the radio stations had stopped plugging the song and The 45's returned to their London Pub Circuit roots playing venues such as The Marquee, The Greyhound, The Golden Lion, The Nashville, Dingwalls, etc. There were radio interviews and sessions, tv appearances, constant gigging and even a support slot with Dexy's Midnight Runners but things weren't really picking up. The band was unable to get out of a two year contract with Chopper Records and so could not bring out any new material. Phil was later quoted as saying 'Well nobody ever had a hit on the STIFF CHOPPER label!
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REFERNCES - THE 45'S.COM MYSPACE
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CHOPPER RECORDS 1979
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1. COULDN'T BELIEVE A WORD
2. LONESOME LANE
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***DOWNLOAD***

7 comments:

bristolboy said...

No p/s issued for this or the UK stiff release (some copies have a free sticker - according to mario's book)

Frank Miller said...

Thanks for the comments Bristolboy, I didn't think this had a sleeve but I wasn't sure. I have seen a copy on Stiff with a p/s

bristolboy said...

the Portuguese (or is it Spanish)issue has a p/s

Frank Miller said...

That must be it, Thanks

Powerpopster said...

Great single. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Saw ´em live outside London ´83 - AMAZING!

Unknown said...

I wrote this for their website, which is back up at http:// the45s.neilpalmer.us if anyone is interested.