Alternomen Unlimited ‎– "Facade EP" (Object Music ‎– OM 06) 1979

The two Stevens', Miro and Solamar, also did this DIY classic EP too.More in line with the popular style of the day, these are conventional post-new wave skewed pop songs;including a peon to the 'Russell Club',home of many a Factory Records night. I think this was also included on the complete Object Singles collection "Objectivity", what you can download by clicking HERE!

Tracklist:
A Facade
B1 For Ever And Ever
B2 Connections

DOWNLOADs unlimited HERE!

Indiscreet Music ‎– "Dubious Collaberations" (Object Music ‎– OBJ 002) 1979

Another,earlier, coll-(aberation)by The Noyes Brothers, aka The Two Stevens, Solamar and Miro."A collage of improvisations full frequency claustrophobic sound", they say.
Basically a bunch of noodlings, improvistaions, and half-formed tunes, all stitched together, 'Faust tapes' style; to form two sides of an LP. Solamar and Miro's pre-punk roots are fully exposed on this one.

Tracklisting:

Side A - Part One
Side B - Part Two

DOWNLOAD this dubious pleasure HERE!

41 Degrees ‎– "Open Heart" (41 Degrees ‎– 41/001) 1982

Along with the Noyes Brothers,another studio band, from the "Do The Maru" compilation, was '41 Degrees'; featuring ex-member of  'Slight Seconds', K.S.Eden, who were preserved for posterity as side one of the "Waiting Room" shared album.
Strangely I write this at a time when the outside temperature (here in southern France) has hit 41 degrees,and has been hovering around a similar level for months!Even worse I will be working outdoors in this punishing heat as this text is being published......no fun.
Back in 1982, Manchester would have been a lovely grey, rainy, place;instead of the parched dry desert it has been this summer......Its gonna get worse, not better!
Of course I refer to climate change, which should be a similar inspiration for creativity as the nuclear doom which hung over our heads in 1982.....so where is it? With the onset of the new popularism, even nuclear doom is back on the agenda. Com' on kids get it together ffs!
This hopelessly obscure album, features various Object Music backroomers to back up what is essentially a K.S.Eden solo album. (Steve Miro appears,as usual).
Its a self-released and forgotten Post-Punk/Post Prog classic,full of interesting experimental pop that sank before it ever had a chance to surface.

Tracklist:

A1 Paradise Lost
A2 Silent Towns
A3 Tonight
A4 Adaptation
A5 Forgotten Spirits
B1 White Flowers
B2 A Humming Sound
B3 Who Knows Tomorrow
B4 The Spirit Moves
B5 Face To Face (Over And Out)
B6 November

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The Noyes Brothers ‎– "Sheep From Goats" (Object Music ‎– OBJ 009/010) 1980

The Two Stevens, or The Two Ronnies (any excuse to sdd a link to the Fork Handles sketch), of DIY-Garde in Manchester, were Steve Solamar, of The Spherical Objects, and Steve Miro, without his 'Eyes' this time(as in Steve Miro and the Eyes right?). Collectively they called themselves The Noyes Brothers.
As previously featured as side two of the "Do The Maru"compilation,The Noyes Brothers project extended to four sides of vinyl, called "Sheep From Goats".
'Experimental'is the genre this stuff is usually filed under in yer iTunes collection.....not quite experimental enough to earn the golden moniker of 'other' however.

Here's the Brothers, ticking both the 'Good Looking' and 'Youthful' Boxes.

Tracklist:

OBJ 009
A1 Impending Doom
A2 Away We Go
A3 Repercussion
A4 Bo Scat Um I.D.
A5 Marlene
A6 Night Sky Vision
A7 Byte To Beat
B1 Why Did It Fade
B2 I Am You
B3 On The outside
B4 Dream
B5 Archetypal Memory
B6 It Must Be Vibration
B7 Pointless
B8 The Mutant
B9 Ingmar The Dog
B10 Some Times

OBJ 010
C1 Outnuendo
C2 Decision Time
C3 Pnumonia Bridge
C4 Resurrection In Chaos Minor
C5 Do End New Out
D It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time

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Various Artists ‎– "Do The Maru" (Object Music ‎– OBJ 014) 1981

A bit more self-indulgence never hurt anyone right?
Punk Rock's main message was that it was possible for anyone to do what they wanted to do,like the Hippies before them; except joe public actually listened the second time around.Mainly because the musicians in the Hippy era were far too intimidatingly good at what they did, so no one had the confidence to do anything themselves.
The Prog Rock era firmly nailed down the lid on any lingering ambition to be a pop star.
Frustrated Proggers were the unlikely beneficiaries of the fall-out from The Sex Pistols debacle, as now they could play the music they loved without having to be a member of 'Yes'.
Doubtless Steve Solamar, founder of Object Music,witnessed The infamous Pistols gig at the Lesser FreeTrade Hall and was inspired to start his record label,and form The Spherical Objects.
This gave him and his chums the chance to be self-indulgent and make a few post-prog workouts,some of which surfaced on Object Music.Back in 78/79 punk punters were so desperate to buy any 'punk' product that virtually everything and anything would sell out.
This shared compilation found Solamar and long time friend and collaborator, Steve Miro,appearing as The Noyes Brothers,to make a side-long synth and beatbox krautrock/punk hybrid, 'Good Question'.
Some bloke called Roger Blackburn, gets to be Mike Oldfield for five minutes at the end of side one, and one of the chaps from 'Slight Seconds' gets to be Manuel Gottsching for ten minutes on track two; preceeded by Solamar himself doing a fine impression of Rick wakeman if he had only one finger.

Tracklist:

A1 –Steve Solamar - Forewarned
A2 –41 Degrees -  Just...My Crazy Mind
A3 –Roger Blackburn - In Memory
B –Noyes Bros - Good Question

DOWNLOAD this maru transplant HERE!

Various Artists ‎– "Waiting Room" (Object Music ‎– OBJ 007) 1980

As with most things in the 'Post-Punk' world, the Manchester area seemed to effortlessly get it right. This irreputable fact included Local band Compilations too. We've already had the superb "A Manchester Collection" (also on Object Music), and "Unzipping The Abstract", both featuring bands under the Manchester Musicians Collective umbrella. Now we find another,which is more of a 'shared' album than strictly a compilation; featuring three more Manchester musicians Collective groups.Every track is perfect UK DIY post-punk art rock. The final lengthy track, by Picture Chords, features a recording of an apoplectic neighbour, entering the rehearsal area to demand that they stop,all in a broad manchester accent.Very amusing.

Tracklist:

A1 –Slight Seconds - And ...
A2 –Slight Seconds -  Puppet On A String
A3 –Slight Seconds - Building Bridges
A4 –Slight Seconds - Where Were You?
A5 –Slight Seconds - Slight Seconds
A6 –Slight Seconds - Lost Love
A7 –Slight Seconds - Fallen (Again?)
A8 –Slight Seconds - Chameleon Lens
A9 –Slight Seconds - "Further Down The Line"
B1 –The Mediaters - Silent Battles
B2 –The Mediaters - Ego Drift
B3 –The Mediaters - Time's Your Own?
B4 –The Mediaters - The Waiting Room
B5 –The Mediaters - Mirror Image
B6 –Picture Chords - A Cause Des Voisins

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Steve Miro And The Eyes ‎– "Rude Intrusions" (Object Music – OBJ 008) 1980

This cover screams Prog Rock,and Steve Miro is obviously an ex-progger adapting (rather well) to a post punk world. Its all there, prominent keyboards, including synthesizer solo's, well played melodic Bass playing, but crammed into the three minute symphony bracket.
There's nothing wrong with this of course, I describe myself as a prog rocker (mainly to wind up boring middle aged/middle class 'punks',aint they becoming the new hippies?), and wasn't post punk, prog rock in disguise anyway? The keyword is 'progressive', not 'Regressive' as in Yes and ELP. Looking to advance the art of modern popular music; and I think Miro achieves this goal in a small understated way.
Anyway, anyone who says Van Der Graaf Generator weren't a great proto-post punk band must be either deaf or stupid! (although Miro is obviously not in the same league as Peter Hammill one might add, but did still tread a similar path.)

Track Listing:

A1		Choke It Back
A2		Hammer And Tongs
A3		Ain't You Got No Life
A4		Making Money
A5		Give Me Back My Dice
A6		Shadow Screen
B1		Gin Video
B2		Breaking
B3		Jeans For China
B4		Good Looking Girl
B5		It's A Long Way To Paris
B6		Stuck For Words

DOWNLOAD some post punk prog HERE!

or to be intruded even ruder....

DOWNLOAD it HERE as well?

Steve Miro And The Eyes ‎– "Second Sentence" (Object Music OBJ015) 1981

Second LP from the ageing progger in post punk cloths, and the budget has increased. A High quality recording, with cleverly structured early eighties alternative pop non-hits.Rather entertaining,if you overlook the hi-fidelity, and the odd irritating Muso touches, like the hideous saxophone playing that crops up from time to time. Should have been a top twenty smash really I suppose.

Track Listing:

A1		Gone Riding
A2		Hit And Run
A3		Something In A Nutshell
A4		Mixed Opinions
A5		Stories To Tell
B1		Stand Inside The Light
B2		Steps Up
B3		Fire Away Son
B4		Hiding It All Away
B5		Mutiny

DOWNLOAD it this second HERE!

Grow Up - "The Best Thing" (Object Music OBJ005) 1979

A fine slice of Proto-Indie pop from the ignored, but badly named Grow-Up. Fourteen, almost catchy, tracks of concise unpretentious pop music. Part of the post punk world that tried to distance itself from the gobbing, leather jacketed Travis Bickles that fucked Punk up forever. It was a subversive act to be able to play an instrument, write eloquent lyrics that didn't rely on expletives, and create songs that you can remember. A quality album full of song-craft, like an nonirritating Spherical Objects record, but better.

Track Listing:

A1		Instrumental (When She Calls)
A2		The Best Thing
A3		Missing
A4		She's Always There
A5		Dear Isobel
A6		Do You Want To Dance
A7		Her Song
A8		Too Much Love
B1		Spilt Tea
B2		Autumn Movie
B3		Golden Promises
B4		No Mirror
B5		The Peak
B6		David

DOWNLOAD and then grow up HERE

Manchester Musicians Collective - " A Manchester Collection" (Object Music OBJ 003) 1979

One of thee Best compilations EVER,if not one of thee best albums EVER, is this; from The Famed Manchester Musicians Collective, the home of the group with the best band name EVER!....The Bathroom Renovations!
Unfortunately they do not feature on this volume, one must wait for the post of the second Manchester collective collection, "Uzipping The Abstract".
The north west rival organisation to the even more imaginatively named "London Musicians Collective", home of The Door and The Window and Here and Now (Kif Kif et al).

The tracks that follow are a symphony of naive ineptitude and unspoilt musical innocence, that urinate on the corpse of corporate "rock". This is how "rock should" sound like, end of.....!

01.GROW-UP.You Are The One
02.GROW-UP.Night Rally
03.I.Q. ZERO.I'm In Love
04.I.Q. ZERO.I Must Obey
05.FAST CARS.Why
06.FAST CARS.What Can I Do
07.MEDIATERS.Monotony
08.FIREPLACE.Fireplace
09.FIREPLACE.Dutchman
10.PICTURE CHORDS.First Floor Exercises
11.PICTURE CHORDS.Levitating Ladies
12.The MANCHESTER MEKON.The Cake Shop Device
13.PROPERTY OF.Property Of...
14.VIBRANT THIGH.Wooden Gangsters
15.F.T. INDEX.Working On The Line
16.SLIGHT SECONDS.Double Face
17.SLIGHT SECONDS.New Me

DOWNLOAD an instant manchester collection HERE!

Spherical Objects ‎– "Eliptical Optimism" (Object Music OBJ 004) 1979

Spherical Objects 'superior' second album. They must have shifted some units of the debut album, 'cus it sounds as if they went to a quality studio for this one. Whereas fellow Mancunian art-punks The Fall were sounding shitter in 1979, these boys went hi-fidelity, and even Disco(!) on a few of the tracks! Dunno if they were being ironic or not, if so its lost on me. That aside, this is a very inventive art-pop album in the Post Punk stylee. Even Steve (now Shirley by the way!?) Solomars' voice is less Monty Python Accountant goes Punk on this one.

Track Listing:

A1		Metropolis
A2		Show Me
A3		Comedians
A4		Eliptical Optimism
A5		Ten To Nine
A6		Another Technique
B1		I Should Have Left Him
B2		It's So Good To Be Alive (Tonight)
B3		Lying Again
B4		I Don't Remember
B5		Walk Away
B6		Lucy
B7		I Remember You

DOWNLOAD some optimism elliptically HERE!

Spherical Objects - "Past and Parcel" (Object Music OBJ001) 1978

The Spherical Objects were one of those post punk groups formed by those leftie ex-student types in their mid-twenties, who were too old to be in a proper punk group like The Stranglers(i know!!!), who were Pub Rockers anyway.
They share much in common with The Desperate Bicycles,like a prominent organ, a singer with an awful bank manager tone to it, and made and financed their own records.
Object music was founded by singer and guitarist, Steve Solamar, and was responsible for many a great act to find its way onto vinyl for the first and last time.
The man(?) needs some kind of trophy for releasing the "A Manchester Collection" by the Manchester Musicians Collective (very right on),in 1979; and bringing the superb Vibrant Thigh, and I.Q.Zero into a recording studio.
The music is sort of a poor mans Fall meets the Desperate Bicycles, and in accordance with the fashion of 1978, it was recorded and mixed in one day.
I bought this when it was released, I was 14, it was cheap and in the "Punk" section of Revolver in Leicester Market Place; It was Cheap, It was Punk so I did it. Got it home and hated it; the singer sounded like an old bloke who'd try and sell you life insurance! But, as i'd spent £2.49 on a record I had to play it several times, and I still hated it. So not having played it since 1978, I played it again, 35 years later, and......guess what.......I love it! And because I had played so many times in `78, I remembered most of the words(the human brain never fails to astound me!). Once the generation gap thing has eroded through time, and I'm an old(er) bloke; I can see the true majesty of this early relic of the pre-indie period. A real unpretentious DIY meisterwerk, that navigates a course directly along the thin line of true "punk" ethics, if ever they exist?
Jonny's Final Thought :
 The Spherical Objects ,as a name, probably referred to the Spherical Objects in Steve's trousers that, in the future, he would have removed to become Shirley Solomar?

DOWNLOAD the past in a convenient parcel HERE! 

Various Artists - "Objectivity : the Object Singles Album (expanded version)" 1978-80

A handy,expanded,compilation of ,Manchester based,Object Musics first years singles.
Object Music was a Manchester based record label active 1978-81. It more or less grew directly out of the Manchester Musicians' Collective, which initially included Dick Witts [Passage], classical and electronic composers (respectively) Simon Holt and Trevor Wishart, and Tony Friel, whose band The Fall had their first gig at a Collective meeting.

Also added to this file are all the singles Object Music released before and after the original LP,(courtesy of Mutant Sounds who have saved me a lot of work,thanks lads we miss you).
It obviously includes the Spherical Objects, but also the great proto-indie pop of Grow Up and the slightly less great Steve Miro. A document of what 1978 sounded like, of musicians trying to escape the straight jacket of three chord thrash; many tried and failed.

Here are a few of my choice picks from this treasure trove of sonic delights:

Contact – "Future / Past EP" (Object Music OM11) 1979:

Tony Friel has appeared on three of the greatest e.p.’s of the Independant era, “Bingo Masters Breakout”, “New Love Songs”(see beelow), and the retro-futurism of this e.p. by Contact; which Friel formed, with Duncan Prestbury, after splitting with The Passage. It has the naivety and innocence  that disappeared from the records of The Fall and The Passage, notably after Friel left these groups. It suitably has an off kilter version of The Seeds classic “Nite Time”, another great Le Rock Naiveté exponent of yesteryear. It also has the honour of having a track featured on one of the Messthetics compilations(“Someone Like You”). A Great low tech re-enactment of a future that would never happen. Unfortunately the real future became the one we have now; where the only popular musical advance  is for women to get their tits and arses out, and boys expose their abdominal muscles. Intelligence has never been as marginalised and frowned upon. What was so great about music from 76 to 83 was basically how sexless it was. It was there but you had to make an effort to find it.

The Passage - "New Love Songs" + "About Time e.p." (Object Music OM02/OM08) 1978/1979

Love Song is my favourite Object Music tune, which was unfortunate enough not to have been the subject of a BBC ban. It could have been a hit in 1978, with its puerile references to certain sex acts; but its far more intelligent than that. Its cynical message is about the selfishness of a sexual relationship, which are largely based on a narcissistic need to be worshipped and to be in control.This is a Love Song 1978 style.
This early Passage release, when Fall founder member and the man responsible for naming Paedo-Peels' favourite band, Tony Friel, was still in the group; finds a band still finding its own identity. But its an identity than is far more attractive to the Passage of 1980 onwards, where Dick Witts' ego takes over, and they became an irritatingly over-clever version of the Pet Shop Boys.

 Tony Friels swansong with the band, produced by Flying Lizard David Cunningham. Good raw minimal DIY pop. If Tony leaves a band you know they're good,but he usually takes the good with him!

Spherical Objects ‎– "The Kill / The Knot" (Object Music OM01) 1978

As I now officially "like" The Spherical Objects,after recently playing their first LP after buying it 35 years ago,hating it,then filing it away until 2013; I searched out this early single from the same one day session that produced the first album. Predictably, its more of the same, second division Blue Orchids fronted by a nasally challenged Roland Rat(Steve Solomar,who incidentally is now a woman!), but still attractive in its sheer Non-rockness. No foot on monitor posturing for these chaps. Nice cover art too; note the ransom note lettering for the singles title to attract the punks, and the stencil lettering to attract Clash fans. Excellent marketing tools in '78 when the flood of releases were just beginning.All this and a lyric sheet to sing-a-long to, with words that suggest a fashionable message to boot! Art skool punk that borrowed a few tricks from that nice Mr Capitalism man.

Track Listing(not necessarily in the correct order,but it is chronological.):

OM-1 Spherical Objects - The Kill / The Knot (10/1978) recorded 10.7.78
OM-2 Passage - New Love Songs EP (12/1978)
tracks: Love Song / Competition // Slit Machine / New Kind Of Love
OM-3 Steve Miro & The Eyes - Up And About / Smiling In Reverse (1978)
recorded 4.11.78 Steve Miro backed by Spherical Objects
OM-4 Spherical Objects - Seventies Romance / Sweet Tooth (1979) recorded 4.11.78
OM-5 Grow Up - Stay Away EP (1979)
tracks: Stay Awake / 10 Minutes / Photo // Lake / River / So Long
OM-6 Alternomen Unlimited - Facade / Connections (1979) recorded 8.2.79
OM-7 Warriors - Martial Time / Martial Law (1979) recorded 22.4.79
OM-8 Passage - About Time EP (10/1979)
tracks: Taking My Time / Clock Paradox // Sixteen Hours / Time Delay
OM-9 I.Q.Zero - Insects // Electromotion / Quirky Pop Music (1979)
OM-10 Steve Miro & The Eyes - Dreams of Desire / Queens of the Sea (1979) recorded 4.7.79
OM-11 Contact - Future/Past EP (1979)
tracks: Fascinated By Time? / Constant Beat // Nite Time / Someone Like You
OM-12 Grow Up - Joanne EP(1980) Recorded and mixed at Revolutuon, Cheadle Hulme, 10.4.80
tracks: Joanne // Affirmation of Existance/Reaffirmation of Existance/Swept
Away / GGGDADGADADAD

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