This will sound familiar to regular readers because, well, I listen to a lot music with this aesthetic. You know... loud, fuzzy, female and oh, so very DIY. Subway vets Bubblegum Splash! and the Rosehips might come to mind. Karen, Esther and Marie-Anne hailed from Switzerland, but Chin Chin always seemed Scottish because they were closely associated with Shop Assistants. They used to open for them, and many of Chin Chin's songs from the self-released 'Sound of the Westway,' their one and only long player, showed up on an eight-song band compilation legendary Scottish label 53rd and 3rd released in 1987. Like many of the bands already lazily name-dropped here, Chin Chin were influenced by the punk of the Clash and the harmonies of Phil Spector's girl groups in equal measure. Just lovely.
Chin Chin's music on their own Farmer Records is a difficult and costly endeavor, but you have been able to find a reissue of the 1985 album 'Sound of the Westway' fairly easily since 2010. I have had an original copy of their 1984 single "We Don't Wanna Be Prisoners" on my shopping list for decades, but the going rate on Discogs is about $275. Too rich for my blood. Anyway, here is a favorite from 'Sound of the Westway.' New music next time.
"Never Surrender"
10 comments:
And here was me expecting more China Crisis!
I read that sleeve to wuickly and thought "not more china crisis!". Time to give this a listen.
quickly not quickly
This is magic! Never heard of them before. I will investigate further
The sleeve looks like a Clash bootleg and the title of the album is utterly perfect. A top tune too. What's not to like?
A great band and a great album! I used to have an original first press copy, but the vinyl was so warped that I couldn't listen to it any longer: what a shame!
O my. Now that's fun!! Clash + Spector is a perfect description. There is something about girl bands. I LIKE IT!!!! I'll on the hunt for more. Tres cool. Thanks, Brian.
It's no China Crisis. Ha! Happy this one was well received.
Hey Dirk. Did you know Chin Chin from John Peel? I know they got some spins in '86 and '87.
Yes, Brian, he played 'Never Surrender' and 'Why Am I So Lonely' on BFBS back then and it blew me away, so I got hold of the album immediately! A Swiss '(post) punk scene' was existant back then, although not fairly easy to listen to, it must be said! Chin-Chin were a very nice exception! It's nice to see that the album fetches great sums of money on discogs these days, obviously I only wish I still had my copy!
Totally new on this old guy.
It's brilliant!!!
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