The absolutely brilliant ‘The Trumpet Song’ by eighties band The Particles made me, a dour pseudo goth draped in black and misery, realise it was ok to like uplifting exuberant pop songs. This hyperactive blast also made me appreciate the pure beauty of the trumpet as an instrument in a rock band (confirmed by The Lightning Seeds epic single ‘Pure’).
The Particles formed at the height of the punk movement in Sydney, Australia in 1977, and spent their early years hanging out with punk legends The Saints. But by their first recordings in 1979 they morphed into something entirely different, becoming pioneers of infectiously melodic, playfully subversive indie pop. They played a special part in the indie scene in the eighties alongside bands like the Lighthouse Keepers with a raw infusion of heady pop with a distinctly antipodean flavour.
Chapter Music have just announced the release of ‘1980s Bubbelgum’ for 7 July 2023 – a compilation of every known recording by the Particles, including digital bonus tracks from the first ever Triple J Live At the Wireless session in 1983. As a side note – this album is a brilliant snapshot of music in Australia in the early eighties and is a must-have if you can get it, featuring early recordings of The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and The Hoodoo Gurus as well.
‘1980s Bubblegum’ features extensive liner notes based on interviews with bandmembers. This is glorious release by Chapter Music who have worked effortlessly to collect the music and the memories of a treasured band and era.
Guitarist Peter Williams and vocalist Astrid Spielman were the core of the group, surviving numerous lineups until the band dissolved in the mid 80s. Other bandmates include members of The Cannanes and fondly-remembered indie pop band The Lighthouse Keepers. The Particles only released three seven inch EPs and a handful of compilation tracks, but their scant recorded work is laden with inventive, irresistible pop hits.
Astrid Spielman tragically passed away from a brain haemorrhage in 2015.
Pre-orders are up now, including a bundle with original unplayed copies of one of their singles -for Australian fans, see link below.
You can stream/buy the first single The Trumpet Song, paired with rare track Family Life through the link below here.
monorail music has exclusive copies of the grape bubblegum LP for UK fans, and Seasick Records has exclusive copies of the grape bubblegum LP for US fans.
