{"title":"The Pale Fountains","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"something-on-my-mind","title":"Something On My Mind","description":"\u003cp\u003eFinally repressed. Les Disques du Crépuscule presents an anthology of classic early recordings by The Pale Fountains, the pioneering indiepop band from Liverpool whose first single appeared on the label in 1982. \u003ci\u003eSomething On My Mind\u003c\/i\u003e combines a 12 track vinyl album with a bonus 19 track live CD. Side one of the album features six studio tracks, including all tracks from the maxi single released by Crépuscule \/ Operation Twilight in June 1982, as well as unreleased second single \u003ci\u003eLongshot For Your Love\u003c\/i\u003e plus two songs recorded for the Crépuscule compilation albums \u003ci\u003eGhosts of Christmas Past\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMoving Soundtracks\u003c\/i\u003e. Side two features 6 live tracks recorded in October 1982 on the celebrated Crépuscule package tour \u003ci\u003eMove Back-Bite Harder\u003c\/i\u003e, which saw the Paleys matched with Antena, 23 Skidoo, Cabaret Voltaire and Tuxedomoon. The bonus live CD packaged with the album includes complete performances by Pale Fountains from Brussels (5 October) and Leuven (6 October). At the end of 1982 the group signed to Virgin and went on to release the acclaimed albums \u003ci\u003ePacific Street\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFrom Across the Kitchen Table\u003c\/i\u003e. Praised as “our greatest songwriter” by NME, Michael Head went on to form Shack in 1987 with brother John, while percussionist Nathan McGough moved into management. Trumpet player Andy Diagram also played in Diagram Brothers, Dislocation Dance and James. Sadly bassist Chris ‘Biffa’ McCaffrey passed away in 1989; a donation from the proceeds of sale of this album will be made to The Brain Tumour Charity in his memory. www.thebraintumourcharity.org. Cover art by Benoît Hennebert. Liner notes by Paleys historian Geoff King.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Les Disques Du Crepuscule","offers":[{"title":"Blue | LP","offer_id":50454185673035,"sku":"1072822","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50454188130635,"sku":"1009866","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/94f033a2-016b-4b63-8f95-25f1a7c54db9_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727181928"},{"product_id":"from-across-the-kitchen-table","title":"From Across The Kitchen Table","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Pale Fountains\u003c\/strong\u003e were formed in Liverpool in 1980 by Mick (as he was then known) Head with Chris McCaffery on bass, Thomas Whelan on drums, trumpeter Andy Diagram, and guitarist Ken Moss. Signing with Virgin in late 1982, this was the first time the music world became aware of the work of singer-songwriter Michael Head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom Across The Kitchen Table\u003c\/em\u003e in 1985 was produced by Ian Broudie, soon to form and redefine sugar-pop with The Lightning Seeds. The album is more unified than its predecessor as it was recorded over a shorter period of time. Lead single \"\u003cem\u003eJean's Not Happening\u003c\/em\u003e\" is one of the great lost indie gems of the 80s, complete with a powerful string arrangement. The closing song, \"\u003cem\u003eSeptember Sting\u003c\/em\u003e,\" is a joyous slice of scouse-a-billy that points the way clearly to later groups such as The Las.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNear four decades later, Michael Head is adored by his hardcore following and the wider world freshly discovers him as each of his new releases achieves widescale acclaim, whether it be his subsequent band, Shack, or his current outfit, the Red Elastic Band. But The Pale Fountains was where it all began. This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1985 Virgin Records UK release with printed inner and is pressed onto high-quality 180g vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Proper Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50465584120139,"sku":"118935","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50465584349515,"sku":"2005186","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0-1_700b3b96_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727292835"},{"product_id":"pacific-street","title":"Pacific Street","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Pale Fountains were formed in Liverpool in 1980 by Mick (as he was then known) Head with Chris McCaffery on bass, Thomas Whelan on drums, trumpeter Andy Diagram and guitarist Ken Moss, signing with Virgin in late 1982, this was the first time the music world became aware of the work of singer-songwriter Michael Head. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e   At the time of its release in February 1984, Head described \u003ci\u003ePacific Street \u003c\/i\u003eas \"like a greatest hits LP, except we haven't had any hits!\" It not only showcases the ambition of 80s pop in general, but the very specific singularity of the Liverpool scene, that seemed to add love and (Arthur Lee's) Love to everything recorded. It reflects the swing away from the post-punk and funk of the early years of the decade, aiming for a mellower, bossa-nova influenced pop. It is difficult to understand how tracks such as Unless and (Don't Let Your Love) Start A War were not big hits and are not viewed as standards. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  Near four decades later, Michael Head is adored by his hardcore following and the wider world freshly discovers him as each of his new releases achieves widescale acclaim, whether it be his subsequent band, Shack, or his current outfit, the Red Elastic Band. But The Pale Fountains was where it all began. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1984 Virgin Records UK release with printed inner and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Proper Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50465584841035,"sku":"118936","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50465585103179,"sku":"2005189","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0-3_a47cb0cf_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727292870"},{"product_id":"the-complete-virgin-years","title":"The Complete Virgin Years,","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Pale Fountains were an English band formed in Liverpool in 1980, and composed of Mick Head, Chris McCaffery, Thomas Whelan, Andy Diagram and Ken Moss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by 1960s music such as Love, Burt Bacharach and The Beatles, the group released their debut single ‘(There's Always) Something on My Mind’ in October 1982. Although the Pale Fountains failed to make much commercial headway, the band would earn critical praise for the two albums released on Virgin, \u003cem\u003ePacific Street\u003c\/em\u003e (1984) and \u003cem\u003e..From Across the Kitchen Table\u003c\/em\u003e (1985).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 4-CD box set brings together both albums as well as all the B-Sides, mixes, and some previously unreleased material from the Virgin vaults all housed in a sturdy box with extensive sleeve notes by Classic Pop’s John Earls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMick Head – Vocals, Guitar (1981–1987) Chris McCaffery – Bass Guitar (1981–1987) Thomas Whelan – Drums (1981–1987) Andy Diagram – Trumpet (1982–1984) John Head – Guitar (1984–1987)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cherry Red","offers":[{"title":"4CD","offer_id":51407690072395,"sku":"R3457-6417","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Screenshot2025-03-07at16.20.10.png?v=1741391678"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/the-pale-fountains.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}