Thewisermiserdemelza

Medway garage band the Prisoners are loved by a legion of fans, including quite a few who went on to be in successful bands themselves. Those who saw them live speak in reverential terms, yet they never sold records in large amounts and their gigs, whilst packed, were almost always in small venues. Thewisermiserdemelza – an excellent embodiment of their British R&B-influenced sound – falls into an odd place in their career. They often professed to be unhappy with the album, yet their first-generation fans cherish it, particularly songs such as ‘Hurricane’. It was recorded in 1983 for Ace Records’ Big Beat label and produced by Phil Chevron – a new experience for the band, who self-released their first album, A Taste Of Pink.

The CD comes with extensive liner notes, culled from interviews with all the band members and producer Philip Chevron of the Pogues and Radiators From Space This is the definitive reissue of their 1983 album, featuring all the tracks the group recorded for Big Beat in 1983. It includes the original album, the tracks from the 'Electric Fit' EP, the Prisoners' track from the 'Four On Four' EP, and the bonus cuts originally released on the US album 'Revenge Of The Prisoners', including version two of 'Revenge of The Cybermen' which hasn't been reissued since.