Popular Mechanix were Winnipeg's most successful punk/new wave/power-pop band of the late seventies, for a bit more on them go here.
Western World finds the band honing its witty, herky-jerky-pop style ( à la XTC) on tracks like. "Safety Pays".Popular Mechanix - Safety Pays
Western World link is in the comments
Update: Greg Gardner writes:
... and not only was Western World moving in a pop psychedelic direction, had the third album been finished, it was moving in a psychedelic surf/exotica direction!
In those days, (1979-1982) being an "indie band" really WAS indie! How could an obscure, unsigned band from Winnipeg, Manitoba (of all places), possibly get their stuff distributed properly?
About the time we finally packed it in, David Peel did a great write up in NME, (circa 1981-82 Elvis cover), praising the Western World album - but, alas - we, the time, and all the money was spent!
(Footage from the reunion show!)
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COMMENTS ARE A GOOD THING
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?hmhmmiztmma
Excellent post thank you
ReplyDeleteJust catching up with these obscurities posts. All excellent stuff I would probably never have ended up hearing otherwise.
ReplyDeleteGreat shares, thanks.
unkerz
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and thanks for the good words.
KingSize Mong
While I'm never afraid to go where others have gone, I really love posting shit almost no one's ever heard.
Glad you dug it.
Jeffen
ReplyDeleteI bought the Popular Mechanix! debut album for the cover.It stood out in any record shop.And it is an excellent album.Also saw them live a few times.
I never bought the second album.Just limited resources and lots to choose from in those post punk days.I am really liking 'Western World'.The band were moving in a pop psychedelic direction obviously.Good stuff.
Cheers
Doug
Doug
ReplyDeleteA good band who were clearly on their way somewhere just unfortunately at the wrong place/wrong time.
Yep. This is the one. If you only knew how many vinyl copies of this I played to death. Awesome share. You are a king among music bloggers.
ReplyDeleteBTW - It's SAFETY PAYS not SAFETY PINS. Just thought you'd like to know.
ReplyDeleteAnon
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good words and the correction!
Wow! Nice to find that people are still digging Pop Mex! Kind words... and not only was Western World moving in a pop psychedelic direction, had the third album been finished, it was moving in a psychedelic surf/exotica direction!
ReplyDeleteIn those days, (1979-1982) being an "indie band" really WAS indie! How could an obscure, unsigned band from Winnipeg, Manitoba (of all places), possibly get their stuff distributed properly?
About the time we finally packed it in, David Peel did a great write up in NME, (circa 1981-82 Elvis cover), praising the Western World album - but, alas - we, the time, and all the money was spent!
Some videos from the reunion gig are here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/gugspunpun?feature=mhum#p/a/u/1/Zd9A1Tvke28
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-yxtXVc2XM
Thanks to you all for even noticing!
Greg Gardner, Popular Mechanix drummer
Greg
ReplyDeleteHey, glad you enjoyed this post, we always aim to do something the artists themselves would appreciate.
Thanks for all the words and vids, I've updated the posts accordingly.
If anyone ever writes up a little history of the band, let me know and I'll add it to a re-post of these great records.