recommend 80s indie???

I'm working on a mix of 80s indie rock. In the 80s I was listening to a range of prog rock like Genesis, Yes, Queen, etc... and also liked some of the stuff on the radio, at least to a point. Also got into REM and U2. Along the way I have dug everyone from Fleetwood Mac to Rush to Live to lots of Brit Rock.
Now I'm trying to go back and find cool 80s indie rock that I missed. Here's the thing though I'm not into punk so I know that eliminates a lot. So far I have explored a few bands that I had heard of but had not listened to like: Echo and the Bunnyman, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Boomtown Rats. I have just found The Rain Parade and The Feelies (though am having trouble finding The Feelies to buy or download). So, I'm looking for other recommendations -- how about it -- who are some good bands and artists I should look for? Thanks!

From what you've listed as what you like, I think you might also enjoy :

The Stone Roses (1989) - Self Titled
Dream Syndicate - Days of Wine & Roses (1982)

Others will have longer, better recommendations......figure it's best to start you slow. Happy hunting.

Although it came at the end of the 80's "New York" by Lou Reed is an incredible album.
Also check out "Bela Lugosi's Dead" by Bauhaus

Those might be too obvious, how obscure do you want?

go-betweens
bats
dentists
red guitars
april wine

Even if you're not into "punk", I would recommend checking out Husker Du and the Minutemen. They're both loud, and usually fast, but they have great songs and great singers and (especially with the Minutemen) enough variety that you won't get bored.

The Pogues were great in the 80s. And of course the Replacements were, for a lot of people, the epitome of 80s indie rock.

If you're into prog, check out (assuming you can find them) Fred Frith's band Skeleton Crew, French Frith Kaiser & Thompson's first album ("Live, Love, Larf & Loaf"), and the Henry Kaiser band/album called Crazy Backwards Alphabet. pinball wiz wrote:

Thanks all, this is a great start. Already enjoying Stone Roses and got "Bela..." off of emusic. Will check the rest this week.

I'm open to the punk-related stuff...

Also forgot to mention that of course I also love Zep.

Also came across Rain Parade - and am enjoying their album.

I don't care how obscure, as long as I can find it (though the hunt can be fun).

Thanks again everyone.

There's also the Soft Boys/Robyn Hitchcock, XTC & the Replacements

Just start here.

Hello pinball wiz, you will probably have trouble finding much on the Feelies as they were kind of under the surface of things if you know what I mean. I've got all their albums, including an album of theirs under one of their guises Yung Wu, which is pretty rare. If you particularily like their sound, may I suggest giving Yo La Tengo a try? They're approach is more eclectic, but have a similar kind of feel and ethic to the Feelies. They are still making records so it's much easier to find their stuff.



Greg Sobey

[rhodri.biz]

i have plenty of stuff to trade for shrubs records/burns/tapes...

mine seem to have disappeared in the great rent purge of 93. *sigh*

The Triffids back catalouge is being re-released at present. The stunning Born Sandy Devotional is first cab off the rank.

Don't know if you're still checking this thread but I've a few recommendations.

1. Orange Juice- The Glasgow School. Compilation put out by Domino Records last year, absolute must have for anyone interested in 80's indie. This compilation really only concerns their earliest recordings but it's the only thing in print by them. If you're interested in some of their later stuff (more polished, dancy, but still quite good) I would recommend trying to get a copy of their "very best of," though it will not come cheap.

2. Felt. One of two compilations is still in print I believe, either Stains on a Decade or Absolute Classic Masterpieces. The earliest Felt stuff is much more minimal and, um, morose... they get poppier as the decade rolled along.

I have lots of other recommendations if you're interested.

Here are some essential albums from quintessential 80's indie bands that you must get. Others may have picked other albums by these bands but to me these represent them at their peak.

The Cure: Head on the Door
Smiths: Louder than Bombs
Depeche Mode: Violater
Psychedelic Furs: Talk Talk Talk
Replacements: Let it Be
Husker Du: Candy Apple Grey
XTC: Mummer
Clash: London Calling
Jam: Snap!
English Beat: Just Can't Stop it
Specials (self titled debut)
Aztec Camera: High Land High Rain
New Order: Substance
Smithereens Especially for you
Echo & The Bunneymen: Songs to learn and sing
Jesus and Mary Chain: Psychocandy
Gang of Four: Entertainment
My Bloody Valentine: Loveless
Cocteau Twins: Treasure
REM: Reckoning

Essential Singles:

Magazine "shot by both sides"
Joy Division "love will tear us apart"
Dinosaur Jr "Freak Scene"
Nirvana "Love Buzz"
Chameleons UK "Swamp Thing"
Feelies "Fa Ce La"
Church " Under the milky way"
Siouxsie "cities in the dust"
Sonic Youth "Teen Age Riot"

You mentioned you are open to Punk so if you want to explore a bit here are my favorite Punk albums - they are all from the late 70's though:

999 - Biggest Prize in Sport
X-Ray Spex - Germ Free Adolescents
Clash (debut UK Edtition)
Vibrators - Pure Mania
Stiff Little Fingers - inflammable material
Ramones - Rocket to Russia
Television - Marque Moon

Galaxie 500 - "On Fire"