Biff Bang Pow - Hanging Out At The Beat Hotel
February 28th, 2010
One of my all time favourite albums finally gets an elegant re-issue treatment by the ever increasingly, impressive Vollwert-Records of Berlin. Biff Bang Pow! - The Girl Who Runs The Beat Hotel (VWR 08) - http://www.myspace.com/bbp2009 - was just released as part of the re-release of classic albums in a limited pressing of 99 copies.
This is an essential record to own and a very significant release in so many ways. From a magnificent cover, to the band name and the inclusion of so many fine musicians and influential music icons, to the album title and the inclusion of JC Brouchard, and of course THE MUSIC. WOW! Let me explain a bit.
Everything about the band Biff Bang Pow! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biff_Bang_Pow! ) was cool . They were formed from the ashes of The Laughing Apple and somehow inexplicably related to The Revolving Paint Dream who both recorded for Whaam! Records (which in itself makes them drop below the freezing point on the cool scale) and was the main outlet for the music of Alan McGee, a true music fan and visionary, who not only knew his music, but also had an ear for a great POP tune and what’s cool as was later borne out by the releases on his labels, Creation Records and later Poptones. The name of the band “Biff Bang Pow!” was taken from a true gem of a song by The Creation, a band from the 60’s who are also in their own right a highly influential and well respected band.
Biff Bang Pow! also featured the talents of so many great musicians, like Joe Foster, Dick Green, Ken Popple, Dave Evans, Andrew Innes, and came to include many more later including Edward Ball, Joss Cope and Dave Morgan. The mention of all these names alone should strike a chord with any discerning music fan, and weave a web of music connections that is not easily untangled.
The original album artwork was always something special and very striking in its original format on a 12″ vinyl sleeve, of a flower bouquet in vivid colours that stood out from many of the covers in its day and somehow perfectly represented the sounds that the disc contained, a flowery psychedelic mod pop amalgamation that would go straight to your heart. The re-issue has borrowed from the original artwork, with a zoom effect that when you open the package, still inspires that same warm feeling, although I am sure it would look even better in a vinyl re-issue package, which I am sure someone will eventually consider.
The album title “The Girl Who Runs The Beat Hotel”, somehow also was the perfect title and captured a time and place and a mood that no other title could. You just knew you wanted to visit this exotic location and stay at this hotel, spot the cool faces in the crowd and mingle with the foreign operatives. You spot the beautiful girl at the front desk with the the endearing smile, who was wearing her black and white striped beat outfit, something from the Prisoner series or the beatnik era or the movie Darling or maybe even an undercover Modesty Blaise
and you can just imagine her radio playing The Page Boys “You’re My Kind Of Girl” or Anorak Girl’s “Smashing Time” (I know, I know this song isn’t even released yet, just have a bit more patience, it’s coming) and you want to go over and chat about the latest mod hit parade, and other cool music with her. There is an intriguing romance surrounding the title that is somehow mirrored in the songs “Love’s Going Out Of Fashion”, “She Never Understood” and “The Happiest Girl In The World”.
But to ignore all my rambling and get to the most important part (although everyone knows the whole package is essential), it’s the music that makes this release so special, and regardless of what Alan McGee’s modest opinion is, the music contained here is timeless, exciting and inspiring to a new generation. The first track is the ultimate fear of any mod to have his scooter nicked in “Someone Stole My Wheels” which kicks in the album quite nicely and has some groovy organ sounds and guitars and some exceptional production by Mr. Joseph Foster. I really love this song and it has been featured on my “Here Comes The Mod Parade” compilation, years ago, but that’s another story. “Love’s Going Out Fashion” is a real highlight also and is one of those songs that could play on forever and you never tire of it. I imagine this is how the Cure might sound like, if they were inspired by Television Personalities and New Order, and what a swell guitar intro and beautiful harmonica. “She Never Understood” is also a pure heavenly POP gem which was also released in a different version on the “The Acid House Album” and is the perfect POP song. It has also been covered by several bands including Comet Gain on their “Realistes” CD and the wonderful Aberdeen on the “What Do I Wish For Now?” Release on LTM Records, which shows that I am not the only one that was inspired by this tune. “He Don’t Need That Girl” continues in fine form with an upbeat groove and a bounce in it’s stride and could easily fit on a Revolving Paint Dream album. “She Shivers Inside” slows things down a bit and maintains a dreamy feel and reminds one of the TVP’s in their quieter moments. (This paragraph is getting long so I’ll take a deep breath before carrying on).
Another song that has inspired others to record a cover (check out Lovejoy “Plays Biff Bang Pow” on Matnee Records) is “The Beat Hotel” and when you hear it you will know why, as it is a beautiful love song, sung with pure melancholy that just melts the heart and ‘get’s a hold on you” and “that’s a fact”. Then comes “The Happiest Girl In The World” who shifts from sounding happy to being on the verge of tears and somehow captures the essence of life. “If I Die” is what the Smiths might have sounded like if they had a female lead singer and listened to more Pebbles compilations, and is that the amazing JC Brouchard making an appearance on the spoken word part? - ahhh yes it is and a bit more on him later. If you want to take a break go watch a Biff Bang Pow video and come back and finish reading - www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPwUhapR2F8 .
Track 9, “Five Minutes In The Life Of Greenwood Goulding” is nice psychedelic ramble with backwards guitars and hushed vocals and a beat that recalls “Back To Vietnam” or maybe even “The Painted Word” which is no way a complaint, as everyone knows I love the TVP’s. The title likely alludes to the bass player in The Loft and The Weather Prophets, who were two of the bands who were with Creation Records right from the start. They keep the best track for last in the wonderful garage/surf influenced “The Whole World Is Turning Brouchard!”, which although being way too short at 1 minute and 29 seconds is a brilliant way to end this ride. This song also brings back our favourite Creation character, Mr. JC Brouchard who was an influential figure in the rise of Creation Records, and ran the Biff Bang Pow fan club “Non Stop Movement”. It’s probably best if I let him tell his own story here - http://pagesperso-orange.fr/vivonzeureux/Pages/pidgmeandalanmcgee.html . JC like Alan was and still is a true music fan and continues to write a music blog which you can read here at - http://vivonzeureux.blogspot.com/ , although you will need to understand French. Another interesting side note on JC Brouchard is that he provided us with a wonderful interpretation of a TVP song for our next tribute which I have had now for some time but hopefully to be released soon - sorry JC.
All that said, this is the perfect album in many ways and with only 99 numbered copies you may want to get a copy now, before they are all gone like the Laughing Apple single which is already sold out - I don’t want to say I told you so. Excuse me now as I head back to the Beat Hotel, there’s a girl waiting
Categories: 2010 Favourite, Great Music | Tags: Alan McGee, Andrew Innes, Anorak Girl, biff bang pow, Creation Records, Dave Evans, Dave Morgan, Dick Green, edward ball, Joe Foster, Joss Cope, Ken Popple, The Creation, The Laughing Apple, The Page Boys, The Revolving Paint Dream, Vollwert Records, Whaam! Records | No Comments
