The Particles - 1980s Bubblegum
First reissue of pioneering Australian indie pop band, spanning recordings 1979-84.
Loved by Carrie Brownstein of Sleater Kinney. Includes their entire recorded output, plus rare bonus tracks. RIYL: Orange Juice,
Television Personalities, The Pastels. “(I have) two fantastic singles by The Particles...they are two of my most prized vinyl
possessions” – Carrie Brownstein (Sleater Kinney) on NPR. The Particles formed at the height of the punk movement in Sydney,
Australia in 1977, and spent their early years hanging out with punk legends The Saints. But by their first recordings in 1979 they were
something else entirely – pioneers of infectiously melodic, playfully subversive indie pop. They deserve to be held up alongside
contemporaries such as Orange Juice or Television Personalities, and 1980s Bubblegum makes a strong case for this with the first
overview of their sporadic recording career. Guitarist Peter Williams and vocalist Astrid Spielman were the core of the group, surviving
numerous lineups until the band dissolved in the mid 80s. Other bandmates include members of Chapter DIY heroes The Cannanes
and fondly-remembered indie pop band The Lighthouse Keepers. The Particles only released three seven inch EPs and a handful of
3
compilation tracks, but their scant recorded work is laden with inventive, irresistible pop hits. After self-releasing two EPs Colour In
(1980) and Advanced Colouring (1981), their final EP I Luv Trumpet (1983) was the second ever release on iconic Sydney label
Waterfront Records. This makes The Particles unlikely labelmates with the likes of Nirvana, L7 and Henry Rollins, who all went on to
release records via Waterfront in Australia in the 90s. On 1980s Bubblegum, Chapter Music presents every known recording by the
Particles, including digital bonus tracks from a 1983 live radio session on Sydney station Triple J. The LP features extensive liner notes
based on interviews with bandmembers. Astrid Spielman tragically passed away from a brain haemorrhage in 2015, but the sheer
joyful magic of her and Peter’s music lives on with 1980s Bubblegum. Side A: 1. Driving Me 2. Apricot’s Dream 3. Zig Zag 4. Truth
About You 5. (Bits Of) Wood 6. Remington Rand Side B: 7. The Trumpet Song 8. Dresses and Shoes 9. Observations 10. Family Life
11. I Know A Place (live) 12. (Bits Of) Wood (early version) // Digital Bonus Tracks: 13. Intro/Interview (live) 14. Truth About You (live)
15. Walking Talking (live) 16. (Bits Of) Wood (live) 17. Remington Rand (live) 18. The Trumpet Song (live
