Lmst

Strawberry Switchblade in the studio during the recording of their album, mid 1984. As befits a practical, work-focused day they are underdressed by their standards (though still flamboyant by anyone else's).

With them are producer David Motion (left), and the late Michael Parker (guitarist with Jungr & Parker and Julian Clary's backing band!) who was the partner of Jill's friend Marg.

#strawberryswitchblade #80s #music #80smusic #1980s #1980smusic #recording #indie #indiepop #80sindie

Four people stand in a room against a wall, smiling. Rose Mcdowall and Jill Bryson are in the middle in short dresses and hairbands with plastic flowers and long trailing ribbons. They are flanked by two casually dressed men of a comparable age. The walls have pictures of musicians, it appears to be one of Ringo Starr just behind Jill.

New Trees and Flowers cover version just dropped! Madeline Goldstein did this beautiful rendition with Faith-era Cure vibes (and authentic sartorial choices) on 30 October at the Empty Bottle in Chicago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s85YrO8A2Fw

#strawberryswitchblade #treesandflowers #madelinegoldstein #indie #coverversion #80sindie #indiepop

Strawberry Switchblade, in the latter part of the band's existence, around 1986. Although it's a monochrome photo, they were wearing uncharacteristically colourful stuff this day.

(📸©️Peter McArthur, used with permission)

#strawberryswitchblade #1980s #80s #1980smusic #80sMusic #80sstyle #indiepop #80sindie #80sindiepop #music

Black and white photo against a pitch black background. On the left, Jill is seated, looking straight at the camera with clasped hands and a serious expression. She wears a puffy satiny dress that feels a bit 19th century. On the right, Rose stands in a satiny mini dress with rah-rah skirt, looking off with a dreamy expression. Both have headbands of plastic flowers trailing long ribbons.

Strawberry Switchblade, 1984/5. The person in their 1980s body warmer unintentionally serves to highlight the dramatic pizzazz of the band's aesthetic.

#strawberryswitchblade #80sMusic #80s #music #1980s #1980smusic #popstars #polkadots #indie #indiepop #80sindie #80sindiepop

Outdoor photo, unposed, with Jill and Rose smiling at an unknown person. It's a sunny day, on the left is a person turned away from camera with long dark hair, wearing a red body warmer, checked shirt and blue jeans. In the centre is Jill Bryson with red back combed hair and a green strapless dress with black polka dots and black velevet sleeves. On the right is Rose McDowall in a white dress with black polka dots and ra-ra skirt.

Strawberry Switchblade on stage, late 1983/early 1984 [📸Kenji Kubo].

After debut single Trees & Flowers was an indie success in summer 1983 they put together a touring band.

Simon Booth (aka Emmerson) from Working Week played guitar, with drummer Roy Dodds & bassist John Cook. 🧵

#strawberryswitchblade #80s #music #80smusic #1980s #1980smusic #indie #indiepop #80sindie

Black and white photo looking up at the stage. Jill Bryson is at the front left, smiling and playing a tambourine. Rose McDowall is at the front right, smiling and playing an acoustic guitar. In the centre further back is a drum kit on a riser played by Simon Dodds, in front of which stands Simon Emmerson playing guitar.

Three fabulous previously unseen photos of Strawberry Switchblade live at Brockwell Park, London, 4 August 1984. It was a free gig put on by Greater London Council featuring an ececletic mix inc the Damned, the Fall, Benjamin Zephaniah & Spear of Destiny. Photographer unknown.

#strawberryswitchblade #80s #1980s #80smusic #1980smusic #goth #indie #indiepop #80sindie

Rose McDowall on stage. It's daytime, she'd playing her Antigua finish Fender Coronado 2 guitar, wearing a black corset and tutu, smiling and turning towards Jill who is off camera.

Jill Bryson and John Cook on stage. It's daytime, Jill plays guitar and John bass. John is in black T shirt and black jeans, Jill in a white polka dot top and black flamenco skirt.

Rose McDowall on stage. It's daytime, she'd picking up her Antigua finish Fender Coronado 2 guitar, wearing a black corset and tutu.

Poster for the free concert at Brockwell Park. It says: Free, Saturday 4 August, The Damned, Spear of Destiny, The Fall, Benjamin Zephaniah, New Model Army, Joolz, Brilliant, Strawberry Switchblade, Pleasure and the Beast, Hi Jinx, The Opposition, D J Pete Fox. Keep G L C working for London.

Remembering John Peel on his birthday. Strawberry Switchblade were among the innumerable bands he promoted, giving them a session in October 1982 before they were signed (and which led to their getting a recording contract). Here's Little River. 🧵
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG_Tj81jY60

#johnpeel #johnpeelsessions #peelsessions #keepitpeel #keepingitpeel #strawberryswitchblade #indie #indiepop #80sindie #80smusic #1980smusic #music

It's one of 50+ videos on our Strawberry Switchblade TV appearances and videos YouTube playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX2HnBcxZSYma1wF5bOx_BxMVFGmNLoim

#strawberryswitchblade #indiepop #indie #80sindie #80sindiepop #80smusic #1980smusic #1980s #ScottishMusic #goth #80sgoth #no73

Continuing our week celebrating the 42nd anniversary of the release of Strawberry Switchblade's debut single Trees & Flowers. The single was issued on 7", & also on 12" with an instrumental version of Trees & Flowers as the bonus track. So where's the extended version from? 🧵

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxOUWEpi6hw

#strawberryswitchblade #80s #music #80sMusic #indiepop #indie #indiemusic #80sindie

Strawberry Switchblade full page poster from UK adolescent girls' mag Blue Jeans, 27 April 1985.

#StrawberrySwitchblade #80sMusic #synthpop #80s #music #polkadots #scottishmusic #indie #80sindie #indiepop

Strawberry Switchblade in a fun pose, leaning back. Both of them wear black and white polka dots, Jill Bryson in a long flamenco dress, Rose McDowall in a tutu.

I had forgotten how great the Watusi Rodeo track, by Guadalcanal Diary was, until a few minutes ago. 1983, y'all!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut6yOjKoEUQ&pp=ygUed2F0dXNpIHJvZGVvIGd1YWRhbGNhbmFsIGRpYXJ5

#NowPlaying #music #MusicVideo #ListenUp #Retro #GenX #GoodTunes #PumpUpTheVolume #MusicLovers #80sIndie #80sMusic #Nostalgia #Punk #RockNRoll

The Loft are an English indie band, whose debut single was one of the earliest releases on Creation Records.
History

Formed in 1980 as The Living Room by Peter Astor (vocals, guitar), Bill Prince (bass), Andy Strickland (guitar) and Dave Morgan (drums), the band changed its name when they discovered a local music venue also called The Living Room. The venue was being run by Alan McGee, with whom The Loft struck up a friendship and played several gigs for. After signing to McGee's fledgling Creation Records label, the debut single "Why Does the Rain?" was issued in 1984. "Up the Hill and Down the Slope" was issued the following year, earning both band and label some critical success.

Wikipedia

#theloft #creation #peteastor #80sindie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9z4W7VoCz4

Strawberry Switchblade were cover stars of No 1 magazine 40 years ago today, 23 March 1985. The interview touched on Jill's agoraphobia & the culture shock of moving to London from Glasgow, with photos of them around St Paul's Cathedral.

#StrawberrySwitchblade #scottishbands #80smusic #80sindie #80sindiepop #gothpop #80sgoth #newwave #80snewwave #synthpop #popstars #lethergo #no1magazine

Cover of No 1 magazine with headline 'Strawberry Switchlade hit the heights' and a photo of Jill and Rose in polka dot dresses with polka dot ribbons in their hair

First page of a three page feature, headlined 'Let Her Go Out' and intro reading 'Eighteen months ago Strawberry Switchblade moved from Glasgow to London. They got a grotty flat in Muswell Hill and sat in it. Not a great start, you might think. But Jill McDowall [sic] suffers from agoraphobia - a fear of the outdoors - and Rose Bryson [sic] wasn't going out by herself. So how come they're now standing on top of St Paul's Cathedral being photographed by John Stoddart? Paul Simper tries to find the courage to go up there and ask them'

Page two of the three-page feature, including photos of Rose and Jill at St Paul's cathedral with schoolkids around them.

Final page of the three-page feature, illustrated with Rose and Jill standing between large cathedral pillars, Jill in a long white dress, Rose in one that's short and black.

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Strawberry Switchblade's Let Her Go, here's one of only two TV perfomances we know of.

This is on BBC TV's Saturday morning kids' show Saturday Superstore, 16 March 1985.

Sorry for the sketchy video quality! It's transferred from a vintage VHS tape recorded from broadcast TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8lgegGjAfM

#StrawberrySwitchblade #80smusic #80sindie #80sindiepop #gothpop #80sgoth #newwave #80snewwave #synthpop #lethergo #saturdaysuperstore #keithchegwin #cheggers

Continuing a week of posts celebrating the 40th anniversary of Strawberry Switchblade's Let Her Go, here's Jill Bryson's acoustic home demo.

Like most Strawberry Switchblade songs, Let Her Go was written on guitar. Jill wrote the music and a basic vocal meody, Rose refined the melody & added lyrics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrfpdrjBgE8

#StrawberrySwitchblade #rosemcdowall #jillbryson #scottishband #scottishbands #indie #80sindie #80sindiepop #gothpop #80sgoth #newwave #80smusic #synthpop

Strawberry Switchblade by candlelight.

Back page poster from UK music mag Record Mirror, 1985.

#StrawberrySwitchblade #rosemcdowall #jillbryson #scottishband #scottishbands #femaleband #femalebands #glasgowband #glasgowbands #glasgowmusic #80sindie #80sindiepop #gothpop #goth #newwave #indie #80snewwave #darkwave #synthpop #80spopstars #popstars #electropop #electropopmusic

Strawberry Switchblade talking about their aesthetic & how Glasgow boredom encourages creativity. Interviewed by Paul Coia, March 1985.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh7J03YPSlQ

#StrawberrySwitchblade #rosemcdowall #jillbryson #scottishband #scottishbands #femaleband #femalebands #glasgowband #glasgowbands #glasgowmusic #80sindie #80sindiepop #gothpop #goth #newwave #indie #80snewwave #darkwave #synthpop #80spopstars #popstars #electropop #electropopmusic #paulcoia

Strawberry Switchblade centrespread poster from No 1 magazine, 1985.

#StrawberrySwitchblade #rosemcdowall #jillbryson #scottishband #scottishbands #femaleband #femalebands #glasgowband #glasgowbands #glasgowmusic #80sindie #80sindiepop #gothpop #80sgoth #newwave #80snewwave #darkwave #synthpop #80spopstars #no1magazine #popstars #electropop #electropopmusic #goth #music #popmusic #80smusic

The gig was favourably reviewed in Sounds, only the fourth time the band had been in the music press.

https://strawberryswitchblade.net/sounds-live-review-13-november-1982/

#sounds #music #80smusic #StrawberrySwitchblade #rosemcdowall #jillbryson #scottishband #scottishbands #femaleband #femalebands #glasgowband #glasgowbands #glasgowmusic #80sindie #80sindiepop #gothpop #80sgoth #newwave #80snewwave #darkwave #synthpop #80spopstars #indie

Happy birthday to Roddy Frame, 61 today!

Roddy and Aztec Camera were part of the same early 1980s teenage Glasgow indie scene that spawned Strawberry Switchblade, and he played his beautiful sweeping acoustic guitar chords on the debut single Trees and Flowers in 1983.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY9uMD3tZcY

#roddyframe #azteccamera #otd #StrawberrySwitchblade #indie #music #80sindie #80sindiepop #indiepop #guitar #birthdays #postcardrecords #glasgow #glasgowmusic #newwave #indiemusic #80spopstars

#80sindie

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