The Vipers - Sounds Of Confusion CD
(A Tribute To Stage B)
For those of you who don't know - Stage B were a seminal punk band from Belfast who formed in 1978 from the ashes of 3 chord wonders The Batteries. Influenced by early Siouxsie and the Banshees, Adam and The Ants, and Magazine amongst others, Stage B's sound can only be described as 'gothic punk.' They were one of the most original sounding bands on the local scene and arguably ahead of their time. 'Sounds Of Confusion' is a tribute to the genius that was Stage B!
Original Stage B bassist Colin Fletcher today struts his stuff with Stop Stop Start Again and it is they who provide the first three tracks on the CD - remarkable reworkings of the Stage B classics Lizzie Borden, Recall (To Life), and Light On The Hillside. SSSA have surpassed my expectations on these tracks giving them a modern twist and full on sound, really doing them justice.
Next up is The Stiltwalkers with their take on Light On The Hillside which is a different beast altogether from that provided by SSSA. The Stiltwalkers are a two-piece electronic Goth / Darkwave band from Belfast comprising of Mike Scott (ex Rose Garden) and Des Potter (original Stage B guitarist and songwriter). Stiltwalkers provide a surreal electronic soundscape topped by Des' deep vocal and its truly amazing. You just have to hear this!
Next up we have the original Stage B versions of Recall (To Life) and Light On The Hillside - the two songs that made up the bands one and only single released on the Shock Rock label, 1980.
The tribute CD ends fittingly with the previously unreleased Stage B demo version of Lizzie Borden.
Stage B were one of my favourite bands back in the day, and as such I had a few reservations when the idea of a tribute CD was first muted. But to say my expectations were pleasantly surpassed is a bit of an understatement! To quote my old mate and fellow Stage B fan Joe Donnelly 'Its fxxxxxx awesome'!
STAGE B ARE DEAD - LONG LIVE STAGE B!
For those of you who don't know - Stage B were a seminal punk band from Belfast who formed in 1978 from the ashes of 3 chord wonders The Batteries. Influenced by early Siouxsie and the Banshees, Adam and The Ants, and Magazine amongst others, Stage B's sound can only be described as 'gothic punk.' They were one of the most original sounding bands on the local scene and arguably ahead of their time. 'Sounds Of Confusion' is a tribute to the genius that was Stage B!
Original Stage B bassist Colin Fletcher today struts his stuff with Stop Stop Start Again and it is they who provide the first three tracks on the CD - remarkable reworkings of the Stage B classics Lizzie Borden, Recall (To Life), and Light On The Hillside. SSSA have surpassed my expectations on these tracks giving them a modern twist and full on sound, really doing them justice.
Next up is The Stiltwalkers with their take on Light On The Hillside which is a different beast altogether from that provided by SSSA. The Stiltwalkers are a two-piece electronic Goth / Darkwave band from Belfast comprising of Mike Scott (ex Rose Garden) and Des Potter (original Stage B guitarist and songwriter). Stiltwalkers provide a surreal electronic soundscape topped by Des' deep vocal and its truly amazing. You just have to hear this!
Next up we have the original Stage B versions of Recall (To Life) and Light On The Hillside - the two songs that made up the bands one and only single released on the Shock Rock label, 1980.
The tribute CD ends fittingly with the previously unreleased Stage B demo version of Lizzie Borden.
Stage B were one of my favourite bands back in the day, and as such I had a few reservations when the idea of a tribute CD was first muted. But to say my expectations were pleasantly surpassed is a bit of an understatement! To quote my old mate and fellow Stage B fan Joe Donnelly 'Its fxxxxxx awesome'!
STAGE B ARE DEAD - LONG LIVE STAGE B!