Original punks complete singles collection together for the first time on 3 CDs
The Vibrators were formed by Ian “Knox” Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis and drummer John ‘Eddie’ Edwards in 1976. 25 albums and several line-up changes later, Cherry Red Records have pulled all their single releases together in one box set. The only original member constant throughout these recordings is drummer Edwards. For a lot of the band’s career post Ellis and Knox, they recorded and toured as a three piece.
The early songs were a straight progression from pub rock, part Feelgoods and part Only Ones. They lacked that rougher edge of their punk peers, although their sound developed a heavier feel by the time Pure Mania was released. Perhaps it was the influence of being on Mickie Most’s RAK Label, but there was a lot of synth and saxophone floating around that set them apart from their peers. They did give Stiff Little Fingers their name with the track of the same title, but sonically the two have little in common.
Included are the UK National Chart hit singles ‘Automatic Lover’ (No.35) and ‘Judy Says’ (No.70) plus the Independent Chart hits ‘Gimme Some Lovin’ (No.5), ‘Disco In Mosco’ (No.26), ‘Baby, Baby’ (No.10) and ‘MX America’ (No.17).
Also included as a bonus, are two rare solo 45s by vocalist Knox. Many of the bands later singles have never received a domestic release in the UK and are now expensive and sought after on the Punk collectors’ market. Each single is illustrated in the 28-page booklet which also features detailed liner notes. The band retired from touring in 2022 after nearly 50 years but still record tracks for themed compilations and still feature original members Knox and Eddie.
TRACK LISTING
DISC ONE
1 We Vibrate
2 Whips And Furs
3 Pogo Dancing (with Chris Spedding)
4 The Pose (with Chris Spedding)
5 Bad Time
6 No Heart
7 Baby, Baby
8 Into The Future ….
9 London Girls (Live)
10 Stiff Little Fingers (Live)
11 Automatic Lover
12 Destroy
13 Judy Says (Knock You In The Head)
14 Pure Mania
15 Gimme Some Lovin’
16 Power Cry (Live)
17 Disco In Mosco
18 Take A Chance
19 Baby, Baby (1982)
20 Dragnet
21 Guilty
22 Hang Ten
23 MX America
24 Shadow Love
DISC TWO
1 Flying Home
2 Flash Flash Flash
3 Punish Me With Kisses
4 4875
5 Baby Blue Eyes
6 Amphetamine Blue
7 Somnambulist
8 Blown Away By Love
9 The Demolishers
10 Still Not Over You
11 String Him Along
12 Every Day I Die A Little
13 Disco In Mosco (Live)
14 Rip Up The City (Live)
15 Amphetamine Blue (Live)
16 Yeah Yeah Yeah (Live)
17 Halfway To Paradise
18 Drive
19 Rocket Ride To Heaven
20 Fire
21 Troops Of Tomorrow (1992)
DISC THREE
1 Destroy (1998)
2 The Girl’s Screwed Up
3 Tired Of Living With You
4 I Hate Xmas
5 I Miss You Most At Christmas
6 Politically Correct
7 The Kid’s A Mess (Live)
8 Automatic Lover (2006)
9 Baby, Baby (2006)
10 New Rose
11 Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
12 Slow Death
13 Get Me A Beer
14 On My Way To Hell
15 Rock `N’ Roll Rescue
16 Public Enemy (2016)
17 Stiff Little Fingers (2016)
18 Restless
19 She’s The One You Need
20 Hound Do
Bonus KNOX Singles
21 Gigolo Aunt
22 Alligator Man
23 She’s So Goodlooking
24 Love Is Burning
About The Author
