Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, December 6, 8-10pm) include the Equals, Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity, Iron Virgin, Soft Boys, Teardrop Explodes, Hilly Michaels (RIP), Screaming Blue Messiahs, Primal Scream, Vermillion Sands, lots of new music as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: The Equals were one of the first major successful racially integrated bands in the UK. They formed in late 1964 and included a young Eddy Grant as the main songwriter and lead guitarist. With a style that incorporated R&B, soul, pop and even ska, they recorded such classics as “Baby, Come Back” and “Police on My Back.” While Grant dropped out in 1971 due to health issues, the band carried on until disbanding in 1979. This pic sleeve with uncredited photography and design is from a German pressing of their 1968 “I Get So Excited” single on President Records. (Click on image to enlarge.)
DUSTY DIAMOND OF THE WEEK (a vintage gem from the STD vaults): The Squares were a French garage punk rock and roll band active in the early and mid 90s. They released several albums and singles most of which were recorded in London and many at Toe Rag Studios. “I Can’t Deceive You Baby” is a Billy Childish channeling three chord banger with the requisite crisp guitar and snotty vocals. It appeared in 1995 on a single on Childish’s Hangman’s Daughter label. Listen to it here:
Promo art from the Gories’ 1991 “Here be the Gories” single on In the Red Records. Photography by Steve Shaw.