Scared To Get Happy: 5 CD Box Set Of Indie Pop Out Soon

A definitive collection of indie or a reduction of the form is due out soon. 

I guess we should be used to this by now…the reduction of indie into one style of music and if you ever wondered how this process started this new series of compilation albums will show you how.

There’s a lot of great songs on the collection but it narrows a virbrant and eclectic scene into one style of music…

Scared To Get Happy (A Story Of Indie Pop 1980-1989) is the first box set ever to document the explosion of Indie Pop in Britain in the 1980s. Compiled is loosely chronological fashion, the five CDs chart its development from the post punk era and the dominance of Scottish bands through to its genre-defining C86 period and onto the end of the decade’s arrival of Madchester and the shoegazing sound.

Inspired by the Nuggets compilations, the box set boasts 134 tracks spanning the Eighties, drawn from all the key labels of the period – Creation, Factory, Cherry Red, Rough Trade, Sarah, Subway Organisation, Zoo, Kitchenware, Pink, Chapter 22, In Tape, Medium Cool, Lazy, Dreamworld, 53rd & 3rd, Ron Johnson, el, Vindaloo, Red Rhino, Food, etc.

Many of the bands later tasted mainstream success: Primal Scream, Aztec Camera, Stone Roses, Pulp, the Wonder Stuff, Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, the inspiral Carpets, the Soup Dragons, the Wedding Present, James, The La’s, Del Amitri, the Primitives, the Jesus & Mary Chain, Prefab Sprout, the Shamen, Cud, the Bluebells, Black, the House Of Love, Strawberry Switchblade, Pop Will Eat Itself, the Darling Buds, the Boo Radleys.

Members of many of the above bands are available for interview to promote this release!

The box set boasts a colourful 54-page booklet with a lengthy sleeve-note detailing each track and illustrations of the records and bands involved.

A few tracks (Strawberry Switchblade, The Bluebells, Close Lobsters, etc.) have never officially been released before. Many others are extremely rare and make their debut on CD.

Scared To Get Happy will be promoted by a mini-festival at London’s 229 club on June 22nd, with an impressive roster: The Primitives, the BMX Bandits, the Brilliant Corners, the June Brides, Mighty Mighty, the Wolfhounds, the Popguns, 14 Iced Bears and the Blue Orchids.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. THE WILD SWANS Revolutionary Spirit……………………………………………………………………….. Zoo, 1982

2. GIRLS AT OUR BEST! Getting Nowhere Fast……………………………………………………………. Record, 1980

3. ART OBJECTS Showing Off To Impress The Girls…………………………………………………… Heartbeat, 1980

4. THE PALE FOUNTAINS (There’s Always) Something On My Mind…………………. Operation Twilight, 1982

5. JOSEF K The Missionary……………………………………………………………. Les Disques du Crépuscule, 1982

6. THE MONOCHROME SET The Jet Set Junta………………………………………………………… Cherry Red, 1982

7. BLUE ORCHIDS Dumb Magician…………………………………………………………………….. Rough Trade, 1982

8. MARINE GIRLS Don’t Come Back…………………………………………………………………….. Cherry Red, 1983

9. FIRE ENGINES Candyskin…………………………………………………………………………………. Pop:Aural, 1981

10. TV21 Ambition……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Powbeat, 1980

11. DOLLY MIXTURE Everything And More………………………………………………………………… Respond, 1982

12. THE NIGHTINGALES Paraffin Brain…………………………………………………………………… Cherry Red, 1982

13. SCARS All About You……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Pre, 1981

14. JANE It’s A Fine Day……………………………………………………………………………………… Cherry Red, 1983

15. THE FARMER’S BOYS I Think I Need Help………………………………………………………………….. Waap, 1982

16. THE ROOM Things Have Learnt To Walk That Ought To Crawl…………………………………. Red Flame, 1982

17. WEEKEND Summerdays………………………………………………………………………………. Rough Trade, 1982

18. PREFAB SPROUT Lions In My Own Garden (Exit Someone)………………………………………… Candle, 1982

19. THE LINES Nerve Pylon……………………………………………………………………………………………. Red, 1980

20. EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL Feeling Dizzy………………………………………………………….. Cherry Red, 1982

21. THE HIGSONS The Lost And The Lonely……………………………………………………………………. Waap, 1981

22. BLACK Human Features…………………………………………………………………………………………… Rox, 1981

23. THE DAINTEES Roll On Summertime………………………………………………………………. Kitchenware, 1983

24. THE BLUEBELLS Happy Birthday…………………………………………………………………………… Lyntone, 1982

25. TRIXIE’S BIG RED MOTORBIKE Norman And Narcissus…………………………………………. Lobby Ludd, 1983

26. TV PERSONALITIES A Picture Of Dorian Gray (Live)………………………………………. Creation Artifact, 1982

Disc 2:

1. HURRAH! The Sun Shines Here…………………………………………………………………….. Kitchenware, 1982

2. FANTASTIC SOMETHING If She Doesn’t Smile (It’ll Rain)………………………………………. Cherry Red, 1983

3. PULP Everybody’s Problem…………………………………………………………………………….. Red Rhino, 1983

4. STRAWBERRY SWITCHBLADE Dark 7………………………………………………………………………… Unreleased

5. THE SUEDE CROCODILES Stop The Rain………………………………………………………………. No Strings, 1983

6. GRAB GRAB THE HADDOCK I’m Used Now………………………………………………………… Cherry Red, 1984

7. DEL AMITRI Sense Sickness……………………………………………………………………………… No Strings, 1983

8. FRIENDS AGAIN Honey At The Core…………………………………………………………………. Moonboot, 1983

9. AZTEC CAMERA Oblivious……………………………………………………………………………. Rough Trade, 1983

10. LLOYD COLE & THE COMMOTIONS Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken………………………………… LC, 1983

11. THE CHERRY BOYS Kardomah Café………………………………………………………………………….. Crash, 1983

12. IN EMBRACE This Brilliant Evening…………………………………………………………………… Cherry Red, 1985

13. MICRODISNEY Dolly……………………………………………………………………………………. Rough Trade, 1984

14. THE WOODENTOPS Plenty……………………………………………………………………………………… Food, 1984

15. THE JAZZ BUTCHER Southern Mark Smith…………………………………………………………………. Glass, 1983

16. THE JASMINE MINKS Where The Traffic Goes……………………………………………………….. Creation, 1984

17. THE HIT PARADE Forever…………………………………………………………………………………………. JSH, 1984

18. THE JUNE BRIDES Every Conversation……………………………………………………………………….. Pink, 1984

19. THE REVOLVING PAINT DREAM In The Afternoon………………………………………………….. Creation, 1984

20. JAMES Hymn From A Village……………………………………………………………………………….. Factory, 1985

21. THE JESUS & MARY CHAIN Just Like Honey (Demo Oct ’84)……………………………… Blanco Y Negro, 1985

22. BIFF BANG POW! The Chocolate Elephant Man…………………………………………………….. Creation, 1985

23. YEAH YEAH NOH Temple Of Convenience………………………………………………………………. In Tape, 1985

24. THE BODINES God Bless……………………………………………………………………………………. Creation, 1985

25. BIG FLAME Debra………………………………………………………………………………………. Ron Johnson, 1985

26. THE LOFT Up The Hill And Down The Slope……………………………………………………………. Creation, 1985

Disc 3:

1. PRIMAL SCREAM Velocity Girl……………………………………………………………………………. Creation, 1985

2. THE WEDDING PRESENT Go Out And Get ’Em, Boy!……………………………….. Reception/City Slang, 1985

3. THE PRIMITIVES Thru The Flowers……………………………………………………………………………. Lazy, 1986

4. THE BMX BANDITS Sad…………………………………………………………………………………….. 53rd & 3rd, 1986

5. THE SHOP ASSISTANTS All Day Long……………………………………………………. Subway Organisation, 1985

6. THE MIGHTY LEMON DROPS Something Happens…………………………………………….. Dreamworld, 1985

7. WE’VE GOT A FUZZBOX AND WE’RE GONNA USE IT XX Sex (Demo)………………………………. Unreleased

8. MIGHTY MIGHTY Is There Anyone Out There?…………………………………………………………… Girlie, 1986

9. THE SOUP DRAGONS Quite Content………………………………….. Subway Organisation, unreleased, 1986

10. McCARTHY Red Sleeping Beauty………………………………………………………………………………. Pink, 1986

11. AGE OF CHANCE Motorcity………………………………………………………………………………. Riot Bible, 1985

12. THE CHESTERFIELDS Completely And Utterly………………………………………… Subway Organisation, 1986

13. THE WOLFHOUNDS Cut The Cake……………………………………………………………………………… Pink, 1986

14. THE SERVANTS Loggerheads…………………………………………………… Head, not originally released, 1986

15. THE CLOSE LOBSTERS Don’t Worry (Demo)………………………………………………………………. Unreleased

16. POP WILL EAT ITSELF Sick Little Girl…………………………………………………………………… Desperate, 1986

17. RAZORCUTS Big Pink Cake………………………………………………………………… Subway Organisation, 1986

18. THAT PETROL EMOTION It’s A Good Thing……………………………………………………………… Demon, 1986

19. THE WEATHER PROPHETS Almost Prayed……………………………………………………………… Creation, 1986

20. JAMIE WEDNESDAY Vote For Love……………………………………………………………………………. Pink, 1986

21. TALULAH GOSH Beatnik Boy……………………………………………………………………………… 53rd & 3rd, 1986

22. THE DENTISTS She Dazzled Me With Basil………………………………………………………… Tambourine, 1986

23. THE RAILWAY CHILDREN A Gentle Sound……………………………………………………………….. Factory, 1986

24. THE GROOVE FARM Baby Blue Marine (Flexi Version)………………………………….. Raving Pop Blast, 1987

25. JESSE GARON & THE DESPERADOES The Rain Fell Down…………………………………………. Narodnik, 1986

26. ROSEMARY’S CHILDREN (Whatever Happened To) Alice?…………………………………………………. el, 1986

27. 14 ICED BEARS Balloon Song…………………………………………………………………………………… Frank, 1987

28. THE WONDER STUFF A Wonderful Day………………………………………………………………….. Far Out, 1986

Disc 4:

1. HOUSE OF LOVE Shine On…………………………………………………………………………………. Creation, 1987

2. THE SHAMEN Something About You…………………………………………………………………….. Moksha, 1987

3. THE BACHELOR PAD The Albums Of Jack………………………………………………………. Warholasound, 1987

4. GOL GAPPAS Albert Parker………………………………………………………………………………………… el, 1986

5. HANGMAN’S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS Love Is Blue…………………………………………… Dreamworld, 1987

6. WHIRL Heaven Forbid……………………………………………………………………………… Playroom Discs, 1987

7. THE BRILLIANT CORNERS Delilah Sands……………………………………………………………………… SS20, 1987

8. THE FLATMATES Shimmer………………………………………………………………… Subway Organisation, 1988

9. THE WAKE Gruesome Castle……………………………………………………………………………….. Factory, 1988

10. THIS POISON! Engine Failure……………………………………………………………………………. Reception, 1987

11. THE DARLING BUDS If I Said………………………………………………………………………….. Darling Buds, 1987

12. THE BOY HAIRDRESSERS Tidalwave…………………………………………………………………….. 53rd & 3rd, 1987

13. THE WALTONES She Looks Right Through Me…………………………………………………. Medium Cool, 1987

14. THE ROSEHIPS Room In Your Heart…………………………………………………….. Subway Organisation, 1987

15. APPLE BOUTIQUE Love Resistance……………………………………………………………………… Creation, 1988

16. LAUGH Take Your Time Yeah!……………………………………………………………………………. Remorse, 1987

17. THE RAW HERBS She’s A Nurse But She’s Alright……………………………………………… Medium Cool, 1987

18. THE HEART THROBS Toy……………………………………………………………………………………… In Tape, 1987

19. THE CLOUDS Tranquil………………………………………………………………………. Subway Organisation, 1987

20. THE GROOVY LITTLE NUMBERS You Make My Head Explode…………………………………… 53rd & 3rd, 1987

21. THE SIDDELEYS My Favourite Wet Wednesday Afternoon………………………………… Medium Cool, 1987

22. RUMBLEFISH Tug-Boat Line…………………………………………………………………………………….. Pink, 1987

23. THE HEPBURNS The World Is………………………………………………………………………….. Cherry Red, 1987

24. BUBBLEGUM SPLASH! One Of Those Things………………………………………… Subway Organisation, 1987

25. THE CORN DOLLIES Be Small Again……………………………………………………………….. Medium Cool, 1987

26. THE KING OF LUXEMBOURG Lee Remick……………………………………………………………………….. el, 1987

27. THE LA’s Son Of A Gun (Demo)………………………………………………………… Not originally released, 1987

Disc 5:

1. THE STONE ROSES The Hardest Thing In The World………………………………………………. Silvertone, 1988

2. INSPIRAL CARPETS Keep The Circle Around………………………………………………………….. Playtime, 1988

3. THE POOH STICKS Indiepop Ain’t Noise Pollution………………………………………………………. Fierce, 1988

4. THE SEA URCHINS Solace………………………………………………………………………………………. Sarah, 1988

5. CUD Only (A Prawn In Whitby)…………………………………………………………………………. Imaginary, 1989

6. THE POPGUNS Landslide……………………………………………………………………………. Medium Cool, 1989

7. ONE THOUSAND VIOLINS All Aboard The Love-Mobile……………………………………….. Immaculate, 1988

8. ANOTHER SUNNY DAY I’m In Love With A Girl Who Doesn’t Know I Exist………………………… Sarah, 1988

9. EAST VILLAGE Strawberry Window……………………………………………………………………. Sub Aqua, 1988

10. BAD DREAM FANCY DRESS Choirboys Gas (Hack The Cassock)…………………………………………… el, 1988

11. RODNEY ALLEN Circle Line………………………………………………………………… Subway Organisation, 1988

12. THE ORCHIDS I’ve Got A Habit………………………………………………………………………………… Sarah, 1988

13. BRADFORD Skin Storm………………………………………………………………………………………… Village, 1988

14. THE CHARLOTTES Are You Happy Now………………………………………………………………….. Subway, 1989

15. THE CLAIM Picking Up The Bitter Little Pieces…………………………………. Esurient Communications, 1989

16. THE POPPYHEADS Dreamabout………………………………………………………………………………. Sarah, 1988

17. THE SUN AND THE MOON Adam’s Song (Pour Fenella)………………………………….. Midnight Music, 1988

18. THE McTELLS Jesse Man Rae………………………………………………………………………………….. Frank, 1988

19. WOULD-BE-GOODS Cecil Beaton’s Scrapbook………………………………………………………………… el, 1988

20. THE DESERT WOLVES Speak To Me Rochelle………………………………………………………… Ugly Man, 1988

21. THE RAIN Dry The Rain……………………………………………………………………………….. Medium Cool, 1988

22. BLOW UP Forever Holiday……………………………………………………………………………… Cherry Red, 1989

23. THE FANATICS Suburban Love Songs………………………………………………………………… Chapter 22, 1989

24. MILLTOWN BROTHERS Roses…………………………………………………………………………… Big Round, 1989

25. THE SEERS Sun Is In The Sky…………………………………………………………………………………… Hedd, 1989

26. THE TELESCOPES Perfect Needle………………………………………………………………… What Goes On, 1989

27. THE BOO RADLEYS Catweazle……………………………………………………………………………….. Action, 1990