Pooh Sticks - Straight Up; Noise Pollution C88-90

  by Tommy Gunnarsson

published: 30 / 8 / 2023

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“Welsh bands suck” proclaimed British bedroom project Teen Anthems in the early 00s, and. yes, in most cases that’s probably true. But let’s not forget that Wales has indeed provided us with some astonishing acts, with the first two coming to mind being Young Marble Giants and Green Gartside (of Scritti Politti fame). And, of course, Shakin’ Stevens and Pooh Sticks (that might very well be the first time ever those two are mentioned in the same sentence). There’s certainly no shortage of compilations of the former’s back catalogue, but for some strange reason, there are hardly any containing Pooh Sticks’ greatest “hits”. Until now. And as always, it’s Optic Nerve that comes to the rescue. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Pooh Sticks, let’s do a very short recap. Formed in Swansea, the band was fronted by singer Hue Williams, and by his side were members like Trudi Tangerine and Stephanie Bass-Drum. At least the cover credits said so. Their first releases in 1988-89 were home recorded, drum machine drenched indiepop slabs which often poked fun at the current indie scene, which the title ‘I Know Someone Who Knows Someone Who Knows Alan McGee Quite Well’ bears witness of. In lyrics to their classic ‘On Tape’, Hue sings (among other things) about ordering stuff from indie label Subway Organisation’s Martin Whitehead, but the records never showed up. I think you get the gist of it by now. Jangly and noisy indiepop for the already converted. Later on, in the early 90s, the band signed to a major label and recorded some more polished, power poppy albums, but that really doesn’t feel like the same band, to be honest. So, this new compilation from Optic Nerve compiles the best bits from the band during their “indie years”, which means 1988 to 1990, and the two songs already mentioned are included here, of course. As is the great manifesto song ‘Indiepop Ain’t Noise Pollution’ and cover versions like ‘Heroes and Villains' (originally by the Beach Boys), ‘123 Red Light’ (originally by 1910 Fruitgum Co) and ‘Dying For It’ (originally by fellow indiepopsters The Vaselines). There are of course songs left off this compilation, like the guitar-drenched ‘Hard On Love’, which was only available on a flexidisc (remember those?) that came with a fanzine called ‘Pooh Sticks Rock Like Fuck’ in 1989. But most of the classic songs are here, and as a time capsule of the indiepop scene of the late 80s, this is almost unbeatable. If the songs have stood the test of time? Well, I’ll let you be the judge of that. But for me, this is a great example of homemade indiepop with a great ironic twist.

Track Listing:-

1 On Tape
2 Time To Time
3 Heroes And Villains
4 Just Another Minute
5 Teenage High
6 123 Red Light
7 When The Night Falls
8 Dying For It
9 I Know Someone Who Knows Someone Who Knows Alan McGee Quite Well
10 Sex Head
11 Foxy Boy
12 Dare True Kiss Promise
13 Do It Again (A Little Bit Slower)
14 Indiepop Ain't Noise Pollution

Band Links:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pooh_Sticks

Play in YouTube:-

Have a Listen:-

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