05-1993 / Friends Of The Pastels newsletter

Pastels, THE, we will be inevitably releasing a fine, fine, superfine new single called Thank You For Being You, on Monday 24 May. Featuring everything from choral harmonies to Aggi's sub-reggae bass playing, it will scorch out your geography. With it comes Kitted Out which is an S.O.U.L. instrumental w/brassy arrangement by K. Mitchell. The CD features David's first Pastels recorded song - Sometimes I Think About You, which is so current it is electric. Although it is a double lp, you should interpret it as an act of anti-excessiveness on our part given our relative shortfall of lp releases since 1989 - zero. Naturally ther is no gatefold sleeve as we are trying ti prove that by concentrating on contentn style is pretty much effortless. Neither is tracklisting chronological as it is no K-Tel style 'best of', but instead our own version of ourselves, starting with newest single Thank You For Being You. Other most recent recordings include What You Said, Sometimes I Think About You and a stretched out re-recording of Not Unloved. There is also an unreleased version of Baby Honey from Sittin' Pretty times which I guess must be definitive or else we wouldn't have bothered to include it. Truck train Tractor is incredibly re-mixed and I've still got a train truck train truck train in my brain, and I think it's a ghost train.
A less happy ghostly experience may occur if you tune into BBC Radio Scotland looking for Beat Patrol or any other nightime favourites. They're gone, and in their place we've got repeats of folk music shows and an Arts programme with Pat Kane. I cannot see the justice in the BBC disenfranchising everyone that's interested in hearing new and / or Independant music on the radio, here in Scotland. Speaking as someone totally in love with the magic of radio, it's especially sad to note Beat Patrol's demise. It was an incredible programme combining a strong community orientation with an enthusiasm for all sorts of records from all over the world. Listening into Peter Easton's totally relaxed tones on a Monday night, you might have heard a new Teenage Fanclub or Melofy Dog track (Beat Patrol broadcast both bands first), mixing up with somme Beat Happening or Stooges, and maybe even Eugene Chadbourne, who just happened to be dropping by. It also provided an excellent musical event service. It truly was the sound of the pop revolution, and we really need to fight the powers that be on this one. So if you care about what goes on out on our airwaves, please petition James Boyle, Head of BBC Radio Scotland, Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow G12.
Two bands that we dig in large amounts right now are Sebadoh and Royal Trux. Both bands come to you (at least in Britain) courtesy of Laurence Bell's super new label, Domino. Thank you, Laurence. Katrina was wondering if the Abba tribute lp might come out this year. Also look out for your Pastels switching to August to re-join Dave Barker pretty soon. We hope to see you our Friends, live from stage in person.
S. Pastel