Penfro Sounds

Redd Kross Annie's Gone / Switchblade Sister Third Man Records TMR 248 (2013) Formed in 1978 as a punk band called Tourists, the band by the time of their 1980 debut 45 changed their name to Red Cross and in 1982 changed it to Redd Kross following threats of legal action from the charity the International Red Cross. The band was started by brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald along with school friends Greg Hetson & John Stielow. Hetson later left and joined the Circle Jerks. Several band members have come and gone with only the McDonald brothers being the original members today.  This 45 features them along with Jason Shapiro and Eric Skodis. Like the other Third Man 45s previously posted, this single  was recorded live at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs in April 2013 and issued as part of a limited edition box set. FLAC

Gap Dream 58th Street Fingers / Scary Dennis Third Man Records TMR 263 (2013) The 2nd 45 in the box set of live recordings released by Third Man in 2013. Gap Dream is Gabe Fulvimar the "band's" singer, songwriter and instrumentalist.  Born in Akron Ohio the idea of Gap Dream was formed in 2012 whilst he was living in Fullerton, California.  The band have a synthpop sound combined with a taste of 60s psychedelic pop. When playing live Gabe has been accompanied several musicians including guitarist Corey Lanigan. On this 45 he is accompanied by bassist Bobby May and Bobby Reinhart plays drums. FLAC

Dirty Ghosts Pretty Face / Battle Sang Third Man Records TMR 252 (2019) Formed in San Francisco in 2006, Dirty Ghosts initally was Allyson Baker, Carson Binks and Baker's then-husband Ian Bavitz, known professionally as Aesop Rock. Their first release was the single "Battle Slang" in 2009. Binks and Bavitz latter left the band and were replaced by Erin McDermott on bass and Tony Sevener (former member of Honeycut & Summercamp) on drums. This 45 was released in 2013 by Third Man Records as part of a 6 record set (limited to 300 copies) sold in a faux snake skinned record carrying box.  All the 45s were recorded live at The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs on 20th & 21st April 2013. FLAC

Slade Far Far Away / O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday Polydor 2058 522 (1974) At the time this 45 was released Slade were huge in the UK and Europe.  Wanting to expand their musical outlook their manager Chas Chandler suggested they undertook a movie project.  As well as staring in the movie, Noddy Holder and Jim Lea wrote the material for the soundtrack album. The movie charts the history of "Flame", a fictitious group in the late 1960s who are picked up by a marketing company and taken to the top, only to break up at their peak. Described as the "Citizen Kane of rock musicals" by BBC film critic Mark Kermode, the film went on to achieve critical acclaim years after the mixed feelings on its original release. Previously their 45 releases were known for being loud and raucous but this time round the ballad Far Far Away was chosen to be the lead single from the soundtrack album. It entered the UK charts at #3 and climbed to #2 only being held off the top spot by Ken Boo...

David Issac - A Place In The Sun Upsetter All Stars - Handy-Cap Trojan TR 616 (1968) David Isaacs was born in Denham Town, Jamaica in 1946. This 45, produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry, was a version of the Stevie Wonder song that had been released in 1966.  The 45 was one of the records that managed to establish Trojan Records as a major name for reggae music. He recorded many 45s with Perry and released several albums in the mid 70s & early 80s. The Upsetters aka Upsetter All Stars were the house band for Lee Perry, the name Upsetter coming from his nickname which in turn came from the title of a 45 he released dissing his former boss Coxsone Dodds. Over several years the house band included Sly Dunbar, Boris Gardner, Glen Adams and many other known names on the reggae scene. FLAC

The Dubliners Black Velvet Band / Maloney Wants A Drink Major Minor MM 530 (1969) Founded in 1962, they were an Irish folk band originally named The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group. The band unhappy with their original name renamed themselves after the book " Dubliners " written by James Joyce. Although in their 50 year lifetime they had many members the main success was due to the lead singers Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew.  Luke Kelly died in 1984 and the other main singer Ronnie Drew died in 2002 however the band continued until 2012 when the only remaining original member of the band, Barney McKenna, died. The band has been credited with introducing Irish music throughout the world and influenced bands such as The Pogues with their legacy still being heard today with bands such as the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly.  Such was the success of the band, many of the Irish traditional songs they covered are seen today as the definitive versions. The band released several 45s on the...