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Big Self

From: Belfast

Active: 1979-

Style: Punk Rock ⇒ Rock

Lineup: 1982

Bio:

Inventive, under-rated guitar band formed in 1980. The first single is reggae tinged and led to comparisons with The Police but by the time of their debut LP they had forged their own unique sound. The band relocated to London in 1983 in an attempt to raise their profile and the hope of better recording prospects but they failed to get signed by a major. They peaked circa 1983/84 but the 18 month delay releasing the debut LP stalled their momentum. Here is Bill Graham's review of "Stateless" from Hot Press:




I definitely remember seeing Big Self perform "Surprise Surprise" and one other track ("Don't Turn Around"?) on RTE, possibly during the music section of Anything Goes on Saturday morning. Anyone have video of that?





Discography

• various artists - Room To Move EP
7" - Energy Records - NRG-1 - May 1980 - PS
See Compilations section for full track listing.


• Weekend People (cancelled single)

According to George Gimarc's Punk Diary, this single was announced in September 1980.



• various artists - The Boddis EP
7" - Nineteeneightease - DC9-003 - IRL - 1980
See Compilations section for full track listing.




• Surprise, Surprise / Take Me Away
7" - Reekus Records - RKS002 - August 1981 - PS
Single of The Week in Sounds (Dave McCullough).
• Peel Session
Recorded 16 January 1982


• *Kid Jensen Session
Recorded 16 February 1982


• Don't Turn Around / Jagged Edges
7" - Reekus Records - RKS003 - March 1982 - PS
Awarded single of the week by Dave McCullough in Sounds


• Ghost Shirts / I'm Keen
7" - Reekus Records - RKS009 - 1983 - PS
7" - Reekus Records - RKS009 - 1985? - reissue in different PS
• Ghostshirts (ext.) // I'm Keen / Ghost Shirts (7" version, uncredited)
12" - Reekus Records - RKST009 - 1983 - PS

The 7-inch version of this single was reissued circa 1985 when RTE chose the A-side as the theme tune for the "Visual Eyes" TV show (aired 1985-88 approx)



• Reason Smiles EP
12" - Reekus Records - RKST0012 - 1985 - PS


• Vision / Chance
7" - Reekus Records - RKS014 - 1985 - PS


• Stateless
LP - Reekus Records - RK LP2 - 1985 - inner sleeve
CD - Reekus Records - RK CD4 - 2002
Recorded 1983/84. Test pressings dated 28 May 1985.
Produced by Richard Mainwaring.
Reason Smile remix by John Ryan


• various artists - Live for Ireland
2xLP - MCA Records - MCGD 6027 - IRL - 1988
See Compilations section for full track listing.



Help!

We need your help to correct and/or complete this entry. If you can provide more information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can use, or spare copies of any releases, then please get in touch.




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