DESPERATE BICYCLES new cross 7" 1978 diy masterpiece

$

68

The Desperate Bicycles "New Cross, New Cross" 7" single issued by Refill Records (RR 3) in the UK, 1978. ****** Rec:ex / Cov:ex ****** Offered here is the most accomplished and mature record by these DIY heroes, issued on their own Refill Records. Formed in Dalston East London during March 1977, the Desperate Bicycles were one of the first bands to seriously aspire to the DIY recording ethic that punk had sent into overdrive. They took one stage further Mark Perry's 3 chord call to action and showed groups could have total artistic control. A concept later taken up by bands like Crass.  "New Cross, New Cross" has six songs and sold originally for 70p (about a dollar in those days!). The lyrical themes again are about using and hating the product! Intelligent, wordy, but unpretentious lyrics about late seventies teenage life. "Advice on Arrest" is probably the best known song, who's lyrics (about what to do if arrested) are as valid now as ever! Strange how, in discussions about the political content of punk era lyrics, the Bicycles never get a mention, though they were one of the most lyrically political bands around. There's also a fair amount of satirical humor on this EP like "Holidays" and "Cars". "It Was Easy, It Was Cheap... Go and Do It!" - that was the call to arms at the end of the first Desperate Bicycles single in 1977. In the world of late seventies DIY punk the Desperate Bicycles are up there with the best of them! They took the three chord idea of 'anyone can start a band' and for the next few years produced their own fantastic music totally out with the confines of the record industry. They have now developed a mystique based around the fact that none of their records have ever been re-released on CD! The music ranges from angular, trebly punk like "Smokescreen" (their first single), to mature, compassionate left-field rock on their album... The band formed the Refill label in May 1977 and released their first single "Smokescreen/Handlebars" in an edition of 500 copies. They repeated this six months later with "The Medium Was The Tedium/Don't Back The Front" (Refill July 77) this time pressing 1000 copies. "New Cross New Cross" a six track EP was released in May 78. One more, "Occupied Territory/Skill" (Refill July 1978). While never troubling the charts each release self financed the next and by 1980 they had managed 6 singles. Essential! ****** Small spot from sticker removal but paper intact (see photo). ****** Please wait to receive my invoice before sending the payment after the auction ends. Attention! Real postage costs are not USD 4 as all the items are located in Doha, Qatar (which has a very safe and professional post system). Postage costs registered up to 1 Kilo (generally 3 LPs): to Europe and Japan is USD 16,50 / to America and Oceania is USD 22,50. Postage costs registered up to 2 Kilos:  to Europe and Japan is USD 28,00 / to America and Oceania is USD 34,00. ****** 3 ebay auctions in 3 weeks. Next week: spontaneous creation, free jazz, Anton Bruhin, Ghedalia Tazartes, Jean Guerin, Anthony Moore… ****** Thank you for your kind attention and good luck with your bids.