The Scientists "S/T" lp Rare 1981 Oz Kbd "Pink Album" Kim Salmon
A$
162
$
107
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Description
Debut album from 1981 from this Kim Salmon led band, this time in trio mode with James Baker (The Victims, Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon) on drums. The record is graded visually Vg+ (Ring wear, marks on front)/Vg (+) (some marks on vinyl). This comes with a copy of the 1986 re-issue sleeve (no vinyl) and a clipping of a reformation gig they did with The Manikins.
The first self-titled album by Perth's Scientists bears almost no resemblance to the Scientists who released so many wonderfully dirgey records in the '80s. Rather, this LP serves as a predecessor for another Australian rock institution, the Hoodoo Gurus. As on all Scientists' releases, this one features Kim Salmon on vocals and guitar, but here he is joined by future Gurus rhythm section James Baker (Victims) and Ian Sharples, on the drums and bass, respectively. The music chugs along with all the right influences, including Big Star, the Ramones, Johnny Thunders, and the Troggs. Not quite punk, but in Perth circa 1980, it must've sounded pretty radical. With the simple themes of teen romance ("Walk the Plank"), teen alienation ("Larry," "Teenage Dreamer"), and girls ("Girl"), this record comes out of nowhere to bring you right back to that place when these subjects fixated you.
The album was recorded as the band was breaking up, but the music stands on its own as a joyful ode to simpler times, before Salmon's heart was in a place called "Swampland," which is, of course, nine parts water and one part sand. Salmon later re-formed the Scientists, taking the band in a radically different and darker direction. While not indicative of the Scientists' sound (generally more Birthday Party-like) this LP stands as their best, as well as one of the finest moments in early-'80s Australian rock.
Vocals, Guitar – Kim Salmon
Bass, Vocals – Ian Sharples
Drums – James Baker
Engineer – Andy Priest
Producer – Peter Simpson, Shelter Studios, Perth
Recorded between January and March 1981
