05/08/16

This epic storm from yesteryear's glam stomping post-punk oddball gang of misfits straight outta Sheffield is one of the finest 45′s to roll out of the city. Mute Records really shot themselves in the foot when they dropped this group, as I’m probably not alone when I say they would’ve unleashed a shed load of stonkers. They had well progressed come the time of unreleased follow up album ‘Mechanical Heart’ to their ground-breaking debut ‘This Is For Real’. Listening to ‘Ordinary Girl’, the first single off of what would’ve been their second record it’s fierce, hectic, flat out, and synth heavy. Remember this is the group that were widely known for their customised synthesizers, thus once quoted in 2003 by Daniel Miller Mute boss himself as the most exciting act in the world right now.. yeah well why did you drop them then? YOU TWAT. Even the likes of Jarvis Cocker was spotted at their gigs saying he absolutely loved them. B-side ‘Hate’ is a huge favourite of mine out of all their back catalogue, it’s like Devo gone ketamine happy down a dark alley congregated by The Ramones. Other worldly synths batter your skull; all while charismatic singer Rory is content of his anger over blistering rhythms, pounding percussion, and electro punk bliss! Try and track down their cover of ‘Touch’ by I’m So Hollow, a group that was heavily influential on the Sheff scene in the late 70′s along with Human League, Artery, Cabaret Voltaire, Vice Versa.. etc! All of which feature in Eve Wood’s excellent ‘Made In Sheffield’ documentary film. I managed to catch one of their last ever shows at Tottenham Hale Warehouse presented by Comedian legend Paul Foot. They played at something like 5 in the morning, and the whole place was bouncing, everyone was mashed. They were as always unreal, real showmen. They always gave it their all every time I saw them! One of Sheffs all time greats.. The Pink G.R.Ease are gonna make you sweat.

By Gavin Tate