Customer Reviews

Fits & Starts

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The first official release on Doctor Strange Records for this respected UK Anarcho punk band (yes, it was a collaboration between two ex-members and the label, so it can hardly be called 'exploitative'), "Fits And Starts" compiles 21 tracks by Flux Of Pink Indians and their earlier incarnation as the provocatively-named Epileptics. Three rough-sounding but energetic tracks from 1978 open this CD, and it's fascinating to hear that three-chord classic "Tube Disaster" making its debut as part of the band's live set. The later studio version of Flux's most well-known song also appears on this CD, along with the two other tracks that made up the "Neu Smell" EP, which reached number 2 in the indie charts in 1981. [Interesting to note that the Crass label EP was only kept off the top slot by Depeche Mode's "New Life", a single which made number 11 in the mainstream UK singles chart - and that gives you an idea of how many records Flux Of Pink Indians sold at their peak.] In between these songs there are three demos, three tracks from the band's first single, and three live tracks (all from 1979), the re-recorded "1970s" EP (from 1981), and three demos that the band recorded for the highly-rated "Strive To Survive..." album (in 1982). One downside is that there are slightly more Epileptics tracks than Flux tracks, but overall this CD is a fine overview of the early sound of one of the leading bands in its field. As such it should be lapped up by anyone with an interest in a genre of music that was uncompromising, outspoken, and - most importantly - hugely influentual. In fact, it's a wonder that no big-selling modern-day US punk band has covered "Tube Disaster"....yet!

Remastered sound makes this cd almost listenable but I recommend it for FOPI die-hard and completists ONLY because it's an incoherent blend of ill sounding demos and live tracks,as it is NOT SO BRAVE.In other words,just another exploitative and deceptive cd,definetely not your first choice if you want to get into Flux Of Pink Indians.