The Primitives in session for John Peel tonight, the first of three sessions the band did during their first incarnation. This one is from September 30, 1986 and was broadcast on October 15, 1986.
Labeled as a combination of Post-Punk and Power Pop, The Primitives were more retro-influenced than anything else. Put together during a time when a minor trend was developing that revisited 60s Pop with a liberal dose of Psychedelia. The result was a band very much captured by the spirit of the 60s, in that sort of Sunshine Pop – mixed with shades of Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd. The result was an appealing mash-up of new and old with an appealing freshness tossed in for good measure.
During this first incarnation they had a few successful singles, including their breakthrough single, Crash which was an international hit or the band in 1988. But this session comes around the time of their debut singles and positive word of mouth and press. They were soon booked as opening act for a number of bands on tour, including a co-headlining tour of the US with The Sugarcubes in 1991.
By 1992 the band had runs its course with audiences and their 1991 album Galore was a commercial failure, prompting the band to call it quits, at least for a while.
That lasted until 2009 and 18 years of relative silence from The Primitives until a reforming took place and the band picked up where they left off and are continuing their run today.
But this 1986 session is a reminder of their formative period. Not yet signed to a major label, but making noise with their first singles. A band that had a lot going for it then and still do now.
It’s suggested you play this one loud – lead singer Tracy Tracy lays out killer vocals and it’s more than worth the price of admission, and certainly worth repeated playings.
