THE THREE JOHNS – DEATH OF THE EUROPEAN
A doomy classic from 1985. I never really enjoyed much else by The Three Johns but this single has something about it. english indie with a bit of mittel european kunsthaus.
From Wiki: The Three Johns were a Post Punk/Indie Rock band formed in 1981 in Leeds originally consisting of The Mekons co-founder, Jon Langford (guitar) as well as John Hyatt (vocals) and Phillip “John” Brennan (bass), augmented by a drum machine. The band initially formed just before the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer, and their first gig was to be part of ‘Funk The Wedding’ event, but they were refused permission to play because they were drunk. They signed to CNT Records in 1982, which Langford jointly founded, releasing two singles and an EP for the label, including a re-working of the Mekons’ “English White Boy Engineer”, which attacked hypocritical attitudes towards South Africa and apartheid, the band being labelled as left-wing rockers. The band explained “We’re not a socialist band. We’re a group of socialists who are in a band. It’s a fine distinction but an important one”
He’s got a checked suit
Flash-light at Checkpoint Charlie
Among the searchlights
A balloon idea floats from his brain
The bubble bursts on his face
The Three Johns – Death of the European
ACID TED 