Since it’s December 7th, thoughts turn to Pearl Harbour. No…not that one! The femme rockabilly artist who started her career in New Wave before finding her true voice a year later. I first heard Pearl Harbor + The Explosions in 1979 on WPRK-FM at the dawn on my college radio consciousness. Their boppy tune, “Driving'” seemed to get a lot of airplay there, but frankly, it did little for me. I was looking for a little more sauce with my music.
Pearl Harbor + The Explosions: Pearl Harbor + The Explosions US LP [1980]
- Drivin’
- You Got It (Release It)
- Don’t Come Back
- Keep Going
- Shut Up And Dance
- The Big One
- So Much For Love
- Get A Grip On Yourself
- Up And Over
I got it the next year [1980] when PH+TE suddenly imploded, leaving Pearl Harbour free to move to England, marry Paul Simonon of The Clash, and issue her debut solo album the very same year! In late 1980, I was listening to either WUSF-FM since I was able to occasionally receive their [90 miles away] signal when late night conditions were right. I heard a rip roaring rockabilly chanteuse sinking her teeth into the song “Rough Kids,” which was originally by Kilburn + the High Roads, from whence came Mr. Ian Dury. It was great, greasy rockabilly with a joyous feel. Now this was something that I would buy.
Pearl Harbour: Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too US LP [1980]
- Alone In The Dark
- Fujiyama Mama
- Everybodys Boring But My Baby
- You’re In Trouble Again
- Do Your Homework
- Cowboys & Indians
- Losing To You
- Filipino Baby
- Lets Go Upstairs
- Rough Kids
- Out With The Girls
- Heaven Is Gonna Be Empty
- At The Dentist
I have owned this marvelous record ever since it was released, but the cover reveals almost nothing about it, other than Mickey Gallagher [keyboardist for The Blockheads] was charged with producing it all. The fizzing cocktail of twanging guitars and helpful servings of slapback echo ensured that I can look at this album today and remember almost all of its 13 songs. After this one, Ms. Harbour seemed to vanish into the ether as just critics and not the “loving public” took this disc to their collective bosom. I saw nothing after this, so some time in the early 90s I saw a copy of the Explosions album in the used bins, and bought a copy. On principle. I’ve yet to hear it, though.
Would that there were a shiny silver disc of this, but there’s not. Sure, sure. There is a DL but I’d sooner digitize my LP. But it’s a brief disc. Any bonus tracks out there?
Pearl Harbour: Fujiyama Mama GER 7″ [1980]
- Fujiyama Mama
- Nerves
Yep! “Nerves” on the B-side of the UK/GER “Fujiyama Mama” single.
Pearl Harbour: Cowboys + Indians UK 7″ [1980]
- Cowboys + Indians
- You’ve Got Me All Wrong
Holy Toledo! Here’s another B-side I just found out about today… and scope that cover! After this, things get thin on the ground.
Pearl Harbour: Voodoo Voodoo UK 7″ [1983]
- Voodoo Voodoo
- You Don’t Fool Me
There were a few other singles, but all of their tracks were on the third Pearl Harbour album, recorded in Japan [and released there first] in 1983/1984 with Japanese band The Mods backing her up. I’ve heard not a note of this, but I’d give it a chance!
Pearl Harbour: Pearls Galore UK LP [1984]
- Killer Joe
- He Ain’t So Bad
- Flirt
- Spanish Bop
- Nerves
- Get Outta Here
- Out In The Streets
- Please Come Home
- Run Rhythm Run
- Hula Love
Several tracks here [2, 10] were singles, but I’m betting that the version of “Nerves” here was a re-recording with the producer of this opus, none other than girl group mainstay Richard Gottherer! Now I really want to hear this. After this dalliance with Island Records… crickets until 1995!
Pearl Harbour: Here Comes Trouble US CD [1995]
- Trouble
- Hot Rod
- I Wish I Were You
- King Tut’s Tomb
- Dream Car
- Once A Night
- You’ve Got My Number
- Have Love Will Travel
- Idolize Me
- Get Tough On You
- House Of Love
- I Miss You
- Crash The Party
And that was all she wrote for Ms. Pearl Harbour. All the more reason for me to track the rest of it down. “Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too” is the best album never released on Stiff Records, and it really shoulda/woulda/coulda been on that label at the exact moment that the label had stupidly let Kirsty MacColl slip through their fingers. As if to correct their grievous error.
– 30 –
Love Pearl. She let friends of mine into the DJ booth one night at Bond’s during The Clash Marathon when things got a bit out of control and she was always really approachable whenever I saw her around NYC. Such an underrated singer and star!
LikeLike
Echorich – I wish I had more music from her, but I need to get a move on for the stuff I discussed today. Her house looks like several of my friend’s homes. [Ms. Carr to the white courtesy phone]
LikeLiked by 1 person