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Scared To Get Happy: A Story Of Indie Pop / 5CD box set

By Paul Sinclair

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scaredtogethappy - final

Scared To Get Happy – A Story of Indie-Pop 1980-1989 is a five CD set we first told you about back in February. At that point the track listing was still a work in progress, but we can now confirm the running order (see below).

The mammoth 134-track set features music from all the key indie labels of the period (Creation, Factory, Rough Trade, Kitchenware, et al) and features many bands who would later taste mainstream success including Primal Scream, Aztec Camera, Stone Roses, Pulp, the Wonder Stuff, Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, The Jesus & Mary Chain, and Prefab Sprout, etc.

Many tracks see their CD debut on this set, while some selections have never officially been released before at all. Scared To Get Happy comes complete with a 54-page booklet, with lengthy sleeve-notes and illustrations of the records and bands involved.

Scared To Get Happy is out on 24 June 2013 from Cherry Red.

Scared To Get Happy – full track listing:

Disc 1:

  1. THE WILD SWANS Revolutionary Spirit
    Zoo, 1982
  2. GIRLS AT OUR BEST! Getting Nowhere Fast
    Record, 1980
  3. ART OBJECTS Showing Off To Impress The Girls
    Heartbeat, 1980
  4. THE PALE FOUNTAINS (There’s Always) Something On My Mind
    Operation Twilight/Les Disques du Crépuscule, 1982
  5. JOSEF K The Missionary
    Les Disques du Crépuscule, 1982
  6. THE MONOCHROME SET The Jet Set Junta
    Cherry Red, 1982
  7. BLUE ORCHIDS Dumb Magician
    Rough Trade, 1982
  8. MARINE GIRLS Don’t Come Back
    Cherry Red, 1983
  9. FIRE ENGINES Candyskin
    Pop:Aural, 1981
  10. TV21 Ambition
    Powbeat, 1980
  11. DOLLY MIXTURE Everything And More
    Respond, 1982
  12. THE NIGHTINGALES Paraffin Brain
    Cherry Red, 1982
  13. SCARS All About You
    Pre, 1981
  14. JANE It’s A Fine Day
    Cherry Red, 1983
  15. THE FARMER’S BOYS I Think I Need Help
    Waap, 1982
  16. THE ROOM Things Have Learnt To Walk That Ought To Crawl
    Red Flame, 1982
  17. WEEKEND Summerdays
    Rough Trade, 1982
  18. PREFAB SPROUT Lions In My Own Garden (Exit Someone)
    Candle, 1982; reissued Kitchenware, 1984
  19. THE LINES Nerve Pylon
    Red, 1980
  20. EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL Feeling Dizzy
    Cherry Red, 1982
  21. THE HIGSONS The Lost And The Lonely
    Waap, 1981
  22. BLACK Human Features
    Rox, 1981
  23. THE DAINTEES Roll On Summertime
    Kitchenware, 1983
  24. THE BLUEBELLS Happy Birthday
    Lyntone, 1982
  25. TRIXIE’S BIG RED MOTORBIKE Norman And Narcissus
    Lobby Ludd, 1983
  26. TV PERSONALITIES A Picture Of Dorian Gray (Live)
    Creation Artifact, 1982

 Disc 2:

  1. HURRAH! The Sun Shines Here
    Kitchenware, 1982
  2. FANTASTIC SOMETHING If She Doesn’t Smile (It’ll Rain)
    Cherry Red, 1983
  3. PULP Everybody’s Problem
    Red Rhino, 1983
  4. STRAWBERRY SWITCHBLADE Dark 7
    Previously unissued
  5. THE SUEDE CROCODILES Stop The Rain
    No Strings, 1983
  6. GRAB GRAB THE HADDOCK I’m Used Now
    Cherry Red, 1984
  7. DEL AMITRI Sense Sickness
    No Strings, 1983
  8. FRIENDS AGAIN Honey At The Core
    Moonboot, 1983
  9. AZTEC CAMERA Oblivious
    Rough Trade, 1983
  10. LLOYD COLE & THE COMMOTIONS Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken (Indie Version) LC, 1983
  11. THE CHERRY BOYS Kardomah Café
    Crash, 1983
  12. IN EMBRACE This Brilliant Evening
    Cherry Red, 1985
  13. MICRODISNEY Dolly
    Rough Trade, 1984
  14. THE WOODENTOPS Plenty
    Food, 1984
  15. THE JAZZ BUTCHER Southern Mark Smith
    Glass, 1983
  16. THE JASMINE MINKS Where The Traffic Goes
    Creation, 1984
  17. THE HIT PARADE Forever
    JSH, 1984
  18. THE JUNE BRIDES Every Conversation
    Pink, 1984
  19. THE REVOLVING PAINT DREAM In The Afternoon
    Creation, 1984
  20. JAMES Hymn From A Village
    Factory, 1985
  21. THE JESUS & MARY CHAIN Just Like Honey (Demo Oct ’84)
    Blanco Y Negro, 1985
  22. BIFF BANG POW! The Chocolate Elephant Man
    Creation, 1985
  23. YEAH YEAH NOH Temple Of Convenience
    In Tape, 1985
  24. THE BODINES God Bless
    Creation, 1985
  25. BIG FLAME Debra
    Ron Johnson, 1985
  26. THE LOFT Up The Hill And Down The Slope
    Creation, 1985

Disc 3:

  1. PRIMAL SCREAM Velocity Girl
    Creation, 1985
  2. THE WEDDING PRESENT Go Out And Get ’Em, Boy!
    Reception/City Slang, 1985
  3. THE PRIMITIVES Thru The Flowers
    Lazy, 1986
  4. THE BMX BANDITS Sad
    53rd & 3rd, 1986
  5. THE SHOP ASSISTANTS All Day Long
    Subway Organisation, 1985
  6. THE MIGHTY LEMON DROPS Something Happens
    Dreamworld, 1985
  7. WE’VE GOT A FUZZBOX AND WE’RE GONNA USE IT XX Sex (Demo)
    Vindaloo, not originally released, 1986
  8. MIGHTY MIGHTY Is There Anyone Out There?
    Girlie, 1986
  9. THE SOUP DRAGONS Quite Content
    Subway Organisation, unreleased, 1986
  10. McCARTHY Red Sleeping Beauty
    Pink, 1986
  11. AGE OF CHANCE Motorcity
    Riot Bible, 1985
  12. THE CHESTERFIELDS Completely And Utterly
    Subway Organisation, 1986
  13. THE WOLFHOUNDS Cut The Cake
    Pink, 1986
  14. THE SERVANTS Loggerheads
    Head, not originally released, 1986
  15. THE CLOSE LOBSTERS Don’t Worry (Demo)
    Not originally released, 1986
  16. POP WILL EAT ITSELF Sick Little Girl
    Desperate, 1986
  17. RAZORCUTS Big Pink Cake
    Subway Organisation, 1986
  18. THAT PETROL EMOTION It’s A Good Thing
    Demon, 1986
  19. THE WEATHER PROPHETS Almost Prayed
    Creation, 1986
  20. JAMIE WEDNESDAY Vote For Love
    Pink, 1986
  21. TALULAH GOSH Beatnik Boy
    53rd & 3rd, 1986
  22. THE DENTISTS She Dazzled Me With Basil
    Tambourine, 1986
  23. THE RAILWAY CHILDREN A Gentle Sound
    Factory, 1986
  24. THE GROOVE FARM Baby Blue Marine (Alternative Version)
    Raving Pop Blast, not originally released, 1987
  25. JESSE GARON & THE DESPERADOES The Rain Fell Down
    Narodnik, 1986
  26. ROSEMARY’S CHILDREN (Whatever Happened To) Alice?
    el, 1986
  27. 14 ICED BEARS Balloon Song
    Frank, 1987
  28. THE WONDER STUFF A Wonderful Day
    Far Out, 1986

Disc 4:

  1. HOUSE OF LOVE Shine On
    Creation, 1987
  2. THE SHAMEN Something About You
    Moksha, 1987
  3. THE BACHELOR PAD The Albums Of Jack
    Warholasound, 1987
  4. GOL GAPPAS Albert Parker
    el, 1986
  5. HANGMAN’S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS Love Is Blue
    Dreamworld, 1987
  6. WHIRL Heaven Forbid
    Playroom Discs, 1987
  7. THE BRILLIANT CORNERS Delilah Sands
    SS20, 1987
  8. THE FLATMATES Shimmer
    Subway Organisation, 1988
  9. THE WAKE Gruesome Castle
    Factory, 1988
  10. THIS POISON! Engine Failure
    Reception, 1987
  11. THE DARLING BUDS If I Said
    Darling Buds, 1987
  12. THE BOY HAIRDRESSERS Tidalwave
    53rd & 3rd, 1987
  13. THE WALTONES She Looks Right Through Me
    Medium Cool, 1987
  14. THE ROSEHIPS Room In Your Heart
    Subway Organisation, 1987
  15. APPLE BOUTIQUE Love Resistance
    Creation, 1988
  16. LAUGH Take Your Time Yeah!
    Remorse, 1987
  17. THE RAW HERBS She’s A Nurse But She’s Alright
    Medium Cool, 1987
  18. THE HEART THROBS Toy
    In Tape, 1987
  19. THE CLOUDS Tranquil
    Subway Organisation, 1987
  20. THE GROOVY LITTLE NUMBERS You Make My Head Explode
    53rd & 3rd, 1987
  21. THE SIDDELEYS My Favourite Wet Wednesday Afternoon
    Medium Cool, 1987
  22. RUMBLEFISH Tug-Boat Line
    Pink, 1987
  23. THE HEPBURNS The World Is
    Cherry Red, 1987
  24. BUBBLEGUM SPLASH! One Of Those Things
    Subway Organisation, 1987
  25. THE CORN DOLLIES Be Small Again
    Medium Cool, 1987
  26. THE KING OF LUXEMBOURG Lee Remick
    el, 1987
  27. THE LA’s Son Of A Gun (Demo)
    Not originally released, 1987

 Disc 5:

  1. THE STONE ROSES The Hardest Thing In The World
    Silvertone, 1988
  2. INSPIRAL CARPETS Keep The Circle Around
    Playtime, 1988
  3. THE POOH STICKS Indiepop Ain’t Noise Pollution
    Fierce, 1988
  4. THE SEA URCHINS Solace
    Sarah, 1988
  5. CUD Only (A Prawn In Whitby)
    Imaginary, 1989
  6. THE POPGUNS Landslide
    Medium Cool, 1989
  7. ONE THOUSAND VIOLINS All Aboard The Love-Mobile
    Immaculate, 1988
  8. ANOTHER SUNNY DAY I’m In Love With A Girl Who Doesn’t Know I Exist
    Sarah, 1988
  9. EAST VILLAGE Strawberry Window
    Sub Aqua, 1988
  10. BAD DREAM FANCY DRESS Choirboys Gas (Hack The Cassock)
    el, 1988
  11. RODNEY ALLEN Circle Line
    Subway Organisation, 1988
  12. THE ORCHIDS I’ve Got A Habit
    Sarah, 1988
  13. BRADFORD Skin Storm
    Village, 1988
  14. THE CHARLOTTES Are You Happy Now
    Subway, 1989
  15. THE CLAIM Picking Up The Bitter Little Pieces
    Esurient Communications, 1989
  16. THE POPPYHEADS Dreamabout
    Sarah, 1988
  17. THE SUN AND THE MOON Adam’s Song (Pour Fenella)
    Midnight Music, 1988
  18. THE McTELLS Jesse Man Rae
    Frank, 1988
  19. WOULD-BE-GOODS Cecil Beaton’s Scrapbook
    el, 1988
  20. THE DESERT WOLVES Speak To Me Rochelle
    Ugly Man, 1988
  21. THE RAIN Dry The Rain
    Medium Cool, 1988
  22. BLOW UP Forever Holiday
    Cherry Red, 1989
  23. THE FANATICS Suburban Love Songs
    Chapter 22, 1989
  24. MILLTOWN BROTHERS Roses
    Big Round, 1989
  25. THE SEERS Sun Is In The Sky
    Hedd, 1989
  26. THE TELESCOPES Perfect Needle
    What Goes On, 1989
  27. THE BOO RADLEYS Catweazle
    Action, 1990

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[…] Purple Hearts, The Prisoners and Merton Parkas. As per the label’s 2013 indie-pop collection Sacred to Get Happy, we expect this to be packaged as a bookset and like that excellent release, Millions Like Us […]

0
Alan Spindle

@John Reed
I will be ordering this post-haste. I have many dusty cassette tapes with these tracks on them and I can tell compiling this was a labo(u)r of love! This reads to me like an 80’s Who’s Who, despite some claims that these are obsure bands. Thanks!

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[…] So, to give credit where it’s due, they have done a marvellous job with their new five-disc indie-fest Scared To Get Happy. It comes in the form of a soft-feel ‘book pack’ and contains an extensive 58-page booklet. Lora Findlay’s design is superb, and all in all, this is a great example of how making an effort with presentation and packaging, creates a really desirable product that is light years away from a bunch of MP3s. More details on this set can be found here. […]

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Glen S

This looks like an interesting box-set of some very rare, and quite frankly, very obscure indie pop music; however to claim it includes music from “all the key indie labels of the period”, it not at all accurate, as there are two prominent 80s indie labels that have been totally overlooked: Mute & 4AD, not to mention much of the well known catalogue of other labels, such as Factory & Rough Trade. This being said, I do have a feeling that the point of this box is to unearth & reveal many lost & forgotten indie music gems, rather than revisit much that is already familiar to most.

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John Reed

Hi Glen,

Thanks for the kind comments about Scared To Get Happy. I think the comment “all the key indie labels” is very much in the context of the project being about Indie-Pop rather than Indie music generally. Mute had no indie guitar bands (that I can think of) and 4AD not so many in the 80s (a few on Situation 2, granted). Factory and Rough Trade are represented with a few tracks apiece – but again, they weren’t at the heart of what we’re trying to celebrate. I suppose at its core is C86 and the music which came before and after…

0
John Reed

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I compiled STGH!

0
Andy

In that case well done for including Martin Stephenson & The Daintees!

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Eric

Looks like it could be amazing!

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Rob C

This has been great to see this project come together. I know several bands chose not to include tracks on this box set – Felt, Vaselines to name 2 – and this is one that could have easily gone to 6-7 discs with inclusion of some of the more post-punk/goth/shoegazer type of indie bands – Kitchens Of Disctinction, Sad Lovers And Giants, The Sound, Comsat Angels, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Danse Society, Pale Saints, Ride, Chapterhouse, Swervedriver, Snake Corps, Lush, The Fall, Durutti Column, etc – as the genre was pretty inclusive. The biggest omission is The Smiths, which would have completed the story a bit.

All-in-all this is a fantastic box set, highlighting many parts unknown which I know I’m looking forward to discovering.

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william england

Great to see that the oft overlooked Strawberry Switchblade are included – and that they’ve not gone for an obvious choice of track either…
BadFairyRose – we still love you loads

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