Calvin Party

Somewhere in the obscure English North, Calvin Party peddle their gritty heartfelt wares. Songs of love, passion and social conscience are delivered by weaving guitars over a blistering backbeat.

Songwriter John Donaldson and talented multi-instrumentalist Dave Thom have always been at the core of the band throughout its various incarnations.

They are currently joined by Cathy Brooks on bass, Howard Jones on drums and Kerry Graham on backing vocals and percussion for their strongest line-up ever.

Probe Plus's Geoff Davies has faithfully put out their records through thick & thin and John Peel adored them. Their first Eli Records EP Songs of Loss and Gain has become a popular part of their back catalogue featuring two of their rawest and rarest early tracks.

Now, at last, they've managed to write themselves a hit - a hit in the sense that it grabs you by the throat and forces you to listen to it again ..... and again..... and again.... A hypnotic two-note distorted bass line starts the song and keeps going all the way through. The drums thunder in on bar 2 followed closely by the vocal. Much later, single silvery guitar chords punctuate the verses, before the song finally builds to a thundering climax. Classic

It's called 8 Days and is the title track on their 2nd Eli Records EP. Just Keep Falling, a punchy pop song, is the other studio track. The remaining 3 are recorded live in Holland.

Click below to have a listen.

Get it from Eli Records, PO Box 187, BB11 3GL, £3.50. P&P £1.50 worldwide - Cheques & POs payable to Eli Records (UK).

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Track Listing - 8 Days; Just Keep Falling; Let's Go - Go Happy; Come Bleed!; Lies, Lies & Government (3)