Green Shirt

EC & the Attractions, 1979

Back when Elvis Costello was a new artist, he was one of those rare ones that kept getting better with each new album release. The jump in quality from his debut, "My Aim Is True", released in 1977, to the powerful punch of his second album, "This Years Model", was a quantum leap. This was largely due to the more focused sound of Costello's newly formed band, The Attractions. The next one, 1979's "Armed Forces", was another step forward, although somewhat less so than its predecessor. Nonetheless, all 3 albums were in regular rotation on the turntables of everyone I knew.

Costello, like Joe Jackson, stood out from the rest of the Punk and New Wave crowd of the day with his distinct sense of melody and incisive, sometimes caustic lyricism. Unbeknownst to us at the time, there would be much more to follow in the coming years from this odd, bespectacled, twitchy person who, on first impression, came off as Buddy Holly's disturbed cousin. Who could have guessed that of all the new acts that popped up every week back then, that it would be Elvis Costello, out of all possibilities, who would still be turning out meaningful work and touring regularly nearly 40 years on?

The US cover of "Armed Forces" with promo DJ sticker.

That third album, "Armed Forces", featured many moods, often changing from song to song, as any good album should, while retaining some sense of continuity. One of the tracks that stood out for me is the 'more nervous than previous' track called "Green Shirt". There's a thread of tension, paranoia and revenge that runs through both the lyric and the music, that suggests a retaliatory bite of rattlesnake quickness is possible at any second. That's saying a lot on an album that also featured musical airstrikes like "Goon Squad", "Oliver's Army" and "Two Little Hitlers", although things did wrap up nicely with a cover of Nick Lowe's minor hit from his days in Brinsley Schwarz, "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?". But for now, let's have a listen to Elvis Costello & The Attractions, and their original version of "Green Shirt".

Early editions of "Armed Forces" included a 7" EP of some live tracks recorded at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles. The complete show wouldn't see an official release until 2010, but it was worth the wait.

The musical climate of the late '70's and early 80's also provided an opportunity for older Rock acts to consider updating themselves and their music in order to remain relevant, particularly those survivors of the first British Invasion of the 1960's. But that was much trickier than it sounds, as not all dads wear their son's clothes well. Some, like The Searchers, were musically, if not financially successful at this exercise, while Eric Burdon, who had a measure of American success with an early version of the band War, did a one-off album and tour with the reunited Animals, but quickly thought it best to ply his craft fronting European Blues bands and wait out the 80's.

One project that should have worked out better than it did was Peter Noone's 1980 attempt at reinvention with a band called The Tremblers, naughtily named after a personal service provided by prostitutes. Formerly the singer for Herman's Hermits, Noone's youthful vocal range matched with an energetic band should have sold more than it did, but that's an easy one to blame on their record label. Johnston Records was a CBS subsidiary named for Beach Boy Bruce Johnston, but like many vanity labels, it wasn't too sturdily financed. I'm not aware of any other bands that released an album on the Johnston label.

Noone and his band toured hard behind the album, but found they were forced to live in the shadow of the successful Pop band that their lead singer was known for. Noone has said that Boston was one of the best stops on that tour; perhaps because the fans in that city were hip to what Peter was doing, which was writing a new chapter by rocking out far more than the mannered recordings of Herman's Hermits would ever allow. From their sole album, "Twice Nightly", here's The Tremblers' caffeinated rendition of "Green Shirt".

Had the resources been available to permit a second, and possibly a third album, The Tremblers may have achieved a better level of success. But the ever-fickle musical climate was already changing in preparation for what has become known as the Second British Invasion; that time in the 80's when it seemed that every English band with a keyboard sequencer, a makeup kit, a quirky name, and an odd haircut were not only getting signed, but promoted like never before through a new worldwide medium, known then as "Music Television".

"Twice Nightly" is now available on CD as an import from Cherry Red Records. You can also find a stray original copy on vinyl fairly reasonably in the used record bins of your local shop.

You should be able to locate most any selection from the now considerably large discography of Elvis Costello without much difficulty. Be advised that his work is spread over several record labels and his classic albums from the 70's and 80's have been reissued multiple times already. Just read the cover art carefully so you don't wind up duplicating any of the abundant bonus material.

And just because no British Invasion collection is complete without it, here's an excellent retrospective of Herman's Hermits for you. With 26 tracks on one CD, that should cover you rather well. Peter Noone himself still tours like a madman to this day, and is bound to be performing at a casino, state fair, or outdoor venue near you, soon.

With regard to that Second British Invasion thing I mentioned, there's a tribute album being assembled that is shaping up to be very special indeed. The title is "Here Comes The Reign Again", and the album's producer tells me they have a killer lineup of musicians doing some truly inventive versions of great 80's songs. The two tracks I've already heard are both excellent. You'll be hearing plenty more about the album as things develop, but you can also look into it for yourself on the album's Facebook page. I understand that pre-ordering will be available soon, and we will post that info for you on our very own Kool Kovers Facebook page, just as soon as we know for sure. Stay tuned!