A line and outtakes record that still hits the spot.
Blame Franz Ferdinand. Yes, not only have they made it illegal to go out in Glasgow unless you are wearing a suit but there has been an increasing interest in the early 1980's Scottish acts who originally put the art school on the map.
After a recent Orange Juice compilation, attention turns to The Fire Engines. Contrary outsiders, even back in the days, the band has announced an end to their recent live shows at which they played with The Magic Band, Sons and Daughters and the aforementioned Franz. Of course, with the imminent release of 'Codex Teenage Premonition', a live and outtakes record dating back to 1980 and 1981 this is either brilliant or ludicrous timing, depending on your take on publicity.
Given the nature of these tracks, the sound quality isn't consistent but this should not detract from the fire contained within. An angry band whose sound is best described by the terms wiry and angular that is so beloved of the music press these days, The Fire Engines always had muffled vocals which just added to the sense of confusion and bewilderment.
As for the record itself, it showcases the strong bass lines that appear almost as a lead instrument and a danceable rhythm to their songs, which you can see written all over the current indie landscape. 'New Thing In Cartons' and 'Get Up And Use Me' are two of the live tracks that would be guaranteed to induce shimmying up and down the dance halls of the nation as kids imitate the one note guitar riffs and solos. Well, it seems to be working well for the Arctic Monkeys at the moment.
Their sense of musical history is shown by the addition of a brief interview clip that refers to them being supported by an act called U2 and the band not being particularly bothered by the new act. It may be interesting to see if that support band ever made anything of themselves.
The entire record veers all over the place and it may be uncomfortable for new or unsure listeners. It may also represent a missed opportunity but as a representation of the band, it stands as an impressive piece of work. Even after all these years, The Fire Engines remain as uncompromising as ever and look set to concentrate on other projects as opposed to reaping the benefits their current favour may bring.
It may be more advisable to track down their album 'Lubricate Your Living Room' and some early singles but this is quite a good additional example of the energy and skill of an act that may have influenced some of today's most exciting bands.