sorry to disappoint you all, but I'm a long term partner of one of the band and Justin was a selfish and self-serving ******** who only looked out for his own interests. He's now a millionaire who jettisoned everyone else to fulfill his own greedy destiny.
this is such a rare find. i remember seeing the dels in Philly - mid '80s. they did a "whistle stop" tour and played at Revival - hosted by the Record Cellar in Philly. They were funny and passionate. When next I saw them in LA, with their 2nd record, they were so different. Not only the music -- the guys were somehow changed. the audience shouted for songs from the first record "we love them" and Justin said, "so do I and I was there first."
I still remember thier first (second after the school disco) gig in Warzikas in Glasgow. Which I think was famous for elephant beer. They were electric then but I was alos young and everything in Glasgow at that time seemed to be on fire. I loved fury murrays, Henrey Africas and strawberry blonds - come on you back alley greasers.........
After 26 years of listening, I too rate the debut album as one of my top 5 all time albums. I remember Justin on breakfast tv reprimanding the presenter who suggested he may be a bit embarrassed about it (this was when Nothing Ever Happens was out). Justin quite rightly told him he thought it was an excellent album which he was very proud of. The band never talked about the album because of the conflict with Chrysalis AFAIK.
thank God that bands grow and change. this sounds like utter crap... and i've loved them forever. i love you Justin, but i'm so glad you've grown into yourself. X
This video is like discovering a time capsule; it seems like it was not meant to actually be discovered until long after it was completed. I had this song on cassette for, well I guess about 25 years now and It still amazes me that first album is not more recognized. Was Orange Juice an influence? Yes but a ton of bands tried to emulate that sound and who can blame them? I live in LA. To see this band play live in somebody's backyard in the valley in '86 was life affirming! Beer kegs too!
The self titled del amitri album is one of my all time treasures. Lyrically superior and rich with honest hard working guitar melodies. I followed their career with real interest and it was nice they did receive commercial success, but the album that they unfortunately disowned, and probably unbeknownst to them, was their brightest moment (for me) by far. Well done though guys, my envy is evident for all to see.
I've long wondered if this just isn't as impressive in their homeland as it is to Americans, who likely missed out on the majority of the post-punk movement. I don't really know much about it myself, but Orange Juice is often noted as one of early Dels' "accidental" influences. They are kind of similar, but I'd love to know of more bands that sounded like this.
I don't think it's fair to say that they "disowned" this album. It was rereleased with three additional tracks and new cover notes in 2003. It's an interesting album for sure. But for me, it was certainly not their brightest moment. The self-titled album had a definite eighties "post-punk" feel to it and the subsequent albums established a more unique, esoteric and timeless sound. For me, the brightest moment was probably Change Everything with the WH through SOSP era really defining the group.
@scotchlvr I dunno, to me this is by far as esoteric as Del Amitri ever get, but it might just be because I'm American, and their later stuff was decidedly more "Americanized". Currie himself has lamented so. I love all their stuff, but their self-titled album is still like nothing I've ever heard. The songs all have such unusual form, are pretty much all chorus-less, and so rich with interweaving melodies. And the words, oh man. Currie's words have always been great, but he was on fire here.
Thank you for this....mental...never heard it. Justin sings & looks so different. I wonder what would have happened if they had made it first time around? Would they have kept this style?
Shame the Del's got themselves into such a tight musical box on some of the later records. I guess they are trying to break out of it now. The new stuff I briefly heard on myspace sounded very different and very good. Always a great voice and great songs, how Justin wasn't a huge star will always puzzle me.
Heard through a wall, Former Owner, Sticks and stones, Crows in a wheat field... so many great songs on that first record I have never heard this song, nice to see young faces making great music. Like someone said elsewhere "this is what youth did with imagination before play-stations"
I know Justin has always disowned the first album, probably for the reason that it just doesn't fit with the rest of the bands consistently styled output, but it's still an amazing record. His lyrics especially are totally original and quite cutting. Hugh Jones's production is fantastic too!
Justin doesn't consider the self titled album Del Amitri anymore, he sai he considers "Waking Hours" their first real album and refuses to play anything from the EMI album
cause basically he feels, as do I, that it sucked. it wasn't up to the standards that Del Amitri came to be known by and he wasn't nearly the impressive sonmgwriter he grew into
his new solo album and the new songs he's playing live from the next Del mitri album are nothing short of masterpieces
I've been an avid Dels follower since I was about 10 (mid-90s) and I've settled on the conclusion that the first album is actually the most ingenious. It's my favorite album of all time, despite what the man himself may say.
'Twas the 80s! Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, Big Country, Del Amitri. A really different band then signed to Chrysalis, than the one that later got signed to A&M. Justin's lyrics were still good, but his sense of melody blossomed. An incredible talent.
Fantastic. Thank you so much for putting this up. I have never seen any of the old videos but have several copies of the first Del album which comes out of its box from time to time. What high drama and such an 80's video.
Incidentally, I can't believe this has appeared on YouTube. I went out with Bryan Tolland (the one on the right of the picture in shots where the whole band is shown), and it was such an exciting time in Glasgow. We've now been together for 26 years, and Bryan is still a hunky blonde! Seeing this video brought back a lot of memories. Thank you.
sorry to disappoint you all, but I'm a long term partner of one of the band and Justin was a selfish and self-serving ******** who only looked out for his own interests. He's now a millionaire who jettisoned everyone else to fulfill his own greedy destiny.
fifi181 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
this is such a rare find. i remember seeing the dels in Philly - mid '80s. they did a "whistle stop" tour and played at Revival - hosted by the Record Cellar in Philly. They were funny and passionate. When next I saw them in LA, with their 2nd record, they were so different. Not only the music -- the guys were somehow changed. the audience shouted for songs from the first record "we love them" and Justin said, "so do I and I was there first."
TheTommyrockin 7 months ago
I still remember thier first (second after the school disco) gig in Warzikas in Glasgow. Which I think was famous for elephant beer. They were electric then but I was alos young and everything in Glasgow at that time seemed to be on fire. I loved fury murrays, Henrey Africas and strawberry blonds - come on you back alley greasers.........
MrTungsoon 8 months ago
After 26 years of listening, I too rate the debut album as one of my top 5 all time albums. I remember Justin on breakfast tv reprimanding the presenter who suggested he may be a bit embarrassed about it (this was when Nothing Ever Happens was out). Justin quite rightly told him he thought it was an excellent album which he was very proud of. The band never talked about the album because of the conflict with Chrysalis AFAIK.
SidAndBob 1 year ago
thank God that bands grow and change. this sounds like utter crap... and i've loved them forever. i love you Justin, but i'm so glad you've grown into yourself. X
SoMuchGlitter 1 year ago
This video is like discovering a time capsule; it seems like it was not meant to actually be discovered until long after it was completed. I had this song on cassette for, well I guess about 25 years now and It still amazes me that first album is not more recognized. Was Orange Juice an influence? Yes but a ton of bands tried to emulate that sound and who can blame them? I live in LA. To see this band play live in somebody's backyard in the valley in '86 was life affirming! Beer kegs too!
goldminetrash 1 year ago
The self titled del amitri album is one of my all time treasures. Lyrically superior and rich with honest hard working guitar melodies. I followed their career with real interest and it was nice they did receive commercial success, but the album that they unfortunately disowned, and probably unbeknownst to them, was their brightest moment (for me) by far. Well done though guys, my envy is evident for all to see.
graemegates 2 years ago
I totally agree, Graeme. There is something so magical about the first album and it remains in my top 5 albums of all time.
Genetichigh 2 years ago
Yeah man, I've been preaching the same thing for the last decade. Well said!
fingersmaloy 2 years ago
I've long wondered if this just isn't as impressive in their homeland as it is to Americans, who likely missed out on the majority of the post-punk movement. I don't really know much about it myself, but Orange Juice is often noted as one of early Dels' "accidental" influences. They are kind of similar, but I'd love to know of more bands that sounded like this.
fingersmaloy 2 years ago
I don't think it's fair to say that they "disowned" this album. It was rereleased with three additional tracks and new cover notes in 2003. It's an interesting album for sure. But for me, it was certainly not their brightest moment. The self-titled album had a definite eighties "post-punk" feel to it and the subsequent albums established a more unique, esoteric and timeless sound. For me, the brightest moment was probably Change Everything with the WH through SOSP era really defining the group.
scotchlvr 2 years ago
@scotchlvr I dunno, to me this is by far as esoteric as Del Amitri ever get, but it might just be because I'm American, and their later stuff was decidedly more "Americanized". Currie himself has lamented so. I love all their stuff, but their self-titled album is still like nothing I've ever heard. The songs all have such unusual form, are pretty much all chorus-less, and so rich with interweaving melodies. And the words, oh man. Currie's words have always been great, but he was on fire here.
fingersmaloy 1 year ago
Thank you for this....mental...never heard it. Justin sings & looks so different. I wonder what would have happened if they had made it first time around? Would they have kept this style?
Genetichigh 2 years ago
I freakin' love this song.. wish I could figure out all the lyrics to it. Dern accent! ;D
thesilvershining 3 years ago
Shame the Del's got themselves into such a tight musical box on some of the later records. I guess they are trying to break out of it now. The new stuff I briefly heard on myspace sounded very different and very good. Always a great voice and great songs, how Justin wasn't a huge star will always puzzle me.
kadelbach63 3 years ago
Heard through a wall, Former Owner, Sticks and stones, Crows in a wheat field... so many great songs on that first record I have never heard this song, nice to see young faces making great music. Like someone said elsewhere "this is what youth did with imagination before play-stations"
kadelbach63 3 years ago
indeed.
have to wonder... did computer games kill all this experimentation off?
i'm persuaded to think so...
psychobollox 2 years ago
I know Justin has always disowned the first album, probably for the reason that it just doesn't fit with the rest of the bands consistently styled output, but it's still an amazing record. His lyrics especially are totally original and quite cutting. Hugh Jones's production is fantastic too!
kadelbach63 3 years ago 2
Justin doesn't consider the self titled album Del Amitri anymore, he sai he considers "Waking Hours" their first real album and refuses to play anything from the EMI album
cause basically he feels, as do I, that it sucked. it wasn't up to the standards that Del Amitri came to be known by and he wasn't nearly the impressive sonmgwriter he grew into
his new solo album and the new songs he's playing live from the next Del mitri album are nothing short of masterpieces
kisscatastrophe 3 years ago
I've been an avid Dels follower since I was about 10 (mid-90s) and I've settled on the conclusion that the first album is actually the most ingenious. It's my favorite album of all time, despite what the man himself may say.
fingersmaloy 3 years ago
God, finally someone who feels the same as I do!
The first album is wonderful, timeless and heartbreaking...
Genetichigh 2 years ago
thanks for posting that.. hard to find old dels stuff.
chriswoodward21 3 years ago
hey what exact year is this vid from?
mjtromx 3 years ago
Wow, I'm so glad this video is up. How in the hell did a bunch of 12-year-old boys write stuff like this?
fingersmaloy 4 years ago
great first album. nice song 'heard through a wall'.
too bad they went commercial afterwards and sucked big time!!!!
bolderr 4 years ago
Sucked? If you think for a minute Del Amitri sucked after this album, you are deaf.
BarnabyWilde9 3 years ago
yup. they sucked big time.
sucked donkeys, in fact.
bolderr 3 years ago
Well, you'd kow all about sucking donkeys I suppose.
BarnabyWilde9 3 years ago
yup. like listening to del amitri post '85.
bolderr 3 years ago
Great stuff. Shame they threw away all their Orange Juice records and decided to go Simple Minds somewhere around 86.
ThePeoplesPalace 4 years ago
It's not typical 80's music. It's Glasgow Art School Indie music, and very important of it's time.
fifi181 4 years ago
'Twas the 80s! Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, Big Country, Del Amitri. A really different band then signed to Chrysalis, than the one that later got signed to A&M. Justin's lyrics were still good, but his sense of melody blossomed. An incredible talent.
circusguy 4 years ago
i cant beleive thats them... am i glad they are sooooo different now... love them as they are now
nikirebel 4 years ago
Fantastic. Thank you so much for putting this up. I have never seen any of the old videos but have several copies of the first Del album which comes out of its box from time to time. What high drama and such an 80's video.
murtikins 4 years ago
God, I'm glad they got better...
ligart 4 years ago
I am also glad Justin grew sideburns, his voice changed too....for the better.
avk5032 4 years ago
LMAO... OMG @ Justin! I can't believe this is by them... thank god they wrote better stuff!
shelly150675 4 years ago
Incidentally, I can't believe this has appeared on YouTube. I went out with Bryan Tolland (the one on the right of the picture in shots where the whole band is shown), and it was such an exciting time in Glasgow. We've now been together for 26 years, and Bryan is still a hunky blonde! Seeing this video brought back a lot of memories. Thank you.
fifi181 4 years ago
Classic high-art period dels from one who knows.
fifi181 4 years ago
oh flip, is it the really same blokes !
uslive 4 years ago