Rewind: Shop Assistants - The Sound of Perfect Pop

I can hardly believe that I'm never done a post on here spotlighting The Shop Assistants. Time to rectify that. Unleash the music by clicking on the links. Enjoy.

Formed in Edinburgh in 1984 as Buba and The Shop Assistants the original line-up was: Aggi (Annabel Wright. later of The Pastels) on vocals, David Keegan (Guitar), Sarah Kneale (Bass), Laura McPhail (Drums) and Ann Donald (Drums). This line-up released their debut single and in fact their only single 'Something To Do' in November 1984 and it was produced by Stephen Pastel (who also contributed backing vocals).

Something To Do/Dreaming Backwards.

In August 1985 with new front woman Alex Taylor and the name shortened to just Shop Assistants the band released 'The Shopping Parade EP' on Subway. This would put them on the map. 'All Day Long' and 'All That Ever Mattered' would both feature in John Peel's Festive 50 for 1985. Morrissey would describe 'All Day Long' as his favourite single of the year.

 A Side: All Day Long/Switzerland

B-Side: All That Ever Mattered/It's Up To You.

In February 1986 they released what is considered as their finest single, 'Safety Net' on new label 53rd and 3rd. The single peaked at #2 on the Independent Charts.

Saftey Net
Almost Made It/Somewhere in China

John Peel Session 1985

Safety Net

All That Ever Mattered

Almost Made It

Somewhere in China

John Peel Session 1986

Fixed Grin

I Don't Wanna Be Friends With You

Ace of Spades

Before I Wake

Janice Long Session February 1986

Home Again

Isn't It Funny

What A Way To Die

It's Up To You

Live at The Electric Ballroom, Camden - 8th September 1985.

In 1986 they signed to Chrysalis Records' sub-label Blue Guitar. They released their debut album in November - 'Anything Will Happen' and one further single, 'I Don't Wanna Be Friends With You' and the band split in 1987 as Alex Taylor left to start life in The Motorcycle Boy.

Will Anything Happen

Tracklist
1.    I DON'T WANNA BE FRIENDS WITH YOU
2.    ALL DAY LONG
3.    BEFORE I WAKE
4.    CALEDONIAN ROAD
5.    ALL THAT EVER MATTERED
6.    FIXED GRIN
7.    SOMEWHERE IN CHINA
8.    TRAIN FROM KANSAS CITY
9.    HOME AGAIN
10.    SEEMS TO BE
11.    AFTER DARK
12.    ALL OF THE TIME
13.    WHAT A WAY TO DIE
14.    NATURE LOVER

University of London 1986 Full Set.

 

Two years after the breakup the band reunited without Alex Taylor (Sarah Kneale was on vocals). Margarita Vasquez-Ponte was on the drums with Laura McPhail moving to bass and of course, the only bloke in the band David Keegan on guitar. The group would release a further two singles on the Avalanche label: 'Here It Comes' (backed by 'I'd Rather Be With You') and 'Big E Power' (backed by 'She Said She Said' and 'One More Time'), and then it was all over.

All Day Long (BBC Scotland 1986).

Somewhere in China (BBC Scotland 1986).

Looking Back (BBC Scotland 1986).

You Trip Me Up Flexi Disc.