Guest Selector: Ade Blackburn of Clinic

With LIMF 2016 just around the corner, the Clinic frontman weighs up his favourite slabs of vinyl ahead of a very special show at The Arts Club...

Feature by Ade Blackburn | 21 Jul 2016

Ade Blackburn first formed the band that would become Clinic back in 1984, but it wasn't until the late 90s that they began to make a name for themselves. A trio of immaculate singles on their own Aladdin's Cave of Golf label launched the band into the spotlight, marrying proto-punk twang and Velvet Underground scuzz to myriad tricks filtered through dub, psychedelia and primitive electronica. A series of critically-adored albums have cemented the band's position among Liverpool's finest exports: a rich cacophany of ideas with a formidable songbook.

On 23 July, Clinic will appear at Liverpool International Music Festival as part of a celebration of punk: From Eric's To Evol takes is part of a series of strands focussing on different Mersey scenes (Seani B also curates Roots, Rock, Reggae, while Yousef gathers his favourites for House Nation). Taking place at two venues over two days, and also featuring the likes of the Buzzcocks, Pete Wylie and The Vryll Society, the two From Eric's... shows explores Liverpool bands' cross-pollination of punk with garage, psychedelia and more – and in that spirit, Blackburn presents five punk-related classics to wrap your ears around.


Dave Diamond – The Diamond Mine

[Pebbles Volume 3 – The Acid Gallery, BFD Record, 1979]

From the classic acid punk compilation Pebbles Vol.3 – The Acid Gallery. An absolute belter: cartoon LSD rantings over a twisted and relentless riff. What more could you ask for?

The Mel-O-Tones – Burton Buzz

[Bomp Sutra EP, Probe Plus, 1985]

Liverpool's finest really deliver with a slab of demented psychobilly. Out on the Probe Plus label in the mid-80s, they never got the attention they deserved but there's still time yet.

The Invaders – Spacing Out

[Spacing Out, Duane Records, 1970]

Nice cinematic sounding funk from 1970 but still very edgy and full of surprises. The band were from Bermuda with a special blend of otherness and the exotic. A lot of reissues can be slightly underwhelming, this is worth every penny.

The Cramps – Human Fly

[Off The Bone, IRS Records, 1983]

A classic, good for dancing and suitably deranged. One of the greatest bands ever along with The Electric Eels – they even shared the same drummer in Nick Knox. The California State Mental Hospital live DVD (Live at Napa State Mental Hospital) is essential viewing.

Echo and the Bunnymen – Read it in Books

[The Pictures On My Wall 7", Zoo Records, 1979]

Possibly their best pop song. Read it in Books was the B-side to the first single The Pictures on my Wall, and if anything is even better. It's the song that reminds me most of the whole late 70s Eric's scene. Minimal and boss.