Various Artists - Cottonopolis (Chimney Smoke Coloured Vinyl)

A compilation of rare and previously unreleased tracks from Greater Manchester’s lesser well known bands from the last 30 years.

Not household names but bands who all deserve a place in Manchester’s musical history. Less “Unknown Pleasures,” more “Unknown Treasures”.

SIDE 1: Proud Mary were the first band to sign to Noel Gallagher’s Sour Mash label. Autograph Hunter is an unreleased demo recorded with the bands’ early line up, featuring Craig Gill (Inspiral Carpets) on drums. The Delaplains made ripples on the live circuit, and you would often find Blossoms supporting them in various Northern Quarter venues. They split after the release of their second single. The Salford based band Death To The Strange released a handful of EPs before their demise; Peter Hook was known to sing their praises. The Children recorded demos at Paul Weller’s studio with no physical releases until they morphed into Twisted Wheel. Omerta released 2 independent singles before a line-up change and had further success as The Slow Readers Club.

SIDE 2: Rubber Orange were one of the many Oldham bands making a name for themselves on the Manchester gig circuit in the late 80’s/early90s and released one 12” EP. ‘Magnetized’ is by far their masterpiece and previously unreleased. The Broadcast were another short lived Manchester band featuring John Mackie on vocals, who went onto further success in acting. They recorded a handful of tracks but never released anything. Rambo and Leroy hailed from Macclesfield and after a New Order support slot, Jake Evans (vocals and guitar) was approached by Bernard Sumner and became a member of Bad Lieutenant. Their sole release, ‘Last One Standing’ was single of the week on XFM. The Fayre, another band from Oldham were a live favourite around the same time as Twisted Wheel but called it a day after a Glastonbury appearance. Asia Fields were ‘Funkier than a mosquito’s tweeter’. Think Haircut 100 on acid.

They sold 5000 copies of their debut EP and refused numerous offers from major labels at the height of Madchester.

The sleeve shows a section of an iconic panoramic photograph taken by Squire Knott in 1876 during the Industrial Revolution. (Courtesy of Oldham Gallery)