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    • The Armoires
    • Anton Barbeau
    • The Condors
    • Kai Danzberg
    • The Hangabouts (Futureman Records)
    • In Deed
    • Blake Jones & The Trike Shop
    • Addison Love
    • Joe Normal & the Anytown'rs
    • Leslie Pereira & the Lazy Heroes
    • Plasticsoul
    • SHPLANG
    • Michael Simmons
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SPYGENIUS (Canterbury / South London, UK)

Spygenius frontman and songwriter Peter Watts got his start in the 80s as the lead singer with the Murrumbidgee Whalers, whose jangle-pop classic "Giving Way to Trains" has recently been re-released on the Cherry Red C88 compilation. The 21st century saw the Watts moving on to create Spygenius, a classic British four piece pop-combo based in Canterbury and South London, who have built upon and extended that musical legacy. Ruth Rogers (bass), Matt Byrne (keys) and Alan Cannings (drums) complete the line-up - and everybody sings. Their music has echoes of all those classic 60s ‘B’ bands – Beatles, Byrds, Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, Bonzos. But it equally resonates with college-radio darlings of later generations like XTC, The Smiths, Robyn Hitchcock, R.E.M. There’s a lot of musical bric-a-brac in there too – souvenirs from surf and psych, folk and exotica, lounge and blues, rock and roll. The songs are carefully crafted: memorable melodies, heavenly harmonies, gorgeous guitars, perfect percussion, bitchin’ bass and kinky keyboards abound. 

Since 2008 Spygenius have released four albums in the UK, each noted for their complex lyrics, as intelligent as they are emotionally charged: sometimes witty, sometimes painful, sometimes insightful, sometimes just nonsensical – always delightful and engaging. A US release of their most recent album – the highly praised ‘Pacéphale – began the band's tenure on Big Stir Records, and was followed by a Digital Single release ("If You Go A-Roving") teasing a new album in 2019. For the last couple of years Spygenius have been working with the Burbank based Big Stir Collective, and have organized a number of Big Stir Britannia events in the UK. The band is also noted for their visual collaborations with artist and honorary fifth Spygenius, Champniss of London, which has resulted in a book and a number of animated music videos which perfectly encapsulate the surreal whimsy of their music.

'Pacéphale: CD
  • 'Pacéphale: CD

'Pacéphale: CD

Includes a download of the album 'Pacéphale
In cart Not available Out of stock
$12.00

TRACK LIST: 1. Shall I Show You in My Mirror? 2. Back Door Son of Man 3. Heathen 4. The Friendly Stars That Glow 5. (Rock and Roll Is An) Old Man's Game 6. Eucalyptus and Cigarettes 7. Get over Yourself! 8. You and Me and Jiminy C 9. Godfearing 10. S.O.B. 11. Solness 12. Ill Fitting Suit 13. And Her Snakes Were Decked with Smiles

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The Comforting Suture: CD
  • The Comforting Suture: CD

The Comforting Suture: CD

Includes a download of the album The Comforting Suture
In cart Not available Out of stock
$10.00

Opus three from Spygenius HQ, and it’s “loads of fun for everyone” (Powerpopaholic). This disc offers a shedload of fan faves including ‘California Sunshine’ (which is about growing up in South London, bizarrely…), Autoclave (check out the cool animated video!) and the Spygenius version of the Murrumbidgee Whalers’ classic ‘Giving Way to Trains’.

  1. Spygenius 65
  2. Furniture Boats
  3. Kevin
  4. Here We Go Again
  5. All My Skeletons
  6. California Sunshine
  7. Autoclave!
  8. A Room, Full of Telephones
  9. Hegemon boldly combats the forces of chaos and insurrection: the outcome remains uncertain...
  10. The Void
  11. Giving Way to Trains
  12. K Is Mentally Ill
  13. Adamsdown
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Red Lounge: CD
  • Red Lounge: CD

Red Lounge: CD

Includes a download of the album Red Lounge
In cart Not available Out of stock
$10.00

The sophomore platter from Spygenius, which the guys at Not Lame described as “hypnotic, intoxicating and wonderfully disconnected … Very Highly Recommended”. They also said that “Spygenius come from a committed creative space few artists have the disposition, balls and gumption to explore”, which was nice of them! The album features frequent live set opener ‘Digdens Rise’, Spygenius signature pop tune, ‘The Girl Who’s Everywhere’, and the slightly bewildering ‘First Do No Harm’.

  1. Didgen's Rise
  2. Smardy's Fish Paradise
  3. The Ballad of Jack Snipe
  4. This Morning After
  5. Stupid
  6. Matter Out of Place
  7. First Do No Harm
  8. You've Got a Lucky Face
  9. Don't Sing to Me of Medicine When You're the Disease
  10. The Girl Who's Everywhere
  11. Trolls
  12. Waimanalo
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Songs from the Devil's Typist: CD
  • Songs from the Devil's Typist: CD

Songs from the Devil's Typist: CD

Includes a download of the album Songs from the Devil's Typist
In cart Not available Out of stock
$10.00

Songs From the Devil’s Typist: Spygenius’s debut offering, described by Powerpopaholic as “an outstanding album that is sure to hook you in and keep you humming”. Highlights include perennial live favourites/albatrosses (delete as required) ‘Pineapple Drive’ and ‘The Ballad of Dr T F Bundy and his Hirsute Sweetheart’, and (from the ridiculous to the sublime) the haunting ’13 Years (May Song)’.

  1. Dumb Angels
  2. The Balld of Dr T F Bundy & his Hirsute Sweetheart
  3. I Want That Girl
  4. Gilgamesh
  5. Pineapple Drive
  6. 13 Years (May Song)
  7. A Bottle of Reds & Two Good Friends
  8. C;losest Thing to heaven
  9. This Heart was Truer Than You Cared to Believe
  10. Winteregarden Summertime
  11. Coneybeare's Island
  12. Mr Misdirected Woo
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If You Go A-Roving (Big Stir Digital Single No. 13) by Spygenius

If You Go A-Roving (Big Stir Digital Single No. 13)

Spygenius

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The Lucky 13th BIG STIR DIGITAL SINGLE belongs to Big Stir Britannia's leading lights and one of our favo(u)rite bands anywhere, the one and only SPYGENIUS of Canterbury, England! Sporting brand new and characteristically brilliant cover art from their enigmatic visual collaborator CHAMPNISS OF LONDON, "If You Go A-Roving" b/w "Let Me In" will see release Friday, 19 January and is available now for preorder!

Shortly after unleashing their acclaimed fourth album ‘Pacéphale to an unsuspecting world, SPYGENIUS (Peter, Ruth, Alan and Matt, as ever) retired to their musical shed somewhere in the south east of England to begin work on the follow up, given the intriguing provisional title of ‘Spygenius Album #5’. These two tracks come from those still ongoing sessions. The A side – "If You Go A-Roving" – explores what happens if you stick a melody loosely influenced by English folk music on top of a jangle pop backing (and features on the latest International Pop Overthrow compilation). The B side – "Let Me In" – is a monster themed bit of funky old nonsense that the Spygeniants knocked together for Christina and Rex’s Hallowen Specials on their recently concluded radio programme, but hasn’t seen a formal release before. It was supposed to sound like the Hoodoo Gurus, but it doesn’t, really.

Definitely at the ‘and more’ end of the ‘power pop and more’ spectrum, Spygenius formed in the mid-2000s with the aim of writing, recording and performing original songs for as long as they could get away with it. Classic melodic pop is their baseline, but they are known for their cheeky eclecticism and will often embellish or deviate from their basic live line-up of guitar, bass, drums, keys and four vocals in their recordings. So, catchy tunes, lyrics to listen to, lush harmonies - think Beatles 66-68, think Byrds, think Buffalo Springfield and Bonzo Dog Band – but just as much think Squeeze, Elvis Costello, Robyn Hitchcock, Rain Parade, early R.E.M., and XTC (shhh, don’t tell Ruth!). Then stop thinking that and listen to the tracks instead.

As well as regular gigging around the UK, they are veterans of the International Pop Overthrow festivals - in Liverpool, London and occasionally Los Angeles – and for the last couple of years have taken a central role in organising the BIG STIR BRITANNIA events in Croydon the U.K. Spygenius Album #5 is slated for release later in 2019, on Big Stir Records – and in the meantime all four previous releases can be found on the Big Stir Records website alongside the new single.

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  1. 1
    If You Go A-Roving 3:18
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    0:00 / 3:18
  2. 2
    Let Me In 3:20
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'Pacéphale by Spygenius

'Pacéphale

Spygenius

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The fourth album from Canterbury, England's Spygenius, reissued for the US (with exclusive bonus enclosures) by Big Stir Records!

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  1. 1
    Shall I Show You In My Mirror? 4:26
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 4:26
  2. 2
    Back Door Son of Man 5:49
    In cart Not available Out of stock
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  3. 3
    Heathen 3:29
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:29
  4. 4
    The Friendly Stars That Glow 3:33
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:33
  5. 5
    (Rock and Roll Is An) Old Man's Game 6:38
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 6:38
  6. 6
    Eucalyptus & Cigarettes 1:29
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 1:29
  7. 7
    Get Over Yourself 4:28
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 4:28
  8. 8
    You And Me And Jiminy C 3:01
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:01
  9. 9
    Godfearing 1:31
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 1:31
  10. 10
    S.O.B. 3:32
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:32
  11. 11
    Solness 1:00
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 1:00
  12. 12
    Ill-Fitting Suit 5:10
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 5:10
  13. 13
    And Her Snakes Were Decked With Smiles 2:13
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 2:13
The Comforting Suture by Spygenius

The Comforting Suture

Spygenius

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Opus three from Spygenius HQ, and it’s “loads of fun for everyone” (Powerpopaholic). This disc offers a shedload of fan faves including ‘California Sunshine’ (which is about growing up in South London, bizarrely…), Autoclave (check out the cool animated video!) and the Spygenius version of the Murrumbidgee Whalers’ classic ‘Giving Way to Trains’.

Read more… close
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  1. 1
    Spygenius 65 2:08
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 2:08
  2. 2
    Furniture Boats 3:51
    In cart Not available Out of stock
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  3. 3
    Kevin 3:37
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:37
  4. 4
    Here We Go Again 6:15
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 6:15
  5. 5
    All My Skeletons 3:06
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:06
  6. 6
    California Sunshine 3:59
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:59
  7. 7
    Autoclave! 3:23
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:23
  8. 8
    A Room, Full Of Telephones 5:47
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 5:47
  9. 9
    Hegemon 3:50
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:50
  10. 10
    The Void 2:19
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 2:19
  11. 11
    Giving Way To Trains 0:23
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 0:23
  12. 12
    K Is Mentally Ill 4:31
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 4:31
  13. 13
    Adamsdown 3:44
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:44
Red Lounge by Spygenius

Red Lounge

Spygenius

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The sophomore platter from Spygenius, which the guys at Not Lame described as “hypnotic, intoxicating and wonderfully disconnected … Very Highly Recommended”. They also said that “Spygenius come from a committed creative space few artists have the disposition, balls and gumption to explore”, which was nice of them! The album features frequent live set opener ‘Digdens Rise’, Spygenius signature pop tune, ‘The Girl Who’s Everywhere’, and the slightly bewildering ‘First Do No Harm’.

Read more… close
0:00 / ???
  1. 1
    Digden's Rise 6:49
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 6:49
  2. 2
    Smardy's Fish Paradise 2:47
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 2:47
  3. 3
    The Ballad of Jack Snipe 3:33
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:33
  4. 4
    This Morning After 2:04
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 2:04
  5. 5
    Stupid 3:54
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:54
  6. 6
    Matter Out Of Place 7:11
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 7:11
  7. 7
    First Do No Harm 4:59
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 4:59
  8. 8
    You've Got A Lucky Face 1:27
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 1:27
  9. 9
    Don't Sing To Me Of Medicine When You're The Disease 3:12
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:12
  10. 10
    The Girl Who's Everywhere 3:03
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:03
  11. 11
    Trolls 6:39
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 6:39
  12. 12
    Waimanalo 4:27
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 4:27
Songs from the Devil's Typist by Spygenius

Songs from the Devil's Typist

Spygenius

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Spygenius’s debut offering, described by Powerpopaholic as “an outstanding album that is sure to hook you in and keep you humming”. Highlights include perennial live favourites/albatrosses (delete as required) ‘Pineapple Drive’ and ‘The Ballad of Dr T F Bundy and his Hirsute Sweetheart’, and (from the ridiculous to the sublime) the haunting ’13 Years (May Song)’.

Read more… close
0:00 / ???
  1. 1
    Dumb Angels 0:30
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 0:30
  2. 2
    The Ballad of T.F. Bundy & his Hirsute Sweetheart 3:32
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:32
  3. 3
    I Want That Girl 4:13
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 4:13
  4. 4
    Gilgamesh 5:57
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 5:57
  5. 5
    Pineapple Drive 4:53
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 4:53
  6. 6
    13 Years (May Song) 5:35
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 5:35
  7. 7
    A Bottle of Reds and Two Good Friends 4:41
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 4:41
  8. 8
    Closest Thing to Heaven 4:56
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 4:56
  9. 9
    This Heart Was Truer Than You Cared to Believe 5:31
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 5:31
  10. 10
    Wintergarden Summertimes 3:57
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 3:57
  11. 11
    Coneybeare's Island 5:54
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 5:54
  12. 12
    Mr. Misdirected Woo 1:35
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00 / 1:35

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