MOD FUN - Wardour Dreams [USA mod, garage, psychedelic 1985-86] 2021 Paisley Archive PA062

 

This collection of songs represents the bulk of studio recordings by "New Jersey's Original 80's Retro-mod band," who were among the most popular of the handful of east-cost acts in the early 80's retro-rock movement based in the "NYC cave-stomp" scene; which would eventually come to be known as the "underground garage" sound. Based around the club "The Dive," where MOD FUN gigged monthly, alongside many other gigs at CBGB, SNAFU, Firefly, DIRT and the Peppermint Lounge.  

MOD FUN also ventured out to California very early in their career (1984) and absorbed the stylistic influences of the brand new "Paisley Underground" sound within their tight "UK psyche" compositions.  Many gigs at San Francisco's The Mab and Berkeley Square; LA's Madame Wongs and Cavern Club, as well as San Diego's Club Zu and Rock Palace.

"90 Wardour Street" (released in 1985) was their debut 12-inch and exhibits MOD FUN's flair for American Garage sounds slammed right up against their infatuation with UK Psyche-Mod-R&B material like The Creation, Syd's Pink Floyd, The Eyes, The Action, Zombies, Kinks and (even) Early Who.  You can't listen to these 8 original songs and not get hooked by the depth of the many classic influences in their sound ... 90 Wardour Street plays like a "case history" of 60's retro music...

For "Dorothy's Dream" the band dipped even further into the Californian "Paisley Underground," (after their 2 tours of that state,) and their immersion in the "American Indie" sound, including more influences like Big Star and The Nazz now sitting alongside their continued Anglophilic love of UK psyche and pop like The Move, Syd Barrett, Buzzcocks and their original initial inspiration The Jam.  By the time "...Dream" was recorded however it was even harder to pick out individual influences, as the band had jammed so many different retrofied pieces into their musical puzzle.

Also included in this CD collection are 5 "bonus" tracks — 3 songs originally intended to be on the "Dorothy's Dream" album, which ultimately weren't recorded and released on the vinyl LP in 1985.  Two of these tracks appear as demo recordings ("Plastic People" and "Sugarcube Boy,") and one as a live version ("Understand Me," recorded in California 10th, April 1985.)  Two more songs from that same gig appear here as well: "Movin' N Groovin'" from their debut "Wardour St.," and a live version of the B-side of their debut single "Happy Feeling"

Mod Fun