Angelic Upstarts - Reason Why?

Original Release Date

1983

Release Information

UK LP 1983 (Anagram - GRAM 004)
UK CD 1992 (Anagram - CD GRAM 004)

1 Woman In Disguise 3:09
2 Never Give Up 2:54
3 Waiting Hating 3:07
4 Reason Why 3:21
5 Nobody Was Saved 2:23
6 Geordie's Wife 2:47
7 Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner 3:36
8 42nd Street 3:25
9 The Burglar 1:58
10 Solidarity 5:06
11 As The Passion 2:25
12 A Young Punk 2:52
13 Where We Started 2:48
CD Bonus Tracks
14 Lust For Glory 2:44
15 Five Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest 2:52
16 Dollars And Pounds 1:12
17 Don't Stop 3:07
18 Not Just A Name 2:51
19 The Leech 2:59
20 Leave Me Alone (Live) 2:40
21 Liddle Towers (Live) 1:51
22 White Riot (Live) 2:11

Chart Placings

UK Indie Hit : 12, 6 wks

Credits

LP:

The Upstarts are
Mensi - vocals
Mond - guitar & vocals
Tony Feed-back - bass
Brian Hayes - guitar
Special thanks to Paul Thompson who played drums on this album
Also featured on the album
Simon Lloyd - sax
Terry Slessor - backing vocals
Kenny Mountain - backing vocals
Terry Sharp - lead vocals on 'Reason Why'
Robbie Garrette - keyboards
Peter Lambert - drums on 'The Burglar' and 'Where We Started'

Produced and mixed by Mond at Alaska Studios
Engineered by Ian O'Higgins

__________________________________________________

CD:

The Upstarts are

Tracks 1-13
Mensi - vocals
Mond - guitar & vocals
Tony Feed-back - bass
Brian Hayes - guitar
Special thanks to Paul Thompson who played drums on tracks 1-17

Also featured on tracks 1-13
Simon Lloyd - sax
Terry Slessor - backing vocals
Kenny Mountain - backing vocals
Terry Sharp - lead vocals on 'Reason Why'
Robbie Garrette - keyboards
Peter Lambert - drums on 'The Burglar' and 'Where We Started'
Plus:
John the Boy - keyboards on tracks 18-22
Nick the Blonde - drums on tracks 18-22

Tracks 1-13
Produced and mixed by Mond at Alaska Studios. Engineered by Ian O'Higgins

Track 14
Produced by Mensi, Mond and Pat Collier. Engineered by Pat Collier

Tracks 15-17
Produced by Mond. Engineered by Ian O'Higgins

Tracks 18-22
Produced by Mensi. Mixed by Mensi and Noel Noel.

Additional Credits

14: B-Side of Woman In Disguise 7", released November 1982
15-17: from the Solidarity 7"/12", released May 1983
18-22: Not Just A Name 7"/12", released September 1983

Additional Credits

Reviews & Opinions

PUNKY GIBBON: Against all odds, this is a remarkable return to form, with crystal-clear production and a brace of adroit songs, not least 'Woman In Disguise', a stinging attack on one Maggie Thatcher, and a foray into genuine electrified folk on 'Solidarity'. Elsewhere, Mensi tries his hand at poetry on a tale of unemployment entitled 'Geordies Wife', sings the praises of crime on 'The Burglar' and enlists the aid of a guest vocalist for the reggaefied title song.

PAUL CASTLES, PUNK LIVES #7, 1983: Are well all agreed that the likes of GBH and Disorder are what Punk is all about? We are? [read full review here]

IRA ROBBINS, THE TROUSER PRESS RECORD GUIDE, 1991: Reason Why? is the Upstarts' great leap forward, a blend of angry socio-political lyrics with a controlled and melodic rock attack (broken on the title track with a reggae digression and on the a cappelia folk ballad, "Geordies Wife") that is punky only in Mensi's unpolished bellow and the band's gang-shouted backing vocals. Otherwise, the guitars build an attractive base like the Clash on Give 'Em Enough Rope that is embellished by guest sax and keyboards. The songs are competent enough and the production, by guitarist Mond, captures it all with clarity and energy. A surprisingly good record for all rock tastes.

RECORD COLLECTOR, 1992: The Upstarts were often tarred with the same brush as the Oi! brigade, but actually offered a great deal more, weighing in with a string of bona fide second-wave punk hits which married admiral political awareness with good ol' fashioned jump-up-and-down rock. 'Reason Why?' dates from 1983, when the band were enjoying a less savoury following of punk Johnny-come-latelys, but still knew how to write a good tune.

Additional Notes

None yet

Images

UK LP 1983 (Anagram - GRAM 004). Click here for more

UK CD 1992 (Anagram - CD GRAM 004). Click here for more