Fini Tribe – The Sheer Action of Fini Tribe
Fini Tribe, Scotland’s legendary 1980s music mavericks, return with The Sheer Action of Fini Tribe: 1982-1987, which was released by Shipwrecked Industries. According to Chris Connelly: “This compilation was a long time in the making, a labour of love for the band, showcasing our most productive years as a six-piece.” The compilation, which includes BBC studio recordings, live performances, and raw rehearsal-room demos, covers every aspect of the band’s innovative sound during the early stages of its development. Except for “I Want More,” the tunes were composed and performed by Chris Connelly, Andy McGregor, David Miller, Simon McGlynn, Philip Pinsky, and John Vick. What unfolds is a vibrant representation of a band pushing post-punk frontiers and influencing later electronic and even Techno trends. The journey begins with “Splash Care (Peel Session),” a track driven by mysterious synth lines and a buzzing post-punk bass that creates a cinematic, almost story-like mood. The feeling of surprise and progression continues with “We’re Interested (Peel Session),” which begins with a minimal piano theme and progresses to a more complex arrangement of bass and guitar. The vocal details here have the sound of The Smiths, giving the music a cool and thoughtful touch while maintaining its typical post-punk attitude. Perhaps the most obvious prediction of what is to come is seen in “Do We Understand Each Other (Live at Calton Studios),” a piece whose beating structure and rhythmic loop feel strangely comparable with the basis of 1990s techno. Hearing it now highlights how innovative and forward-thinking Fini Tribe were, developing themes that electronic artists would expand on years later. The Sheer Action of Fini Tribe: 1982-1987 is more than just a history; it’s an accurate representation of a band that is constantly pushing the boundaries of sound. The album focuses on Fini Tribe’s brave combination of mature post-punk, experimental electronics, and proto-techno innovation, which helped establish the musical foundation of subsequent underground movements. It acts as both a historical record and a celebration of a dynamic creative spirit that remains fascinating and important today.
Fini Tribe photo by Bili Tennant
https://chrisconnelly.bandcamp.com
