What we have here is Fashiøn MkII, a very different beast from Fàshiön Music as we’ve known them so far. Luke Sky left the band in June 1980 after a London gig opening for U2 (enough to make anyone walk I’d guess). Mulligan and Dik decided to carry on and went through some short lived members even recording a local radio session and supporting the Human League with one line-up. By 1981 DeHarriss (vocals, guitar) and Martin Recchi (bass) had been added to the band and in November they released the single “Move On”.

“Move On” is utter 80’s perfection, absolute dancefloor dynamite and a DJ in Brum could cram a dancefloor in any of the clubs we were attending at that time before the intro had finished. It’s one of the greatest singles ever to come out of my hometown. Produced by ace German producer Zeus B Held with cover photography by David Bailey, Arista Records very obviously had high hopes for Fashiøn.

The album is an almost equal split between high energy 80’s dance music (“Street Player (Mechanik)”, “Dressed To Kill”, “White Stuff”) and smokier, more laid back almost jazzy songs (“You Only Left your Picture”, “Do You Wanna Make Love”, “Slow Blue”). Six of the 10 tracks were mined as singles, again suggesting Arista had big expectations (although looking at the “no expense spent” promo video below maybe not). Gina X of German electro pioneers Gina X Performance (“No G.D.M” anyone ?) guests on the single “Love Shadow”. 

Despite the big name producer, photographer and guests it never really happened for Fashiøn (sales wise) other than in the clubs. Listening to it now it does sound VERY 80’s, which is exactly what it is, but hearing that intro for “Move On” is still a thrill.

Move On - https://youtu.be/tn1Aempczn4

A compilation of Fàshiön Music’s non-album singles, b-sides and rarities. Not one for everybody but a useful place to round up the non LP singles “Stéädy Eddié Stéädy”, “Silver Blades” (the second time that place has featured in song in my collection. Does anyone recall the first ?) and “Citinite” (well, it’s B-side “Wastelife” as “Citinite” itself was on “Pröduct Perfect”) plus their related b-sides alongside a wealth of unreleased demos.

Not an album that most would find as interesting as I do but Fashion, in all their guises, are Brummie legends ay they so it had to be had.

Silver Blades - https://youtu.be/9la2jvxiKUA (with extra added John Peel)

Fàshiön Music, or just Fàshiön as they were often known, were a Punk/New Wave trio from Birmingham who incorporated elements of Reggae into their music. Their sole album “Pröduct Perfect” is a criminally underrated work of freakin’ genius ! One of those albums I know every nook and cranny of and listen to regularly.

They formed in Brum in 1978 and consisted of John Mulligan (known as just Mulligan) on bass and synthesizer, Dik Davies (known just as Dik) on drums and Al James (known as Luke James, Luke Sky, or just Luke or Lûke, short for "Luke Skyscraper" a reference to Luke Skywalker due to the fact that he was around 6’ 7” tall) on vocals and guitar. 

It’s a mix of poppy late 70’s “New Wave” mashed up with elements of reggae. The most obviously reggae influenced songs are the title track, “Red Green And Gold” (of course) and “Don’t Touch Me”. Luke’s voice is very “affected” in style, in a way I’ve only really heard UK new wave singers manage, although the nearest comparison I could make would be to Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh. The recording is quite basic with occasionally flanged bass and very chorused guitars (the guitar players will understand). 

My favourite here is Side 2’s “Bike Boys” a new wave romp about motorbike riding ruffians, it’s the closest to the Punk sound of the times. I love the whole album and have since I bought it 44 years ago (how to make yourself feel old) and now own two copies, an original and a recent re-issue on “Verduous Green” vinyl (hey that’s what the hype sticker says !). Talking of Hype stickers Robert Christgau had this to say about the record on the 2021 re-issue…

“…all of these songs are based on post-Marcusian cliches sophisticated enough to get the average rock fan thinking hard, and some of them are based on post-Marcusian ideas sophisticated enough to get the average post-Marcusian thinking hard. Sounds unmusical but it isn't that either--the singing is clever and impassioned, the punkish, futuristic reggae-synthesizer fusion often catchy and always apt."

No, I don’t understand what most of that means either but it sounds about right and I will continue to listen to this marvellous record whenever post Marcusianism is required.

Bike Boys - https://youtu.be/qOrZL9i6oWI