Hello, I'm Carole McGowan's niece. It's so lovely that you've included Carole and Janis in this! She died in 2012. Just to let you know the picture that you have in the video for Janis is actually also Carole. We're still in touch with Janis as a family and Carole's son Jamie lives just outside Glasgow. 😊 We're all very proud of her connection to Strawberry Switchblade and we play their songs at family parties.
@@luckystarfan77 What's lucky for you is I'm the one that put that Subaru commercial on youtube 😉otherwise you'd be stuck! I have yet to track down the mysterious Shockwaves hairspray ad though...
@@luckystarfan77 I also have a radio ad. There's a shorter alternate TV ad I've seen before too on an account that watermarked it so keeping it for my files seemed silly as I want it unaltered.
I LOVE Strawberry Switchblade. Rose McDowall is one of the greatest vocalists EVER. I got to see Sorrow perform in Pittsburgh back in...2000? 2001? It was a _great_ show! It warms my old (well, 50-year-old) Goth heart that younger folks are discovering so many superb New Wave/postpunk/'80s artists! Oh, and since you dig New Wave music, check out a band called Comateens. Then thank me later. :)
I absolutely adore Strawberry Switchblade but saying "Rose McDowall is one of the greatest vocalists EVER" is quite a stretch in my opinion. She can convey emotions in a beautiful way and has a lovely voice, but "one of the best ever"? I think even she herself would say it's over the top and unnecessary.
You should've mentioned David Motion. He produced their first album and is responsible for the synth/new wave orchestrations. Jill and Rose were super frustrated because they basically had to tour afterwards and pretend to strum their guitars and lip sync because there was no way to recreate the album sound.
Hi, Jill and Rose appeared together at a screening and Q&A session at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) last Saturday evening (19th October 2024l. The screening was of an excellent new documentary called 'Since Yesterday ', which charts the forgotten history of all female Scottish bands. Strawberry Switchblade feature heavily in it (they lend the film its name after all), but as great as the film is, it was so nice to see them together in the flesh, sharing their memories and thoughts, and being on the receiving end of so much audience appreciation. It was the best thing I've experienced in a long time. I urge you, and anyone reading this, to seek out the documentary if it gets a general release.
You're welcome. The BBC co-funded its production, so if you don't get to see it at a cinema, it will probably be broadcast at some point. Incidentally, since I wrote about it, I've noticed that t mobile there's a trailer for it here on RUclips; and on top of that, someone filmed the Q&A session I got to attend after the screening... The sound quality isn't that great though, so you'll need to turn up the volume (search for Since Yesterday and October 19th, and you should find it).
If you like Scottish bands with ethereal female vocals then your next stop has got to be Cocteau Twins. Amazing to see obscure bands like Strawberry finding new life with today’s teenagers. Nice video.
One of my favourite anecdotes about Rose McDowell is that when she was recording backing vocals for Megas with Bjork (and other artists), Bjork "mock" proposed to her in a garden during a break from recording and Rose said YES. Apparently they were really good friends during that time, and Bjork considered her to be a spiritual sister
I first found out about Strawberry Switchblade recently from hearing Tommyfebruary6's cover of their song "Since Yesterday." Cool to hear someone delve into their history. Very interesting group, and I love their fashion sense!
Thanks for making a great video about Strawberry Switchblade. Glad to hear people are still discovering them. Also, check out Voice of the Beehive, another obscure 80s group you might find interesting.
Elder millennial here. I would have only been a little bit older than you when I discovered Strawberry Switchblade as I was part of the 2000s twee subculture. We were listening to a lot of the 80s indie pop which inspired our idols Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura. Well done on such a lovely video xx
I absolutely adore twee! I love Camera Obscura and Belle & Sebastian! I’m contemplating making a video on one of my favorite twee artists Rose Melberg, because there is not enough stuff about her online!
@@luckystarfan77 That sounds like a great idea! It's also funny that your name is lucky star fan because about 10 years ago I was looking for Strawberry Switchblade videos on RUclips and someone had made a fan edit of Lucky Star to Strawberry Switchblade's Since Yesterday. That's how I ended up watching Lucky Star.
I used to know Rose McDowall back in the late 90’s/early 2000’s through a friend, back when she was in Sorrow. I have to say you couldn’t have wished to meet a nicer person. In the UK, Strawberry Switchblade were very big for about 15 minutes when Since Yesterday hit the charts, then fizzled out again pretty quickly. They briefly reappeared when they released their cover of Jolene, though the renewed attention was mainly down to Rose wearing that very tight catsuit in all their publicity pics, which went down really well with the male half of the population. Then they vanished for good.
Ahaha! Love that group too. Thanks for enjoying the video. Also, during my research for the video I found that in an interview Rose actually knew about the group. This response is to a question the interviewer that was along the lines of "Have you seen any influence from Strawberry Switchblade?". Rose Responds with " It's happened a few times actually, but I can't remember what. There's that band that quite blatantly called themselves something like Strawberry Switchblade. What was it? Some American band [Switchblade Symphony?] You always see little interviews in goth magazines and stuff like that. And they used to wear polka dot dresses right at the beginning of their career. They said that they weren't influenced by us, they weren't copying Strawberry Switchblade. The polka dot dresses would have given it away, really. "
I knew Tina back in the day, since Hiuse if Usher and Death Guild were the biggest clubs in the Bay Area goth and industrial scenes. I can say Tina was quite aware of Strawberry Switchblade.
I hate to be the one, but Siouxsie is pronounced "Suzy". Also, some 80's and 90's bands you might enjoy: Skeletal Family, Voodoo Church and Disjecta Membra, although DM goes kinda dark.
I'm sixty and in the UK. I remember that first John Peel Session and him playing Trees and Flowers. I loved the girls then and still do. Thank you for doing such a heartfelt, yet informed video. Keep up the good work. And Aztec Camera, by the way? Great idea. Do it. Somewhere in My Heart might be the perfect popsong.
Is it okay if i link your video in the description of mine for people who want a more in depth video about strawberry switchblade? I’m probably going to post it this week or at the beginning of next week.
Just found them out yesterday and they're so good. I was hooked and wanted to learn more about the band; this video definitely scratched that itch. Thanks!
I snogged Rose(pre marriage) when we met them at a goth club and after way too much Red Stripe. It never went anywhere, they were from Scotland and I was just being a groupie.
I didn't know Rose McDowall at the time but I have a picture of her at a party in Brighton UK 20+ years ago just a bunch of younger and older Goths hanging out.
@@greva2904 Ahhh Grev! It's me Leo! I keep bumping into Dill every now and then. One of the ladies in the said photo I mentioned earlier I now have a kid with. Me and Gill have a son!
I was familiar with Rose from her work within the neofolk-scene (especially with Douglas Pearce in Death in June and with David Tibet in Current 93) before I found her work with Strawberry Switchblade
Jill Bryson aka Jill Frost took the cover photographs for Julian Cope's LP Autogeddon. You can also see her on the cover of Cope's 20 Mothers! Great vid, look forward to more from you!
I adore the video! Especially the mention of the Aztec Camera. Aside from that, if you enjoy the early Strawberry Switchblade sound, you should listen to guitar pop indie outfits such as Dolly Mixture, Prefab Sprout (the Swoon era), and Twa Toots. The latter group even had a Peel session. If you enjoy The Smiths' "Dance" from the David Jensen recordings, I recommend Hatful of Hollow, which was produced by the same person. However, given your banner, you may already be familiar with the latter. Btw, considering Rose supported and performed with people like Boyd Rice-possibly the most dubious openly fash figure in England's neofolk and industrial scene-she was a lil' crazy. She was an edgy and daring new wave/indie pop girl in the wrong scene. It's not surprising that she got along well with more traditional goth, industrial, punk, and neofolk acts but not with the people in the aforementioned indie scenes, given their shy and timid nature. Cheers!
Thank you for watching the video! And yes I do love thee smiths and i love that song ahah! But thank you for the recommendations of those songs. And yea she was a little crazy lol.
You absolutely have to find a book called " England's Hidden Reverse". It documents the whole extended musical and performance circle of Rose, Current 93, Coil, Throbbing Gristle and much more. It is a must have book. It goes into the whole history and interviews with all the people involved in that musical collective. You will not regret purchasing this.
They are among my favorite bands as well. I recently did a remix of Poor Hearts for fun. And just a few weeks ago, I hosted a Strawberry Switchblade tribute night here in SF Ca. Apparently Rose heard about it, because she sent me a friend request and asked about performing out here!
I've been getting into strawberry switchblade for awhile so this was really interesting! It makes me sad that they split on not so great terms but I'm happy they're doing good🖤 Videos like this are hidden gems on RUclips thanks sm for making em!
I really enjoyed this little history of Strawberry Switchblade. I saw them play as a 4 piece at a club called Nightmoves in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.. They were really good, this was early 1980s. I knew a lot of people from the Glasgow music scene and had actively been going to local gigs in Glasgow since the late 1970s. I spoke to Strawberry Switchblades bass player after she came off stage and we talked about music, I was very young and too scared to speak to Rose and Jill. I often saw Rose on the bus with her guitar , this was pre fame and always in polka dots. I believe there is a documetary coming out soon,
Hey!! I'm 20 (from brazil) and as I've been a goth for years I gave Strawberry Switchblade a try, of course I fell in love!! But only today I was curious to know more about their history, it's sad that the band didn't last longer (I still listen to the album a lot) and to think about all the possibilities the band could have had and become bigger. Loved the video!!
This is awesome to see such a good video about this wonderful band ! I've been a huge fan since the '80 so it's very very cool to see new gen being hooked with this band, especially if you're American ! I know they were super popular in Europe (where I come from) so kudos !
i dont think rose is a nazi at all but working with Boyd Rice (in Spell) seems like an interesting decision cus he's a very well known and hated na zi in the alternative music scene (especially in like industrial and neofolk scenes). like I said I still think Sose is probably fine but seems like a weird move
I was going to say that hanging with Boyd is extremely telling. That, and I remember that same interview with Jill and it was more than just the knife mentioned in the video.
Some of the early UK punks like Jordan sometimes wore swastika armbands, just because it was a really outrageous thing to do. As for the nazi knife, Lemmy from Motörhead collected lots of nazi memorabilia, and nobody ever accused him of being a nazi (and to be clear, he most definitely wasn’t)
everyone in that sphere of music was connected somehow and they all made music with each other at one point and considered some to be their friends. similarly to how david tibet of current 93 felt with douglas pearce of death in june. also boyd rice isnt necessarily hated in those scenes completely because he is definitely important (mainly as boyd rice and friends, his help with countless death in june albums, and his solo work as non).
Thanks for putting this video together honoring SS and the girls. I shared it on my facebook profile a couple of days ago. You do a great job at research too. Great work!!
You can be proud of your effort here! I'm a big fan, and I've tried to find out more about them, but it takes a lot of research. You had so many great stories I hadn't found before. I hope Rose writes her autobiography someday. Besides her beauty, haunting voice, and evocative songwriting, she is quite a fascinating character!
I’d heavily recommend doing a vid on Mother Mother if you haven’t! I find their whole rise to fame through tik tok and their music before that recognition super interesting
I'm 47 and Strawberry Switchblade is one of the bands that I love for the reason that whenever I hear "Since Yesterday" and "I Can Feel" it floods me with nostalgia of being a kid hearing their songs on the radio, not really understanding the lyrics but clearly remembering the synth and their amazing voice. I think Rose and Jill are both amazing artists but their personalities clash. However, its great that they both have control of their own careers, and still express their artistry.
Jill and Rose appeared in a documentary about the UK 80s during a Xmas special here in the UK about 10-15 years ago. I think it was on Channel 5, and they were together, so I believe that they did stay friends and at least talked about the past!
@@luckystarfan77 unfortunately you'd be very unlikely to find it, these programs were on for 4-6 hours and just loads of interviews and stuff. I believe it was Channel 5 but can't be 100% sure! Contact them!
Awesome video. I guess my earlier comment disappeared? You have great journalistic integrity with this video and you really did your research. For as young as you are, that is so refreshing to see such passion and professionalism. I was quite impressed and so I shared it with Rose and Jill and I posted it in a few groups where other people might enjoy it as well. I featured Jill Bryson on my radio/podcast show some years ago on Mixcloud called "Dark Sanctuary Radio" and recently my music partner and I released an unofficial, 18 track, dance remix single for Strawberry Switchblade called "Being Cold" (2023) that you might enjoy. Once again, great job! =)
@@luckystarfan77 Thank you, there is 18 mixes of "Being Cold" in different dance styles . Oh trust me, they watched it. This is one of the things that Rose said "thanks for that Nivek, it was indeed interesting and very cool he did that at such a young age. Many of his facts where wrong or he got things mixed up but then some of the mistakes where not his as he was quoting another but it's cool he did it."
@ghoulishgoodies1923 Oh my god wow. I’m actually so honored that Rose Mcdowell watched my video! Although I am a little disappointed in myself that some of the things that I got were wrong 😓. Still, very happy that she saw this video!
I remember getting into Strawberry Switchblade through Current 93 and Death in June, so I wasn't that surprised by the neo-nazi connection LOL, still love her music though.
I loved the band too. I am also a big Ryuichi Sakamoto fan, so I was really surprised to hear a few years ago they were going to record a 2nd album with him. I never heard him mention it. I wonder what the details where. Rose just showed up and said, sorry, Jill can't make it, and everything was cancelled? Sakamoto was producing similar type people around that time, or after, like Virgnia Astley and Aztec Camera too, so it's interesting there's a connection there. I don't feel any Ryuichi influence on the Cake Knife album, but it does sound Strawberry-ish. Minor correction to the video, the 12 inch mix instrument is actually a clarinet (the only clarinet solo on a pop song I can think of!) and the second "saxophone" is actually a Herb Alpert style trumpet style :) Two tracks on the original album had arrangments by Andrew Poppy who was an avant garde composer on Trevor Horn's ZTT label (Frankie Goes To Hollywood). Thanks also for posting to that old website. I had remembered reading it in the past and it did have a lot of information about it. Sad it's gone but glad it's on archive.org.
During my research there was an interview where Rose describes her meeting Ryuchi Sakamoto! Im sure you can find it somewhere online! And I vaguely remember the two just messing around and trying to record a bit of it of the album. But it mostly derived to the two making dirty jokes or whatever together. And yea i totally got the instrument wrong ahaha! I also didn’t feel any influence from Ryuichi on Cut with the cake knife, and it’s probably because he might not have done much on the record, because from what I remmeber reading they really just messed around since Jill wasn’t there. Anyway, Thanks for watching the video!
What a treat this video is!! I was a “new waver” collecting records back when dinosaurs wore bell bottoms so I bought as much Strawberry Switchblade as I could find. I half remember Allanah Currie being a studio musician on one of their songs. That may have been a dream though.
So glad this band is still making its rounds with younger people, i got into them through online goth discussion in the early 2010s and have been a fan to this day, there are way older fans obv but damn its cool to see them still make people feel things
Great vid kiddo, really well researched and presented. There were a bunch of 80s and 90s bands from Glasgow that had a similar dream pop vibe going on. Love it.
I can hear a lot of Strawberry Switchblade influence in The Birthday Massacre :o That's a band you might like, they're not very old, and are still producing music too. I prefer their older stuff, but that's neither here nor there. They're hard for me to pinpoint a genre, I'd call them synth-rock, but people tend to argue over that 😭 A good first song, to me, is Science or Goodnight. Walking With Strangers is my favorite album of there's, but oh my goodness am I rambling, Pins and Needles is also super good, okay I'll shut up now.
@@luckystarfan77 I remember i got kinda bewildered when i had heard 'Since Yesterday" that was their lead single but i imideatly bought the vynil LP mid '85 that had 11 songs.My favest album tracks were ,'I loved 'Another day"/'Deep Waters" '10 james ORR Street",'Go Away".Their lead vocals were kinda 'monotonous" to my ears at times but lovely and stylish.BTW The vynil was labeled in KOROVA record company. and had a flowery-fruity sleeve....
Tibet is one of my favorite songs of all time! I really enjoy McDowall’s singing and her style is really inspiring to me personally :)) cool video, dw about getting some things wrong, it takes time to get good at all the fact checking and esp when it comes to ambiguous music fun facts! Youll only get better from here, and youre already pretty damn good
maybe it's a bit late to be saying this, but, a lot of the neo-folk scene is outright facsict and nazi adjacent and it's not really something left up to debate. I think you did a good job of addressing the topic and talking about it in a civil manner, but, like, it's outright fascist and I think that making it clearer to people is very important. Rose Mcdowall's association with the scene and key members (such as boyd rice) make me question whether or not it was just mere curiosity. it literally got her bandmate to question her. I mean, I clicked on this video cause I love strawberry switchblade and the work they left behind, but even as a fan, it's really hard for me to really still be "okay" with Rose McDowall. obviously, it's a personal thing, but i think it's worth discussing when it pertains to topics such as this. overall, I enjoyed the video and i hope you continue to make more. but, like, as another fan, i think it's important to talk about Rose's invovlement in this sort of thing because it's pretty serious stuff.
What a great insight video of these beautiful ladies, I discovered them when they released Trees & Flowers, so ambient with dreamy vocals. Shame they never got together as friends later on in life. Thanks for doing this whatever happened video... Peace from the UK
Truly an amazing commentary on this great band. I discovered them a while ago but only started listening to them a year ago when I bought the CD, cause I had money and they were cute. Played them in my car and the rest is history. I truly respect you for being 16 and discovering their music, when I was 16 I was just getting into heavy metal, and then the 80s artists became my favourites. There are two acts which led me to Strawberry Switchblade, these being Lene Lovich (purely for the aestetics) and Shakespears Sister (because of being another female duo I adore). Check out these if you haven't, and keep the 80s legacy. Respect! PS: Jill is doing the backing vocals on the Shapists, besides the new version of Trees And Flowers, where she is doing leads.
Very informative video. I've loved their music for a long time and even covered the track " Go away" using my 4 track recorder(!)...yeah, this was back in the 90s. I saw Rose play at the " Indie tracks" festival in the UK, again quite awhile ago maybe 2011ish(?) in an old chapel..there was a cello player and drummer joining Rose..a bit of an eerie gothic feel to the music and her vocals were absolutely fantastic!
I want to hear that Shockwaves jingle again. (Shockwaves is a hair gel, in case some did not know). It is not embarrassing at all. It was catchy. It was in adverts that came alone with the Network Chart top 30 countdown on the radio on Capital Radio in the Summer of 1986. If someone has a recording of the charts of that time, they may have that advert on it. I have tried looking for it, as some upload their tape recordings of that era on YT but still not seen that. One phrase sticks out from the jingle was 'boyfriend staying in to wash his hair [this morning?]' < parodying an excuse a girlfriend may give her boyfriend, ( I think - unless memory plays tricks on me).
I know it's not the same but another interesting person with a recognizable voice is Princess Chelsea. One random but fun girl group to do vids on is the Japanese duo Wink. If you want another Goth-y group, then check out Winter Severity Index and/or Pleasure Symbols. And if you want something more 80s/90s, then Cocteau Twins.
I've been to Japan 28 times and I've always loved Wink! One of my friends was a set designer for the wink "Especially For You" tour and gave me his shirt advertising it.
Rose also sang the lead vocal on Death in June's Break the Black Ice from the mini-album 1888 with Current 93 - which also features David Tibet singing Since Yesterday.
@@luckystarfan77 I was a teenager during 80s, & liked the group then, plus I still like this groups out put now, fun pop. Loved the fashion & individuality they had. Why is is that 'sick'?
I wonder if Switchblade Symphony was inspired by this group? (to be honest, when I clicked on this vid i had misread the title and thought it was about Switchblade Symphony). They also were a female duo with a gothy sort of aesthetic. Symphony were more electro-industrial-goth than synth pop, but there's a bit of overlap in sound for sure.
I was once at a Switchblade Symphony show at the Trocadaro in S.F. Rodney on the Roq made me hip to Strawberry Switchblade when the Since Yesterday 12 inch was released.
I jumped in my chair so high when I heard you mentioning Roddy Frame! I adore Aztec Camera and they seem almost forgotten :-( I would LOVE to see a video about them definitely going to listen to Strawberry Switchblade now, thanks for the great video! also! since you asked for a band for a future video… have you heard of Dali’s Car? It was a very short-lived collaboration between Bauhaus’ Peter Murphy and Japan’s ex bassist Mick Karn of all people! They had one album which unfortunately but unsurprisingly flopped but I find their work fascinating and very special. I once heard someone describe them as medieval synth-pop and I kind of agree. Really hope you’ll check them out and will like them if you haven’t already!
I have not heard of Dalis car, but now i almost certainly want to check them out! And yea it seems that Aztec Camera/Roddy Frame has really been forgetten. He’s honestly one of the most underrated guitarists of all time. I remember when I first heard about the band. I was at a dinner with my parents and I heard the song “Pillar To Post”being played over the restaurant speakers, and I thought the song just sounded so amazing that I had to take out my phone and Shazam it to find what the song was ahaha! I feel in love with the album “High Land, Hard Rain” on first listen.
@@luckystarfan77 that's so cool! I'd honestly probably freak out if I heard something like Aztec Camera in a restaurant.. I still scare everyone in the car every time something like Karma Chameleon comes up on the radio... I simply got "The Bugle Sounds Again" recommended to me on Spotify and I feel like it's the lamest way of discovering music ever but I'm still grateful because Roddy Frame's work, including his solo albums is absolutely awesome (which isn't often so with a lot of artists). I love how his music always feels.. brittle? but never at the expanse of being dull or substancelessness. I can't believe it's a real word.. And High Land Hard Rain is such an amazing album too. I've listened to their others albums a lot since but nothing hits just as hard as it does. I probably won't be able to explain it. It's just.. special. It scratches my brain in the most satisfying and pleasing way possible. (and the cover is very pretty too!) edit: got carried away and forgot to say that I've listened to Strawberry Switchblade quite a lot and they are so fun! For some reason I rarely enjoy music with female vocals but they have definitely made their way into my heart. Thanks again for making the video and by doing so introducing me to them!!
@@6a6kabkedax22 Ahaha! Thank for enjoying the video and finding them from this video. I so agree though, High Land Hard Rain is so amazing, his definite best. Also, love Karma Chameleon ahaha
Good report on a cool band. I'm old enough to remember them in 1985, my local college radio station outside NYC played "Little River" quite a bit. It's always been my favorite SS track, it's deep, cute, almost progressive synth pop.
I have everything they ever recorded- including home demos hummed into a tape recorder. Thanks and RIP to the SS fansite that had it all and numerous lengthy interviews :(
God I wished they’d worked out! My all time favourite 80’s tune and still play the vinyl regularly ❤️ I hope they’ll be friends again one day - to have experienced what they did etc 👏
LOL that was a blast from the past, loved Strawberry Switchblade and remember buying that single when it came out. You really should visit Glasgow because there is still a 'goth scene' that hangs out every saturday afternoon in the centre of town. Around the modern art gallery.
Hello, I'm Carole McGowan's niece. It's so lovely that you've included Carole and Janis in this! She died in 2012. Just to let you know the picture that you have in the video for Janis is actually also Carole. We're still in touch with Janis as a family and Carole's son Jamie lives just outside Glasgow. 😊 We're all very proud of her connection to Strawberry Switchblade and we play their songs at family parties.
Oh wow! Thats amazing! I'm so honored that someone related to them saw this video! Thanks for fixing the mistake that I made btw!
Their self-titled cassette is one of my most prized possessions.
lucky
@@luckystarfan77 What's lucky for you is I'm the one that put that Subaru commercial on youtube 😉otherwise you'd be stuck! I have yet to track down the mysterious Shockwaves hairspray ad though...
@@streetwithoutjoy Oh wow you did post that! Ahaha thank you!
@@luckystarfan77 I also have a radio ad. There's a shorter alternate TV ad I've seen before too on an account that watermarked it so keeping it for my files seemed silly as I want it unaltered.
@@streetwithoutjoy Just looked at that radio ad, thanks for archiving this stuff
I LOVE Strawberry Switchblade. Rose McDowall is one of the greatest vocalists EVER. I got to see Sorrow perform in Pittsburgh back in...2000? 2001? It was a _great_ show!
It warms my old (well, 50-year-old) Goth heart that younger folks are discovering so many superb New Wave/postpunk/'80s artists!
Oh, and since you dig New Wave music, check out a band called Comateens. Then thank me later. :)
She is one of the greatest vocalists ever! I will check out that band too. Thank you!
I missed Sorrow in LA. They played on a Monday night and I couldn’t get time off work to drive 3 hours. I regret this.
I absolutely adore Strawberry Switchblade but saying "Rose McDowall is one of the greatest vocalists EVER" is quite a stretch in my opinion. She can convey emotions in a beautiful way and has a lovely voice, but "one of the best ever"? I think even she herself would say it's over the top and unnecessary.
You should've mentioned David Motion. He produced their first album and is responsible for the synth/new wave orchestrations. Jill and Rose were super frustrated because they basically had to tour afterwards and pretend to strum their guitars and lip sync because there was no way to recreate the album sound.
Hi, Jill and Rose appeared together at a screening and Q&A session at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) last Saturday evening (19th October 2024l. The screening was of an excellent new documentary called 'Since Yesterday ', which charts the forgotten history of all female Scottish bands. Strawberry Switchblade feature heavily in it (they lend the film its name after all), but as great as the film is, it was so nice to see them together in the flesh, sharing their memories and thoughts, and being on the receiving end of so much audience appreciation. It was the best thing I've experienced in a long time.
I urge you, and anyone reading this, to seek out the documentary if it gets a general release.
Just seen the documentary. Brilliant stuff.
Oh my god wow! I can't believe I didn't hear about this before! I'm almost certainly going to watch this! Thank you Steven!
You're welcome. The BBC co-funded its production, so if you don't get to see it at a cinema, it will probably be broadcast at some point.
Incidentally, since I wrote about it, I've noticed that t mobile there's a trailer for it here on RUclips; and on top of that, someone filmed the Q&A session I got to attend after the screening... The sound quality isn't that great though, so you'll need to turn up the volume (search for Since Yesterday and October 19th, and you should find it).
@ Great thank you!!
I LOVE STRAWBERRY SWITCHBLADE 🔥
SAME AHHSHSJDN
SCOTT PILGRIM PFP SPOTTED
If you like Scottish bands with ethereal female vocals then your next stop has got to be Cocteau Twins. Amazing to see obscure bands like Strawberry finding new life with today’s teenagers. Nice video.
Thank you!! I love Cocteau Twins, i was actually already planning on making a video on them ahah!
Try Lush too - brilliant
@@TheGroovySideOftheTubeyes! SB makes me think of Lush sometimes!
One of my favourite anecdotes about Rose McDowell is that when she was recording backing vocals for Megas with Bjork (and other artists), Bjork "mock" proposed to her in a garden during a break from recording and Rose said YES. Apparently they were really good friends during that time, and Bjork considered her to be a spiritual sister
i love this band/duo so much, shame they didnt release more music together
and i have to add Jill is my favorite, she seems very chill
I first found out about Strawberry Switchblade recently from hearing Tommyfebruary6's cover of their song "Since Yesterday." Cool to hear someone delve into their history. Very interesting group, and I love their fashion sense!
Thank you for watching!
Thanks for making a great video about Strawberry Switchblade. Glad to hear people are still discovering them. Also, check out Voice of the Beehive, another obscure 80s group you might find interesting.
Thanks! I’ll check them out!
Voice of the Beehive, yes! I heartily agree.
Elder millennial here. I would have only been a little bit older than you when I discovered Strawberry Switchblade as I was part of the 2000s twee subculture. We were listening to a lot of the 80s indie pop which inspired our idols Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura. Well done on such a lovely video xx
Camera Obscura was one of the best shows I've ever seen 🙌🏻 rip Carey 💗
I absolutely adore twee! I love Camera Obscura and Belle & Sebastian! I’m contemplating making a video on one of my favorite twee artists Rose Melberg, because there is not enough stuff about her online!
@@luckystarfan77 That sounds like a great idea! It's also funny that your name is lucky star fan because about 10 years ago I was looking for Strawberry Switchblade videos on RUclips and someone had made a fan edit of Lucky Star to Strawberry Switchblade's Since Yesterday. That's how I ended up watching Lucky Star.
I used to know Rose McDowall back in the late 90’s/early 2000’s through a friend, back when she was in Sorrow. I have to say you couldn’t have wished to meet a nicer person.
In the UK, Strawberry Switchblade were very big for about 15 minutes when Since Yesterday hit the charts, then fizzled out again pretty quickly. They briefly reappeared when they released their cover of Jolene, though the renewed attention was mainly down to Rose wearing that very tight catsuit in all their publicity pics, which went down really well with the male half of the population. Then they vanished for good.
Thought you did a video about Switchblade Symphony and was impressed and then was impressed again about this act. Awesome vid.
The eternal goth conundrum of getting the two bands mixed up
@@strawberriefireBut bands are great!
Ahaha! Love that group too. Thanks for enjoying the video. Also, during my research for the video I found that in an interview Rose actually knew about the group. This response is to a question the interviewer that was along the lines of "Have you seen any influence from Strawberry Switchblade?". Rose Responds with " It's happened a few times actually, but I can't remember what. There's that band that quite blatantly called themselves something like Strawberry Switchblade. What was it? Some American band [Switchblade Symphony?] You always see little interviews in goth magazines and stuff like that. And they used to wear polka dot dresses right at the beginning of their career. They said that they weren't influenced by us, they weren't copying Strawberry Switchblade. The polka dot dresses would have given it away, really. "
@@strawberriefire So real
I knew Tina back in the day, since Hiuse if Usher and Death Guild were the biggest clubs in the Bay Area goth and industrial scenes. I can say Tina was quite aware of Strawberry Switchblade.
I hate to be the one, but Siouxsie is pronounced "Suzy". Also, some 80's and 90's bands you might enjoy: Skeletal Family, Voodoo Church and Disjecta Membra, although DM goes kinda dark.
Yeah i totally messed up the pronunciation there lol
I had a bootleg recorded some 20 years ago and on the cover it said "Suzy and the Bancheese". I gave it to a friend a long time ago.
Go Away is a Gothic Masterpiece. I always think of the cheesy 1994 film Brainscan whenever I hear it.
I'm sixty and in the UK. I remember that first John Peel Session and him playing Trees and Flowers. I loved the girls then and still do. Thank you for doing such a heartfelt, yet informed video. Keep up the good work. And Aztec Camera, by the way? Great idea. Do it. Somewhere in My Heart might be the perfect popsong.
Thank you for watching! I’ll be doing a video on Aztec Camera soon! Right now I’m working on one about Cocteau Twins!
Thank you so much for this video!!! I’m doing research rn for a video idea i have about the fashion specifically!
@@monstermess I’m so thankful that I could help! I would love to see that video when it comes out!
Is it okay if i link your video in the description of mine for people who want a more in depth video about strawberry switchblade? I’m probably going to post it this week or at the beginning of next week.
@ I would be more than grateful if you did that! You have full permission, Thank you!
'glaz-go', say it with me, 'glaz-go'
Sorry I’m too american 😞
@@luckystarfan77 It's ok. It's not your fault. I'm sorry for shouting.
@@danielatherton1631 Ahaha its ok!
Wow
Alsi, Siouxsie & the Banshees... It's not sooksee. It's just pronounced Susie.
Just found them out yesterday and they're so good. I was hooked and wanted to learn more about the band; this video definitely scratched that itch. Thanks!
This is a wonderful video thanks for making it. I’ve always been so curious about the bands history so I’m glad this exists
Me too! That's why I made this video because there were none about them!
idk if you’ve heard of them but i’ve always wondered about one of my favorite bands switchblade symphony
I snogged Rose(pre marriage) when we met them at a goth club and after way too much Red Stripe. It never went anywhere, they were from Scotland and I was just being a groupie.
I didn't know Rose McDowall at the time but I have a picture of her at a party in Brighton UK 20+ years ago just a bunch of younger and older Goths hanging out.
That’s sick!
Blimey, I might be in that pic!
@@greva2904 Well if it was at Vicky Ponds place...
@@kerbal666 I knew it! I was her flatmate.
@@greva2904 Ahhh Grev! It's me Leo! I keep bumping into Dill every now and then. One of the ladies in the said photo I mentioned earlier I now have a kid with. Me and Gill have a son!
You've done such a great job on a criminally overlooked group. Hardly any info available on them...until now. Thank you. Cheers
Thanks!!
Well, people get to Strawberry Switchblade from Current 93’s cover of Since Yesterday. Plus Boyd Rice and NON. They are very goth adjacent.
I was familiar with Rose from her work within the neofolk-scene (especially with Douglas Pearce in Death in June and with David Tibet in Current 93) before I found her work with Strawberry Switchblade
Jill Bryson aka Jill Frost took the cover photographs for Julian Cope's LP Autogeddon. You can also see her on the cover of Cope's 20 Mothers! Great vid, look forward to more from you!
Great video, thanks for doing all the research. I loved Strawberry Switchblade, great band and image.
NEVER EXPECTED TO SEE A VIDEO ABOUT THEM! I really love them so much. Lol
The Poems sounds like Lydia Lunch. No wave.
that’s what i thought!
I adore the video! Especially the mention of the Aztec Camera. Aside from that, if you enjoy the early Strawberry Switchblade sound, you should listen to guitar pop indie outfits such as Dolly Mixture, Prefab Sprout (the Swoon era), and Twa Toots. The latter group even had a Peel session. If you enjoy The Smiths' "Dance" from the David Jensen recordings, I recommend Hatful of Hollow, which was produced by the same person. However, given your banner, you may already be familiar with the latter.
Btw, considering Rose supported and performed with people like Boyd Rice-possibly the most dubious openly fash figure in England's neofolk and industrial scene-she was a lil' crazy. She was an edgy and daring new wave/indie pop girl in the wrong scene.
It's not surprising that she got along well with more traditional goth, industrial, punk, and neofolk acts but not with the people in the aforementioned indie scenes, given their shy and timid nature. Cheers!
Thank you for watching the video! And yes I do love thee smiths and i love that song ahah! But thank you for the recommendations of those songs. And yea she was a little crazy lol.
So many bands were named after foods. The list goes on and on.
I think it’s cool you can appreciate music from another era. Great job on reporting!
Yes! Thank you!
Well done! Love learning about them, thank you!
You absolutely have to find a book called " England's Hidden Reverse". It documents the whole extended musical and performance circle of Rose, Current 93, Coil, Throbbing Gristle and much more. It is a must have book. It goes into the whole history and interviews with all the people involved in that musical collective. You will not regret purchasing this.
They are among my favorite bands as well. I recently did a remix of Poor Hearts for fun. And just a few weeks ago, I hosted a Strawberry Switchblade tribute night here in SF Ca. Apparently Rose heard about it, because she sent me a friend request and asked about performing out here!
I'll check it out!
their self-titled album is what inspired time n place from kkb. i didnt hear it ar first but after listening to since yesterday i def hear it now
I can so hear it!
I've been getting into strawberry switchblade for awhile so this was really interesting! It makes me sad that they split on not so great terms but I'm happy they're doing good🖤 Videos like this are hidden gems on RUclips thanks sm for making em!
Thank you for watching!!
1:58 I write a lot of poetry and that verse is very reminiscent of what I write. I’m almost jealous I wasn’t the one to write that verse
dude so cool! awesome!
Their lyrics are so good.
Saw her play a few times with Current 93, happy memories
Nice to see that this amazing band is recognized by younger music fans - Great channel here
I remember staying up until midnight just to tape their appearance on John Peel - they did Cut with the Cake Knife which I know Rose re-recorded
I really enjoyed this little history of Strawberry Switchblade. I saw them play as a 4 piece at a club called Nightmoves in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.. They were really good, this was early 1980s. I knew a lot of people from the Glasgow music scene and had actively been going to local gigs in Glasgow since the late 1970s. I spoke to Strawberry Switchblades bass player after she came off stage and we talked about music, I was very young and too scared to speak to Rose and Jill. I often saw Rose on the bus with her guitar , this was pre fame and always in polka dots. I believe there is a documetary coming out soon,
Thats such an awesome story! I haven't heard anything about a documentary about them however, where did you see this? I'm very interested!
was just talking about em with a friend of mine. love everything rose mcdowall does
Great insight love strawberry switchblade well done true legendary man never forgot 🧡
Hey!! I'm 20 (from brazil) and as I've been a goth for years I gave Strawberry Switchblade a try, of course I fell in love!! But only today I was curious to know more about their history, it's sad that the band didn't last longer (I still listen to the album a lot) and to think about all the possibilities the band could have had and become bigger. Loved the video!!
Perfect song for part two 😭 love it
This is awesome to see such a good video about this wonderful band ! I've been a huge fan since the '80 so it's very very cool to see new gen being hooked with this band, especially if you're American ! I know they were super popular in Europe (where I come from) so kudos !
@@PinkFreud69 Thanks for watching!
i dont think rose is a nazi at all but working with Boyd Rice (in Spell) seems like an interesting decision cus he's a very well known and hated na zi in the alternative music scene (especially in like industrial and neofolk scenes). like I said I still think Sose is probably fine but seems like a weird move
I was going to say that hanging with Boyd is extremely telling. That, and I remember that same interview with Jill and it was more than just the knife mentioned in the video.
@@tetsuo90000 do you have a link to the interview?
Some of the early UK punks like Jordan sometimes wore swastika armbands, just because it was a really outrageous thing to do. As for the nazi knife, Lemmy from Motörhead collected lots of nazi memorabilia, and nobody ever accused him of being a nazi (and to be clear, he most definitely wasn’t)
everyone in that sphere of music was connected somehow and they all made music with each other at one point and considered some to be their friends. similarly to how david tibet of current 93 felt with douglas pearce of death in june. also boyd rice isnt necessarily hated in those scenes completely because he is definitely important (mainly as boyd rice and friends, his help with countless death in june albums, and his solo work as non).
Thanks for putting this video together honoring SS and the girls. I shared it on my facebook profile a couple of days ago. You do a great job at research too. Great work!!
Thanks for sharing!!
You can be proud of your effort here! I'm a big fan, and I've tried to find out more about them, but it takes a lot of research. You had so many great stories I hadn't found before. I hope Rose writes her autobiography someday. Besides her beauty, haunting voice, and evocative songwriting, she is quite a fascinating character!
I’d heavily recommend doing a vid on Mother Mother if you haven’t! I find their whole rise to fame through tik tok and their music before that recognition super interesting
I'm 47 and Strawberry Switchblade is one of the bands that I love for the reason that whenever I hear "Since Yesterday" and "I Can Feel" it floods me with nostalgia of being a kid hearing their songs on the radio, not really understanding the lyrics but clearly remembering the synth and their amazing voice. I think Rose and Jill are both amazing artists but their personalities clash. However, its great that they both have control of their own careers, and still express their artistry.
Jill and Rose appeared in a documentary about the UK 80s during a Xmas special here in the UK about 10-15 years ago. I think it was on Channel 5, and they were together, so I believe that they did stay friends and at least talked about the past!
@@GamerSpencer Wow! if you can find anymore information about this i’d love to hear!
@@luckystarfan77 unfortunately you'd be very unlikely to find it, these programs were on for 4-6 hours and just loads of interviews and stuff. I believe it was Channel 5 but can't be 100% sure! Contact them!
FINALLY SOMEONE MADE A VIDEO ON THEM
Awesome video. I guess my earlier comment disappeared? You have great journalistic integrity with this video and you really did your research. For as young as you are, that is so refreshing to see such passion and professionalism. I was quite impressed and so I shared it with Rose and Jill and I posted it in a few groups where other people might enjoy it as well. I featured Jill Bryson on my radio/podcast show some years ago on Mixcloud called "Dark Sanctuary Radio" and recently my music partner and I released an unofficial, 18 track, dance remix single for Strawberry Switchblade called "Being Cold" (2023) that you might enjoy. Once again, great job! =)
Thank you!! I also listened to that remix and I loved it! Also thank you for sharing it with Rose and Jill ahaha, maybe they’ll watch it!
@@luckystarfan77 Thank you, there is 18 mixes of "Being Cold" in different dance styles . Oh trust me, they watched it. This is one of the things that Rose said
"thanks for that Nivek, it was indeed interesting and very cool he did that at such a young age. Many of his facts where wrong or he got things mixed up but then some of the mistakes where not his as he was quoting another but it's cool he did it."
@ghoulishgoodies1923 Oh my god wow. I’m actually so honored that Rose Mcdowell watched my video! Although I am a little disappointed in myself that some of the things that I got were wrong 😓. Still, very happy that she saw this video!
I remember getting into Strawberry Switchblade through Current 93 and Death in June, so I wasn't that surprised by the neo-nazi connection LOL, still love her music though.
i learned so many things.. i had no idea the conflicts were that bad
I loved the band too. I am also a big Ryuichi Sakamoto fan, so I was really surprised to hear a few years ago they were going to record a 2nd album with him. I never heard him mention it. I wonder what the details where. Rose just showed up and said, sorry, Jill can't make it, and everything was cancelled? Sakamoto was producing similar type people around that time, or after, like Virgnia Astley and Aztec Camera too, so it's interesting there's a connection there. I don't feel any Ryuichi influence on the Cake Knife album, but it does sound Strawberry-ish. Minor correction to the video, the 12 inch mix instrument is actually a clarinet (the only clarinet solo on a pop song I can think of!) and the second "saxophone" is actually a Herb Alpert style trumpet style :) Two tracks on the original album had arrangments by Andrew Poppy who was an avant garde composer on Trevor Horn's ZTT label (Frankie Goes To Hollywood). Thanks also for posting to that old website. I had remembered reading it in the past and it did have a lot of information about it. Sad it's gone but glad it's on archive.org.
During my research there was an interview where Rose describes her meeting Ryuchi Sakamoto! Im sure you can find it somewhere online! And I vaguely remember the two just messing around and trying to record a bit of it of the album. But it mostly derived to the two making dirty jokes or whatever together. And yea i totally got the instrument wrong ahaha! I also didn’t feel any influence from Ryuichi on Cut with the cake knife, and it’s probably because he might not have done much on the record, because from what I remmeber reading they really just messed around since Jill wasn’t there. Anyway, Thanks for watching the video!
What a treat this video is!! I was a “new waver” collecting records back when dinosaurs wore bell bottoms so I bought as much Strawberry Switchblade as I could find. I half remember Allanah Currie being a studio musician on one of their songs. That may have been a dream though.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wear a pair of headphones and listen to the background harmonies on the track Let her Go, sublime Pop at its best.
It’s amazing
So glad this band is still making its rounds with younger people, i got into them through online goth discussion in the early 2010s and have been a fan to this day, there are way older fans obv but damn its cool to see them still make people feel things
Check out Voice of the Beehive. Also check out Lydia Lunch's version of Dont Fear the Reaper.
I 💕 strawberry switchblade. Their sound and aesthetic was delicious.
Yes they are!
Great vid kiddo, really well researched and presented. There were a bunch of 80s and 90s bands from Glasgow that had a similar dream pop vibe going on. Love it.
Thanks!!
Ugh i love them, thank u for reminding me of their existence
YW :3
I have no idea why this was recommended to me but I’m glad it was!
Thx for this video❤
Thankyou for this very nice in-depth review 😊
My pleasure 😊
Very good video. I remember hearing them on the radio during college back in the 1980s.
Thank you!
I can hear a lot of Strawberry Switchblade influence in The Birthday Massacre :o That's a band you might like, they're not very old, and are still producing music too. I prefer their older stuff, but that's neither here nor there. They're hard for me to pinpoint a genre, I'd call them synth-rock, but people tend to argue over that 😭 A good first song, to me, is Science or Goodnight. Walking With Strangers is my favorite album of there's, but oh my goodness am I rambling, Pins and Needles is also super good, okay I'll shut up now.
Thanks for watching! I’ll check them out!
Ma Gosh how did u remembered them!?I have their debut album.Fantastic,Love it!
Wow, I wish i had their debut album. The vinyl goes for a lot on ebay! Thank you for watching!
@@luckystarfan77 I remember i got kinda bewildered when i had heard 'Since Yesterday" that was their lead single but i imideatly bought the vynil LP mid '85 that had 11 songs.My favest album tracks were ,'I loved 'Another day"/'Deep Waters" '10 james ORR Street",'Go Away".Their lead vocals were kinda 'monotonous" to my ears at times but lovely and stylish.BTW The vynil was labeled in KOROVA record company. and had a flowery-fruity sleeve....
Tibet is one of my favorite songs of all time! I really enjoy McDowall’s singing and her style is really inspiring to me personally :)) cool video, dw about getting some things wrong, it takes time to get good at all the fact checking and esp when it comes to ambiguous music fun facts! Youll only get better from here, and youre already pretty damn good
Great - thanks for this. Very interesting. Pity the stress of the business broke them apart.
Glad you enjoyed it!!
Drummond. Mu Mu! He was in the highest-selling singles band in the world.
The KLF
@@greva2904 Also known as the Justified Ancients of Mu Mu furthermore known as The JAMMS.
maybe it's a bit late to be saying this, but, a lot of the neo-folk scene is outright facsict and nazi adjacent and it's not really something left up to debate. I think you did a good job of addressing the topic and talking about it in a civil manner, but, like, it's outright fascist and I think that making it clearer to people is very important. Rose Mcdowall's association with the scene and key members (such as boyd rice) make me question whether or not it was just mere curiosity. it literally got her bandmate to question her. I mean, I clicked on this video cause I love strawberry switchblade and the work they left behind, but even as a fan, it's really hard for me to really still be "okay" with Rose McDowall. obviously, it's a personal thing, but i think it's worth discussing when it pertains to topics such as this. overall, I enjoyed the video and i hope you continue to make more. but, like, as another fan, i think it's important to talk about Rose's invovlement in this sort of thing because it's pretty serious stuff.
oh i totally agree, i didn’t really know much about boyd rice till after recording the video and yeah wow, very odd of her.
You're a great host! I loved this video ❤
Thank you so much!!
fire video luckystarfan77 uve reminded me to listen to strawberry switchblade again 🔥
thank u :3
Big fan of the switchies! Thanks for making this video :)
What a great insight video of these beautiful ladies, I discovered them when they released Trees & Flowers, so ambient with dreamy vocals. Shame they never got together as friends later on in life. Thanks for doing this whatever happened video... Peace from the UK
Truly an amazing commentary on this great band. I discovered them a while ago but only started listening to them a year ago when I bought the CD, cause I had money and they were cute. Played them in my car and the rest is history. I truly respect you for being 16 and discovering their music, when I was 16 I was just getting into heavy metal, and then the 80s artists became my favourites. There are two acts which led me to Strawberry Switchblade, these being Lene Lovich (purely for the aestetics) and Shakespears Sister (because of being another female duo I adore). Check out these if you haven't, and keep the 80s legacy. Respect!
PS: Jill is doing the backing vocals on the Shapists, besides the new version of Trees And Flowers, where she is doing leads.
Thank you for the compliment! I’ll check out the groups you mentioned! Thank you!
Very informative video. I've loved their music for a long time and even covered the track " Go away" using my 4 track recorder(!)...yeah, this was back in the 90s. I saw Rose play at the " Indie tracks" festival in the UK, again quite awhile ago maybe 2011ish(?) in an old chapel..there was a cello player and drummer joining Rose..a bit of an eerie gothic feel to the music and her vocals were absolutely fantastic!
That’s amazing!! I would have loved to see her
Never heard their music ,but i heard of them and LOVED their name
you are a very good host! your voice is so clear and engaging, love this video
Thank you!
I want to hear that Shockwaves jingle again. (Shockwaves is a hair gel, in case some did not know). It is not embarrassing at all. It was catchy. It was in adverts that came alone with the Network Chart top 30 countdown on the radio on Capital Radio in the Summer of 1986. If someone has a recording of the charts of that time, they may have that advert on it. I have tried looking for it, as some upload their tape recordings of that era on YT but still not seen that. One phrase sticks out from the jingle was 'boyfriend staying in to wash his hair [this morning?]' < parodying an excuse a girlfriend may give her boyfriend, ( I think - unless memory plays tricks on me).
I know it's not the same but another interesting person with a recognizable voice is Princess Chelsea. One random but fun girl group to do vids on is the Japanese duo Wink. If you want another Goth-y group, then check out Winter Severity Index and/or Pleasure Symbols. And if you want something more 80s/90s, then Cocteau Twins.
I've been to Japan 28 times and I've always loved Wink! One of my friends was a set designer for the wink "Especially For You" tour and gave me his shirt advertising it.
I’ll keep it noted thank you!
I think that's a trumpet solo on Who Knows What Love Is
Yeah it is lol, i said it wrong lol
Glasgow pronounced Glas-go.
Agree trees and flowers is spectacular.
Great video and look forward to one on aztec camera.
👍 from Glasgow.
Awww cool video! Very informative ✨
Glad you liked it!!
Rose also sang the lead vocal on Death in June's Break the Black Ice from the mini-album 1888 with Current 93 - which also features David Tibet singing Since Yesterday.
63 year old from Miami. Still have the Since Yesterday 12" vinyl.
That’s sick! And wooo Miami, I’m also from south florida!
TY, I loved them as a teen in 80s. Still do & always will.
That’s sick!
@@luckystarfan77 I was a teenager during 80s, & liked the group then, plus I still like this groups out put now, fun pop. Loved the fashion & individuality they had.
Why is is that 'sick'?
Sick as in “cool” lol
@@luckystarfan77 OK, ty, I am not hip with current vernacular, it confuses me. 🙂
I wonder if Switchblade Symphony was inspired by this group? (to be honest, when I clicked on this vid i had misread the title and thought it was about Switchblade Symphony). They also were a female duo with a gothy sort of aesthetic. Symphony were more electro-industrial-goth than synth pop, but there's a bit of overlap in sound for sure.
I was once at a Switchblade Symphony show at the Trocadaro in S.F.
Rodney on the Roq made me hip to Strawberry Switchblade when the Since Yesterday 12 inch was released.
I think so!
I jumped in my chair so high when I heard you mentioning Roddy Frame! I adore Aztec Camera and they seem almost forgotten :-( I would LOVE to see a video about them
definitely going to listen to Strawberry Switchblade now, thanks for the great video!
also! since you asked for a band for a future video… have you heard of Dali’s Car? It was a very short-lived collaboration between Bauhaus’ Peter Murphy and Japan’s ex bassist Mick Karn of all people! They had one album which unfortunately but unsurprisingly flopped but I find their work fascinating and very special. I once heard someone describe them as medieval synth-pop and I kind of agree. Really hope you’ll check them out and will like them if you haven’t already!
I have not heard of Dalis car, but now i almost certainly want to check them out! And yea it seems that Aztec Camera/Roddy Frame has really been forgetten. He’s honestly one of the most underrated guitarists of all time. I remember when I first heard about the band. I was at a dinner with my parents and I heard the song “Pillar To Post”being played over the restaurant speakers, and I thought the song just sounded so amazing that I had to take out my phone and Shazam it to find what the song was ahaha! I feel in love with the album “High Land, Hard Rain” on first listen.
@@luckystarfan77 that's so cool! I'd honestly probably freak out if I heard something like Aztec Camera in a restaurant.. I still scare everyone in the car every time something like Karma Chameleon comes up on the radio... I simply got "The Bugle Sounds Again" recommended to me on Spotify and I feel like it's the lamest way of discovering music ever but I'm still grateful because Roddy Frame's work, including his solo albums is absolutely awesome (which isn't often so with a lot of artists). I love how his music always feels.. brittle? but never at the expanse of being dull or substancelessness. I can't believe it's a real word..
And High Land Hard Rain is such an amazing album too. I've listened to their others albums a lot since but nothing hits just as hard as it does. I probably won't be able to explain it. It's just.. special. It scratches my brain in the most satisfying and pleasing way possible. (and the cover is very pretty too!)
edit: got carried away and forgot to say that I've listened to Strawberry Switchblade quite a lot and they are so fun! For some reason I rarely enjoy music with female vocals but they have definitely made their way into my heart. Thanks again for making the video and by doing so introducing me to them!!
@@6a6kabkedax22 Ahaha! Thank for enjoying the video and finding them from this video. I so agree though, High Land Hard Rain is so amazing, his definite best. Also, love Karma Chameleon ahaha
Good report on a cool band. I'm old enough to remember them in 1985, my local college radio station outside NYC played "Little River" quite a bit. It's always been my favorite SS track, it's deep, cute, almost progressive synth pop.
Love that song!
I have everything they ever recorded- including home demos hummed into a tape recorder. Thanks and RIP to the SS fansite that had it all and numerous lengthy interviews :(
God I wished they’d worked out! My all time favourite 80’s tune and still play the vinyl regularly ❤️ I hope they’ll be friends again one day - to have experienced what they did etc 👏
LOL that was a blast from the past, loved Strawberry Switchblade and remember buying that single when it came out. You really should visit Glasgow because there is still a 'goth scene' that hangs out every saturday afternoon in the centre of town. Around the modern art gallery.
@@timgray4305 Oh I certainly
would love to visit Glasgow! Once I’m older with my
own money i’m definitely paying a visit there!
I still have this CD and Vinyl.
That’s cool!