index
Blame The Messenger ART
  • Blame The Messenger
  • My Town
  • A Fact About Trains
  • King Knüt
  • When Love Is Uneven
  • The Storm Breaks
  • The Long Rain
  • Having Time
  • Friends of Stone
  • The Velikovsky 2-Step

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Blame The Messenger ART

David Thomas and wooden birds
Blame The Messenger

Released January 15 1987.
Produced by Chris Cutler.

Out of print.


Release Notes

In 1986, the David Thomas and pedestrians trio (Thomas, Lindsay Cooper and Chris Cutler) began to peter out. Solo spoken word appearances continued and David Thomas and wooden birds toured in America (David Thomas, Ralph Carney, Tony Maimone, Daved Hild, Allen Ravenstine) and in Europe extensively (David Thomas, George Cartwright, Tony Maimone, Daved Hild, Allen Ravenstine). At the end of the year, a new Accordion Club toured briefly (David Thomas, Stefan Agaton, Thomas Agaton and Chris Cutler). Recorded in September 1986 in two days at Suma, the idea for Blame The Messenger was to use the same principles that went into Monster Walks The Winter Lake but with an electric band. It is the project that led to the return of Pere Ubu. In a way, the album can be considered part of the Ubu canon.

Production Notes

Produced by David Thomas. Mixed by Chris Cutler.
Recorded by Paul Hamann at Suma on September 22(?), 23 and 24, 1986. Original release edited by Paul Hamann and Roz Ilett at Telarc, Cleveland OH, mastered at Suma by Mike Bishop and cut by Denis Blackham at Tape One, London. Digitally transferred and eq'ed by David Thomas and Paul Hamann at Suma, October 1996.
Photos by Mik Mellen.
Design by John Thompson.

Working Title: The Way lt Was The Way Before

David Thomas and wooden birds

David Thomas - vocals, melodeon
Jim Jones - guitar, backing vocals
Allen Ravenstine - EML synthesizers, piano, backing vocals
Tony Maimone - bass, backing vocals
Chris Cutler - drums

My Town and Friends of Stone written by Thomas, ©1987 Hearpen Music. A Fact About Trains, King Knüt, When Love Is Uneven, The Storm Breaks, The Long Rain, Havin Time and The Velikovsky 2-Step written by Thomas - Jones - Ravenstine - Maimone - Cutler ©1987 Hearpen Music/Arcades Music.

Release History

  • Rough Trade Records Rough 120 (UK) Jan 15 1987 lp.
  • Twin Tone Records TTR87105 (US) Apr 1987 lp.