This isn’t just another record, and the BMX BANDITS aren’t definitely just another band. We are introducing to you the record that meant the debut of a band which has been writing, since 1985, one of the most exciting pages of both Scottish, Anglo-Saxon, and therefore universal pop. And that’s easy to prove: from this seminal band from Bellshill, formed around the charming singer and leader Duglas T. Stewart, came out the seeds which would form such important bands as TEENAGE FANCLUB, EUGENIUS, THE SOUP DRAGONS, SUPERSTAR, THE BOY HAIRDRESSERS or SPEEDBOAT. As a matter of fact, on this album the BANDITS line-up featured Norman Blake (TEENAGE FANCLUB) and Gordon Keen (EUGENIUS).
The splendid originals previously released on “C86” were recorded in 1989, by the same time TFC were recording their “Catholic Education”, when nobody seemed to have any trust in neither of both bands (in fact, both of them had to pay themselves for the recording expenses). But, apart of those original songs, Elefant Records reissue brings to the public other ten (10!) bonus tracks. A total of twenty-three songs, which perfectly reflect the BMX BANDITS original, unique vision of pop music, soaked in a tipically British humour (go see them live, listen to their lyrics or even to “C86” -the song-, a funny and ironic celtic instrumental dedicated to that historic anorak-pop compilation).
On this fantastic record you can find some of the first classic songs of the band, like “Disco Girl”, “Your Class” or “Let Mother Nature Be Your Guide”, along with curiosities like “Yo Yo Song (1969)” (Duglas’ home-recording doing his debut as a pre-teenage pop star). “C86 And More” is the title of this reissue, and among the bonus candies we can find two covers/tributes to the BEACH BOYS and TV PERSONALITIES, or the live, intimate version of “Your Class”.
After more than ten years of career, BMX BANDITS have achieved such an important place in the Scottish music history as THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN or the Postcard label, and “C86 And More” is the best possible introduction to their exclusive, peculiar universe.