Monday 6 August 2007

Victims Of Pleasure "Jack And Jill" (Rialto, 1982)


This was the first thing I ripped when I finally got a USB turntable; simply one of my favourite records ever.
Not a great deal is known about Victims of Pleasure: they put out one single "When You're Young" on their own label (Victims of Pleasure #VOP 1) which was picked up for a reissue by Rialto records shortly after. They had a few tracks on the "Live at the 101 Club-Off The Cuff" compilation, then another 12" single (which i've NEVER seen) then nothing.
But the interesting thing about this single is it marks the beginning of Virginia Astley's career: that's her on the rich, swooping piano lines which fill the chorus. i'm not actually sure whether she was on the first VOP single or not, but on "Jack And Jill" you can't mistake her, she's the person who lifts this little piece of electro-pop from workaday into the realm of pure genius.
It's a slight little song: two synths a drum machine, voice, and then of course, that piano. There's hints of "Isolation" in there, but if i'm totally honest, the piano always makes me think of "All Creatures Great And Small"
I've loved this record since I bought it (20p in the Record and Tape in Pembridge Road!) and it's never far from my ipod.
Enjoy.


37 comments:

Mick said...

Excellent start, Iain. I was planning on posting this single one day but you beat me to it.

Iain Baker said...

Crikey! looks like someone else HAS heard of it :)
I harbour a suspicion that we've both got EXACTLY the same records in boxes under our beds!
Thanks Mick, and a quick query too...how do you get photos of sleeves? Just via a cmera, or do you scan them?
I'm off to download "Tomohawk Cruise" now.....
;)

Mick said...

I scan the sleeves in, apart from a couple of times when I've used an image from the internet because I didn't have the picture sleeve e.g. my Steve Jansen & Yukihiro Takahashi "Stay Close" single.

I can't wait to hear what else you've got. Since I've been reading blogs I've realised there are loads of undiscovered or half forgotten gems out there and I've got a good feeling about your collection.

Iain Baker said...

Bloody scanners, always hated 'em
:(
Oh well, looks like it's the only way.

So It Goes said...

Sounds like the Communards nicked one or two ideas off this (bloody Somerville). What a wonderful way to start off a blog. Looks like I'll be coming around again.

BLTP said...

excellent stuff, the term hidden gem is over used, but I really glad I got to hear this. You are right the piano really makes the whole track, keep up the good work. I got a new printer scanner for £32 the other day works a treat for scanning singles.
Cheers

Anonymous said...

hello i am eira jones the daughter of kenny jones. we found your site and noticed that you have some of the songs my dad wrote and sung. just wanted to know what other ones you have by him. We have lots of the originals in our garage!!.

Anonymous said...

its great thet we found your site. we live in hong kong and i am one of my dads four children. my dad was so happy when we found you becasue my dad was looking for his songs and up came your site. do you remember the band the monos my dad was also in that aswell.

Iain Baker said...

Eira, this song had to be the first song on my blog, as it was the first piece of vinyl I turned into an mp3....it's my favourite memory from the 80's. I have this single, the two versions of "When you're Young" and know of two compilation LP's (live at the 101 club) with Victims of Pleasure tracks on them....
If your dad would like to get in touch, my email is keyboardbreaker@gmail.com
iain

Kenny Jones (VoP) said...

I might as well join in your blog since I am the guy who put the band (Victims of Pleasure) together with Gez Prior. I wrote and sang both Jack and Jill and When You're Young. My daughter Eira loves them. I also have Ffion, Byron and Carys. I am so pleased to see people still love that stuff. Thanks. Kenny Jones (Hong Kong)

Iain Baker said...

Kenny, I know we've chatted about this already, but it means a great deal that you've got in touch. When I started this little blog, I can remember thinking "what should be the first thing I post, then?" Well, it had to be VoP, because i've loved this record so much, from day one. To have you commenting on it, is not only a pleasure, it's a great honour! Now, send us some rare VoP stuff, and i'll spead the word some more!
cheers,
iain

Anonymous said...

my music teacher was the guitarist

Anonymous said...

Relly Really pleased we have tracked you down Kenny!
I LOVE VOP - I've got the single of When You're Young too.
Jack & Jill was my fave. I remember hearing an interview on ?Newsbeat or one of those programmes when you were promo-ing the single. As soon as I heard it I was hooked!
Please let us know what you're up to these days. What happened to Gez?
Do you know who now owns the Rialto catalogue now? I might be able to get your tracks licensed for release.
Please get in touch with me. adrian.morrisATcliqradio.co.uk

Anonymous said...

I've still got the original 45rpm VOP1----and going back even further - Ericafire and The Monos, by none other than 'The Monos'.

runcorn rich said...

If you want a good Mono's track check Red Moon, Annie Lennox on backing vocals!! still got all the Mono's stuff, and bopping to the VOP regularly, Clean Slate even get a look in now and then - one of the best summers of my life was spent hanging around with the VOP -Exit studio's and skating London's fines parks, even got my collar felt by the Rozzers in my Rector shorts and Sims Snakes t shirt for being a suspected bomber! American cars, naked Ladies on Brighton beach, on the guest list to Ultravox! in Brighton '80, what more could a 15 year old ask for - livin' large before large was coined! Thanks Uncle Kenny. you're a LEGEND!!!!

Anonymous said...

Did Virginia Astley play on 'Jack and Jill'?
I thought it was Steve Gurl.
Can Kenny verify?

Anonymous said...

Hi, just picked up the 101 club album Off the Cuff in a local charity shop. Victims of Pleasure really stand out, hence why i'm on this blog. Are there any more recordings available or could you guys recommend something similar? The track "Waiting for the A-Bomb" is amazing! Is the record valuable? What happened to the 101 Club and what was it all about (i live near clapham now)? In the photos on the sleeve everyone looks great!

VKRSblameVTR said...

I am interested in the Monos! I have all of what I can find of VOP, can we start sharing these fun rarities? I have ordered a couple Monos records and I can't wait to hear them :)

VKRSblameVTR said...

and would like to hear some rarities! contact me at: giraffeismine@gmail.com
I'm still hunting down the "Uh Oh Uh Oh" single w/ Mad Lover. I have 3 other Monos (UFO, Ericafire, S.Radio) singles and all VOP including "101" tracks! Love you guys!

VKRSblameVTR said...

Hello Eira,

my name is Tim I live in the states and i am a big fan of your dad's old groups The Monos! and VOP. I was hoping you guys could help me enjoy more of the music. I currently have all the VOP singles and 101 tracks. I also have The Monos!- Erica fire, UFO, and S-Radio. I am having trouble getting the "Uh Oh Uh Oh" single. Were there anymore singles? Are there demos or unreleased songs available? Your dad made some timeless music and I would like to hear more :) Can you send me anything via E-mail, or maybe I can purchase a single from you if you have extras?

Thanks,

Love the music- and its great to see a daughter who is interested in her Father's work :)

Cheers,
Timothy Schoonover

Huge Grunt said...

This is amazing, I found an old school jotter with "Victims of Pleasure Jack and Jill" written on it, it suddenly brought back fond memories. I must have written it down after hearing it on the radio to then go and find the single, which I did. Crazily I ended up selling it, along with many other beautiful and rare records when I was a poor student. Great to see that Kenny has responded on this blog!

Anonymous said...

Jez has a web site and I think he's intending to put the Monos and Victims of Pleasure on MySpace.

VKRSblameVTR said...

I'm glad to say- I finally got my hands on the "Uh Oh Uh Oh". I believe I have everything released my The Monos! and VOP ! Does any body know what demos are out there? Did they perform any covers? Thanks! Maybe we can put together a trade?
Thanks! giraffeismine@gmail.com

mark said...

Hi, someone knows this song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcO-8i8Perc
if someone have some notice, please contact to me at vincenzocotrufo@virgilio.it

ffion said...

hi its me ffion jones kenny jones youngest daughter as he mentioned its real funny how we fund you and it great taht you love his songs.
cause i do to haha cya

Anonymous said...

Just found this by Googling Victims of Pleasure. One of the greatest tracks of the 80's, in my humble opinion. Absolutely no-one I know has ever heard of it but it is and always will be one of my favourite tracks. Thanks for posting it.

Anonymous said...

Kenny Jones here.I'm still in hongkong and I am posting a couple of early VOP songs recorded in my studio at 6,Kinghorn street,EC1 on 8 track. I love Gez's guitar (it was a Guild).

Anonymous said...

Someone who should be remembered...David Moores. He did all our artwork and grew up with me in Runcorn. Hi Dave. Kj

VKRSblameVTR said...

Where are they being posted?

ffion jones said...

hey guys, ffion jones here daughter of kenny. just saying hi.

can you please upload "when were young",i would like to add it to my ipod as it is my favourite. actually i could just askn dad but anyways add it still :) thanks

Anonymous said...

vop brilliant band should have been huge but then again,so should have been deaf school and original mirrors, thats life i suppose?

Anonymous said...

I would very much appreciate a re-up of this single, so I can hear what all the fuss is about!

The Earl Of Essex said...

Victims of Pleasure and The Monos were a huge part of my late '70s / early '80s

The Monos used a huge shed at the end of my old mans garden for band practice and I must have seen then 30 times , mostly at their friday night residency at The Pegasus in Manor House , where we were all stunned when Ex Pistol Glen Matlock turned up to catch the gig

Monos were a great pop outfit , forerunners to Oasis , being very Beatles influenced , but without the Gallagher swagger + lip

The Victims had a great '80s sound with DuranDuran's producer working on a couple of tracks , if my memory serves me well

I've seen them play some stonking gigs , including Pentonville Prison , in the officers club, the oddest venue I think I've ever been to

Gez Prior can be googled as he's got a website for his art these days and I think he still does some recording studio work on the technical side

If Kenny Jones's offspring are still monitoring this forum , do ask him to drop me a line at mistergoodnight@yahoo.co.uk as be good to go back over the good times of much enjoyed youth

Cheers Paul

kennyjones said...

My kids are all around, actually visiting three of them right now for Xmas.
Have a Merry one and a Happy follow through!!!

Kenny Jones

Unknown said...

I love vop, Jack and Jill and red moon are awesome tracks

Unknown said...

I just found a box filled with my old singles from the 80's and saw Jack & Jill by VOP! I was looking up and asking 'where are they now'? and found this blog. Happy to see Kenny Jones (and his children who are no doubt young adults since they last wrote) are responding to some of the comments! That's great! I can't find this anywhere on the usual music sites but I managed to tape directly onto my phone from youtube. Not good quality but I can at least listen to it until I can find a turntable to play the single once again! Kenny, if you come back to the blog at any time, I think Jack & Jill' is a timeless piece and I'm pretty sure it would do well if re-released! Just a thought :-) Are you on any of the other social media sites such as Twitter or facebook? Do you still do music? I'd love to see more.
Marisa

Anonymous said...

Virginia Astley left early 1981 and Jack & Jill was a year later. Steve Gurl was on piano. Rialto released When You're Young after this (a new version).