Playthings by Playthings
We are delighted to announce a Playthings Reunion Gig & Vinyl Release!
Ōtautahi post-punk rockers Playthings from 1981/82 are releasing a six track 12” 45rpm EP on glorious green vinyl with tracks from their seminal singles Coloured & Bird's Eye View plus an unreleased track found in the archives!
To celebrate this release, a stellar lineup has been brought together for a reunion show at Space Academy in Christchurch on May 6th. Jay Clarkson, Janine Saundercock, Dave Toland and Paul Kean will be joined by Mark Wilson and Alec Bathgate to perform a set of songs by Playthings, Toy Love, Androidss, They Were Expendable, and other songs from the 80’s! Gig tickets are available now from Under The Radar: https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/83166/Playthings.utr
Playthings formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1980 with two strong songwriters, Jay Clarkson and Janine Saundercock, alongside guitarist Nicky Carter and drummer Dave Toland.
Paul Kean joined as sound engineer and manager in 1981, and recorded Playthings live at The Gladstone on Oliver Scott’s 1/2 Track Ferrograph tape machine in glorious pulse pounding mono. Two standout songs, Coloured and Sit Down (Stand Up), were released in NZ on Playmusic as a double A-Side 7” with a sleeve designed and screen-printed by Paul.
When Janine left the band, Paul joined on guitar and bass. Playthings went on to record four new songs at Arnie van Bussel’s Nightshift Studios in 1982, with Bird’s Eye View released as the second 7” single backed with Dumb and Pure Frost.
This 12” 45rpm EP released in 2023 brings together remastered versions of the five songs from Playthings two seminal 1980’s 7“ singles Coloured and Bird’s Eye View. An additional song from the Playthings archives, country punk stomper Grits, was recorded in 1982, but strangely never released on vinyl until now.
Released by Leather Jacket Records in association with Pinacolada records. Vinyl pressed by Holiday Records in Aotearoa New Zealand. In parallel with our New Zealand vinyl release, Playthings cassettes with stunning UV printed shells are being released in the USA by our friends at Floating Mill Records.
Tracklist
| 1. | Sit Down (Stand Up) | 2:14 |
| 2. | Coloured | 3:43 |
| 3. | Grits | 2:43 |
| 4. | Bird's Eye View | 2:40 |
| 5. | Dumb | 2:41 |
| 6. | Pure Frost | 2:47 |
Videos
Credits
© 1981, 2023 Playthings
1. Sit Down (Stand Up)
2. Coloured
3. Grits
4. Bird's Eye View
5. Dumb
6. Pure Frost
Jay Clarkson:
Vocals on 2, 3, 4, 6.
Bass on 1, 2, 6. Guitar on 3, 4, 5.
Janine Saundercock:
Vocals on 1. Guitar on 1 & 2.
Nicky Carter:
Guitar on all tracks.
David Toland:
Drums on all tracks.
Paul Kean:
Bass on 3, 4, 5. Guitar on 6.
Recorded and mastered by Paul Kean.
License
All rights reserved.
Ōtautahi post-punk rockers Playthings from 1981/82 are releasing a 6 track 12” 45rpm EP on glorious green vinyl with tracks from their seminal singles Coloured & Bird's Eye View plus an unreleased track found in the archives!