When Deadbeat #17 hit the streets we could not have been more excited.
By this time we had met a lot of our generational legends as well as many who future generations would reverse.
We were 20 years old in 1983 and we'd kept it going for a year. We'd been teenagers when Deadbeat began. The bands particularly the local ones were inspiring set against the political backdrop of a Tory election built on the Falklands. Scotland had absolutely rejected it but we were 20 and it was time to put politics to one side and party.
The summer issue #16 that still sells well as a t-shirt in @avalancherecords in the Waverley gate by the station in Edinburgh had pushed us to new records in selling out. A bit like issue 13 which was supposed to last a month but sold out in 2 weeks. Glasgow Virgin sold 300 in a week which tells you how popular Strawberry switchblade were that summer.
We printed 1500 of issue 17 but of course only had a 1000 Flexi discs. Apologies if you are reading this now and we're late to the party.
Both bands were amazing live. Their concerts were superb. I saw them in multiple venues and like Keith had a great night every time.
We had heard the demos so we new many of the songs and for us, every gig we saw either Pop wallpaper or Wild Indians, it was a total dancing joy.
They were so different and yet caught magically in the moment on that Flexi disc.
I'm pretty sure they're still friends today but when I finally do those "WHERE ARE THEY NOW?", we'll probably find them scattered around the globe, professor of art, like Martha and the Muffins or still in Edinburgh running the a huge venue.
What I do remember is the festival was on.
It was 1983 and Deadbeat was 1 year old. 41 years ago today.
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