'L'étranger' : Show #71, December 19th 2006



This week the show was entirely comprised of music from various formations, led by Rob Murphy (we are told not his real name), of Laboratories / Murphy Federation over the last 25 years.

Some words :

Founded in the dark ages of the eighties, the Murphy Foundation has since materialised in many formations and a multitude of styles, whilst never straying far from that most basic tool of communication: the pop song. Comic and poetic, with a diversity that makes them difficult to categorise, Laboratoires Murphy are one outcome of the realisation that 'we can do anything'.

"Runs against the grain and yet reiterates the possibilities of communication that the pop song embodies: music that speaks of a locale, we might even say (unfashionably) a community. Laboratories Murphy provide useful ammunition for those whose faith in the marginal and the progressive is not entirely spent" - Wire Magazine

From the material played below, only 'Smut' CD is still available and the rest is out of print (as far as i can see). But check the Laboratories Murphy My Space site for new releases and of whisky rumors of rich goalkeepers who decide to put the old stuff out again. Also do not forget Bing & Bob project of Selfish & Murphy and Club Integral, "London's premier venue for the uncategorisable", which i believe is organized by Laboratoires Murphy.

Playlist :

1. Murphy Working Stiffs - Working Stiff
from Rer Quarterly LP (ReR, UK) 1989
2. The Murphy Federation - Aches & Pains
from 12 Minutes at the Hot Club Murphy 12" (no label, UK) 1982
3. The Orchestre Murphy - Bad Day At Babbling Brook
from Smut CD (Alcohol, UK) 1999
4. The Orchestre Murphy - Colerain
from Bogtrotting Cassette (No Label, UK) 1994
5. The Orchestre Murphy - Day Dream Of A Marriage-Guidance Counsellor
from Frankincense CD (Out Of Depression, CH) 1992
6. Murphy Orchestra - Hero Worker
from Up Murphy Street LP (No Label, UK) 1985
7. Murphy Federation -Fed Up Skank (Bing Selfish - vocals)
from 12" (London Madras, UK) 1981
8. Plain People Of England - Group Sex
from The Gab - Cure Or Curse? CD (No Label, UK)
9. Murphy Orchestra - History Lesson
from Up Murphy Street LP (No Label, UK) 1985
10. Murphy No Geisha - La Japonaise
from NaZo Nazo CD (Murphy No Geisha) 2002
11. The Orchestre Murphy - Meanwhile Back At My Lair
from Frankincense CD (Out Of Depression, CH) 1992
12. The Murphy Federation - Health & Happiness (Bing Selfish - vocals)
from 12 Minutes at the Hot Club Murphy 12" (no label, UK) 1982
13. Plain People Of England - An Irish Airhead Foresees His Death
from The Gab - Cure Or Curse? CD (No Label, UK)
14. Miners Of Banal - Life on Us
from Miners Of Banal CD (No label, CH)
15. The Orchestre Murphy - Press Gang
from Bogtrotting Cassette (No Label, UK) 1994
16. The Orchestre Murphy - Purgatory
from Smut CD (Alcohol, UK) 1999
17. Murphy Federation - Smile
from Music For Pressure Cassette (Fuck Off Records, UK) 1982
18. Murphy Working Stiffs - Vandals
from Metamurphosis casette (Noise Method, UK) 1986

note : Any corrections on the dates of these releases or any other info welcome.

DOWNLOAD! LISTEN! SUBSCRIBE! to this show.