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Ignore MeThe Gas8 March 2006 |
My music collection is so full of lost gems it makes me sad. And I'm not even talking about bands that had a hit, a spot of notoriety, their moment in the sun… record sales! I'm talking about bands that few people have ever heard of — and probably never will. I'm talking about bands who could record and release “hit singles” with their eyes closed and their hands tied behind their back… but when the time came to record a full length record, nothing ever added up to the full splendor of the singles that won them the recording deal in the first place! Many of these bands have slipped so deeply into obscurity that not even the great god Google can find them. Where have they gone? Are they still writing and recording music somewhere? Are they even just playing music somewhere? Was it a life passion or was it all just a means to an end? Do they still like the songs as much as I do—even now—or are they embarrassed by them? Would it make any difference to know how much their music has entertained me over the years? Maybe they've outgrown pop music and gone on to pursue something more adult-like. Maybe the last thing they'd want right now is any reminder of a dream that never materialized, band mates they grew to loathe, and a life full of unfulfilled expectations… God I hope not… and here's just one reason why: today's Happy Medium Song of the Day is “Ignore Me” by The Gas.
The Gas
Definitely not the greatest name in the world for a band, but don’t let that put you off. “Ignore Me” by The Gas is a bona-fide power pop gem. I discovered this song because someone thought Dell Vickers, Donnie Burke and Les Sampson was an Irish mod band, and misfiled it in the singles trough labeled “Ireland” that I used to troll through every time I visited my favorite local record store. The band, it turns out, is actually British. They just happened to release a few songs on the legendary Belfast punk label Good Vibrations (home to many pop gems), hence the confusion.
Here’s the other thing about pop gems I forgot to mention… they can lead you on a wild goose chase that ends in disappointment. Case in point. “Ignore Me” was the band’s first release. After that it was all downhill. Over the years I managed to track down two other 45’s (“The Finger” and “It Shows in Your Face”) as well their elusive holy grail: a full length album entitled Emotional Warfare. While the singles are pretty catchy and hint at brilliance, neither comes close to matching the debut’s three and a half minutes of snappy guitar and drum driven beauty. Even more frustrating was a treasure hunt that turned up a whole album of uninspired, mediocre rock n’ roll. Of course one pop gem like this one and all is forgiven. You just can’t ignore it.
Here’s the other thing about pop gems I forgot to mention… they can lead you on a wild goose chase that ends in disappointment. Case in point. “Ignore Me” was the band’s first release. After that it was all downhill. Over the years I managed to track down two other 45’s (“The Finger” and “It Shows in Your Face”) as well their elusive holy grail: a full length album entitled Emotional Warfare. While the singles are pretty catchy and hint at brilliance, neither comes close to matching the debut’s three and a half minutes of snappy guitar and drum driven beauty. Even more frustrating was a treasure hunt that turned up a whole album of uninspired, mediocre rock n’ roll. Of course one pop gem like this one and all is forgiven. You just can’t ignore it.
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