Treebound Story - My Life's Example (1989)

If Treebound Story are known for anything, it's for including a very young Richard Hawley in their line-up. Hawley formed the band while still at school, with the help of Paul Infanti (vocals, guitar), Paul Currie (bass) and Rob Gregory (drums), and the jangly pop that they played in their hometown of Sheffield was very much in the style of Orange Juice, Aztec Camera and The Smiths. At the age of 19 Hawley and the band were invited to record a session for John Peel, which led to a record deal with Fon Records, who released two EP's in 1986. Two more EP's followed in 1989 on Native Records, after which the band broke up and Hawley moved on to form The Longpigs with Crispin Hunt in 1993. After playing with them for seven years the band split in 2000, and he was asked to join Pulp by his friend Jarvis Cocker, as a touring guitarist. While with Pulp he perfected his songwriting, and was encouraged by Cocker to record some of his songs for a solo album, which was released in 2001 to acclaim from both press and public alike, and he is now feted as one of the UK's best singer/songwriters. This collection includes everything that Treebound Story ever recorded, including all the songs from their records, and one otherwise unavailable recording from the Peel session. You can tell from listening to these songs that Hawley was definitely an emerging talent, and it's a shame that the band never released an album, as tracks like 'My Life's Example', 'Hunger Mountain High', and 'Take It' are great songs.  

Track listing

01 My Life's Example (single 1986)
02 Forever Green (b-side of 'My Life's Example')
03 I Remember (12" single 1986)
04 Like A Fool (b-side of 'I Remember')
05 Hunger Mountain High (b-side of 'I Remember') 
06 If I'd Known (b-side of 'I Remember')
07 My Life's Example (Cement Mix) (b-side of 'My Life's Example')
08 Your Kind (John Peel Session 1986)
09 Something (John Peel session 1986)
10 Swimming In The Heart Of Jane (12" single 1989)
11 On The Rocks (b-side of 'Swimming In The Heart Of Jane')
12 The Butterfly Dies (b-side of 'Swimming In The Heart Of Jane')
13 Rain, Rain, Rain (b-side of 'Swimming In The Heart Of Jane')
14 Trains And Boats And Planes (b-side of 'Take It')
15 Take It (12" single 1989)