Tunnelvision - Watching The Hydroplanes (1981)

Tunnelvision were only active for two years, releasing one highly regarded single on Factory Records, produced by the legendary Martin Hannett. They did record some demos at Cargo Studios, and when these surfaced they revealed a band of some talent, so it's a shame that it was never realised. The band first came together as The Pose at Blackpool Roman Catholic School early in 1979, initially to perform Clash and Buzzcocks covers, and the first stable line-up was Chris Shea on vocals, guitarist Chris Anderton, drummer Phil Barnard and bassist Paul Swindles. Shea left the band in early 1980, and following a re-shuffle, where Anderton took over the vocals and Andrew Leeming was added as a second guitarist, they changed their name to Tunnelvision. 'Watching the Hydroplanes' was their stand-out number, with its sombre atmosphere and ponderous bass, and they caught the mood of the changing times of the 1980's. In September 1980 they played on a bill with Section 25 and a newly formed New Order, and so impressed Factory directors Rob Gretton and Tony Wilson that the group were invited to record a single for Factory. Within weeks a four-song demo tape was recorded at Cargo Studios, Rochdale, and Factory chose 'Hydroplanes' as the single. While the single was being remixed from the demo recording, the band re-convened at Cargo to record a second four-song demo, showing a new confidence in their creative use of the studio. After much delay, 'Watching The Hydroplanes' was finally released in June 1981, housed in an attractive green and silver sleeve designed by Martyn Atkins, with the first 10,000 copies being pressed on clear 7" vinyl. Reviews were predictable poor, but I liked it enough to buy it straight away, and despite the negative press the single managed a strong showing in the independent chart. After a few more gigs and various line-up changes, the band split in 1982, leaving just that one single and a handful of demo recordings. 
In 2003 Tunnelvision reformed as a trio and played their first gig at Ashton Gardens in Blackpool on 15 August, followed two years later by a limited edition CD single featuring three strong new songs: 'Anyday', 'Where Was I' and 'Stones'. This post, however, celebrates their original incarnation, with both demo tapes, a few choice live recordings, and culminating in the Factory pressing of 'Hydroplanes'.

Track listing

01 Morbid Fear (from the first demo cassette 1981)
02 Hydroplanes (Portastudio recording 1981)
03 Glenn Miller (from the first demo cassette 1981)
04 Old Comrades (from the first demo cassette 1981)
05 100 Men (from the second demo cassette 1981)
06 Guessing The Way (from the second demo cassette 1981)
07 The Man Who Would Be King (from the second demo cassette 1981)
08 Whitened Sepulchre (from the second demo cassette 1981)
09 Hollow Men (live at Trinity Hall, Bristol 1981)
10 Emotionless (live at Trinity Hall, Bristol 1981)
11 The Blue (live at Trinity Hall, Bristol 1981)
12 Watching The Hydroplanes (7" single version)