Easterhouse was formed in Stretford, near Manchester by Ivor Perry, and named after the Easterhouse area of Glasgow. He invited his brother Andy Perry to join him in order to improve the lyrical content of their songs, as he was intrigued by communism, and inspired by Bob Marley's direct delivery of political content. His political stance reflected the perspectives of the then active Revolutionary Communist Party, with particular regard to Irish politics, and with the addition of Mike Murray on rhythm guitar, Gary Rostock on drums, and Peter Vanden on bass, the line-up was complete. They played one of their first gigs on 30 August 1983 at Dingwalls in London supporting The Smiths, after Ivor had convinced Morrissey to let them have the opening spot. They released their first single 'Coming Up For Air' on their own Easter Rising label in 1985, and followed this with the 'In Our Own Hand's EP on London Records the same year, before signing to Rough Trade for the rest of their career. Their singles on the new label,, 'Whistling In The Dark' and 'Inspiration', were both Top 5 independent chart hits, and their energetic first album, 'Contenders', featuring their signature song, '1969', and has been compared to The Chameleons, New Model Army, and The Smiths. It met with modest success in the band's own country, but unsurprisingly it failed to leave much of an impression in the U.S. Ivor Perry, whose occasionally contrasting ideals and ideas had been at odds with his brother's, left the group after 'Contenders' to join fellow ex-Smiths guitarist Craig Gannon in the Cradle, while Murray, Rostock, and Vanden would eventually leave as well, with Andy Perry bringing in drummer Dave Verner and guitarists Steve Lovell, Lance Sabin, and Neil Taylor to replace them. All the shakeups delayed the making of second album 'Waiting For The Redbird', which wasn't released until 1989, and which was reliant on a more contemporary and programmed sound, giving it a more stilted atmosphere. As a result, it has aged poorly, although ironically the 'Come Out Fighting' single charted higher in the States than any Smiths effort, cracking the Billboard Hot 100 at number 82, and reaching the Top Ten of the modern rock chart. Shortly after the album's release, the group broke up for good. Although they only released two album in their five year career, there were enough fine songs tucked away on the b-sides of their singles to make up a third, and this collection of them will remind us of what a great band they were.
Track listing
01 Coming Up For Air (single 1985)
02 Endless March (b-side of 'Coming Up For Air')
03 Evening Watch (Richard Skinner session 1984)
04 Man Alive (b-side of 'In Our Own Hands' 1985)
05 One More Time (b-side of 'In Our Own Hands' 1985)
06 Ain't That Always The Way (Apocalypse) (b-side of 'Whistling In The Dark' 1985)
07 Confrontation (b-side of 'Whistling In The Dark' 1985)
08 Inspiration (single 1986)
09 Easter Rising (b-side of 'Inspiration')
10 Johnny I Hardly Knew You (b-side of 'Inspiration')
11 New World In The Morning (b-side of 'Come Out Fighting' 1989)
12 My Revolution (b-side of 'Waiting For The Red Bird' 1989)
13 Still On The Roof (b-side of 'Waiting For The Red Bird' 1989)
