Sound

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The Gits existed in a time before download domination when records ruled the earth and cassettes were the media of self produced recordings. But record companies were already manipulating the supply to force the acceptance of compact discs at a price that instilled in the public a perception that music was no longer value for money and with the arrival of the Internet creating the environment where single track sales became the norm amongst the general listening public.

Digital

Eventually

A Retrospeculative 1987-1990

Vying for the title of least anticipated release of the century this collection gives the impression The Gits wrote songs with rediscovery decades later in mind.

“I do believe that we will, Eventually”

“Looking back really isn’t something you ought to do”

“Remembering what might have been”

A CD Version is available from Firestation Records of Berlin for whom we also appeared on a Compilation.

Token gestures at promoting the album as well as some reaction to it can be found in the Annals.

The Gits Drink Milk

A Carton Of Curiosities

A compilation of the tunes left-over once the tracks on the Retrospeculative had been democratically elected via a cardinal voting system. It ably demonstrates the lack of musical focus from a band determined that every long playing release should be as varied as The Beatles White Album despite a clear preference from listeners for their brand of ‘pure pop’.

For the once bitten I will mention that many of the wholly unnecessary Interludes have been edited for this collection as has Around Around. Distraction at ten minutes long is still too short to my mind.

These are all ancient four track cassette recordings so their quality is fashionably lo-fi.

All Too Much

Almost Live

With Ben about to jump ship and the end of the band in sight we decided to record our tunes live in the studio. Not a music studio of course but the drama annex at Collyer’s College Horsham.

We played along to drum machine and second guitar parts pre-recorded to DAT onto our usual four track cassette machine. A little vocal reverb was added in the mix but nothing was replaced or overdubbed.

Twenty nine songs in one session was a gnats optimistic and we flag in places but it may be of interest as some of these songs were markedly different in their live versions and a few had benefited from a couple of years of gigging.

Vinyl

Two Many People & Happy Song 1989

Released to widespread indifference the single was a huge step up in professionalism from The Gits usual four-track cassette bedroom recording to a sixteen track reel-to-reel in a spare room.

The Gits championing of the double b-side format failed to start a trend.

Record Collector recently placed the current value of this release at slightly less than sentimental.*

A number of other locations were tried before settling on the Chesworth Gardens building site for the cover photo.

Cassette

Men Or Gods 1988

Someone had the bright idea of colouring the cassette insert by hand for that personal touch. Which was great for the first two or three.

Chris Morris 1988

Re-recordings done when Glen joined the band.

The album was available as a special limited edition double cassette release which included a sampler of band members’ pre-Gits groups. Limited that is to whoever wanted it.

Golden Hour Of The Gits 1989

Compiled to introduce the band to those Radio Sussex listeners who caught the Zeitgeist after their first appearance on Turn It Up. Yours for a pound.

Songs For Swinging Shepherds 1989

Galliards and lute songs served with chilling ale… Nothing raises your stock in indie circles like Jethro Tull references. Or is it the other way round.