Hobbies of Today: the 'lost' debut single from 1977

[e3sa934]

Mexborough, South Yorkshire's own Hobbies of Today were formed in early 1977, and had soon recorded three tracks for release as a 7" single in the first half of 1977 ... but it was not to be: shenanigans at the record pressing plant meant that the single was never issued and the master tapes were lost. All that survived was a mono copy of the final mix of the three intended tracks, on a cassette, which was left languishing in a drawer at main man Kev's home .... until now!

Plans are afoot to release these post-glam, proto-punk gems on a seven inch single. I've set up a FB page to let folk know of progress, and there's a link there to short excerpts of the tracks.

https://www.facebook.com/HobbiesOfTodayMexborough

[Tsundoku]

Good work. Listening to the soundclips now...

[treeboy]

Marvellous stuff! Get it out there. I'll definitely be up for one.

[eine]

When did they plan to release this Jon? First half of 77 too? In which case where does that fit in with other punk singles? Anyone got a timeline?

Definitely an amazing find and I think a lot of people are going to be very excited about this.

[e3sa934]

When did they plan to release this Jon? First half of 77 too? In which case where does that fit in with other punk singles? Anyone got a timeline?

Definitely an amazing find and I think a lot of people are going to be very excited about this.

Kev is putting together a timeline, tying up his bands and solo work, i.e. The Electric Sect, The Heat, Hobbies of Today, Eyes at Risk, Pagan Bo/Pagan Beau, and Kevin Hobbi.

I'm hoping people will go to the FB page and 'like' it, so I can work out if there is any interest, and determine how many singles to get pressed up ...

The single would have almost certainly been the first punk/new wave single issued locally, back in the day. Earliest acknowledged release in Sheffield/South Yorks is 2.3's All Time Low from March 78 (although other bands such as Cabaret Voltaire and The Future would have been privately circulating cassettes before that time too)

[hierooo]

I would buy one!

[Sie-Fly]

Mexborough, South Yorkshire's own Hobbies of Today were formed in early 1977, and had soon recorded three tracks for release as a 7" single in the first half of 1977 ... but it was not to be: shenanigans at the record pressing plant meant that the single was never issued and the master tapes were lost. All that survived was a mono copy of the final mix of the three intended tracks, on a cassette, which was left languishing in a drawer at main man Kev's home .... until now!

Plans are afoot to release these post-glam, proto-punk gems on a seven inch single. I've set up a FB page to let folk know of progress, and there's a link there to short excerpts of the tracks.

https://www.facebook.com/HobbiesOfTodayMexborough

we already spoke about this didn't we?! best of luck mate - i'll be up for one or two

[jakartajive]

Me too, for sure.
Not enough focus on '77 on this site in general.
The other greatest year imho!

[e3sa934]

Update: the tracks are available to listen to in full ... And for download if you're so inclined. Vinyl definitely to follow in 2014

Filll your boots!

[e3sa934]

Update: Kev has dug out a handful of photos from his first ever gig: Rawmarsh Youth Club, Easter 1977. He's also been busy with a draft for the label and sleeve artwork, and some text for an insert. He's also uncovered a cache of badges from back in the day, and early copies of the 7" will have a badge chucked in, thus ensuring instant collectabilty

Photos on the FB page this evening.....

[treeboy]

This is going to be a bloody great ep
When this was due to come out, I would have been reading this with that salty, trickling down the back of my nose, amphetamine taste.....strangely, by coincidence,reading this today, I have a similar sensation, unfortunately it's a by-product of the poxy flu....invigorating in its own way I suppose.

[e3sa934]

Draft artwork and labels

[Sie-Fly]

super stuff

[treeboy]

[MPFlapp]

I'd have one of these..!