Song of the day: The Finkers – "Tonight"

Here are The Finkers with the self-referential “Tonight” (1999):

The Finkers – “Tonight” (1999)

Link

As a bonus, here’s an alternative recording which isn’t that much different from the original (it has someone else singing):

The Finkers – “Tonight” (with someone else singing) (1999)

Link

Both versions of “Tonight” appear on The Finkers’ compilation, Epilogue (2008), a double-CD of the band’s entire recorded output. You can buy that beastie from Off The Hip Records.

The Finkers on MySpace

Musical coincidences # 47

Today’s coincidence involves an Australian power pop band and an Australian pair of pantyhose. (No, the band didn’t rob a bank.)

Yesterday’s Song of the day was a catchy little ditty that I’ve been listening to a fair bit recently. However, it was only during the most recent hearing of it that prompted my brain to switch on a light bulb and shout “Hey! That sounds like…”.

But first: because today’s coincidence is all-Australian, I’ll have to fill in the blanks for non-Australians (i.e., foreign devils):

In 1978 there was a highly successful TV ad campaign in Australia for a brand of pantyhose called Razzamatazz. That ad campaign was highly successful due to three things: a) an incredibly catchy jingle; b) a memorable catchphrase; and c) attractive females wearing the product. As a result, most Australians of a certain vintage will have no trouble remembering the ad or the jingle:

That’s the first part of the coincidence.

Now, if you’d care to remember the start of that jingle (“Oh, oh, Razzamatazz…”), permit me to play you the start of yesterday’s Song of the day:

The Finkers – “Down South” (1999) (excerpt)

Link

Yes, indeedy.

As for “Razzamatazz” in other parts of the world, I reckon people might think of other things…

For example, English readers of a certain vintage will probably remember a kids’ TV show called Razzamatazz that ran in the 80’s.

Kate Bush was interviewed on Razzamatazz, and I’m very pleased about that because it gives me an excuse to show you a clip of the wonderful, wonderful Kate:

I love Kate Bush.

Over in the US, though, the word “Razzamatazz” might conjure up something a lot less enjoyable. Unfortunately, American readers of a certain vintage may be reminded of this:

That’s horrible. I’m trying to look at it for kitsch value, or view it as ‘ironic’, or see it from some other kind of angle that post-modernists like to do so they can justify liking what they like, but I can’t. It’s horrible.

Song of the day: The Finkers – "Down South"

I know I played you a track by The Finkers just last week, but I’ve been enjoying their songs so much I that wanted to pester you with another track of theirs:

The Finkers – “Down South” (1999)

Link

As a bonus (and a reminder), here’s last week’s song again:

The Finkers – “Brush” (1999)

Link

Both those songs appear on The Finkers’ 1999 album Fresh Set-O-Prints. Judging by the joie de vivre on display, it sounds like the band had a heap-o-fun recording them.

By the way, both those songs also appear on The Finkers’ admirable 2-CD compilation, Epilogue which you can buy from Off The Hip Records.

The Finkers on MySpace

Buy Fresh Set-O-Prints in the US from Amazon.com (you know you want to)
Buy Fresh Set-O-Prints in Australia from MMusic.com.au (well, it’s somewhere in Australia you can buy it, but it’s dearer – try Red Eye Records)
Buy Fresh Set-O-Prints in Australia from Red Eye Records (only if you want to)
MusicStack says that there are plenty of places you can buy Fresh Set-O-Prints, so what are you waiting for?
Or you can buy some other Finkers goodness from Popboomerang

Song of the day: The Finkers – "Brush"

Here are The Finkers with a power pop song urging you to brush your teeth*:

The Finkers – “Brush” (1999)

Link

So the next time you’re at a quiz night, and the quizmaster asks the crowd “Has there ever been an Australian power pop band that sang a song about the importance of brushing teeth?”, you’ll know the answer.

(*Well, it makes a change from hearing about the singer wanting that girl standing by the bar, or the singer being heartbroken by that girl who left him standing at the bar…)

Song of the day: The Finkers – "Daphne Green"

Here are The Finkers with “Daphne Green,” a jolly little ditty with the rather unusual – but highly enjoyable – mix of power pop, psychedelia, and nursery rhyme:

The Finkers – “Daphne Green” (2000)

Link

Song of the day: The Finkers – "Gurls Are Coming Down"

Although it isn’t officially summer in Australia until December, the weather’s warmed up this week here in South Australia so I thought I’d pop something a little summery on the ol’ record player – something that makes me think of sunshine, the beach, beach balls, beach hats, beach buggies, and girls in bikinis. “Gurls Are Coming Down” (1999) by The Finkers fits the bill quite nicely, as it makes me think of all those things and more:

The Finkers – “Gurls Are Coming Down” (1999)

Link