Description

The Jazz Butcher – Fishcotheque – Cassette

The Jazz Butcher, also known as The Jazz Butcher Conspiracy, led by Pat Fish, is known for their eclectic blend of indie pop, jazz, and post-punk. Their album Fishcotheque, released in 1988, is one of the band’s most celebrated works, marking a pivotal point in their discography.

The Jazz Butcher was the vehicle of prolific singer/songwriter Pat Fish, an archetypal British eccentric whose sharp observational wit and melodic gifts navigated the group through over a decade of constant line-up shifts, stylistic mutations and even a series of name changes which found the band performing variously under such titles as the Jazz Butcher Conspiracy and the Jazz Butcher & His Sikkorskis From Hell.

Fish was born Patrick Huntrods in London in 1957, and raised primarily in Northampton. He first began performing while studying philosophy at Oxford in the late 1970s, fronting the short-lived Nightshift, a subsequent band dubbed the Institution later joined forces with their rivals the Sonic Tonix, establishing the nucleus of players who later formed the core of the Jazz Butcher sphere.

Fishcotheque showcases The Jazz Butcher’s distinctive style, which blends witty, often satirical lyrics with a mixture of pop, rock, and jazz influences. The album maintains a playful and eclectic sound but with a more rock-oriented edge compared to their earlier, more jazzy works. This shift reflected the band’s evolution and their response to the changing indie music scene of the late 1980s.

Key Tracks:
‘Looking for Lot 49’ – This track is a nod to Thomas Pynchon’s novel, weaving a narrative that matches the band’s intellectual and quirky style.
‘Chickentown’ – A song that epitomizes The Jazz Butcher’s ability to combine catchy music with clever, biting lyrics.
‘Susie’ – Features the band’s characteristic jangly guitar sound and catchy melodies, embodying the accessible side of their music.

Fishcotheque was well-received for its sharp songwriting and engaging melodies, solidifying The Jazz Butcher’s place in the indie music world. The album is often praised for its creative arrangements and the clever humor in its lyrics, which have become a hallmark of Pat Fish’s songwriting style.

The album helped to cement The Jazz Butcher’s reputation as a unique voice in British indie music, capable of blending various musical styles with wit and intelligence. It appeals to fans of genres that span indie pop, post-punk, and alternative rock, offering a diverse palette of sounds and themes.

While not a commercial blockbuster, Fishcotheque influenced the indie music scene, particularly within the UK, and remains a significant work due to its eclectic approach and lyrical sharpness. The Jazz Butcher has been cited as an influence by various musicians who appreciate the band’s mix of humor, storytelling, and musical versatility.

For those exploring the intersections of literature, humor, and diverse musical styles in indie music, Fishcotheque by The Jazz Butcher offers an enriching and entertaining listening experience, highlighting the band’s importance in the alternative and indie music scenes of the 1980s and beyond.

Relativity Records

Song List
1. Next Move Sideways
2. Out Of Touch
3. Get It Wrong
4. Living In A Village
5. Swell
6. Looking For Lot 49
7. Best Way, The
8. Chickentown
9. Susie
10. Keeping The Curtains Closed