Peru - leaving the 'acre EP

Being a train spotter and being an indie anorak goes together like bacon and eggs (or a vegetarian alternative if you are so inclined), i used to be one of the former and am still one of the latter thus i can tell you that there is a class 47 on the cover of this EP by indie stalwarts Peru and that is just the start of the old skool thrills you will get with this record. Recorded a few years ago it seems the songs on here have a stylishly old fashioned indie feel. Straight forward guitar indie pop no weird cross-fertilisations.

Best song is "Needing, wanting, waiting" with its up-key chorus though also liked the ancient feel of "Kim's balloon" which feels so old skool it sits at the same desk as Plato. Terrific all the way, no Duff tracks whatsoever (diesel locomotive enthusiasts may get that joke).

MV : "Let me take you out" by Class Actress

Menswe@r - nuisance

Ah the "Swear" as the popular music press called them (presumably two syllables was too much for your average journo). This, their debut, called a bit of a media stir when it was released in 1995. Bold and brash indie rock by some good looking young lads, thus appealing to all sectors of the market. Sure win?

Coming at the start of the Brit Pop explosion the music is quite Mod-ish and late 60s, and to be honest is pretty good. Its maybe a bit generic and too similar to other bands of the same scene but songs like "I'll manage somehow" and "125 west 3rd street" have an appealing pop swagger. "Being brave" was their biggest hit and is a ballady song with added strings. Hold your lighter in the air and sway, and sing along to the "ba ba ba baaa"s.

MV : "2 girls" by Ringo Deathstarr

This will clear your ears out.

TOTP (05/08/1976)

Jimmy Saville is our host and he is wearing a kilt! If you can get past that you can get past anything. Elton and Kiki are still at number one but will they be live in the studio?

Slik - the kid’s a punk

Slik start the show with their poseur retro rock. Its all quiffs, US college jackets and rock’n’roll riffs. Its not terrible but maybe not that good either.

David Dundas - jeans on

Ruby Flipper are here to perform with David Dundas, don’t forget he had Hot Gossip last time. Does he feel lonely on stage or something and thus feels the need to have fit young people gyrate their fit young bodies nearby? We understand David we really do.

Billy Jo Spears - what i’ve got in mind

Country music often broke into the British charts regularly even as late as the 1970s as may be forgotten nowadays. Billy Jo Spears is of course a legend though this isn’t her best song. A performance somewhere else, probably in Nashville.

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - here comes the Sun

In front of a castle Steve Harley and band perform this George Harrison cover, its been given a bit of a proto-punk feel along with ...er... bongos. Its all wonderfully weird.

Did Saville explain why he is in a kilt?

Ruby Flipper are working hard tonight, they are back to perform KC & the Sunshine Band’s “shake your booty”. Very disco in futuristic silvery outfits. Like if they had song & dance routines in Blakes 7.

Dorothy Moore - misty blue

A repeat of her performance in front of a giant dressing room mirror.

Billy Ocean - love on delivery

Its fine just a bit formulaic and forgettable. Seems we have a lot of songs on tonight which have been on before.

Twiggy - here i go again

Yes the model, years before the M&S adverts of course. Twiggy is best known as being a model for good reason, as her singing isn’t that good to be honest. Mind you if she was around now she would probably win the likes of X Factor easily.

Elton John & Kiki Dee - don’t go breaking my heart

No they didn’t make it to the Top Of The Pops studio, maybe next week eh?