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THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW “PART TIME PUNKS” (1980)

originally recorded by Television Personalities (“Where’s Bill Grundy Now?” 45, King’s Road, 1978)

cover version available on Detailed Twang (NB, 1980)

They come from many places
They come down for the day
They walk around together
And try and look trendy
I think it’s a shame
That they all look the same

Here they come
la la la la la la
la la la la la la
The part time punks!

The Television Personalities’ “Part Time Punks” is probably the English group’s best known song, even though they themselves are a lesser known act outside of certain circles.

The Door and the Window, named after a Henry Reed poem, were contemporaries of Television Personalities, as well as a slew of other British post/punks. The band itself was directly influenced by the most excellent Desperate Bicycles, known for their staunch diy production/distribution ethic (“It was easy, it was cheap, go and do it!); NB records, which released Detailed Twang, was the Door and the Window’s own imprint. Prolific in their short existence, TDATW was comprised of Nag, Bendle, and Mark Perry (of Alternative TV). Later side projects included 49 Americans, The Reflections (with Karl Blake of Lemon Kittens), Casual Laborers, Late Music Group, and the Liberated Sound Octet. Overground Records has recently reissued their sole full-length, Detailed Twang, to include their entire back catalogue of singles, eps, and compilation tracks. There is also a live record available from Not On records which, according to Discogs, may or may not have been recorded by members of TDATW, but by an ensemble. Either way, fantastic ramshackle diy lo fi that is always a joy to hear.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED blogload: The Door and the Window’s Detailed Twang on mutant sounds

The Door and the Window on myspace