Hi,
This is a page for Thompson Twins/Babble/International Observer fans past and present to get together, share any pics, knowledge and experiences from meeting the Twins etc.
I will be uploading pics very soon after my hols in Cyprus.
My vision is to upload many pics of rare releases that i have within my collection and would very much like you guys to do the same by sharing any interesting pics from your collections.
My name's Steve and am 37 years old, i have been a Twins/Babble fan since the age of 15 and have been a collector of anything to do with this band since then, I still occasionally come across interesting releases from other countries. I am amazed what still comes up today.
I will upload pics in sections of record releases from the different era's the Twins went through.
I will leave out the usual UK format and concentrate on imports with different sleeves/track formats etc.
That's enough blurb for now, please come and join this group, let's make this a strong group and hopefully see the re-releases back in the stores,,,you never know..
SteveAugust 20th 2007
Hey, well I had a "change of heart" (cheers Cyndii) about my page and pics I wanted to upload, I was unhappy about the first lot of pics i uploaded and thought hey what the heck, if it's worth doing, do it properly, so I have decided to add the whole of my Thompson Twins Collection in the form of a Discography for the group, now I know I have gaps in my collection, but hey I just wanted to upload what I have instead of searching for pics on the net and taking them from others sites, so these pics will be from my very own collection and will get updated when I find others for my collection.
Can I just say thanks to all those who have become friends to my page, I'm surprised there are so many of you who have an interest still in the Twins work, thanks also to all those who have left Pics on my Page, they are awesome, also for the comments, Blog messages and e-mails I have recieved.
I will prob upload Front cover Mags the Twins were on next, I will leave the Albums/12" singles for a rainy day as i need to take Pics via camera and upload them that way.
Hope you all continue to leave comments and Pics to my page, and keep letting me know what you think.
Cheers SteveTEEFAX853529th March 2008 UPDATE
Hi, Well this page has been neglected for quite a while, (sorry guys and gals), but work commitments and house moves got in the way.
Well loads has happened since the last update, where to start, firstly Quickstep and Sidekick and Into The Gap have had a decent reissue from EDSEL Records, both were 2 disc sets with the cassette remixes on and 12" mixes and b-sides of singles released from each album, these have had mixed reactions from fans from the ommisions of certain tracks, the remastering and quality of some of the tracks to the whole album, I for one was very pleased and still am with these issues, I feel EDSEL really put a lot of effort in these issues from the research, tracklisting, sleeve notes and quality, what do you all think???
Also Geoff who can be found on the friends of this page has done some awesome remix videos to some of the Twins tracks, go to his page and check them out.
Geoff has also put together a petition to get BMG/SONY to put together a rarities collection and a DVD Release, i'll post the you tube video and website on the page later tonight within a BLOG message so you can all sign your support for this to happen.
That's about it for now, hope you are all feeling well and sorry for neglecting this page, I will add some more pics over the hols to keep you all going.2nd April 2008
I have now uploaded 2 new folders in the Pics section, Promo/Press Photos and Press Releases, thanks to all that have posted comments and sent e-mails about these items.
I have now scanned my CD Collection, they are ready to be added later today, make sure you come back later on tonight to see the full folder, there are around 60 different issues from around the world, hope you like them, as always leave some comments and get in touch via e-mail.10th April 2008
Well I have been busy with adding some more pics to my page, there are now folders of pics for 7" singles, Picture Discs, Cassettes, CD's, Press and Promo Photos, Sheet Music, Memorabilia, Postcards, Presentation Discs and Photos from 83 and 85, the site is growing with friends being added daily and the site has had over a thousand hits since uploading photos. I still have many photos to add which i will start on over the weekend to add next week, thanks for all the comments and e-mails, keep em coming. I love reading your comments and e-mails.20th April 2008
Well, I have finally managed to upload some more pics to my page, I have downloaded a folder of pics for promo records within my collection, hope you like them.
I have also scanned tonight press adverts for single and album releases and tours, these were issued in music mags from around the world, these will be uploaded during the week.
There has also been some great news circulating some other sites, EDSEL who re-issued Quickstep and Sidekick and Into The Gap in March have got the rights from SONY/BMG to re-issue Here's To Future Days, no doubt the set will be similar to the previous releases with the cassette mixes, single mixes and B-sides on a 2 disc set which I cannot wait for. There is no date for this as yet..
EDSEL Records have also asked for the rights to issue A Product Of.... and Set and are awaiting confirmation from SONY/BMG for the go-ahead with these issues, this will be the first time these have been issued on CD in there correct form, which is fantastic news, hopefully EDSEL will also have the sense to re-issue Close To The Bone, Big Trash and Queer with the same treatment, here's hoping.
I will let you know as soon as i hear any news on any of the above releases regarding dates and tracklistings etc.27th April 2008
Well, check out my recent blog and pics folder for a new article and interview with Alannah Currie, very interesting, this 2 page spread was published in yesterdays edition of the Guardian in the UK and concentrates on Alannahs recent venture of upholstery, she does mention the Thompson Twins and her thoughts on the past with the band, Tom Bailey and her thoughts on them reforming, not gonna happen guys, not a very good quote Alannah, you may change your mind one day when you are hard up for a bit of cash, and may I add that you don't mind using the name "Thompson Twins" to get an article and flog a few pieces of furniture, anyway that's my thoughts, i do respect Alannah's, but there is no need to give the quote she gave, just my 2 cents worth, please let me know what you think.27th June 2008 Update
Well loads is happening as those of you that read my Blogs will know, firstly coming at the end of July is Sidekicks the Movie which is being officially released on DVD for the first time by Cherry Red Records, there has been some discussion about the artwork and if this is going to be a straight transfer from VHS/Laserdisc, I have been in contact with Cherry Red about the later issue but have yet to recieve a response from them on this issue, one good point is the cover art, lots of sites are using dreadfull artwork, not very inspiring at all, but from searching the web for the best price to purchase this item I came across a completely different image on Play.com, the artwork there uses the original Thompson Twins Font and even features the 3 heads logo, even though the logo is the colours from Into The Gap era, again have asked Cherry Red for any info, still awaiting a reponse on that issue also.
Next up is the EDSEL Re-issue for Here's To Future Days 2 Disc Deluxe set, this is going to be the same format as their previous 2 re-issues for Quickstep and Sidekick and Into The Gap released earlier on this year. I have a Sample Sheet from EDSEL which contains the track listing/times, Information and Pics, they do mention this is being released due to the massive success of the previous re-issues, good on EDSEL for having the balls to re-issue these, lets hope Close To The Bone, A Product Of.. and Set get the EDSEL treatment.
There are pics of the cover for the DVD and the sample sheet for Future Days within the pics section of my page at the very bottom, check them out and let me know what you think.
That's it for now, roll on the summer hols so I can add some more pics.
I have compiled a list of every single Thompson Twins item I own, let me know if you would like a copy and if you can help add to the list.19th July 2008 Update.
Well it is certainly all happening on the Twins front, 2008 seems to be the year of the Thompson Twins re-issues, as you know from above "Here's To Future Days" is definately happening for August 4th release and "A Product Of..." and "SET" is also getting the Demon EDSEL Treatment, both discs are being released together as a 2 disc set and planned for release for September 1st 2008.
Val from Demon Edsel has been in touch via e-mail, for those who read my BLOG will have already read this news, But Val has said that if things keep going as they are now then they will definately ask Sony BMG for the rights for "Close To The Bone", I have asked if they would like a hand with tracklistings as you all know there were no additional remixes on the cassette and very few singles/mixes released. I'm thinking a good track to use would be "Nothing In Common" as there are a few mixes on the US Release and of course "Nothing To Lose", "Get That Love" 12", Dub Mix, "Long Goodbye" 12", "Bush Baby" remix unless they can source any other tracks this could fit on one disc which would be a shame as the others are 2 disc sets, I suppose they could add the Interview that was released as a promo in the US and any Demos/Unreleased stuff Sony BMG may have.
But this is certainly great news, now lets hope for "Big Trash" and "Queer" which will have no problem finding remixes etc for 2 discs there.
Also recieved 2 DVD's from Geoff, he can be found within my friends section(Cheeky G), Geoff has done some awesome transfers of the Album Flash which was shown originally on MTV for the release of "Future Days" this DVD is a 2 Disc Set and contains videos also from "Lies" to "Play With Me", sound and vision is awesome, the other DVD is a compilation of Twins Remix Videos, Geoff has done these himself and put a lot of effort into these. Geoff is willing to send these to fans at a small cost to cover costs of Discs, postage etc, see info within Films section of page.
That's it for now, subscibe to my BLOG to recieve additional news as it comes in, and keep on with the e-mails, comments etc.
ADDED some more pics to various folders including a 7" Shaped Disc for "Lay Your Hands On Me" with a BLUE Back.30th July 2008.
Well, Sidekicks Live in Liverpool has been released, got my copy today, very pleased Cherry Red used the better cover of the 2 designs that were floating around various sites on the net. As for the DVD Quality, it seems to me that this is a direct transfer from VHS Format, not very good, i'm sure this could have been cleaned up a little, the sound sounds a little better but that may just be me, what do you all think?
Also found out some great news about another DVD Happening this summer called "Listen To London" this will include footage from the original 7 piece band as well as a documentary titled "On Our Side" which was filmed on the Twins first US Tour, this is promised a release date of late summer and apparently only available from the web site, check out BLOG for further info.
Not long to wait untill the "Here's To Future Days" CD Set which is gonna be fab i'm sure. Also the CD Set for A Product Of...SET which has a release date of September 1st, there has been some artwork leaked to a few internet sites, not sure if this is the final artwork or not, but will keep you all informed.
No more news from Demon EDSEL on Close To The Bone as yet, but someone has been in touch regarding re-issues of "Big Trash", "Queer" and a Babble 3 disc set, nothing has been confirmed as yet, but again will keep you informed on any news I get.
Just mastered the Bulletin Board LOL, so you will prob be getting loads of bulletins in the next few weeks.
That's it for now I think, keep in touch.
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