Fire to ice - The Associates

'Wild and Lonely' was the last album released by the Associates in 1990. It may have been an accurate description of the state of affairs at the time, since Billy MacKenzie, the sole member of the band by then, had seen band mate Alan Rankine leave, and his previous album, 'The Glamour Chase', unreleased as the record company deemed it not commercially viable.

The first single from this album, 'Fever', had flopped, and 'Fire and Ice' had to face the same fate. After the release of a third single, 'Just can't say goodbye', which also didn't chart, the Associates name was finally put to rest. That's not to say that the material from the 1990 album was necessarily bad: this single is a good example of nice, melodic pop.

My collection: 7" single no. 5449
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Fire to ice' / 'Green tambourine'

Heart of glass - The Associates

'Heart of glass' began its life in 1975 as a slow reggae track called 'Once I had a love', performed frequently on live tours by the band Blondie. It was recorded on their album 'Parallel lines' in 1978 as a disco-oriented track with producer Mike Chapman. It became one of the band's better known tracks.

The Associates recorded a cover of 'Heart of glass' in 1988, and their version hit number 58 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2679
Found: Record Exchange, London, July 2, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Heart of glass' / 'Her only wish'

Breakfast - The Associates

'Breakfast' was a single taken from the Associates' 1985 album 'Perhaps'. The album cost £250,000 and four years to make, partly because the master tapes disappeared halfway through the process (allegedly they were hidden by frontman Billy MacKenzie because he was dissatisfied with them). In the end, the album only sold 40,000 copies, putting MacKenzie in significant debt with his record company.

Meanwhile, 'Breakfast' was the standout track from the album, released as a single in early 1985. It reached number 49 in the UK singles chart. And yes, I own the 12" single as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 258
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Breakfast' / 'Breakfast alone'

Party fears two - The Associates

In 1982, the popularity of synthpop was rising in the UK. Numerous bands were riding the wave, including the Associates, who had been struggling since 1979 for some recognition. Their single 'Party fears two' became the first and biggest hit of their career, peaking at number 9 in the UK singles chart.

In 2006, the Divine Comedy recorded a cover version of 'Party fears two' on their album 'Victory for the comic muse'. It was through this cover version that I got to know the song. The original track features rather preposturous by Billy MacKenzie.

My collection: 7" single no. 3980
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Party fears two' / 'It's better this way'

Waiting for the loveboat - The Associates

After the departure of Alan Rankine and Michael Dempsey, The Associates was basically the solo project of Billy MacKenzie. He started working on what was to become the album 'Perhaps', released in 1985. The album was preceded by the single 'Waiting for the loveboat', a minor hit single peaking at number 53 in the UK singles chart.

Because the album 'Perhaps' only sold 40,000 copies whereas it cost £250,000to make, MacKenzie fell into significant debt to his record company.

My collection: 7" single no. 3951
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Waiting for the loveboat' / 'Schampout'

Heart of glass - Associates

Billy MacKenzie and Alan Rankine formed the Associates in early 1980, after having worked together on various other projects. They found commercial success with their 1982 release, 'Party fears two'. Shortly after the release of their debut album 'Sulk', Rankine left the band, leaving Billy MacKenzie to continue with the band. This proved to be a difficult task, as commercial success eluded the Associates ever since.

'Heart of glass' was released in 1988. It was a cover of Blondie's 1979 single. Remixed by Auchterhouse, this 12" single adds some power to an otherwise slightly dull version.

My collection: 12" single no. 235

Found: unknown, 1990

Cost: unknown

Tracks: 'Heart of glass (Auchterhouse mix)' / 'Heart of glass (Auchterhouse Instrumental)', 'Her only wish'

Download: here

Breakfast - The Associates

Before releasing 'Breakfast', the Associates had made their name on satellite music TV with songs like 'Waiting for the loveboat' and 'Those first impressions'. I wasn't aware of their debut hit 'Party fears two', and didn't like the two mentioned songs at all. 'Breakfast', by comparison, was a masterpiece. I loved the music of this track, strings and all.

The B-side of the single featured an extended instrumental version, and I was expecting a vocal version of that on the 12" single. What a pleasant surprise that it was actually a different extended remix! I only bought this 12" 15 years after its original release, but it was still worth it...

My collection: 12" single no. 395

Found: Record fair, Netherlands, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Breakfast [extended]' / 'Breakfast alone', 'Kites'

Download: here