Playthings formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1980 with two strong songwriters, Jay Clarkson and Janine Saundercock, alongside guitarist Nicky Carter and drummer Dave Toland.
Paul Kean joined as sound engineer and manager in 1981, and recorded Playthings live at The Gladstone on Oliver Scott’s 1/2 Track Ferrograph tape machine in glorious pulse pounding mono. Two standout songs, Coloured and Sit Down (Stand Up), were released in NZ on Playmusic as a double A-Side 7” with a sleeve designed and screen-printed by Paul.
When Janine left the band, Paul joined on guitar and bass. Playthings went on to record four new songs at Arnie van Bussel’s Nightshift Studios in 1982, with Bird’s Eye View released as the second 7” single backed with Dumb and Pure Frost.
Tracklist
- Sit Down (Stand Up)
- Coloured
- Grits
- Bird’s Eye View
- Dumb
- Pure Frost
