aaamusic | On 23, Jun 2011

First live show in over 10 years
The Borderline, Orange Yard, Manette Street, London, Saturday 23 July

The Jasmine Minks, one of the first bands signed to the legendary Creation Records, will play their first show in over a decade at London’s Borderline on July 23rd.

Formed in Aberdeen in 1983, The Jasmine Minks’ debut single (‘Think’) was the fourth ever record on the iconic Creation label. They recorded four albums for the label, the most successful of which, Another Age, is to be re-issued on Poppydisc, run by Creation co-founder Joe Foster (and publicised by No Other.)
The Jasmine Minks’ return – featuring most of their “classic” line-up of Jim Shepherd, Dave Arnold, Tom Reid and Martin Keena (with Dave Musker on keyboards) – continues a surprisingly busy 12 months for the Creation label, even though it officially stopped trading in 1999 when its most high-profile founder, Alan McGee, left to pursue other projects. Following the release of the highly praised label “biopic” Upside Down, other early Creation signings The Loft and The Jazz Butcher also re-formed for shows this year.

But The Jasmine Minks pre-dated both of these on the ground-breaking label’s roster, and it was on their early records – such as Indie Chart hits ;What’s Happening; and ;Cold Heart; – that Creation’s reputation was initially founded.

Singer Jim Shepherd said: “I’m confident that we can still excite. It will be a great get together for us and our London friends, old and new. A celebratory night is anticipated…”

Expect songs from throughout their back catalogue, plus tracks from the recently released Poppy White EP, released on Jim Shepherd’s own label, Oatcake Records.
Support will come from Edinburgh School For The Deaf and The Electric Sugar Children.

Edinburgh School For The Deaf, featuring ex-members of Saint Judes Infirmary, combine elements of The Jesus & Mary Chain and The Fall. Alan McGee himself confessed a liking for the band when he saw them perform live in Scotland at the start of the year. Their album, New Youth Bible, will be released on Bubblegum Records in June.
The Electric Sugar Children, named after a song by McGee’s own band, Biff Bang Pow!, will open the show. Always having been influenced by the Creation sound, they re-formed last year and released two EPs. Their song ‘Lead Singer Syndrome’ was used on the London Pub Radio PlayStation spin off. They’re currently recording an album with Glasgow producer Tony Doogan.