It’s a bit hard doing a review of something you are involved in without either being too self-critical or too overblown. So we will just do the facts. The Nivens were an indie pop band from Cramlington/Ashington who were around from 1987 to 1990. They released a few singles and played a few gigs. Their debut “Yesterday”, on the Woosh label, reached the indie top ten in January 1989. They split in early 1990 due mainly to another bunch of Nivens stealing their name.

Now this would normally be the end of the story but there is a record label in Germany called FIRESTATION RECORDS. It’s name taken from the Close Lobsters song “Firestation Towers” fact fans. They got in touch as they wanted to include a Niven’s song on one of their compilations in 2003. They then decided to collect all the bands releases together for a CD in 2006. This 19 track CD has now completely sold out. This year is the 10th anniversary of said CD so they’ve decided to release it as a vinyl album. They’ve taken off a couple of the tracks and added an unreleased song. (The legendary Lucozade Orgasms)

So is that the end? Well, maybe not. As well as being able to go out and buy the album on vinyl The Nivens will also be appearing on a compilation on the legendary CHERRY RED RECORDS. They have a 3 CD box set out in June called C87 which includes the track “Room Without a View”. Exciting times for the band. Maybe a re-union tour is needed? Or maybe not!!!!

LINKS:

FIRESTATION RECORDS: http://www.firestation-records.de/

CHERRY RED RECORDS: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/

THE NIVENS ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/The-Nivens-from-Northumberland-209791645761289/

By peter on March 30, 2016