Here is a great Bandcamp find. The self-released tape album by French band Tous Les Cactus!

This self-titled album came out 30 years ago, in 1994. And from what I understand the band may be preparing a vinyl version of it. For that I guess we’ll need to be checking now and then their Bandcamp.

The album, made of 8 studio songs and 4 live tracks at Le Plan, is an interesting record for sure. It was recorded in the UK actually, at Swamp Studio in July of 1993. At this studio in Great Ellingham, Norfolk, the band worked with Howard Turner s sound engineer and Michel Belan as producer.

The songs on the record are “HP”, “Sur ta Bouche”, “Allons Voir”, “Happy Hour”, “Jardin Fantastique”, “Flic Flac”, “La Lune”, “A La Dérive”, “Dans l’Air (Live, Le Plan, Ris Orangis, 1994):”, “Sur les Quais (Live le Plan 1994)”, “Démons et Merveilles (Live le Plan 1994) and “Derrière la porte (Live Le Plan 1994)”.

The band was formed by  Jean Daniel Domenech on vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica and accordion, Yann Bailay on electric guitar and keyboards, Jean-Philippe Bailay on bass and André ‘Dedé’ Domenech on drums. Was it then, two set of brothers? Would be good to know.

Also on this record Dominic Hopkins and Jack Matthew played strings.

Other than this tape album the band appeared on a couple of compilation tapes. In 1993 they had the song “Dans l’Air” on “Simple as Them”, a tape released by Ora Pro Nobis (OPN 9303) in France.

The next year, 1994, their song “Au Hasard” was on “Quality Sweet” released by Pâte A Modeler (001) in France and the song “Sur Ta Bouche” on “Des Gens Simples” tape released by Ora Pro Nobis (OPN 9402).

Back to the album. On their Bandcamp there are a few reviews including two at Les Inrockuptibles, one at Charivari! and another at Les Jolies Mélodies.

Very cool sounding band for sure. A very good discovery. I knew them by name as I had looked into the “Quality Sweet” compilation as I have featured a few bands that have appeared on it, but never heard Tous les Cactus until today.

I definitely want to hear more. And learn more about them! French friends, please share any details you might have! Where in France were they from? Did they play much live? Why no more records?!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Listen
Tous les Cactus – La Lune