Last week I got the news that Beatrice Colin from the amazing April Showers passed away. Most of us knew her band through the classic indiepop song “Abandon Ship” and we have played it time and time again. I was lucky to be in touch with her many years ago. I got to interview her for the blog and ask her many questions as her band was a mystery to me. I never understood why they didn’t release more records. Of course later in life Beatrice was a writer and a successful one at that. The Scotland Herald wrote an obituary which I say everyone should read to discover one of the most interesting voices in independent pop. Rest in peace Beatrice.
The Penelopes: a few days ago I interviewed The Penelopes. For our Japanese fans I have to say that there is now a Japanese version of the interview available here: part 1 and part 2.
The Groovy Cellar: the classic German band will be releasing a new album this year on Firestation Records called “Soulmates”. To promote it they have put together a promo film for the title song. It is really groovy of course!
Lost Tapes: our friends from Catalonia, Spain, who released with us a great EP some years ago are back with a new record, a new 7″ on Shelflife and Kocliko, a new tape on Shiny Happy Records, and four wonderful songs on it. This is not to be missed. Do check the wonderful and perfect pop of “The Bill”, “Six by Six”, “Like a Waltz” and “Letter Never Sent”.\
Homecomings: the new video for the song “Hull Down” was released back in November but I am only finding about it today! Wow! I love this Japanese band so much. This song is included in the album “Whale Living” which I need to find myself a copy as I believe it has already been released by Felicity Cap Records.
Joseiknacio: I suppose a José Ignacio is behind this EP called “Floración” that is being released digitally by Gemelo Parásito Records from Chile. There are four bedroom pop songs that are bright and jangly, reminding me of a lo-fi Los Waldners.
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It was 1991 when The Dakota Plains self-released a 7″ with two songs. On the A side they had “She Don’t Understand Me Like You” and on the B side they included “What You’re Doin to Me”. They had a cool artwork for the sleeve, with lots of instruments and a nice logo for the band, all printed in black and white. As they were self-releasing the record they catalogued the record as DAK 001, Dakota 001.
They are not listed to have appeared in any compilations. As far as I know these were the only two songs they released. We do know a few other details of the band thanks to the back of the sleeve and these are important ones. For example we know the band hailed from Newcastle in England. That these two songs were recorded in that same city at Lynx Studio. And also we know the band members for this kind of country-tinged indiepop band.
Charlie Barlow – lead vocals, lead guitar, acoustic guitar
Jimmy Cousins – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Jevvy Moroney – bass, backing vocals
Colin Stephenson – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo, keyboards
Also we know that the A side is credited to Colin Stephenson while the B side to Charlie Barlow.
Thanks to this information I end up stumbling on a great discovery. There was a second 7″ by the band. It had the song “7 Words” on the A side and “Long Way From Home” on the B side. I need more information about this though! It seems there are barely any mentions about this single in the whole world wide web!
I think I stumbled upon the Twitter account of the drummer but it doesn’t look as if he has logged in since early 2017. He seems to still be in Newcastle. I can’t track the other band members though. I wonder why are their records so obscure and if there were more. I had no clue whatsoever that there was a 2nd single!
I know I have a few readers from the Newcastle area so I’m hoping someone remembers them and can tell me a bit more about them!
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5 Responses to “:: The Dakota Plains”
Hi
I was a big fan of the Dakota Plains back in the day when I lived in Newcastle. They were a first-class act doing their own material plus some covers. Gigs were mostly local pubs whose names I cannot now remember.
There were two singles as you mention plus a 1991 cassette called Live at the Seaside. Six songs recorded at the South Shields Amphitheatre.
My good friend Mike and I are actually kindly credited on the 7 Words single – we are Les and Steve the roadies as we would help the band pack their van after each gig.
I’m jimmy the drummer from the Dakota Plains still drumming and still proud of that band
Hi Jimmy
Hope you are well. The Daks were great – wish I could turn the clock back. Azza and Dazza, me and Mike, all the band…Thanks again.
And I still have my T shirt safely stored.
Al
Hi, this is Charlie Barlow, I was a founder member of the Dakota Plains. It feels mad, after so many years, to be talking about the band again. I met up with Jimmy, the bands drummer, last weekend, for the first time in many years, and it was excellent chatting over old times.
I’m still playing, i’m part of a two piece acoustic band, with Bela Green, called Moonshine grove, and i play a lot solo too. I’ve just released a CD EP called ‘Greed’.
Like i say, it’s weird talking about something that happened thirty years, but they were brilliant times, and it’s great knowing that people were into it. Thanks for interest.
Charlie.
Charlie…some things don’t change. You are still wearing the same hat on your Facebook page. Take care.