power pop criminals

FINGERPRINTZ (1979-1981)

Formed by Scottish-born singer/guitarist Jimme O'Neill in 1978, Fingerprintz slowed down punk's careening guitar rock, adding clever, rhythmic twists and turns, and offering up deftly written stories about lust, angst, and urban desolation. It's difficult to categorize Fingerprintz, which may explain why the group never garnered a large following.

WHO'S YOUR FRIEND (1979)

The "Who's Your Friend" 7" EP was released on blue vinyl. Four songs not available on any of their albums, three originals and a new-wavey cover of Lennon-MCartney "Do You Want To Know A Secret". Then lead singer Step Lang left.

Songs
Who's Your Friend? / Do You Want To Know A Secret / Nervz / Night Nurse

THE VERY DAB (1979)

The primitively recorded "The Very Dab" first album occupies a dark, throbbing zone of bobbing pop and wry-to-bizarre lyrics ("Punchy Judy", "Beam Me Up Scotty"). Leader/guitarist Jimme O'Neill's Scottish accent and offbeat songwriting combine to chilling effect on the crime-obsessed narratives "Fingerprince" and "Wet Job"; the former's music also suggests a valid response to reggae/dub influence. Released first in an almost-all-black blurred-photo sleeve with badly matched shades of grey at the edges, so re-released almost immediately with an extra white border on the sleeve.

Songs
Close Circuit Connection / Fingerprince / Wet Job / Punchy Judy / Temperamental / 2AT / Hey Mr Smith / Tough Luck / Invisible Seams / On The Hop / Beam Me Up Scotty

DISTINGUISHING MARKS (1980)

The considerably slicker "Distinguishing Marks", in contrast, is pure pop in extremis - musically, anyway. The songs hum like a finely tuned motor, with producer Nick Garvey removing any rough sonic edges. Only the relentlessly perverse lyrics betray a refusal to play by the book; O'Neill's disjointed visions are inspired by pulp fiction, police blotters and hospital charts. A catchy collection that all sounds like hit single material.

Songs

Yes Eyes / Houdini Love / Criminal Mind / Bulletproof Heart / Remorse Code / Amnesia / Ringing Tone / Radiation / Jabs / Hide and Seek

BEAT NOIR (1981) (2nd edition)

"Beat Noir" took yet another 180-degree turn, away from pop and towards a rock/funk fusion. Finally in synch with the times, Fingerprintz delivered a stunning, idiosyncratic package of heavy bass lines, winsome melodies and O'Neill's thematic fetishes (paranoia, frustration). The album was kinky enough to catch on in rock clubs, but too peculiar to reach a broader audience. Drenched in atmosphere, it remains a compelling work. The first version of the LP was rush released, but Jimme and the band then persuaded the label to let them record, more cheaply, three new songs ("The Beat Escape", "The Chase" and "Get Civilised") which were more upbeat, commercial and funky! Jimme co-produced these with Chris Porter. The label, feeling more hopeful, put out a new, finished version of the album with these songs included and issued "The Beat Escape" as a single. Sadly it still wasnt successful.

Songs
The Beat Escape / The Chase / Catwalk / Changing / Get Civilised / Shadowed / Touch Sense / Echohead / Going Going Gone / Famous Last Words

Jimme O'Neill reunited with Fingerprintz guitarist Cha Burns to form the Silencers, he was able to go further. The band reaped much greater commercial success than did Fingerprintz. Ironically, the Silencers' records weren't nearly as good as that of Fingerprintz. All three Fingerprintz records are long out of print. Trouser Press