In 1987, K Records expanded its passionate revolt against the corporate ogre by spreading outside Olympia, Washington's thriving music scene. The label -- which had been launched by Calvin Johnson as a cassette-only venture back in '82 -– kicked off a seven-inch single series entitled the International Pop Underground. The series goal was, "To feature artists emanating from pop rockin' catacombs around the globe."One of those artists was Melody Dog and the catacomb they crawled out of? Glasgow. In 1992, Melody Dog joined countrymen Teenage Fanclub and The Pastels as part of K's ever-growing cadre of international acts when the Olympia-based label released the group's "Futuristic Lover" -- a track produced by Stephen Pastel.
An EP, "Cassie," was cut later that year on a label a tad closer to home: Seminal Twang Records. That release featured a cover of Primal Scream's "Movin' On Up" played entirely with toy instruments. (Playing instruments such as the five tone twirling pipes was a staple at their gigs.)
According to information gleaned from Twee.net, the band consisted of Katrina Mitchell and Pat Laureate. There were plans to record an LP for Ice Rink, but then that label went belly up. The group went their separate ways soon after and Mitchell joined The Pastels.
Hear it for yourself. Download: "Futuristic Lover" by Melody Dog.
