Milk From Cheltenham

2005 release. Milk From Cheltenham is the first in a series of Alga Marghen editions documenting the activities of the It's War Boys underground label, founded by Amos (of The Homosexuals fame) in the late 1970s. The original LP was issued in an edition limited to 300 copies. The material was recorded from 1979 to 1981 but wasn't released until 1983 due to problems with the silkscreened sleeve. The band only put out this record, a real hidden gem. Lepke said that he wanted it to sound like a Beach Boys LP by using lots of different studios, but it was mostly done on a cassette machine with a primitive "surround" function. Lepke is the man who does the impossible every time he picks up a tin, carton, bottle or instrument -- the first person with enough originality to adopt "anything" to his own idiosyncratic style. Retired to an obscure basement, still without peers in the world. Lounge makes rhythms with a wallop. A mix of inestimable ability with feelings as wild as they are rare. "Salamander" has that certain something that most people can never have, even if they practice for an eternity. Most important in his influence, most endearing in his emotional impact, and most convincing in his new-found authority. If The Homosexuals were a strange prospect, then this music should fit into a similar spot as that of angry young men like Wire and Magazine, who carried their penchants for art-school angst in the midst of proto-thug posturing. Milk From Cheltenham were an even more extreme band. Not only progressive with a certain artistic notion (a reference could be found to This Heat, Family Fodder and Chris Cutler's bands Henry Cow and Art Bears) but also closer to more primitive sound experimentations of a cryptic and sinister Residential perspective. This release finally documents one of the most important projects developed in the scene explored by The Homosexuals.