It’s not easy curating a definitive selection of the best sub-underground, late 70s UK 45s and comp tracks from the heyday of do-it-yourself record making, but I’ve put together a start. I’ve culled my newest 8Tracks mix, “SUB-UNDERGROUND UK DIY” from multiple sources: the “Instant Pop Classics” comps, various internet downloads, “Messthetics” and my own collection. Just like the compilation I posted yesterday of female-fronted riot grrl/garage punk, it’s available right now to listen to on computers, smartphones and tablets. 

Outside of the fairly-well-known (such as it is) DIY pioneers like The Desperate Bicycles and Animals & Men, most acts on here are ultra-obscure and maybe only lasted for one 45 or a couple of compilation tracks, sometimes only on cassette. 23 tracks in all. Most given to that tinny, experimental, slipshod and faraway sound that characterizes the best of the best of this posthumously-defined genre.

Come listen to "SUB-UNDERGROUND UK DIY" here.

Tracks:

1. DESPERATE BICYCLES – Smokescreen
2. ANIMALS & MEN – Don’t Misbehave In The New Age
3. MIDNIGHT CIRCUS – The Hedonist Jive
4. I JOG & THE TRACKSUITS – Redbox
5. DEVIL DYKES – Fruitless
6. BEYOND THE IMPLODE – Lassitude
7. STEVE TREATMENT – Danger Zone
8. METROPAK – OK Let’s Go
9. SCISSOR FITS – I Don’t Want To Work For British Airways
10. BONA DISH – Mutation
11. DESPERATE BICYCLES – The Medium Was Tedium
12. ANOREXIA – I’m a Square
13. DANNY & THE DRESSMAKERS – Don’t Make Another Bass Guitar Mr. Rickenbacker
14. THE PETTICOATS – Normal
15. REFLECTIONS – 4 Countries
16. SCRITTI POLITTI – Is & Ought The Western World
17. SUBVERSE – Chance Romance
18. TRONICS – Shark Fucks
19. BEARZ – She’s My Girl
20. ANOREXIA – Pets
21. BASE – One Way Girl
22. GERRY & THE HOLOGRAMS – Gerry & The Holograms
23. WAVIS O’SHAVE – Mauve Shoes Are Awful