The Reaction
‘Shapes of Things To Come’
Released 26th January 2024 on Strictly Limited 200 copies only Red Marble Vinyl
For the many fans of 1960s music, we are sure this retrospective album by The Reaction will come as something of a surprise. Very rarely do you come across a band that has managed so successfully to recreate the unique electric 12 string sound of the 60s American West Coast. With seven original well crafted, self penned songs, and four cover versions once performed by the likes of The Yardbirds, The Creation, The Beatles and The Byrds, the new album ‘Shapes of Things To Come’ can sit very confidently alongside any other album from that era.
Bristol based The Reaction were formed in the mid 1980s greatly influenced by the music and dress of the 60s, a combination that appealed to many of the Mod Revivalists of the day. With the young Mods enthusiastic support, The Reaction were quickly riding high on a wave of popularity and independent record sales. Everyone that either heard the band or were lucky enough to see their live set, were left with no doubt the band were destined for a brighter future than many of their peers. Even though they managed to gain much coveted Radio 1 airplay from the likes of John Peel and Andy Kershaw, and the backing of the Waterloo Sunset Records, their popularity was never properly harnessed. Within three years they were gone, but not thankfully without leaving behind the tracks that are now available on this album.
The Reaction were of their time, with the potential to have progressed way beyond their revivalist image and following. They were unique in that they did not conform to everyone’s idea of what a revivalist band of the time should be, whilst the likes of The Jam, Secret Affair and the Chords were all trying to push some ‘angry young man’ message, The Reaction were singing of a more idealistic world, a world of Sun, Surf and Sex and damned good at it they were too. If there is such a thing as reading between the musical lines then this is it. Listening to these tracks some 38 years after their inception – we cannot help but think ‘what if’.
This album was originally released as CD only in 2017 and has long since been deleted. We follow this album with another UK Mod release The Bristol Mod Explosion 1979-1985 early 2024.
‘Shapes of Things To Come’
Released 26th January 2024 on Strictly Limited 200 copies only Red Marble Vinyl
For the many fans of 1960s music, we are sure this retrospective album by The Reaction will come as something of a surprise. Very rarely do you come across a band that has managed so successfully to recreate the unique electric 12 string sound of the 60s American West Coast. With seven original well crafted, self penned songs, and four cover versions once performed by the likes of The Yardbirds, The Creation, The Beatles and The Byrds, the new album ‘Shapes of Things To Come’ can sit very confidently alongside any other album from that era.
Bristol based The Reaction were formed in the mid 1980s greatly influenced by the music and dress of the 60s, a combination that appealed to many of the Mod Revivalists of the day. With the young Mods enthusiastic support, The Reaction were quickly riding high on a wave of popularity and independent record sales. Everyone that either heard the band or were lucky enough to see their live set, were left with no doubt the band were destined for a brighter future than many of their peers. Even though they managed to gain much coveted Radio 1 airplay from the likes of John Peel and Andy Kershaw, and the backing of the Waterloo Sunset Records, their popularity was never properly harnessed. Within three years they were gone, but not thankfully without leaving behind the tracks that are now available on this album.
The Reaction were of their time, with the potential to have progressed way beyond their revivalist image and following. They were unique in that they did not conform to everyone’s idea of what a revivalist band of the time should be, whilst the likes of The Jam, Secret Affair and the Chords were all trying to push some ‘angry young man’ message, The Reaction were singing of a more idealistic world, a world of Sun, Surf and Sex and damned good at it they were too. If there is such a thing as reading between the musical lines then this is it. Listening to these tracks some 38 years after their inception – we cannot help but think ‘what if’.
This album was originally released as CD only in 2017 and has long since been deleted. We follow this album with another UK Mod release The Bristol Mod Explosion 1979-1985 early 2024.
Released January 26, 2024
01. Shapes of Things (Samwell-Smith/Relf/McCarty) : Dave Atkins – Bass, Kim Atkins – Drums, Nick Cotton – Rhythm Guitar, Sean Thomas – Lead Guitar and Vocals (1985, Bob at Raspberry Recording, Yate)
02. The World Turns Her Way (Sean Thomas): Dave Atkins – Bass, Kim Atkins – Drums, Nick Cotton – 12 String Acoustic Guitar, Sean Thomas – 12 string Electric Guitar and Vocals (1985, Bob at Raspberry Recording, Yate)
03. Having Seen Your Face (Sean Thomas): Dave Atkins – Bass, Kim Atkins – Drums, Nick Cotton – Rhythm Guitar, Sean Thomas – Lead Guitar, Vox Continental Organ and Vocals (1986, Sean's 4 Track)
04. It Was a Long Time Ago (Nick Cotton): Dave Atkins – Bass and Backing Vocals, Kim Atkins – Percussion and Backing Vocals, Nick Cotton – 12 String Acoustic Guitar and Lead Vocals, Sean Thomas – 12 string Electric Guitar (1986, Bob at Raspberry Recording, Yate)
05. Watching the World Go By (Sean Thomas) : Dave Atkins – Bass, Kim Atkins – Drums, Nick Cotton –Tremolo Guitar, Sean Thomas – 12 string Electric Guitar and Vocals (1986, Bob at Raspberry Recording, Yate)
06. I’ve Got to Get Away (Sean Thomas): Dave Atkins – Bass, Kim Atkins – Drums, Nick Cotton – 12 String Acoustic Guitar, Sean Thomas – 6 & 12 string Electric Guitar and Vocals (1986, Sean's 4 Track)
07. For all That I am (P Kahan/S Friedland): Dave Atkins – Bass, Kim Atkins – Drums, Nick Cotton – Rhythm Guitar, Sean Thomas – Lead Guitar and Vocals (1986, Sean's 4 Track)
08. Surf- Riding (Sean Thomas): Dave Atkins – Bass & Backing Vocals, Kim Atkins – Drums & Backing Vocals, Nick Cotton –Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals, Sean Thomas – Rhythm Guitar and Lead Vocals (1987, John Pickford & Martin Hilyer, Foxhole Studios, Siston Common, Bristol)
09. Loose Girl (John Pickford): Dave Atkins – Bass, John Pickford – Lead Vocals, Kim Atkins – Drums, Nick Cotton –Rhythm Guitar, Sean Thomas – Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals (1987, Sean's 4 Track)
10. I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better (Gene Clark): Dave Atkins - Bass, John Pickford – Tambourine, Kim Atkins – Drums, Nick Cotton – Rhythm Guitar, Sean Thomas – 12 String Lead Guitar and Vocals (1987, Sean's 4 Track)
11. And Your Bird Can Sing (Lennon/McCartney): Dave Atkins – Bass, John Pickford – Tambourine, Kim Atkins – Drums, Nick Cotton –Rhythm Guitar, Sean Thomas – Lead Guitar and Vocals (1987, Sean's 4 Track)
All tracks owned by The Reaction and licenced to Bristol Archive Records
(p)&© Bristol Archive Records 2023
All photos by Cresta Studios Glos Road, Tracy Atkins and The Camera People
All songs copyright control 2017 except Track 1, Track 10 and Track 11 - Sony / ATV Music Publishing and Track 7 – Planetary Songs Ltd
The Reaction were:
Dave Atkins
Kim Atkins
Nick Cotton
Sean Thomas
John Pickford
Thanks to Jeff Hillier
Mastered by Sean Thomas
Remastered for Vinyl by Steve Street 2023
Recorded between 1985 and 1987 at Foxhole Studios, Raspberry Studios and on Sean’s 4 Track
Dedicated to all Bristol venues past and present, together with all the people that came to see the band play live. Thank you.
Bristol Boys Make More Noise! – Mike Darby
www.bristolarchiverecords.com
