GIMME FIVE… “EAVESDROPPED” RECORDINGS

The Troggs

The Troggs Tapes (DJM, 1981)

The zenith of bands-arguing audio-voyeurism: Reg Presley and the boys bicker and swear in the studio in 1970, secretly taped by producer Clive Franks. For more in-band straight-talk go to Iron Maiden’s Mission From ‘Arry and The Byrds’ Dolphin’s Smile outtake.

Buddy Rich

The Bus Tapes (BOOTLEG, EARLY ’80s)

Long-suffering musicians in the jazz drummer’s big band get chewed out and called “bullshit jive artists” and “assholes”. Apparently Buddy knew he was being recorded and his band loved him anyway. There’s also a similar Paul Anka version.

Various 100% Genuine (‘NO LABEL’, 1998)

Allegedly released via Aphex Twin’s Rephlex label, 40 unwitting “lonely hearts” on an old-fashioned telephone “dating service” seek new “romantic” “encounters”. Sometimes warped, sometimes just sad, no one would admit it was them.

Raymond & Peter

Shut Up, Little Man! (ECTOPLASM, 1993)

Two harddrinking San Francisco roomies shout and argue, secretly taped by their neighbours. At one point one says the other spoiled his meal by “talking about toenails”. Devo, John Zorn and the creators of Spongebob Squarepants are fans.

Negativland

U2 (SST, 1991)

TV’s Casey Kasem, unaware he is being recorded, rants about U2, which Negativland sample on a cover of I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. See also House Of Windsor’s Squidgy for a 1992 rave repurposing of the infamous ‘Squidgygate’ tapes.