People Still Send Me Records
The Four Plugs, “Wrong Treatment/Biking Girl,” 7”
If there’s a 2023, this is surely a contender for best reissue of 2022. The Four Plugs were the UK DIY recording project of John Irvine. Amazingly recorded in December 1978, “Wrong Treatment/Biking Girl” sounds a couple of years ahead of its time. “Wrong Treatment” isn’t very musical. It’s a collage of heavily treated instruments with rudimentary drumming falling somewhere in between Moe Tucker and Helen Wiggin of The Shaggs. “Biking Girl” has subtle Howard Devoto hints with just Irvine on distorted guitar and vocals.
“Wrong Treatment/Biking Girl” is a UK-DIY must have. It’s right up there with Puritan Guitars, The Petticoats, The Normal, etc. The single was originally released on what I assume was Irvine’s imprint, Disposable Records. Now you can get a copy Stateside from Larry over there at ITR. -Ryan Leach (In the Red)