The Queen Annes: You Got Me Running (1985)

Amazing, isn't it, how far a sound can travel? Like the sound of Mod England as epitmised by the Who reaching right into the heartland of Washington state in the US where, in the early Eighties, this band took it (belatedly) to heart.

It would be an exaggeration to say the Queen Annes were one of the great undiscovered pre-grunge bands from Seattle, but on the evidence of a recent compilation from Green Monkey Records, they certainly deserved more than a fate of obscurity.

Recently Tom Dyer of Green Monkey -- who was there in the Eighties to record much of the QA recordings -- pulled together a compilation of their work, Something Quick 1980-1985 . . . . and it's terrific.

With harmonica by a pal Lightinin' Joe, bristling guitars, tough and economic songs, and an enthusiasm which is almost palpable, the Queen Annes fly off the disc. Which is remarkable in itself given most of the songs were lifted from a cassette released in '85.

Adding in their sole single I Thought of You (released '82) and a bunch of other songs, the collection punches up to a tidy 20 songs and 75 minutes.

And given their snappy sound -- just a nudge above garage and into pure pop-rock -- you do wonder why they didn't get bigger than just their home state.

The clue might be in the extensive liner notes which tell of outrageous parties and the demolition of rooms, under-age shows rather than high-profile bar gigs, and a line-up change.

They actually recorded an album released in '97 (The Mire) but in the absence of that we can only acclaim the youthful energy and highly focused songs on the collection.

This song is typical for its energy, Who-like tautness, a bit of wig-out Hendrix and pop smarts.

For other Green Monkey artists -- archival or new -- at Elsewhere start here.

The Green Monkey label's website can be found here.

For more oddities, one-offs or songs with an interesting backstory check the massive back-catalogue at From the Vaults.

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