Get off theTelephone

One of my favourite bands, they've improved tremendously as a live act over recent months and Alan Hammond's songs never falter in their direct commerciality and instant lyrics.

That said, I'm not convinced about the choice of single, having heard the demo tapes I'd have personally gone for either "Girl Said No" or the stand out "Don't She Look F-A-B"

Mike Davies

The Groover

Brum Beat - Issue 1 March 1980

The Kicks (aka The Kidda Band) – Get Off The Telephone

 As often as these guys, from the Coventry area, have changed their names, so many great songs have they released. In my opinion, this is THE Power Pop Band of England!

 Already founded in 1976, it took until mid-1978 when the first output saw the light of day. "Get off the Telephone" is the third release overall and the second single, which appeared on Carrere Records (The label which also gave us also Cock Sparrer's "England belongs to me").

Sugary melodies, clever arrangements, beautiful choruses and the best production, all of these things are combined in this single and they are not afraid to throw in some reggae influences in the stanza of the title song. This not only adds variety, but rounds off the more than positive overall impression of this single.

 All four of this great bands singles were re-released  by 1977 records from Japan. But if you want to call the complete The Kicks/Kidda Band collection your own, I would recommend buying the "Too much, Too little, Too late" LP / CD from Detour Records. It includes all of the 7"s and  some great unreleased studio and demo material.

Jens Kaiser

 Link of the printed version of this review can be found on page 21 of the following German fanzine: http://www.oi-punk.com/Katalog%2075%20web.pdf