As requested, here’s the not easy to find TERRAPLANE (pre Thunder) double disc “We Survive: The Anthology“, featuring the band’s 1985 and 1987 albums, plus no less than 15 bonus tracks. Released in 2005, the 2-CD package features a nice 90s-type of remastering, and now has become expensive, with copies being sold for over U$D 100.
Before Thunder, there was Terraplane. Thunder, the British hard rock act that notched a No.2 record on the UK charts in 1992 with Laughing On Judgment Day had previously existed as Terraplane. Under that incarnation, the band released two albums in the ’80s: Black And White (1985), and Moving Target (1987).
Hailing from South London, Terraplane’s membership was initially made up of Danny Bowes (vocals), Luke Morley (guitars), Gary James (drums) and Nick Linden (bass and piano). The group formed out of Bowes and Morley’s college band Nuthin’ Fancy and recorded a single for independent label City Records. In addition, they performed at many venues around London including numerous gigs at the Marquee Club which helped to garner the attention of Epic Records. Terraplane signed with Epic in February of 1984 and began work on their debut.
Both albums are pure Thunder, just with an ’80s patina on the production side. The melodies and hooks are the same later founding success as Thunder.
For the recording of their debut album finding a producer proved to be difficult but one was eventually decided upon: Liam Henshall, who had previously worked with the band King. Several guests were brought in for the album, including Jools Holland on “I’m The One” and Ruby Turner on “Couldn’t Handle the Tears.”
Henshall would take the band to 10 different studios during the recording process and the production time for the album began to grow. During that period, they became a support act for Meat Loaf’s tour in 1985 and brought in an additional member: guitarist Rudi Riviere who contributed to “Talking to Myself” on the record.
The album was finally finished and ready for release but Terraplane and Epic could not agree on a title. The band members wanted to name the album Talking To God Down The Great White Telephone, but Epic found the title too obscure and called the album Black and White. This disagreement between band and label would prove to be an omen of things to come.
When Black And White was released in 1985, it only hit No. 74 on the U.K. charts. With poor label promotion, the singles which followed did not fare well, either. The tensions between the band and Epic increased, who wanted Terraplane to go in a more pop direction.
A second album, Moving Target, was released in 1987, but fared even more poorly on the charts than its predecessor. After that, Terraplane was over.
Bowes, Morley and James regrouped and reformed with two new members as Thunder, signing to EMI in 1989. Their first album under the new name, Backstreet Symphony, was released in 1990, hitting #21 in the U.K., with the band touring with great success.
Terraplane was a great band as later under the Thunder banner more people noticed. “We Survive: The Anthology” is a stupendous 2-disc release showcasing Danny Bowes & Luke Morley early abilities to write catchy tunes and fine melodies. Terraplane’s sound was absolutely mid-80s, and with proper promotion should have been huge.
Highly Recommended
Disc One: Black And White – Plus! (1985)
01 – Don’t Walk Away
02 – When You’re Hot
03 – I Can’t Live Without Your Love
04 – Talking To Myself
05 – You Can’t Hurt Me Anymore
06 – I Survive
07 – Right Between The Eyes
08 – Black And White
09 – I’m The One
10 – Get Your Face Out Of My Dream
11 – Couldn’t Handle The Tears
BONUS TRACKS:
12 – I Survive (Original Single Version)
13 – Gimme The Money
14 – Beginning Of The End
15 – Let The Wheels Go Round
16 – All Night & Day (Live)
17 – I Survive (You C Factor Mix)
18 – Tough Kind Of Love
Disc Two: Moving Target – Plus! (1987)
01 – Moving Target
02 – Good Thing Going
03 – Promised Land
04 – Hostage To Fortune
05 – Heartburn
06 – Hearts On Fire
07 – I Will Come Out Fighting
08 – Nothing On But The Radio
BONUS TRACKS:
09 – If You Could See Yourself
10 – I’m The One
11 – When You’re Hot
12 – Living After Dark
13 – If That’s What It Takes (19th Nervous Breakdance Mix)
14 – Drugs
15 – A Night Of Madness
16 – The Good Life
Daniel Bowes – vocals
Luke Morley – guitars
Gary James – drums
Nick Linden – bass, keyboards
Rudy Riviere – guitars
TERRAPLANE (pre Thunder) – We Survive: The Anthology [2-CD Remastered], MP3+FLAC
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