Reviews - what they said...
Animals and Men 'Don't Misbehave in the New Age'
TW 'An incongruous but delightfully logical place to find more honking harp is in strategic areas of an austere, monochrome sort of grim warning from Animals And Men, when Susan Wells lectures the listener in a manner not unlike that of Pauline Murray. Ralph Mitchard, who operates guitar as well as the harp in question, isn't exactly the next Paul Butterfield (probably wouldn't want to be), but earns some sort of award for Unusual Use of a Standard Noise in an Unexpected Context (of the week). Charles Shaar Murray NME 26th Jan 1980 Animals and Men 'Shell Shock' (Strange Days) 'Shell Shock' from Somerset group Animals and Men (really a B-side to the less striking 'Terraplane Fixation' is similarly hypnotic, dark and intense. Nearest comparison (intended as a rough guide, and not to confine/define) might be Velvet Underground. Features a very strange performance from singer Susan Wells. NME singles 1980
Animals and Men: The Terraplane Fixation
A fascinating single. They have limitations, it's true - the lyrics are uncomfortably naive - but once you're accustomed to their aggressive and uncompromising music and the frenetic blend of instruments, they make marvellous listening. I'm sure the record won't sell. But I'd love to see them one day, because I think they'd frighten the life out of me and most of the audience. One to watch Bath Chronicle
The Terraplanes 'It's Hip/Evil Going On'
(Strange Days) OK? This is it, my favourite of the month, without a doubt. Previously Animals and men, many line-ups and musical changes later we have a strangely effervescent punky beat with stylish harp playing, nifty drumming and high-pitched vocals. They deserve to be HUGE Mick Mercer (Zigzag)
Terraplanes demo
Some wildly swampy voodoo is being emitted from the Terraplanes who have changed considerably from their days as Animals and Men. Mow they comprise Dave Mackay (Bass) Andy Payne (drums) Susan Wells (vocals) and Ralph Mitchard (harmonica and guitar) and there are plans to add another drummer. They have recently recorded a new demo which features 'The Man with the Spiked toed Shoes', 'Shop Talk' 'Dreaming of Babylon' and 'treasure of the Damned', and its music filed with atmosphere, dislocation dance and imagination, a special highlight being Sue's vocal delivery
Terra planes Live
Frome's very own swamp voodoo outfit The Terra planes kicked off the show and set about dislocating the link between Bo Diddle mad Siouxsie and the Banshees. Now expanded with the with the addition of the very lovely Brenda on joint lead vocals (with the impish Susan), and another stand-up drummer, the 'Planes pack far more of a rhythmic punch. The two drummers have all of their polyrhythms sussed out, fusing flexibly with the bass, and the strings are pulled by the somewhat atonal guitar of Ralph Mitchard. The sound and vision was a bit stiff at first, the girls struggling a bit to find their pitch, but with the strength of old favourites like 'Shop Talk' 'Dreaming of Babylon' and the 60s revivalist 'Man with the Spiked Toes Shoes' they were loose and lucid. The Terraplanes are great fun, full of innocence and promise and the sort of group that should steal John Peel's heart Dave Massey Venue 29