STEPHEN PASTEL AND GAVIN THOMSON - This Is Memorial Device (Expanded Soundtrack) - CD [JUN 28]

CD - Digipak with 12-page booklet.  

Geographic are proud to announce the expanded soundtrack to Graham Eatough’s Fringe First award-winning stage adaptation of David Keenan’s 2017 cult novel, This is Memorial Device. Written by Stephen Pastel and Gavin Thomson (formerly of Glasgow band Findo Gask and The Pastels’ resident soundman), the soundtrack comes across as a third iteration of the book, establishing a whole new angle on the myth of Memorial Device through reworked home recordings from the era and expanded versions of music originally scored for the theatre production.

Following recent performances in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, the award-winning production, starring Paul Higgins (The Thick of It, Slow Horses), is currently showing at London’s Riverside Studios for a run of performances until 11th May.

Alongside the announce today, Stephen and Gavin release first tasters “Introduction To Why I Did It” and “We Have Sex”. Beginning with a solo, lilting piano, soundtrack opener “Introduction To Why I Did It” builds slowly to a beautiful crescendo and combined with Paul’s excitable words of “the future (being) just ahead” ringing in the listeners ears, expertly creates the feel of youthful hope and promise that is explored within the play.

“We Have Sex” was found in an archive of old teenage recordings Stephen made with his old pal John McCorkindale (Corky) and then cleverly re-built with Gavin, adding another drum machine and bass and separating John’s vocal to fit the soundtrack, it perfectly captures the affirmative joy and madman energy of two kids crazed on the possibilities of art, sex and music.

“John was in a local post-punk group called Cheap Gods and I already had ideas for The Pastels. “We Have Sex” is like neither,” says Stephen. “We just plugged in and totally went for it. John had a synth and a drum machine. I had a guitar and a fuzz pedal. John is singing, I think, about being right about art and a platonic love which actually isn’t. We didn’t know it then, but we were already part of what was happening in Airdrie, Coatbridge and environs with Memorial Device and others.”

The video for “We Have Sex” is directed by Julian House. Julian is a renowned graphic designer, film maker and co-owner and artist on Ghost Box - other collaborations include Broadcast and Stereolab. A vibrant take on the DIY / post-punk era that birthed the song, the video features images provided and made by Julian, Alan Dimmick, David Keenan, Steven Gribbin, Martin Clark, Peter McArthur, Stephen Pastel and John McCorkindale and encapsulates the glee of youthful naivety, romance and possibility.

“I’m so proud of what we made all those years ago - it’s unrepeatable. You can’t go back to something like that, you become too informed. I asked David Keenan about it… “It’s genius. If the Tate or the Guggenheim truly knew what was up they would purchase it for their archive, amazing.” 

Tracklist:

1. Introduction To Why I Did It
2. We Have Sex
3. Occluded By Chemistry
4. The Most Beautiful House in Airdrie
5. Square Peg In A Black Hole
6. I Started Painting Landscapes
7. What Is A Memorial Device?
8. Chinese Moon
9. Footsteps In The Snow
10. Lights Out For Forever
11. The Morning Of The Executioners