The Rimshots - A Way With Words (1980-1983) (2024)

Bristol Archive Records have been telling the story of the incredibly diverse Bristol Music scene for many years now. The label has gained considerable success with their previous releases ‘The Bristol Reggae Explosion’ series. In 2023 they turned our attention to punk with ‘The Bristol Punk Explosion 1977-1979’ and followed that in March this year with ‘The Bristol Mod Explosion 1979-1987’. Now they continue their attention on this Subculture - Mods - and bring you an album by The Rimshots - A Way With Words (1980-1983).

This features 12 tracks, seven have never been released before on vinyl or CD. Many of the UK’s disaffected youths had already moved sideways into Modernism and fell in love with bands like The Jam, Secret Affair, and The Chords but let’s also remember The Rimshots love for The Beat, UB40 and The Specials. Mod was another gang culture, to some a way of life, to some it became life and for The Rimshots it was their starting point in the music business with a love of power pop, ska, reggae, dub and dance music. The band consisting of Mike Furzeman (Guitar), Nick Waring (Drums), Simon Heathfield (Bass), Richard Bentley (Keyboards) and Mike Darby (Vocals). Mike now runs Bristol Archive Records, Sugar Shack Records and Reggae Archive Records. Success for some was supporting their heroes, The Rimshots played on the same bills as The Beat, Hazel O’Connor, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Black Roots, Talisman and The Body Snatchers. The Rimshots signed a record deal with Shoc Wave Records after only their third gig. Shoc Wave was a Dominican label specialising in soca and reggae before moving in later years onto disco. As the 70’s moved into the early 80’s the band dropped the Mod tag and became more of a power pop/rock outfit, especially after the introduction of additional guitarist Angelo Bruschini. Angello sadly passed away from a rare form of lung cancer on the 23rd October 2023. He went on to play with The Blue Aeroplanes, Stutter and Massive Attack. A true legend of the very diverse Bristol music scene. Blessed love!