This is the thread where two people write about their reminisences of Rent Boys Inc. and Porcelain Forehead.

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I was not a fan of many Canadian bands in the early-to-mid 80s, but these two were a couple bright spots.

Rent Boys Inc. had a less edgy Pop Group/Contortions feel to them....maybe not as good as their influences, but the single and ep I have by them have aged well. I wish I would've seen them live.

Porcelain Forehead was one of the most dynamic hardcore bands I've ever witnessed. Memorable songs, and Mike Hillis was an unforgettable frontman. I loved when he played in Windsor (where he was from originally) and his parents, who I don't think ever saw him perform before, sat at a table at the side of the stage, observing his spastic toenail biting while they sipped their drinks.

Who will be the other person?

― peepee (peepee), Friday, 17 September 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I know Porcelain Forehead!! Or at least, I did. I can't remember what they sound like. But since I grew up near Detroit and listened to Brave New Waves and Nightlines on the CBC, I heard Porcelain Forehead. I know they must have rocked pretty hard because I wrote their name down in the little notebook I kept of stuff that caught my ear. That's how I know who the Rheostatics are too!

― Reed Moore (diamond), Friday, 17 September 2004 20:31 (twenty-one years ago)

How I ofter wish I kept a notebook like that. With me, its just pieces of paper that must exist somewhere....just not anywhere near me.

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 September 2004 02:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Did Porcelain Forehead ever release an album? I have only heard tracks on two compilations: Peace and War, and Primitive Air Raid. Great stuff!

Rent Boys Inc is totally different. I have the EP, which is awesome. Probably more relevant today than PF. RIP Brat X

― todd (todd), Saturday, 18 September 2004 05:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Recently, Now magazine made this comparison:

Disco-punk showdown
"There seems to be some misconception that the Rapture''s House Of Jealous Lovers is the high-water mark of the current disco-punk retro scare. While it''s certainly impressive in a Rent Boys Inc. throwback kinda way, the Rapture''s signature jam has been trumped by their DFA labelmates, LCD Soundsystem, whose EMS synth ripper Give It Up is still causing serious dance floor havoc...."

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 September 2004 14:46 (twenty-one years ago)

A Porcelain Forehead compilation album, "Frog Boy Lives", came out in 1993. It contained recordings from 1985. But it did not include much (just a reworking of "Gleaning Ground") from their masterpiece ep, "right now! the world needs a clear head".

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 September 2004 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, for Porcelain Forehead, check out:

http://www.nocauseforconcern.com/bands/PorcelainForehead-bio.html

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 September 2004 14:53 (twenty-one years ago)

OOOOO
MMMMM
GGGGG
!!!!!!!!!

This site has Mike Hillis' thoughts on the gig mentioned above!!!

I forgot that my band (Bunny Game) opened for them!!!

And any of you that know Boche Billions, he's mentioned in paragraph 2
(as organizer and member of Bunny Game).

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 September 2004 14:59 (twenty-one years ago)

specifically, here:

http://www.nocauseforconcern.com/NCFC-8/8-14-porcelain.html

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 September 2004 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

As far as Rent boys Inc. goes, I remember them going to England to achieve fame, but getting nothing but a one line mention in NME. As far as I know, they had two singles ("Pictish" and "One in a Million") and the ep. The sax player went on to play in the Garbagemen, a Pigbag-like outfit that (I think) put out a lousy sounding live album, but put on on of the best live shows I saw in the 80s. (And for some reason, I think that the drummer for The Garbagemen went on to drum for Blue Rodeo...what a waste of talent!)

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 September 2004 15:09 (twenty-one years ago)

who knew this internet thang had all this stuff in it?

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 September 2004 16:41 (twenty-one years ago)

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