Martha and the Muffins Newcastle Mayfair April 1980
Martha and the Muffins appeared on the UK music scene in the late 70s, and reached the height of their popularity in 1980, with the success of their great fun single “Echo Beach”. The band is from Canada and a version continues to this day. They were considered new wave at the time and you could see that they were influenced by the B52s, and Blondie, among others. The Mayfair was absolutely packed to the walls for this gig, which was surprising given most people, including me, will only have known one song by the band. The band was led by two keyboard player vocalists who both called Marta (confusing or what ! :)); Martha Ladly and Martha Johnson. My memory is of a set of pleasant songs and major craziness, dancing and singing along by everyone for “Echo Beach”. I found a review of their gig at the Marquee, which was printed in Sounds at the time, and was a little luke warm: “Audience reaction throughout was remarkably appreciative considering the newness of band and material, and despite the overly polite, slightly incommunicative stance of the Muffins. You know what they say about art students. ‘Echo Beach’ came across the most confidently. “We don’t know if it really exists,” mused a Muffin, “but maybe it’s on stage tonight.”” (Betty Page, Sounds, 1 March 1980).
“Echo Beach” is one of those catchy songs that you can’t get out of your mind. Haven’t written this, that song is going to be rattling around in my head for the rest of today. “From nine till five I have to spend my time at work, The job is very boring, I’m an office clerk, The only thing that helps pass the time away, Is knowing I’ll be back at Echo Beach some day.
Echo Beach, Far away in time. Echo Beach, Far away in time” (Martha and the Muffins, 1979)
3 Oct
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