Walk Out To Winter
Early Days
Aztec Camera's fourth 7" single release on the Rough Trade Record label in 1983 and also featuring on their album released in the same year. They managed to release six albums and many, many singles during their time.
Formation & Band Members
They started out in 1980 and were formed in East Kilbride in Scotland. They first appeared on a cassette compilation on the Pungent Records Label and their first formal release was on the legendary Postcard Record Label which spawned so many of Scotland's best Indie acts. Their first single was 'Just Like Gold' released in 1981.
'Walk Out To Winter' was to feature on the album 'High Land, Hard Rain' alongside one of their best remembered and loved tracks; 'Oblivious', which as a single when first released could only hit #47 in the UK Charts, a later re-release however saw it reach the dizzy heights of #18 and cementing its success as a pop song.
The album also featured several earlier tracks by the band from 1981/2 notably 'We Could Send Letters' and 'Pillar To Post'. Both of these were released on the Postcard label which was co-founded by other Scottish legend Edwyn Collins. The track 'We Could Send Letters' also popped up on the NME C-81 cassette which featured other bands such as Orange Juice, Josef K, John Cooper-Clarke, The Specials and Ian Dury to name but a few.
At the time of the album release the band were:
- Roddy Frame - Guitar/Vocals/Harmonica
- Bernie Clarke - Piano/Organ
- Campbell Owens - Bass
- Dave Ruffy - Drums
Somewhere In My Heart
Following the release Bernie Clarke would leave and be replaced by Malcolm Ross. they released their next album 'Knife' on the major WEA Records and managed to persuade Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits fame to produce it.
By release of the third album 'Love' in 1987 Roddy Frame was the only existing member of the original band. The album was a change in style I guess leaving some fans somewhat confused, one of the most prominent singles from the album (for me at least) was 'Somewhere In My Heart' which I seem to remember was played everywhere. It reached #3 in the UK Charts at the time.
Good Morning Britain & Going Solo
I guess the next big song I remember was 'Good Morning Britain' which was performed with Mick Jones from the Clash.
Roddy Frame also worked with Ryuichi Sakamoto, following release of the bands last album 'Frestonia' in 1995 Roddy Frame decided to go solo. The band had many members over the years and included names like Paul Carrack (Ace and also Squeeze), Malcolm Ross (Josef K and Orange Juice) and Edwyn Collins (Orange Juice).
Band Aid For Good Causes
As a band they did a lot of good work in the charity and awareness sense in 1985 they helped along with other bands to raise money for the at the time striking miners, performed benefit concert for CND and the proceeds of another of their contributions went to the HIV/AIDS research.
Video Source & Thanks To
Photo by Máté Homolya on Unsplash