7in - Human Switchboard - I Gotta Know b/w No! (Orig. on Clone Records)
Human Switchboard were yet another distinct facet of the eclectic Clone catalog which unleashed a killer mix of Farfisa organ driven proto-new wave. Forming in 1977, just a year prior to this single, they somehow managed to squeeze out a self-released 7" EP, mixed by none other than David Thomas of Pere Ubu. During spring break '78, Human Switchboard convened to record this very single for Clone. "I Gotta Know" is a jukebox worthy new wave cut filtered through 60's revival of 50's doo-wop like Sha Na Na and Flash Cadillac. The b-side, "No!", is banger continuing with Human Switchboard's new wave lens except this time hearkening back to the 60's garage similar to Shadows Of Knight or Animals complete with hand claps and plenty 'o 'tude. Later that year, they started playing shows, with their first in the basement of the still standing brick and mortar record shop, Magnolia Thunderpussy. The Human Switchboard trio ended up opening a record store themselves to help support the band. Selling records to play music to make music to? Now that's something we can get behind!
