More about: The SpringfieldsSlumberland Records

Short-lived yet influential Chicago indie sorts The Springfields are set to release one old track from the vaults and their entire back catalogue (that’s all their songs from the five 7” singles) for Singles 1986-1991. You can hear lead track ‘Sunflower’ on Gigwise below.

Released across four different indie labels over a five year period, theirs is hardly a prolific output but a flawless one that deserves to be reissued.

Two of their 7”’s - including their debut - was released via esteemed UK indie label Sarah records, whose most popular bands included Field Mice and Blueboy.

The staunchly independent, maverick label existed from 1987 to 1995 and stopped after 100 releases and has had an influence on the likes of The Drums and Belle and Sebastien. The label had an ear for perfect jangly indie pop.

The Springfields is one of many acts that the Hollies and The Byrds influenced duo Ric Menck and Paul Chastain made together. Perhaps most notably, they made power pop under the name Velvet Crush and released In the Presence of Greatness (1991) and Teenage Symphonies to God (1994) on Creation Records.

But even though The Springfields’ output is less than say Velvet Crush’s, it’s massively powerful and has a sound that feels entirely relevant given the popularity of the likes of London’s Ultimate Painting and California’s Allah La’s in recent years.

Poignantly, the release appears like a genuine labour of love if – something that's palpable if we consider Slumberland Records are releasing this to celebrate 30 years as a label as it’s the Springfields who were one of the main bands that sparked them into starting their brilliant label in the first place.

The new 11-track release is out 15 November, but the above streaming lead track promoting the album is an absolute gem, with somewhat of a sonic resemblance to The Stone Roses affiliated band The High, and will tie is over nicely until then.

Pre-orders for the release are here.

Track list
1. This Perfect Day
2. Bicycle Song
3. Sunflower
4. Clown
5. Are We Gonna Be Alright?
6. Wonder
7. Tomorrow Ends Today
8. She Swirls Around Me
9. Million Tears
10. Reachin’ For The Stars
11. Tranquil
12. Scatter Good Friends

More about: The SpringfieldsSlumberland Records