This was the first single released by Scarlet Party in 1982. It was produced by Tony Clarke, well known for his work with The Moody Blues. It reached Number 44 in the UK charts, but despite being recorded at Abbey Road, despite being signed to a major label and despite Kate Bush citing it as a favourite (two EMI acts with opposite trajectories) the band found themselves doomed to obscurity.

When I see this picture of Scarlet Party outside EMI, I wonder were they actually locked out?

What Is This Thing was the Lennonesque B-side of 101-Dam-Nations. There is no video for this song, it’s just the audio, but as the band only released two singles, there’s nowhere else to hear it unless you actually own the 7 inch.

On the 13th November 1981, there was a documentary on BBC Nationwide celebrating 50 Years Of Abbey Road. It featured footage of Swinging Blue Jeans and The Beatles and interviews with the studio manager (I presume) Helen Shapiro, Yehudi Menuhin and EMI’s newest signing, Scarlet Party.

If you would just like to see the Scarlet Party segment go here:

If anyone could post, rip, send me a copy of the unreleased album, please be in touch.