Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Namesakes #130: Them



It's us and Them this week... 


THEM #1


Let's kick off with a pronoun overload from Hollywood in 1956... two years after the giant insect invasion.

Them (featuring Him) - I'm Sorry Now

THEM #2

With lead singer Paul Simons (note the extra S... so not that one), our next Them came from Cincinnati in 1962, naming themselves after the movie at the top of the page. They were originally called The Toquays, but changed to Them before Van Morrison's lot got big... after which they went by "It's Them" and TTHHEEMM. They went their separate ways in '67.

Them - A Girl Like You (not the Troggs song!)

THEM #3

"Angry Young Them", formed in Belfast in 1963 by Van The Man and his mates... although Mr. Morrison left Them in 1966 to plough his solo path. Originally known as The Gamblers, though they too chose the name Them in homage to the 50s horror movie. 

Them had only two big UK hits: Baby, Please Don't Go and Here Comes The Night... though arguably their most famous tune was the b-side Gloria which was later covered by the Doors, Patti Smith and Jimi Hendrix. As a live band they were famous for going jazz and improvving around their songs, stretching them out and taking them in different directions every night.

Them - Gloria

THEM #4

British beat band who accompanied lead singer Shorty for this release in 1964...

Shorty & Them - Pills Or Love's Labours Lost

THEM #5

South African psychedelia from 1965...

Them - I Want To Be Rich Again

THEM #6

Argentinian blues rockers active around 1970...

Them - Tiempos Cambiantes

THEM #7

Chilean death/thrash metal band active since 1987... and amazingly, these guys were the first Them to register their name on discogs.

Them - Final Chapter

THEM #8

California hip hop dudes who released their first album as Them before later changing their name to Themselves...

Them - Directions To My Special Place

THEM #9


Finally, some orchestral metal monsters from Germany / USA, formed in 2008... still kicking over gravestones as we speak.

Them - Welcome To Fear City

Which Them is your Thempion... and which leads you not into Themptation?


6 comments:

  1. With the obvious exception I have enjoyed every one of the first 6 songs. So far it's either #1 or #6, and #5 was none to shabby either.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 3. Having done my duty and interrupted my holiday purely to balance out Senhor Perverso I am now going back to enjoying myself

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your devotion to duty is to be applauded.

      Delete
  3. As for #3 and #7 to #9, I am wondering why I insist on inflicting such drivel on my ears. What pleasure do get from this????????? And #9 has put Fennel off her breakfast

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What's Van The Man ever done to you, George?

      Delete
    2. I have a plethora of VM albums, but that band just do nothing me

      Delete

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