Formed originally in Cumbernauld in the spring of 1982, Inspektor 33 became the vehicle for the songwriting talents of Stephen Dewar and Harry Coughlan which reached its peak the following year with the formation of Electronic Rock specialists Dream Sequence or DSQ as they were better known. However, Inspektor 33 also featured former Atlantic Atmosphere guitarist Sam McCulloch, who brought an immediate touch of virtuoso with dazzling guitar runs often steeped in Jazz, he also introduced to Coughlan and Dewar the possibilities of different keyboard options such as harpsichord for electronic music as well as contributing bass guitar on several songs. indeed, he co wrote among others, the smooch classic ‘Dont wait a Long time.’
The trio were never happy restricting themselves to any one style and the original sessions, which took place over the summer of 1982, featured a wide variety of influences and styles and included some risque pop ballads, instrumentals, as well as more obscure underground rock vibes. One of the important features of the early sessions is that all three played guitar, bass and keyboards on the original recordings.
These tracks are taken from a recent brief reformation where despite a twenty five year absence they reproduced some very exciting sessions and demonstrate how fresh and innovative they really had been all those years ago. The reunion also acknowledged and remembered the life of friend and wonderfull guitarist Joe Sinclair, whose life was tragically cut short in August 2006.
Inspektor 33 are all about inspirational lyrics and a high songwriting standard in a period of emerging dominant keyboard music. It relects attitude and the snooping big brother UK state. Listen to these songs …and you will realise that what was so relevant at the beginning of the Thatcher era remains alarmingly real more than a generation later. ADRIAN |
