The House Of Love – The House Of Love [Double Transparent Vinyl]

Guy Chadwick, weary voiced romantic songsmith of great repute, was never someone who gave the impression of being “a fucking lunatic” but that’s how Creation main man Alan McGhee affectionately describes the leader of The House Of Love on the inner gatefold sleeve of this seminal album, going on to claim that Chadders was “kidding the rest of the world he’s a normal dude”. Well, I suppose he should know! Most rock’n’rollers wear their non-conventional lifestyles on their sleeves, but not Guy Chadwick, who always exuded an air of mystery, a blank canvas on which we groovers could scrawl our assumptions at will.

Then there was Chadwick’s foil, one Terry Bickers, who joined the band at just 19 years of age. This guy certainly didn’t hide anything under a bushel, and his sometimes chaotic approach to guitar wrangling, and indeed life produced some coruscating and psychedelic music both during and after his hook up with Chadwick.

All great bands have at least one genius in their ranks, and The House Of Love were one of the lucky few to have two. Chadwick put the band together after being inspired partly by an early Jesus And Mary Chain gig, having previously been searching for a direction for his burgeoning songwriting talent. He deliberately sought out musicians younger than himself, and Terry responded to an advert in Melody Maker that emphasised the Velvet Underground influence, and the two clicked instantly. Terry knew bassist Chris Groothuizen, and early fifth member Andrea Heukamp, who features on the early singles. Guy recruited an old friend, drummer Pete Evans, and a band was born. All of this and much more is related in the story of the Creation-era House Of Love spread over the four sides of the album inner sleeves.

Indie was in a bit of a state by 1987, with constant rumours circling, eventually coming to pass that scene leaders The Smiths were about to split, which seemed to suck all the energy out of room at the time. And then along come The House Of Love, who were like a breath of fresh air. Already with a brace of fine singles under their belts, which were put out on an eponymous German compilation, this also eponymous debut album was released in May 1988. Just to confuse matters further, their 1990 second album was also eponymous. These three became known as “The German album”, “Creation”, and “Fontana” to us fans for ease of reference!

The album under the spotlight here was a hurriedly recorded affair that retains a certain charm, the grooves exuding that late 80s indie-shambolic rough and ready approach, the rougher edges smoothed by the sheer class of the musicians present. It avoids sounding dated by the strength of the songwriting and playing, and a welcome lack of macho posturing. Chadwick’s then already extensive life experience is expressed through songs of existential angst, dealing with dislocation, lust, misdirected love, divorce, and aging! Aging? Gawd, he was only in his mid-twenties! Guy Chadwick’s lyrical concerns often touch on the philosophical, nowhere more so than on Fisherman’s Tale:

“Deep blue eyes
Take me through my sleep
I believe in Jesus
I just don’t have belief”

Anthems for the introspective indie fan, right there!

Opening song Christine came to define the band, and there’s no denying its charms, but for me the confident swagger of side two opener Salome, a song that barrels along at a pace, together with the following Love In A Car, a swirling motion sickness filled two and half minutes, form the perfect pointer to where this singular band have come from, and where they’re going. Both form the perfect vehicle for Bickers’ expressiveness, that charges on through side two like a flop-haired express train. In fact it might be said without fear of exaggeration that side two of this record is pop perfection.

On record they were good but live they grew another ten foot and produced an enthralling experience for us punters who were lucky enough to have seen them at the time. The original run of the band saw them end with an on-off-on again gig at the Royal Albert Hall. Hands up who’s still got the 10” single they gave out on the door? 🙂

Whether you’re buying this reissue to replace your worn out original, or like me to replace a regrettably sold copy while under the mistaken and daft misconception that one was “going digital”, or even if your new to the band – this is a great place to start by the way! – the second LP is a real treat! Featuring early singles, including early versions of songs later beefed up in the Fontana era, and of course Andrea Heukamp’s vocal and instrumental contributions, everything here stands on its own merits, and makes this record an essential investment.

TRACK LISTING
Side One:
01. Christine
02. Hope
03. Road
04. Sulphur
05. Man To Child

Side Two:
01. Salome
02. Love In A Car
03. Happy
04. Fisherman’s Tale
05. Touch Me

Side Three:
01. Shine On
02. Love
03. Flow
04. Real Animal
05. Plastic
06. Nothing To Me
07. The Hill

Side Four:
01. Loneliness Is A Gun
02. The Hedonist
03. Welt
04. Destroy The Heart
05. Blind
06. Mr. Jo

MUSICIANS
Guy Chadwick – Vocals, Guitar
Terry Bickers – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Chris Groothuizen – Bass
Pete Evans – Drums
~ With:
Andrea Heukamp – Guitar, Backing Vocals (LP 2)

ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cherry Red Records
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 27^th February 2026

LINKS
The House Of Love – Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Info at Cherry Red Records