Sultans Of Ping FC — Casual Sex In The Cineplex

Here’s a much need & long-awaited CD reissue of one of the classic slices of quirky & often playful indie rock/ punk pop from the 1990’s. Originally released in 1993 the wonderfully titled Casual Sex In The Cineplex offered-up twelve short ‘n’  sharp slices of melody driven, often energetically paced & lyrical playful guitar music.

Formed in 1988 in Cork Ireland Sultans Of Ping FC where a four-piece project, and their name been a play words with the 1978 Dire Straits track "Sultans Of Swing". They first came to the attention of the British & Irish press in 92 with their decidedly catchy, naughtily buoyant & lyrical surreal anthem to lost clothes “Where's Me Jumper” became a hit. This led onto to a joint deal with Brit indie label Rhythm King & Epic Records, and the release of this their debut album.

Casual Sex In The Cineplex is a wonderful instant & distinctive debut album. Mostly focusing in on a selection of buoyant & playful indie punk-pop chuggers, which blending together the  Psychobilly sleazy jerk of The Cramps, with 90’s indie punk punch, and a rapid-fire & cheeky lyrical Irish charm. Though it’s not all fast-paced fun, from time-to-time we get occasional dips into slower & more considered waters of guitar pop & playful folk-pop, that’s edged & embellished with some tuneful & accomplished harmonica playing.  All twelve tracks are abound with amusing-at times surreal lyrics, which are delivered with a blend of speedy sneer,  cheeky banter, and the occasional more richly sung & harmonic moments.

This double CD reissue on Cherry Red takes in a sixteen-page inlay booklet, which features a new write-ups about the bands rise to fame & their history. As well as a  nice selection of EP & single cover art, band pictures, and live posters artwork.

The first disc is purely taken up by the debut album, and it’s fairly compact-yet-effective thirty six minute runtime. The second disc has a runtime of around forty-two minutes and brings together a worthy & enjoyable selection of EP tracks, B sides, and great energetic & fun-filled live recordings- that capture the band in fine form.

I guess you’d say I’m somewhat of a dabbler when it comes to 90’s guitar-based indie/ punk music- some of its ok, some of it’s just a retread of what went before, and some, like the Sultans of Ping, is( still) fresh & distinct. For many years this debut album was out-of-print- so it’s great now to have it back in this deluxe double CD form, and it’s fair to say it’s lost little of it’s charm, flair, and fun over the years.