Itsa Skitsa, CTO

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Our friend Dave O'Halloran (aka What Wave Dave on CHRW) has been sharing on Facebook, with our grateful permission, photos that we had taken of various bands back in the 1980's. Today Dave writes in 1980's Punk Rockers in London, Ontario group:

"Here's some more Reg Quinton photos, this time it's Itsa Skitsa at Call The Office circa 1986.

The band consisted of; Iain Staines (former Demic), Damian Seguin (former Soma), Paul Scriven (former Stoves) and Doug Campbell (former Soma). They released a 6 song 12" record and appeared on the CHRW compilation, London Underground during their tenure. There was a CD released in 2003 that collected unreleased mid 80's recordings."

Rob Minderman (Second Thoughts) commented: "I met Doug and Damian who played before SOMA in a prog band with Second Thoughts Ralph Dame on Bass, Doug Campbell on Drums, Damian Seguin & Rick Bauman on guitars in a band called Fractured Fantasy. Cool pics."

That's Ian on bass, Doug on drums, Damian and Paul on guitars. This was a very accomplished band. Their music I'd describe as post-punk-pop; perhaps "new wave" would fit; they were very much in the style of early XTC. Very rhythmic with strong dance beats and great harmonies. In my iTunes music collection I have digitized versions of "Itsa Skitsa" (1987 6-song EP), Itsa Skitsa - Demo (1986 2-song cassette), "4 Days in November" (2003 18-song CD also on iTunes and YouTube) and the CHRW London Underground (1986 various artists collection). There's a  catalogue of their music on Discogs but I rather doubt you'll be able to find anyone selling their copies. I see they've used a cover photo from this collection for Discogs. That's great.

In the background of this photo you can see a list of bands playing that week. I see that LMOTV were playing on Thurs and Friday, Itsa Skitsa on Saturday. That's a nice combination of bands, we like both of them. See blog entry here on LMOTV and Sheep Look Up.

Most of these pictures have been shared before — see Itsa Skitsa (2013) in this blog. Dave likes to share everything shot at that event, including out of focus and poorly framed, my original posting would have been pruned down to a "best of". I'm grateful that these are being shared and enjoyed.

By the way there's another post in this blog you might find interesting — see Itsa Skitsa (2021). Those photos have been identified as August of 1986. That blog also points to some photos in an album of mine Its Skitsa Again which haven't been identified. That small collection seems to have them fronting some other band but I know not who, where, or when.

Finally, there is a connection to Doug Campbell. When we lived in South London (Wortley Village) we were members of a small food coop, the New Brighton Food Co-Op, that was located in Mary Campbell's garage. Mary was Doug's mom and the bands would rehearse in the same space! Mary was an interesting character who leaned more than a little to the left. She claimed the RCMP had a file on her and no doubt they did. The Mary Campbell Housing Co-op on Talbot St, London honors her legacy.