San Francisco new wave/rockabilly outfit Pearl Harbour to get expanded reissue of 1980 album in March

Liberation Hall Records has announced an expanded edition reissue of Pearl Harbour's 1980 album, Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost Too. The title will make its CD debut on March 22 alongside a new "purple grape" vinyl pressing. The vinyl will feature four bonus tracks while the CD will further add a pair of previously unreleased demos. Both the CD and vinyl formats will be distributed by MVD Entertainment Group.

Patricia Gilbert began her career in San Francisco’s burgeoning music scene in the 1970s, dancing on stage with the Tubes in 1976 before becoming part of another local act, Leila and the Snakes. In 1978, she adopted the stage name “Pearl Harbor” and formed Pearl Harbor and the Explosions alongside two of the Snakes. They recorded a well-received, self-titled debut album for Warner Bros. Records and toured extensively.

When it came time to record a second LP, the band split due to disagreements over musical direction. At the time, Pearl was dating Clash associate and sometime manager Kosmo Vinyl, and the couple relocated to London. Pearl decided she wanted to go in a rockabilly direction for Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too, and Kosmo went about assembling an all-star studio band which included Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, and Mick Jones from the Clash; Wilko Johnson from Dr. Feelgood and Ian Dury & the Blockheads; Nigel Dixon from Whirlwind; Steve New from the Rich Kids; and Steve Goulding from Graham Parker & the Rumour.

Produced by Blockheads keyboardist Mickey Gallagher, the LP also features contributions from pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole, keyboardist Geraint Watkins, and saxophonist Gary Barnacle. Since Pearl was now living in the UK, Warners’ London office insisted she update her name to the British spelling of “Harbour.” Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too was released in December 1980, and despite being a crackling blend of rockabilly, country, rock ‘n’ roll, and Pearl’s own unique star quality, Warner Bros. failed to get behind the album. Within the year, she was touring as a special guest with the Clash, performing Wanda Jackson’s “Fujiyama Mama” as an encore with the band. In May 1982, she married Simonon and the union lasted for seven years.

The expanded CD and vinyl formats of Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost Too will feature new liner notes from Pearl alongside photos and memorabilia from her personal collection. In addition to “Fujiyama Mama,” Pearl’s interpretations of Billy Cox and Cliff Hobbs’ “Filipino Baby,” Ian Dury’s “Rough Kids,” and LaVern Baker’s “Voodoo Voodoo" are also included. Pre-order at Amazon.

TRACK LIST: 

1. Alone in the Dark | 2. Fujiyama Mama | 3. Everybody’s Boring but My Baby | 4. You’re in Trouble Again | 5. Do Your Homework | 6. Cowboys & Indians | 7. Losing to You | 8. Filipino Baby | 9. Let’s Go Upstairs | 10. Rough Kids | 11. Out with the Girls | 12. Heaven Is Gonna Be Empty | 13. At the Dentist | 14. Nerves # | 15. You Got Me All Wrong # | 16. Voodoo Voodoo # | 17. You Don’t Fool Me # | 18. What I Should Have Said (demo) * | 19. I Can’t Tell You on the Phone * (demo)

# Non-LP singles & B-sides
* Previously unreleased

Tracks 1-13 appear on the Don’t Ask Me, I’m Lost Too album issued by Warner Bros. Records in 1980
Tracks 1-17 appear on the expanded edition LP
Tracks 1-19 appear on the expanded edition CD