I stumbled upon this thread, after searching around the internet for forum threads and posts about the Monochrome Set. I've been reading through a few of the posts, and it's been really interesting getting to read some of the posts from
editor . Okay, so what brings me here? I had never really heard of the band until about 6 months ago, apart from maybe hearing the song 'Jet Set Junta' a couple of times in passing. It all started with a recommendation from a friend, they linked me to the song 'Ten Don'ts For Honeymooners' on YouTube, and I was just blown away. Now I've got 4 of the bands albums so far and got a few of the old singles on 7 inch and am going to be adding to the collection over the next few months. My favourite album is 'Eligible Bachelors', the perfection of the bands sound and features my three favourite tracks by the band 'I'll Scry Instead', 'Fun for all the Family' and "The Mating Game'.
I'm sure my knowledge of the band is tiny, but it strikes me they were the nearly men of post-punk/new wave. I heard in interviews that they weren't really focused on commercial success and just made the music they wanted to. But it also seems 'The Lost Weekend' was a real stab at commercial success. That's no criticism at all, I personally think it's such an underrated gem and really easy and accessible to listen to. Although, personally 'Wallflower' was a far better single than 'Jacob's Ladder'. I understand that there was a lot of problems with the album and issues with record labels and the album was ready to go pretty much a whole year before it was actually released. I can't help but think if things went smoothly and they had the backing at the time, things could have gone in a whole different direction. Also, the Bid solo single "Reach For Your Gun" is cracker, and I'm sure in the alternate timeline, where The Lost Weekend wasn't plagued with huge issues behind the scene, it would have ended up a top-40 single for the band.
As for the bands newer work, the bits of 'Spaces Everywhere', 'Cosmonaut' and 'Maisieworld' I have listened to so far are really solid and all really worth a listen. I was well pumped to see the band are performing in London in September
touch wood, I'm going to go get my ticket now, and hope it works out. It would be fitting that The Monochrome Set are the first band I see post lockdowns, as they have basically been the sound of my last few months at home.
Anyway, this post is rather long (I tried to make it as short and concise as possible), feel free to criticize all I have said and point out all the information I have got wrong. I imagine touting the virtues of The Lost Weekend may be controversial? But come on, how can you not love 'Cargo' and 'Twitch'.
.... bet they were better live! 
. I'm sure we will probably never meet, but thanks for playing a part in recent times. TMS have helped me a lot, I cared for my dad through his dementia, he sadly died last month.... seriously your music has helped so much in recent times as a distraction.
