Album Notes

David Surkamp (of Pavlov's Dog) and Ian Matthews (of Fairport Convention) came across each other in Seattle in 1979. Surkamp had moved from St. Louis to Seattle, quite frustrated after Pavlov's Dog disbanded. Matthews had achiefed several chart hits with Fairport Convention, Matthews Southern Comfort and as solo artist. He was ready to meet new challanges. Both mutually were tired of being reduced to singers, as they saw themselfes equally as guitar players. Consequently, they founded a new band „Hi-Fi“, for having fun with no less than 3 guitar players, and shared lead vocals.

Hi-Fi released two albums: „Demonstration Record“ from 1981 was recorded live, and „Moods for Mallards“ was a regular studioalbum released in 1982. „The Complete Collection“ includes both albums, plus 5 bonus tracks, remastered, plus a DVD with original footage of the „Demonstration Record“ recording sessions & interviews. The release comes in a precious 8-page Digifile cardboard. It includes the original vinyl artworks and the story of Hi-Fi by David Surkamp.

Listening to „Demonstration Record“ (and watching the DVD) you immediately get Surkamp's & Matthews' joy playing, free from musts & expectations of their previous bands, just fun rockin'. „Demonstration Record“ is literally Hi-Fi's „big bang“: Original, live, unmasked. On „Moods For Mallards“ some keyboards were added, and a bit of early 80ies Wave, Pop and even Punk can be heard.

After two albums, a winking Christmas single and a supporttour with the Beach Boys, Hi-Fi disbanded. Surkamp owed another single to the record company and delivered „Summertime / Louie, Louie“ - which was more about playing a trick on them than being serious. He returned to St. Louis, quit music for many years and became a music journalist. After he - as rumor has it - „died“ in the 80ies, he successfully reformed Pavlov's Dog in 2005. Their 2011 album „Live & Unleashed“ includes Hi-Fi's „Heart Of Mine“. Matthews as well quit music for a while. In 1986 he joined in a short Fairport Convention reunion. Since the 90ies he released several solo albums. Today he performs live in seated acoustic concerts.

Stylistically, Hi-Fi is nothing close to Pavlov's Dog or Fairport Convention. Anyway Hi-Fi is an important and for a long time unavailable piece of the musical history of the protagonists. Fans of well-done 80ies Rockmusic should have a listen!