In the early 80s the Medway sound was born with a flurry of records from The Milkshakes and The Prisoners. The Prisoners produced a tough version of the sound of the 60s played with great enthusiasm and lots of GoGo.
The Prisoners are the definitive psychedelic garage band, clearly influenced by the likes of the Small Faces, and cited as an influence for The Charlatans and -although not cited so openly- the entire brit pop and acid jazz scenes. Sixties/Garage/Psychedelic/Punk music with equally loud and up front guitar and keyboard sounds bursting with rawness. The band broke up in the late 80s after an ill-starred deal with Stiff Records. Drummer Johnny left the music business, guitarist Graham Day and bass player Allan Crockford had success with the mod band The Prime Movers, and the organist, JAMES TAYLOR formed his own ensemble and has enjoyed fame and success since then with his amazing THE JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET.

This album was originally released on CD by Big Beat Records in 1990 and is a re-release of the 1983 vinyl album of the same name plus 7 bonus tracks recorded by the group and released on singles/compelations around 1984.

TheWiserMiserDemelza (1983), which makes up the bulk of this double 10”, was produced by one time Radiator, and ex-Pogue, Phillip Chevron.

The “plus 7” consists of the non-album flip of the single from the album alongside the 4 cuts from the 'Electric Fit' E.P., 'Reaching My Head' from the 'Four On 4' E.P. (a compilation from the T.V. programme The Tube), the rare song 'Coming Home' and a third 'Go Go' piece. Of the original album stuff, the track that leaps out and hits you where you get most pleasure is "Hurricane". "Unbeliever" is also great, and oh don't you just wish "Go Go" would get the full 3 minute treatment - Ah well!! Bonus tracks "Melanie", "Coming Home" and "Reaching My Head" are much treasured additions for the dedicated fan.

Ted Kessler/Roger Sargent, NME (7 June '97): "The toughest and coolest platoon to ever emerge from this isle's only true punk outpost". "If you're a fan of either The Charlatans or Kula Shaker, then you owe your allegiance to these bands to The Prisoners because they invented them".