Forty years ago, The Twinsets were the ultimate “you had to be there” band, a vibrant, ethereal presence in the history of Scottish independent music. They commanded massive fees for an unsigned act on the university circuit and delivered high-octane sets at the Edinburgh Nite Club, yet they vanished into the mid-80s ether without ever releasing a formal record. Only with the archival devotion of Precious Recordings of London, that silence has finally been broken. This release of the 1982–1983 sessions is more than just a compilation; it is a vital act of musical restitution and a long-overdue correction to the indie-pop canon. The mastering preserves the tension between the girl group sweetness of yesteryear with the grit of punk, ensuring the tracks feel more like contemporary recordings.
What set The Twinsets apart was undeniable charisma and unique sonic DNA.
Fronted by sisters Gaye and Rachel Bell, the band utilized a style that fused the melodic sensibilities of 1960s soul with a sharp, punk-inflected edge. While many of their post-punk peers in Edinburgh favored a brooding atmosphere, The Twinsets leaned into a mix of sugar and acid that occupied a lane entirely their own. This internal chemistry was literal; their father, Norman Bell, even sat in on drums at one point. This 14-track LP, meticulously restored from the archives, captures that signature sound with startling clarity. The recordings reveal a band that understood how to blend raw energy with melodic intelligence. Original tracks such as “Heartbeat” showcase their knack for pop songcraft, blending a relentless, propulsive beat with a melody that should have dominated the airwaves and “Better Luck Next Time” creates a friction that feels remarkably modern. It is a moment of respite only in its melodic familiarity; the delivery itself is pure staccato energy. While “Sophisticated Boom Boom” was originally a 60s girl-group gem by The Shangri-Las, the Twinsets stripped away the vintage polish. What remains is a brawny reconstruction that highlights the Bell sisters’ ability to filter nostalgia through a modern, gritty lens. The Twinsets famously turned “Suspicious Minds” from a Vegas ballad into a frantic, melodic anthem by accelerating the tempo and layering it with post-punk textures, they reclaimed the track entirely, turning it into a staple of the university circuit.
The lore surrounding The Twinsets is as compelling as the music itself. Their fearless spirit saw them play alongside Peter Capaldi’s early band, The Dreamboys, and even perform for the inmates at Saughton Prison when the sisters were only 21. For decades, the Bell sisters remained a missing link in the evolution of trailblazing female-led bands. Their inclusion in recent documentary work served as the catalyst for this revival, highlighting the tragedy of a band that was clearly a major force but lacked a reachable discography. This compilation finally bridges that gap, positioning them rightfully as pioneers who were perhaps too independent or too early for the industry to properly categorize.
‘Peel Sessions 82-83’ is a treasure trove for fans of indie history. Beyond the vibrant audio quality, the limited-edition LP features unseen visual documentation of their early 80s heyday and the glamour of the Edinburgh scene with sleeve notes penned by Gaye and Rachel Bell that offer an intimate look into their journey and the reasons behind their elusive recording history.
‘Peel Sessions 82-83’ is a celebration of a band that refused to be forgotten. This release finally provides the missing link in the story of Scottish female-led bands. Whether it was their fearless set at Saughton Prison or their command of the Edinburgh Nite Club, the Twinsets possessed a melodic intelligence that lived up to the legendary hype. The primary triumph of this release lies in the meticulous remastering overseen by Precious Recordings of London. Often, archival recordings from this era suffer from thinner frequencies or muffled percussion, but here, the Maida Vale Studio masters have been buffed to a startling sheen making it an essential artifact of the Scottish underground. These recordings crackle with the authentic, raw joy of a group that knew exactly who they were. This LP is an essential acquisition; a rare pop gem that finally finds its place in the sun.
To listen or purchase, please visit Precious Recordings of London
