The Real Dirt was originally released in 1988 through Beggars Banquet's sister label Situation Two, and featured fellow former Folk Devil Kris Jozajtis on guitar, plus bassist Hugh Garrety, drummer Kevin Rooney and future BUSH guitarist Nigel Pulsford.
Following the implosion of Folk Devils in 1987, Lowery - who'd also fronted Sunderland punks THE WALL and post-punk funkers SKI PATROL - was still contracted to Beggars. Hooking up with Bill Carter of SCREAMING BLUE MESSIAHS, he delivered the single 'Mouthoff' under the King Blank name, which led to the recording of The Real Dirt, featuring the singles 'Blind Box' and 'Uptight', the latter accompanied by a video (above) directed by Viv Albertine of THE SLITS.
Lowery's musical career continued with THE IAN LOWERY GROUP and DRUG OF CHOICE until his untimely death in 2001. The Real Dirt is the latest in an ongoing reissue project managed by his brother David Lowery and Folk Devils and Ski Patrol guitarist Nick Clift.
The new digital-only edition of The Real Dirt sees all 10 tracks fully digitally remastered with the inclusion of all three singles and B-sides. Buy The Real Dirt here.
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