Download "If That's What You Want" mp3 by The Insisters - FREE

If That's What You Want was the first 7" single from The Insisters, co-written by Linda and Su in the early 80's.

Linda and Su are the only Insisters on this record, which was recorded in a studio one dark murky weekend with an errant sound engineer. Linda arranged it and played all instruments except drums, which were handled by Su. Sue did the lead vocals while joining Linda on backing vocals. The sessions were most certainly inspired by the Chinese take-away across the road in Jeppe St, Johannesburg City Centre. The song became "Berksie's" hit pick of the week on Radio 702 in 1981, and from there we launched into TV work and shot one of South Africa's first music videos for "Pop Shop".

It was a song written for Linda's then current infatuation - her psychiatrist. But, can be interpreted to cover many situations.

It was this song that caught the ear of Jonathan 'Rat' Handley and he signed us to Radium Wreckords his own label and got the then WEA Records and Benji Mudi to distribute and promote. Unfortunately the original master of this song has gone missing - if anyway one finds it or has it please get in touch with me.

I am going to re-record this song.

Hugs
Su

DOWNLOAD IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT & MORE MP3's!

Words/Music Su Insister/Linda Dawson, copyright Sue Charlton

Download "If That's What You Want" mp3 by The Insisters

If That's What You Want was the first 7" single from The Insisters, co-written by Linda and Su in the early 80's.

Linda and Su are the only Insisters on this record, which was recorded in a studio one dark murky weekend with an errant sound engineer. Linda arranged it and played all instruments except drums, which were handled by Su. Sue did the lead vocals while joining Linda on backing vocals. The sessions were most certainly inspired by the chinese take-away across the road in Jeppe St, Johannesburg City Centre. The song became "Berksie's" hit pick of the week on Radio 702 in 1981, and from there we launched into TV work and shot one of South Africa's first music videos for "Pop Shop".

It was a song written for Linda's then current infatuation - her psychiatrist. But, can be interpreted to cover many situations.

It was this song that caught the ear of Jonathan 'Rat' Handley and he signed us to Radium Wreckords his own label and got the then WEA Records and Benji Mudi to distribute and promote. Unfortunately the original master of this song has gone missing - if anyway one finds it or has it please get in touch with me.

I am going to re-record this song.

Hugs
Su

Su solo - 1984

This is one of my favourites as it captures my sense of aloneness at the time - I essentially was alone for the next 10 years.. I abandoned music and performing, wrote poetry and examined and fixed my soul.

Su

Photo: Diana Ellis

Rockey Street Women

(from left to right: Tammy Isaacson, Su Insister aka Sue Charlton, Linda Dawson, Colleen Briel)

Before Mel, Emma, Victoria, Geri and Mel there was Sue, Linda, Muff and Yvonne. These weren’t girls with soccer star appendages and how-short-can-you-go mini-dresses, but real pop chicks with roar, that had music in their veins, songs to sing and eyeliner by the truckloads.

Boys and girls, these were The Insisters. All girl group in the heydey 80's. A Johannesburg based band with as much edge as the whole city put together. Ask Karl Kikillus, he knows. Yes, an appearance on PopShop was all in a days work for these gutsy girls.

Forming a girl band in the 80s in Johannesburg in South Africa with all that that era entails; Calvinism only just starting to lose its hold, idiot politicians still ready to wave their finger – now that’s girl power.

Words: Capricorn
Image: Keith Forsyth

The Insisters: Big in Japan?

Well maybe not big - but how cool is it that a Johannesburg girl band from the eighties is considered collectible by a Japanese dude in 2008? Very cool, I think ... cult cool, in fact.

Posted by MASANOBU on 9/27/2008, 10:39 am

I look for the band of South Africa.
Band name is INSISTERS.

If you have their single, please hand it over.

"If That's What You Want"
"Bluebeat"

Best wishes,
Masanobu Suga
From Japan

How did he hear of them? What does he like about them? I want to know more ... and is he going to buy those singles, or mug someone for them?