Duran Duran “Girls on Film 1979 Demo” 1979/2016. Four song EP on clear vinyl. Pre-Simon LeBon and Andy Taylor: Andy Wickett on vocals and John Taylor on guitar rather than bass (also still going by Nigel), Roger on drums and Nick on keyboards of course.

Side A leads off with “See Me Repeat Me” which would later be rewritten, turning into “Rio” – you can hear this especially in the musical transition between verse and chorus. On the second track, “Reincarnation,” Wickett sounds a lot like his replacement, Simon, and Nick’s keyboards are delightfully low-tech.

Side B’s “Girls on Film” is a rough version of the well-known single and it’s weird to not hear Simon’s voice. The lyrics are quite different (and the harmonica disconcerting) but the hook, rhythm and bass are wonderfully familiar. “Working the Steel” leans heavily toward arty experimentation, a lot of dissonance and howling. John Taylor describes this era of Duran as “the Sex Pistols meet Chic.”

You can listen to “Girls on Film” and “Working the Steel” here.