David McComb And Adam Peters – I Don't Need You

A bit of a curio in the Triffids/David McComb discography. The songs were recorded and released before The Triffids officially split, and perhaps hinted that change was in the air. Adam Peters had been involved in the band's final album, The Black Swan, so this collaboration was hardly a surprise.

The songs...Track A1 and B2 are almost indistinguishable, except that A1 has an extra 30 seconds where McComb lists all the activities he'll no longer be doing with you, now that he doesn't need you. It's a keyboard/synth-based song, although still full of drama and portent, like the best of the Triffids' material. McComb's voice was on fine form when this was recorded.

B1 is a female spoken-word (mostly) version of "I Don't Need You"
A2 is a crazed Aussie rap about a circus-type chap who sets himself on fire for money. Like you do.

Stephen Street mixed A2 so it is quite funky in a late-80s way. B1 has a certain icy cool, coming from Ann Charlotte Vensgaard's chilling vocal. She doesn't need you - got that? I wouldn't mess with her :-)

Mastering on this Island 12" single is pretty good, considering that the writing was already on the wall for vinyl in 1989 (or so they thought...). Lovely, clear sound.