Celia And The Mutations - Mony Mony 7" and You Better Believe Me 7"

Celia and the Mutations debuted in June 1977 with a fiery, punk-infused cover of Tommy James and the Shondells’ 1968 classic, "Mony Mony." Backed entirely by the classic line-up of The Stranglers—JJ Burnel, Hugh Cornwell, Dave Greenfield, and Jet Black—the A-side layered Celia Gollin’s polite, refined vocals over aggressive, driving instrumentation. Its B-side, "Mean to Me," featured the same line-up and delivered a similarly gritty, New Wave-tinged energy. Music journalists at publications like Melody Maker predicted substantial hit potential for the release, but it ultimately failed to chart, quickly transforming the 7-inch vinyl into a rare, highly sought-after collector's item for punk enthusiasts.

The project's second and final 7-inch single arrived in October 1977, showcasing two entirely different backing line-ups. The A-side, "You Better Believe Me," credited to Celia and the Fabulous Mutations, was co-written by Gollin and JJ Burnel. While Burnel remained on bass, the track brought in legendary Dr. Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson and Rockpile drummer Terry Williams, creating a sharp, pub-rock-influenced punk sound. In contrast, the B-side, "Round and Round," credited to Celia and the Young Mutations, dropped the Stranglers connection completely. Instead, it featured Phil Chambon and Andy Arthurs from the power-pop band Tonight, offering a lighter, more radio-friendly pop style that marked the end of the short-lived studio experiment.

All four tracks have the magnificent JJ Burnel Bass sound, but once we lose the plodding Jet Black Drumming, and Hugh Cornwell's anaemic guitar. Bring in Wilko's choppy Tele, ably backed up by one time Rockpile stick-man Terry Williams; we get something verging on the very good.

Ripped from the original crackly 7" singles

Celia And The Mutations; Mony, Mony 7" MP3

A.     Mony, Mony

B.     Mean To Me

Celia And The Mutations; You Better Believe Me 7" MP3

A.     You Better Believe Me

B.     Round And Around