Scars - Adult/ery / Horrorshow 7'' + They Came And Took Her 7''

Adult/ery / Horrorshow (1979)

Released on the legendary Fast Product label, this debut single is widely celebrated as a foundational masterpiece of Scottish post-punk. Reviewers consistently praise its frantic energy, driven by angular, trebly guitar riffs and intense, art-glam vocals that evoke a dark, Clockwork Orange-esque tension. While some listeners note that the original pressing suffers from a notoriously thin and grating mix, the raw, urgent songwriting on both tracks easily overcomes these sonic limitations, cementing the record as a highly influential cult classic.

They Came And Took Her (1980)

Marking their transition to the Pre/Charisma label, this sophomore single showcases a tighter, more melodic refinement of the band's signature art-punk sound without sacrificing their nervous edge. Fans and critics view the track as a high point in the Scars' brief discography, blending driving rhythms with catchy yet sophisticated hooks that proved the band was ahead of its time. It stands as a vital bridge between their raw, DIY origins and the polished, expansive new wave direction of their sole studio album.

Adult/ery / Horrorshow (1979)

Released on Bob Last’s legendary Fast Product label, this debut single stands as a foundational monument of Scottish post-punk. Reviewers and collectors frequently describe the record as an iconic cult classic, widely celebrated for capturing the raw, chaotic friction of Edinburgh's early music scene. Driven by frantic, razor-sharp guitar work and a menacing bassline, the standout track "Horrorshow" spits out vivid lyrics deeply inspired by A Clockwork Orange. This transgressive edge gave the release a distinct sense of danger, causing many retrospective critics to view both sides as a brilliant, double A-side effort.

While listeners universally praise the songwriting, many vintage vinyl reviews note that the original 7” pressings suffer from a thin, piercingly trebly mix. Despite these abrasive sound limitations, the sheer adrenaline and art-glam vocal performance easily overcome the raw DIY production. Fans on music forums like Rate Your Music often warn that the band never quite recaptured this specific, blistering energy on their subsequent studio recordings, making this particular 7" an essential, highly-priced relic for collectors. It remains a definitive blueprint for the jagged, intelligent art-punk that would soon dominate the UK underground

They Came And Took Her (1980)

Marking the band's transition to the major-backed Pre/Charisma imprint, this sophomore single showcases a highly sophisticated leap forward in musicianship. Critics note that the track successfully tames the unhinged punk thrash of their debut, replacing it with driving, interlocking rhythms and a much tighter melodic structure. The nervous energy remains intact, but it is channeled through jangly, sparky guitar hooks and an ambitious arrangement that proved the Scars were moving parallel to contemporaries like early Gang of Four and U2.

Listeners on platforms like Discogs rate this release highly, praising it as a vital, transitional link between their primitive indie origins and the darker, expansive new wave pop of their sole studio album, Author! Author!. The track highlights a band growing more comfortable with pop sensibilities while retaining a distinctly cynical, artistic edge. Ultimately, reviews frame this 7" as tragic proof of a band that was criminally ahead of its time, delivering an earworm quality that modern post-punk revivalists still try to replicate today.

Ripped to individual MP3

Adult/ery / Horrorshow (Fast Product, 1979)

A: Adult/ery (3:03)

AA: Horrorshow (2:55)

They Came And Took Her (Pre Records, 1980)

A: They Came And Took Her (3:05)

B: Romance By Mail (2:40)