Soda – Britpop Band Collectible Fan Compilation Cassette – Very Good w/ Handwritten Track Notes

Condition Details: Please check all photos of the item carefully, as they form part of the description of the condition of the item. This TDK DA-R60 Digital Audio Tape is in very good condition, with intact reels and a handwritten label. While not a studio master, it appears to be a fan or internal compilation featuring tracks by Blitzkrieg, Raven, Venom, and Raw Spirit. The tape has been stored securely and remains playable for archival or reference use.

What's Included: This listing includes the Original DAT Cassette with handwritten label and accompanying case insert. The insert lists five tracks: Blitzkrieg by Blitzkrieg, Buried Alive by Blitzkrieg, Don’t Need Your Money by Raven, Angel Dust by Venom, and Cheetah by Raw Spirit. The tape is labeled “TAPE 1” and may represent a curated selection from the heavy metal underground, possibly compiled by a fan or studio assistant.

About the Item: While not directly part of Soda’s Britpop catalogue, this tape was found among the band’s studio archive and may reflect influences, reference material, or personal listening from the era. It offers a glimpse into the broader sonic landscape surrounding the band’s creative process and adds depth to the collection’s historical context.

Soda were a Britpop band from Hull, England, formed in 1994. They emerged during the height of the mid-1990s Britpop boom, blending melodic guitar pop with touches of punk and new wave. The group consisted of Ocean Reid (vocals), Liam Maloy (bass/vocals), Mike Milner (guitar), Chris Charlton (guitar), and Carl Lonsdale (drums).

Signed to Mercury/Fontana Records between 1995 and 1997, Soda released a few singles including The Young Own The Town (1995) and Inside (1996). Their debut album, Artificial Flavour, was recorded during this period but was shelved by their label and only officially released twenty years later in 2016.

Their music captured the bright, energetic sound of the Britpop era, with catchy choruses and jangly guitars comparable to acts like Ash, Sleeper, and Echobelly. Critics have described their songs as “a perfect time capsule of mid-90s guitar pop.” Despite strong material, Soda’s career was cut short by label setbacks and bad timing.

Today, the band enjoys cult status among Britpop enthusiasts, with their rediscovered debut gaining positive retrospective attention. Artificial Flavour stands as a snapshot of a band that could have been much bigger had things gone differently.