Pearl Harbour’s “Don’t Follow Me I’m Lost Too” Album To Get Expanded Reissue

Patricia Gilbert began her career in San Francisco’s burgeoning music scene in the 1970s, dancing on stage with The Tubes in 1976 before becoming part of another local act, Leila And The Snakes. In 1978, she adopted the stage name Pearl Harbor and formed Pearl Harbor And The Explosions alongside two of the Snakes. They recorded a well-received self-titled debut album for Warner Bros but when it came time to record a second full length, the band split due to disagreements over musical direction.

At the time, Pearl was dating Clash associate and sometime manager Kosmo Vinyl, and the couple relocated to London. Pearl decided she wanted to go in a rockabilly direction for Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too, and Kosmo went about assembling an all-star studio band which included Paul Simonon, Topper Headon and Mick Jones from The Clash, Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood) and Ian Dury & the Blockheads, the album also featured contributions from Nigel Dixon (Whirlwind), Steve New (Rich Kids) and Steve Goulding (Graham Parker & The Rumour) and was produced by Blockheads keyboardist Mickey Gallagher.

Since Pearl was now living in the UK, Warners’ London office insisted she update her name to the British spelling of Harbour. Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too was released in December 1980, and despite being a crackling blend of rockabilly, country, rock ‘n’ roll and Pearl’s own unique star quality, Warner Bros. failed to get behind the album. Within the year, she was touring as a special guest with The Clash performing Wanda Jackson‘s Fujiyama Mama as an encore with the band. In May 1982, she married Simonon and the union lasted for seven years. 

The new expanded edition of Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too is set to be released via Liberation Hall on March 22nd to celebrate Women’s History Month. The album includes four bonus tracks on purple grape vinyl with an additional six tracks added to the album’s debut release on CD. Both formats feature new liner notes from Pearl alongside photos and memorabilia from her personal collection. In addition to Fujiyama Mama all formats include Pearl’s interpretations of Filipino Baby (Billy Cox & Cliff Hobbs), Rough Kids (Ian Dury & the Blockheads) and Voodoo Voodoo (LaVern Baker)