Cargo Cult- Shakedown 12”

Here’s a one-off 12” by a dark electro/industrial project from the US, released in 1985. Not to be confused with the incredible minimal synth project Cargo Cultus, there’s virtually no information to be found about this project – members, city or state, or stories about the band or any live dates. The stark cover is met with a pitch black back cover with the most minimal of details, including the year and the record label. The only other documented release on the label is the first, more scarce 7” by Angel of the Odd, who were from California. If the label was a local affair, we can potentially deduce that Cargo Cult were also from California, but that still isn’t a sure bet. Any information about this project is welcome!

As for the sounds here, this 12” should definitely appeal to fans of mid-era Cabaret Voltaire, which might be already something you might already gather from the name of the band and the title track. Crackdown, shakedown, all the same, it’s an excellent sample-driven electronic track that you could expect to get the floor cooking on the earlier side of the evening. The second track is a little funkier, yet a bit more experimental, with a distorted three-note melody in tow, while the final track (my personal favorite here), has an extremely hypnotic electronic bass line pulsing throughout, with some scathing guitar thrown in for good measure. All in all, three excellent tracks worth their weight in gold. Enjoy!

Cargo Cult- Shakedown 12”
1. Shakedown
2. Last Cab In Berlin
3. Ji’had

*download it here*

4 Responses to “Cargo Cult- Shakedown 12””

  1. Last Cab in Berlin also throws a hint about their influences. It’s like they’been stalking outside the Cag’s studio while they were recording “The Cracdown” ( a big fav of mine).
    Thanks Frankie for unveiling under-the-radar records-
    All yhe best for you.

  2. Artritis derrotada por el oceano – https://bit.ly/3kh6jP3

  3. Anonymous Says:

    Wow, this is the most spot-on Cabs imitation I’ve ever heard–thanks for this!

  4. Anonymous Says:

    I think there was a band in Austin called Cargo Cult for awhile, early to mid 80’s maybe?

Leave a Reply to Anonymous Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *