Archive for the daniel miller Category

Hard Corps- Metal & Flesh CD

Posted in 1980s, 1990, daniel miller, hard corps, minimal synth, synthpop, uk on March 2, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s band is classic but tragically obscure minimal wave/synth pop act Hard Corps, who formed in 1983. The three original members, Hugh Ashton, Robert Doran and Clive Pierce had played together previously, but upon the addition of vocalist Regine Fetet, the band had found their calling.

The band released several singles throughout the 1980s, working with the likes of Daniel Miller and Martin Rushent. The band nabbed a supporting slot on both the Cure’s Head on the Door tour and one leg of Depeche Mode’s expansive Music for the Masses tour, and released a compilation of their material in 1990, shortly before splitting. This compilation was released on both vinyl and cd, each featuring slightly different tracklists, though encompassing most of their discography, assorted remixes and rare b-sides aside. The LP compilation boasts 8 tracks, while the CD contains 11. I’ve uploaded the CD version for your perusal, and here’s the proper info:

Hard Corps- Metal & Flesh CD
1. Des Hommes
2. Respirer
3. For Pleasure
4. Porte Bonheur
5. Dirty
6. Tu Te Trompes
7. The Bell
8. Porte Bonheur (Remix)
9. Desolation Land
10. Je Suis Passee
11. Metal & Flesh

*download link removed by request—> reissue now available on ITUNES!*

For yr viewing pleasure, here’s a video of the band performing “Dirty” in Brixton, 1986:

Here’s a site dedicated to the band, complete with BBC/Saturday Night Live info and respective show reviews. Some interesting tidbits!

http://www.newwavecomplex.com/Hard_Corps.html

Robert Rental- Paralysis 7” & Double Heart 7”

Posted in 1970s, 1978, daniel miller, minimal, mute, robert rental, scottish, synth, the normal, thomas leer on April 21, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post features Scottish electronic music pioneer Robert Rental (real name: Robert Donnachie), who grew to prominence in the underground music scene in the late seventies/early eighties. Though he’s received a fair amount of credit for his live work with Daniel Miller (Mute Records, the Normal) and Thomas Leer (The Bridge LP, released in 1979 under Throbbing Gristle’s record label), he also recorded two 7” synth singles that are well worth a listen.

The Bridge was released on CD in 1992, but no further recordings appeared before or after. Robert Rental passed away from cancer in 2000.

Zipped up below are both of Robert’s 7” singles in one file. The details:

Robert Rental- Paralysis 7” (1978)
1. Paralysis
2. A.C.C.

Robert Rental- Double Heart 7” (1980)
1. Double Heart
2. On Location

*download them here*

Silicon Teens- Music For Parties LP

Posted in 1980, 1980s, daniel miller, minimal, synth, the normal, uk on January 7, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s artist is Silicon Teens, a fictional UK outfit spearheaded by the infamous Daniel Miller, head of independent wave label Mute Records. After two releases under The Normal (both the famous ‘Warm Leatherette’ 7” and an experimental live recording with Robert Rental), Miller took to his synths to record a series of updated (and somewhat campy) 50s/60s rock n’roll tunes (alongside two originals), adopting a false ‘teen’ band to handle any budding press. Fad Gadget’s Frank Tovey would act as lead vocalist during interviews as the remainder of the ‘band’ was portrayed by various actors, however, every note and vocal take was recorded by Miller himself.

Though one track from the Silicon Teens’ lone release appeared on the soundtrack for Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, the 1980 record had little impact or chart success, and rumour claims that Mute would sign Depeche Mode soon after blowing the lid off the project in attempts to successfully market a true teen wave act.

Details:

Silicon Teens- Music For Parties LP
1. Memphis, Tennessee
2. Yesterday Man
3. Doo-Wah-Diddy-Diddy
4. T.V. Playtime
5. You Really Got Me
6. Chip N’ Roll
7. Do You Love Me?
8. Let’s Dance
9. Oh Boy
10. Sweet Little Sixteen
11. State of Shock (Pt. 2)
12. Just Like Eddie
13. Red River Rock
14. Judy In Disguise
15. Let’s Dance
16. Sun Flight

*download it here*

…and for your viewing pleasure, here’s the promotional video for ‘Memphis, Tennessee,’ feat. Fad Gadget’s Frank Tovey as the leader of the band: