Archive for the france Category

KaS Product- Try Out LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, coldwave, france, french, kas product, reformed, reissued, synthpunk on December 21, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

KaS Product were a French coldwave duo from Nancy by way of Strasbourg, formed in 1980 by French musician Spatsz (aka Daniel Favre) on electronics and Mona Soyoc, a jazz singer from the United States on vocal duties, piano, and guitar. The band formed in 1980, were signed to RCA for a brief period, released a series of singles and three seminal electronic/coldwave records, and split neatly in 1990, though the band has recently reunited for a series of live performances in Europe. Other scattered sources claim Rowland S. Howard of Birthday Party and These Immortal Souls fame occasionally collaborated with the band in a live setting.

KaS Product’s sound is more tense, abrasive, and synth-driven than their contemporaries (akin to the likes of Suicide or Soft Cell’s darker material), partially due to Spatsz’s interest in classic analog synthetics and abrasive textures, the tension in their music seemingly a result of his working stint in a psychiatric ward. Meanwhile, a trickle of Mona’s jazz upbringing creeps into the band’s style, creating a rather unique hybrid of sharp melodies and icy electronics.

Though all four of their records make for solid listening, I’ve uploaded their debut album, 1982’s Try Out.

Details:

KaS Product- Try Out LP
1. One of the Kind
2. Man of Time
3. No Shame
4. Countdown
5. Never Come Back
6. Underground Movie
7. So Young But So Cold
8. Digging in a Hole
9. Sober
10. Breakloose
11. Pussy X

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED- both Try Out and By Pass have been reissued on CD/LP and digitally via iTunes.  Feel free to update your copies!  You can also visit the band at their official website.

To watch the classic video for ‘Never Come Back,’ click below:

Happy holidays, ladies and gentlemen! See you folks in a week’s time.

Trisomie 21- Million Lights LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, 1990s, 2000s, coldwave, france, trisomie 21 on December 19, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop


I believe I’ll stick to French coldwave classics for the remainder of this week, just in time for the holidays! Today’s post features Trisomie 21, an on again-off again act consisting of brothers Philippe and Hervé Lomprez. The band formed in the early 1980s and takes its name from the condition known as trisomy 21, an chromosome imbalance that causes down syndrome.

Though the band is still active to this day, I’ve always preferred their earlier wave material- especially their first two records, which have been previously uploaded by curious guy of Phoenix Hairpins. They can be found here, and here, and an early EP can also be downloaded here. However, it would be amiss not to mention their 1987 record Million Lights among their more classic material, though they pursued a more distinctive coldwave sound during this era, with slight EBM leanings (released on Play it Again Sam, mind you).

Without any further ado, here’s the details proper:

Trisomie 21- Million Lights LP
1. The Hazy Ridge
2. Sunken Lives
3. There’s A Strange Way This Morning?
4. Sharing Sensation
5. The Rickshaw
6. The Fairylike Show
7. Some Twenty One Miles From The Coast
8. Magnified Section Of Dreams
9. The Clencher
10. Million Lights

*download link removed* – most of the band’s releases are now available digitally! Please support them!

For more info on the band, including a comprehensive discography, videos, pictures, and some exclusive recordings, click below for the band’s webhub.

Trisomie 21 dot com

Little Nemo- Cadavres Exquis 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1990, 1990s, coldwave, france, little nemo on December 17, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Little Nemo were among the best of the French coldwave acts, akin to the likes of Asylum Party and Trisomie 21, and unfortunately, just like the majority of their peers, they never quite broke outside of their homeland. However, the band earned a cult following after signing with Lively Art, a label notorious for releasing top-shelf coldwave records.

The band formed in 1983 and split in 1992 after several classic singles and three full length records. Their earlier material was more visceral and dark, while their pop-song sensibilities and interest in electric music evolved over the years. Upon their disbanding, vocalist Olivier Champeau took on the pseudonym Doctorolive to persue a more techno/house infused direction.

I’ve uploaded their 1990 Cadavres Exquis single- which includes three solid cuts, a cover of a classic Wire tune, and a synth-based instrumental to close.

Details:

Little Nemo- Cadavres Exquis 12”
1. Cadavres Exquis (Howard Song)
2. That Was No Martian
3. Anybody Home
4. The 15th (originally by Wire)
5. Sesordiulteiuq

*download it here*

…and for your viewing pleasure, here’s the video for the title track:

Asylum Party- Mère LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990, asylum party, coldwave, france, post-punk on November 9, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

My very first post in Systems of Romance featured French coldwave greats Asylum Party, formed in 1985, who released a duo of solid records and a series of captivating singles before their demise.

I’m fulfilling a request for today’s post- for I’ve uploaded the entirety of their second record, Mère complete with the Ticket to Ride 7” attached as a bonus. These two tracks appear on the CD reissue, also rather hard to get ahold of. With that in mind, happy Friday, ladies and gentlemen!

Asylum Party- Mère LP
1. Pure Joy in My Heart
2. Sur La Route
3. It’s Over (Dead Folls Damin)
4. Mother
5. Pas Très Loin
6. Someone Else
7. Un Sang d’Hier
8. Madhouse Grass
9. Euphoria
10. Le Temps des Serpents
11. Inner World Is Up (Jump)
12. Ticket to Ride
13. Beside

*download it here!*

The (Hypothetical) Prophets

Posted in 1980s, coldwave, france, minimal, the hypothetical prophets, wave on September 5, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop


The (Hypothetical) Prophets were an ephemeral French coldwave band consisting of duo Bernard Szajner and Karel Beer. The band formed in 1980 and released a series of 12” singles and one full length record before their quick demise.

Despite a short discography, the band’s craft was unique. Singing in both their native tongue as well as English and alternating between male and female vocals, the the dozen or so songs recorded under this name are haunting minimal wave at its finest, a mixture of harsh electronic experimentation and catchy pulses of synth.

I’ve been trying to get a hold of their lone LP, 1982’s Around the World With the (Hypothetical) Prophets, but in the meanwhile, I’ve uploaded two tracks, both appearing as their own respective A-side. However, these versions are plucked from the 2004 So Young, But So Cold: Underground French Music 1977-1983 compilation. Enjoy!

download the (Hypothetical) Prophets – ‘Person to Person’
download the (Hypothetical) Prophets – ‘Wallenberg’

I didn’t think I’d be able to find any videos, but lo and behold, click below for the video for ‘Person to Person.’

Since the band’s split, Bernard Szajner would continue to record music under his own name until 1986, persuing other artistic ventures in theatre and the arts soon after. However, according to his official site, plans are in the works to release four (!) records and rehearse a band for future touring. For more information, news, and bits and bobs on Bernard, click below for his official site:

Official Bernard Szajner site
pick up So Young But So Cold through CDuniverse.com