Archive for December, 2007

Rema-Rema- Wheel In the Roses EP

Posted in 1980, 1980s, 4ad, adam and the ants, experimental, mass, post-punk, psychic tv, rema-rema, uk, wolfgang press on December 31, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop


Many pardons for the brief break. Many thanks to friends and readers for their support and encouragement this year! For the last post of 2007, I’ve uploaded an old favorite, a more experimental yet classic EP by UK outfit Rema-Rema.

Rema-Rema was a short lived 4AD outfit whose lone EP (4AD’s 5th release) served as a post-punk/experimental classic, and kicked off the careers of several other seminal acts. The band consisted of Marco Pirroni (ex-original Banshee), Gary Asquith, Mick Allen, Mark Cox, and Max. Wheel In the Roses appeared in 1980, a four track EP with one side’s worth of studio tracks and another consisting of live material.

Rema-Rema quickly disbanded, and most of the band’s members found success shortly. Marco Pirroni would join up with Adam & the Ants, Max would become a full time member of Psychic Tv under the name Dorothy, and Asquith, Allen, and Cox would form heavy-handed 4AD act Mass. Upon Mass’ demise, Cox and Allen would form the legendary Wolfgang Press, who became a signature post-punk act throughout the 80s and early 90s. Meanwhile, This Mortal Coil (4AD head Ivo-Watts Russel’s pet project) would recreate ‘Fond Affections’ for their debut record It’ll End in Tears, which featured several contributions by Rema-Rema’s original lineup. Big Black would also cover ‘Rema-Rema’, further cementing the band’s original impact.

Details:

Rema-Rema- Wheel in the Roses EP
1. Feedback Song
2. Rema-Rema
3. Instrumental
4. Fond Affections

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED- Click here to purchase mp3/FLAC via the 4AD webstore.

7 Comments »

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.

11 Comments »

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

1 Comment »

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:

8 Comments »

Naughtiest Girl Was a Monitor- Front 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, naughtiest girl was a monitor, synth, uk on December 12, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

I’m unable to scrape up a ton of information about today’s band, Sheffield wave act Naughtiest Girl Was a Monitor, though this oddball synth single is a real gem. More on the bombastic side, Naughtiest Girl Was a Monitor released but three 7” recordings before calling it quits.

As a bit of trivia, the band would lend equipment to budding brit-pop act Pulp, enabling them to cut their first recordings.

I’ve uploaded the entirety of the band’s 1981 Front 7” for your listening pleasure, which features two full-length wave tunes and closes with an instrumental.

Naughtiest Girl Was a Monitor- Front 7”
1. Front
2. Sensation/No Sensation
3. Synthesizers (the Story So Far)

*download it here*

It seems as if the band’s output has been compiled on to one s/t disc, featuring a series of demo recordings alongside all three of their 7” singles. Seems as if it’s only available on vinyl, through Vinyl On Demand. Snap it up if you dig it!

5 Comments »

Duchess Says- Noviçiat Mère-Perruche EP

Posted in 2000s, 2005, canadian, duchess says, mutant, synthpunk on December 10, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Happy Monday, ladies and gents… Today’s post features a recent favorite EP by mutant synthpunk act Duchess Says, a French-Candian outfit featuring a full lineup of guitars, drums, synths, and intensely driving female vocals.

Formed in 2003, Duchess says have released a lone EP, winning over fans with their catchy tracks and otherwise eccentricity, marrying their abrasive dancefloor sound with hyperactive stage performances and theatrics, including readings from the Pamphlet of Budgerigars, an alternate religious text created by members of the band, who claim to serve in the Church of Budgerigars. According to scattered interviews and reviews, he church primarily celebrates the consumption of beer, numerology, and the band itself.

I’ve uploaded the band’s 2005 EP, Noviçiat Mère-Perruche. Four tracks long, and featuring a cover of (previously uploaded) Six Finger Satellite’s ‘Rabies’, it’s a shame it’s so short, since it leaves you wanting more.

Details:

Duchess Says- Noviçiat Mère-Perruche EP
1. In Serial
2. Cut Up
3. Rabies (Babies Got The)
4. Black Flag

*download it here*

and for your viewing pleasure, here’s a live clip of the band performing ‘Black Flag,’ the final (and my favorite) track from Noviçiat Mère-Perruche.

Though it seems as if their initial EP is out of print, the band has made a remix single for ‘Black Flag’ available only on vinyl. Click below for a link to snap one up for yourself…

‘Black Flag’ single on Summer Lovers Unlimited
Duchess Says on myspace

1 Comment »

Spöön Fazer- Music For Life 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, avant-garde, Spöön Fazer, synth, uk, wave on December 5, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s act is UK based avant-garde musician Spöön Fazer. Spöön Fazer was formed in 1978 as a solo venture for drummer Simon Patterson, who earned his nickname from his work in previous outfit The Whippets From Nowhere (a.k.a. 39 Steppes in later incarnations).

As Spöön Fazer, Simon would release a handful of singles, an EP, and a cassette-only recording, all exploring the avant-garde side of a budding wave scene. His calling card was a series of synth drums, drummed on heavily with sets of spoons. On record, two previous members of the Whippets joined Simon on bass, guitars, and backing vocals. As Simon’s career progressed, he developed a heavy interest in Japanese rhythms and instrumentation, which would manifest in Spoon Fazer’s last recordings.

Though Spöön Fazer’s discography is minute (and tough to pin down exactly what exists), Simon has since been involved in several working projects, as both a contributor and a remixer.

I’ve uploaded all three tracks from Spöön Fazer’s Music For Life 7”, also occasionally referred to as the ‘Do Different Dances’ single. I believe this release was combined with another 7” to form the more widely known Music 2 Live 2 = Music 4 Life single.

Details:

Spöön Fazer- Music For Life/Do Different Dances 7”
1. Do Different Dances
2. Beat Dance Drumming
3. Motorway Amber Time

*download it here*

Here’s a handful of useful links on Spöön Fazer. The first looks to be an official site (though I can’t seem to get it loaded fully- but it could just be me) and the second, an interview with Simon Patterson from a Spöön Fazer fansite.

Spoon Fazer homepage
An interview with Simon Patterson

2 Comments »

Kissing the Pink- Naked LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1990s, funk, kissing the pink, synth, uk on December 3, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Formed in 1980, Kissing the Pink was a short lived UK new wave/synth act who flirted with hometown chart success throughout their tenure. The seven piece act (with most members contributing vocals) shortened their name to KTP in their latter days as a result of the name’s suggestive nature. Their style was a hybrid mix of funk and synthesizers, akin to the likes of Factory records bands A Certain Ratio and Section 25. Longtime Factory associate Martin Hannett also produced the band’s first single for ‘Don’t Hide in the Shadows’ in 1981.

Since then, the band has released four full length LPs, each seemingly the result of a more trimmed down lineup and a more dance oriented sound. Also, members of Kissing the Pink have also collaborated with various artists in the jazz, pop, and psychedelic mediums. The band is still considered active, with select members still working together, though few recordings have surfaced. A home page states that the band may be morphing into a different project, but not other conclusive information is scarce.

I’ve uploaded the entirety of their debut full length, the seminal wave record Naked, released in 1983. The leadoff track ‘The Last Film’ cracked the British top 20 upon its initial release.

Details:

Kissing the Pink- Naked LP
1. The Last Film
2. Frightened in France
3. Watching Their Eyes
4. Love Lasts Forever
5. All For You
6. The Last Film (Hymn Version)
7. Big Man Restless
8. Desert Song
9. Broken Body
10. Maybe This Day
11. In Awe of Industry
12. Mr. Blunt

*download it here*

and for your viewing pleasure, here’s the official video for “Watching Their Eyes,” my favorite track on this record:

For more on the band, including some links to pick up some of their material, and an official page with photos, interviews, full discography, and more, click below:

Comprehensive KTP website

I believe there is a CD reissue of Naked available, but it’s since sold out and is fetching high prices in the secondary market. Let me know if there’s an official outlet and I’ll be happy to remove the link as per usual.

1 Comment »