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Circuit 7- Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1985, minimal, minimal synth, uk on July 22, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

UK’s Circuit 7 is a 2-piece minimal synth collective who recorded only six tracks throughout their short tenure. Can’t seem to find a slew of other information about the band, but the two members were Martyn Good and Andy Partington, and this seems to be their only musical venture. Sleeve scans show additional organic contributions from various folks, but no songwriting or official member status credits.

The zip below contains all six of Circuit 7’s tracks, including two 7” records (one on blue and one on red vinyl!) and two tracks from the Offering of Isca compilation, produced by Martyn Good and released on Micro Records in 1985. Without any further delay, here’s the information.

Circuit 7- Modern Story 7” (1984)
1. Modern Story
2. Eastern Dream

Circuit 7- Video Boys 7” (1984)
1. Video Boys
2. The Force

Offering Of Isca compilation (1985)
1. India
8. Beat Tonight

*download link removed*

EDIT: Good news for fans of the Circuit 7 material, as Minimal Wave is planning a CD/LP release of all of these tracks (and more) in the near future! So for those who wish to support both a fantastic label and the original artist, stay tuned to this space, as I’ll replace the download link with a purchase link when the LP goes live!

PURCHASE THE CIRCUIT 7 REISSUE LP HERE!!!

On a related note, I’ve included “Video Boys” within my latest mix-making venture. Due to the nudging of a few readers, I’ve created an 8tracks account to upload songs and mixes for friends and readers. I’ve made a twenty-one track long minimal wave mix with a dash of italo and coldwave for good measure. A few of these tracks should be familiar to Systems of Romance regulars, some are favorites, and some may appear here in the future, if demand is high and there isn’t any overlap. Anyway, click HERE to give the mix a spin, and enjoy! I’ll be making more of these as time progresses, and will be sure to update when the next one is live.

3 Comments »

Samedi- Doubts & Beliefs LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, new wave, Samedi, swedish, synthpop on July 21, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Samedi were a synthpop band hailing from Sweden. I first discovered their classic track “Between Two Hearts” on the fantastic Retronics compilation, which collects several of their peers. Whereas other Swedish synthpop bands like the Mobile Homes earned some cult success in the States, Samedi wasn’t able to achieve the same success despite a similar sound. Otherwise, the band formed in 1983 as a four piece, and fluxuated between three and four members throughout the course of the 1980s.

The band’s discography consists of three 7” singles and one full length record. All of their releases were pressed via Canned Music, the band’s own label. After calling it a day in 1990, members of Samedi focused their efforts on manning a recording studio, producing, writing, and engineering several more Italo-tinged bands over the years. Check their discogs page for some of the tracks the band worked on.

Without any further ado, here’s the information for their 1989 full length, Doubts & Beliefs.

Samedi- Doubts & Beliefs LP
1. Big
2. In Our Time
3. Above Me
4. Strangers In The Night
5. Say Say Goodbye
6. Winter’s Coming To Town
7. Touch
8. Give Me All
9. Oh Mother Earth
10. I’ll Fly
11. Lay Down Your Head
12. Open Up (Long Dist Dance Mix)

*download it here*

The band do keep an official myspace page here. Upon getting in touch, the band said they are working towards remastering and re-releasing the now out-of-print Samedi material for a possible reissue. If you dig this record, show yr support and encourage the process! Naturally, this post will self destruct when that happens.

Meanwhile, still been meaning to get started on the ol’ 8 tracks account, but in the interim, take a peek at this particular audio/Youtube track to take a listen to “Between Two Hearts” (not featured on this LP, mind you).

7 Comments »

Xeno and Oaklander’s "Freak Scene" mix

Posted in coldwave, led er est, minimal, minimal synth, sleep museum, wierd records, xeno and oaklander on July 21, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Just two years ago, I kicked off Systems of Romance in a more track-oriented/review format. My second post was on Wierd Records artists Xeno and Oaklander, consisting of the musical talents of both Sean McBride (Martial Canterel) and Liz Wendelbo (Xeno and Staccato). The band, a personal favorite on the roster, is gearing up to release their first official LP sometime this year, and have been performing heavily in the New York area, much to my great enjoyment.

Over the past few months, it seems as if both Wierd Records and Xeno and Oaklander’s following has grown exponentially. The label has been featured in several prominent magazines and blogs as of late, and The Fader has just published a post featuring a fantatic “mixtape” as plucked by Xeno and Oaklander. The mix features several obscure minimal wave cuts alongside Wierd Records favorites (including a new track from Led Er Est and an untitled number from Sleep Museum).

A proper post will follow this one momentarily, but in the meanwhile, please divert your attention **HERE** to read more on Xeno and Oaklander and to download these great minimal synth mp3s. To further entice you, here’s a list of their selections:

Cleaners from Venus- “This Rainy Decade”
Jon St. James- “Trans-Atlantic”
Epee Du Bois- “Misery”
Lister- “The Boogabe”
Ann Summer- “Ann Summer III”
Xeno and Oaklander- “Celeste”
Twilight Ritual- “Somewhere in My Heart”
Resistance- “The Gash”
Led Er Est- “Unkept Area”
Nagamatzu- “Magic”
Automelodi- “Schema Corporel”
Sleep Museum- “Unknown Song”
Glenn Winter- “Herrens Svar”
Martial Canterel- “Shrapnelle”
Staccato Du Mal- “Addiction”
Magic de Spell- “And the Burned Puppet”

Again, click here for the good stuff.

3 Comments »

Weimar Gesang- THE REST!

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1987, darkwave, italian, minimal synth, Weimar Gesang on July 13, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

After some insight on some rare and otherwise unreleased Weimar Gesang material, I am pleased to offer the last of their uncovered gems, once and for all! Thanks a ton to all who have uploaded some of the harder-to-find material and offered extra information on the band.

Included in the zip file below are three releases. The first two are respective sides of a 1983 demo cassette, the A-side being early demos of familiar tracks and the B-side featuring a rare live set from the band’s early incarnation, recorded in October of 1983. This release predates the previously uploaded Our Silent Growth cassette. The third and final release attached is a 1987 rough mix of what was to be the fourth WG record, never officially released and given to the band’s closest friends just before they split up. Very rare materials, all three, and thanks to allelimo for encoding them!

Otherwise, here’s the nitty gritty:

Weimar Gesang- Demo 1983 (Cassette side A)
1. Frail Moments
2. Along The Walls
3. Locked In My Castle
4. Refusing
5. Show Me
6. Motionless Dance
7. Incomprehension

Weimar Gesang- Live 1983 (Cassette side B)
1. Motionless Dance
2. Refusing
3. Locked In My Castle
4. Torn Souls
5. One Sweet Night

Weimar Gesang- It is a Crime
1. It is a Crime
2. Place to Be (Nick Drake cover)

*download them here*

Thanks again to all who have contributed to the Weimer Gesang posts! Should you have missed them, their remaining discography can be downloaded from these back pages by clicking here and here.

4 Comments »

Days of Sorrow- 12” Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1986, days of sorrow, german, minimal synth, post-punk on July 3, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

To celebrate our upcoming independence day, well…here’s something straight from the heart of Germany. In short, this is the complete discography of minimal synth/post-punk band Days of Sorrow.

According to sleeve information, the band featured a four piece lineup for their first 12”, changing drummers and expanding to a five piece for the second, which followed two years later. Not much else is known about the band outside of their origins, and their records fetch incredibly impressive prices, so let’s get straight to the nitty gritty, shall we? Here’s the information for their two 12” releases, zipped up for your minimal electronic pleasure.

Days of Sorrow- Remembering the Days 12” (1984, Tollhaus Records)
1. Wild World
2. War
3. Travel
4. Don’t Leave Me Drowning

Days of Sorrow- A Thousand Faces 12” (1986, Rough Trade Germany)
1. Wild World
2. A Thousand Faces (Night-Time)
3. Mysterious Eyes

*download link removed- pick up a reissue of both of these 12”s via Dead Wax Records!

There also exists a 1986-released 7” for Wild World, but I’m gathering it’s simply the A Thousand Faces recordings of both “Wild World” and “Mysterious Eyes,” minus the eponymous 12” track. I reckon the zip otherwise contains their complete discography. Enjoy!

11 Comments »

Weimar Gesang- Supplemental Materials

Posted in 1980s, 1984, darkwave, italian, minimal synth, Weimar Gesang on July 2, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Thanks to two generous and anonymous donations, I’m pleased to upload the remaining tracks in Weimar Gesang‘s discography, including tracks from a split cassette with Plastic Trash.

I’ve unzipped, tagged, and reuploaded the files from the original Rapidshare files to keep everything together and circumvent Rapidshare’s waiting period. As an added bonus, I’ve included the live bootleg, entitled . Even in it’s low-quality, it may serve interesting to fans and otherwise completists.

Without any further ado, here’s the final batch of Weimar Gesang tracks!

Weimar Gesang- Our Silent Growth Cassette (1984)
1. Frail Moments
2. Torn Souls
3. The Play
4. Show Me
5. Motionless Dance
6. Frail Moments (Second View)

Weimar Gesang- VM Due Cassette (year unknown)
1. Our Silent Growth
2. Remaining Years
3. Gesang The Dragging
4. Light-Tight Place

Weimar Gesang- Live at Back Out, Roma 12.04.1985
1. Deceit
2. Melt Your Sight
3. Held Inside
4. Chantal’s Secret
5. Like in a Mirror
6. Worn Out Prayer
7. Du Bist/Light-Tight Place

*download all three releases here!*

More goodies to come in the near future, but thanks again to my anonymous benefactor for helping to complete the discography!

4 Comments »

Weimar Gesang- 12” Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1985, 1986, darkwave, italian, minimal synth, Weimar Gesang on June 30, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Though a few demo cassettes and live material are circling around in rather incomplete and poor quality, here’s the official recorded output of Italian darkwave/minimal synth band Weimar Gesang, which amounts to three 12” releases. There are also a handful of compilation appearances alongside the live/demo cassettes, but I’ve been unsuccessful in tracking them down as of yet.

Not a lot of information about the band to be found otherwise. The band consisted of four members: Donato Santarcangeli, Fabio Magistrali, Giuseppe Tonolini, and Paolo Mauri, a few of which went on to play in various other Italian bands over the years. If anyone has some concrete info about these fantastically gloomy fellows, feel free to contribute below.

That all said, here’s the information for there three 12” releases.  Recommended heavily for fans of the Cure/New Order/Victrola.  So many favorite songs here, including “Chantal’s Secret,” “Light-Tight Place,” and “Worn Out Prayer.”

Weimar Gesang- Even Stone Pales 12” (1984)
1. Held Inside
2. Annual Ring
3. Chantal’s Secret
4. Held Inside Again

Weimar Gesang- The Colours Of Ice (1985)
1. Deceit
2. Like In A Mirror
3. Melt Your Sight
4. One Promise Less
5. Torn Envelope

Weimar Gesang- No Given Path 12” (1986)
1. Du Bist
2. The Secret Us
3. Light – Tight Place
4. When The Moon Splits The Gloom
5. Worn Out Prayer
6. Mother Of Nothing

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 7.23.13)

EDIT: A comrade over at the Krupnik blog has featured the Afterglow compilation, which features three further Weimar Gesang traxx, none of which appear on these 12 inches! Click here to nab it.

Otherwise, as previously mentioned, I do have a really shoddy live recording from 1985 kicking around. I can’t really recommend it, but if anyone’s dying to hear it, shout below and I’ll upload it separately.

16 Comments »

Bolero Lava- Inevitable 12” (+Bonus Materials)

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1990s, bolero lava, canadian, new wave, phaedra, post-punk on June 26, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another generous donated post from Jeff/Uberbelly, who was involved in this particular band during their later incarnation. Otherwise, the band in question is Vancouver based Bolero Lava, who began life as an all-female post-punk band. Their sound reminds me personally of a cross between 4AD’s Colourbox and The Au Pairs, with both a soulful croon and a funky post-punk edge to them.

The original lineup of the band lasted through 1983-1988, releasing the Inevitable 12” in 1984. Original members Barbara Bernath and Laurel Thackeray departed in 1988, replaced briefly by Andy Graffiti and Linda McRae. Jeff Sawatsky (our gracious donator, also involved with Voice and Sarah McLachlan) and Sherri Leigh replaced Andy and Linda, and Mallory Temple was the final member of Bolero Lava’s lineup, replacing Leigh after her short stint. The band officially called it quits in 1991.

Uploaded below, we have three separate releases. Firstly, we have Bolero Lava’s original 12” record, released on Mo-Da-Mu records in 1984. The second 12” below was a one off-single recorded in by guitarist Phaedra Struss, featuring contributions by Adrian Sherwood, Jah Wobble, David Harrow, and Bolero Lava bandmate Vanessa Richards. Last but not least, we have a rather impressive stack of Bolero Lava demos, recorded between the years of 1988-1991, with the various lineup changes in tow.

For more information and images from the Inevitable 12”, check out the Discogs.com listing I just submitted. Otherwise, let’s get to the information, shall we?

Bolero Lava- Inevitable 12” (1984)
1. Inevitable
2. Click of the Clock

Phaedra- Jesus Lives in Vegas 12” (1990)
1. Jesus Lives in Vegas
2. Telephone Operator [Pete Shelley cover]

Bolero Lava- Demos
1. Swim to Me
2. A Road and a Car
3. Easy
4. My Old Friend
5. News For You
6. Prey
7. Protection

*download it here*

Otherwise, thanks again to Jeff for the fantastic rips, photos, scans, and donations! For more information on the band and some previewed tracks, click below for their Myspace page.

Bolero Lava on Myspace

7 Comments »

Lustans Lakejer- Uppdrag i Genève LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1990s, 2000s, lustans lakejer, new wave, reunited, swedish, synth on June 26, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Lustans Lakejer (aka Lustavision and Vanity Fair) were a Swedish new wave band originally formed in 1978 with a punk informed approach, not unlike the likes of Magazine and Ultravox. The band issued several 7 and 12” singles and a debut record before releasing today’s download, Uppdrag i Genève in 1981. At that point, the synthesizer became a main component of the band’s sound.

After a handful of following releases and lineup shifts, the band split in 1986. Reissues of the band’s catalog, expanded with bonus tracks and expanded booklets, followed. The band reunited in 1999 for a festival appearance. Another record followed and the band is currently active as both a recording and touring entity to date.

The CD reissue of Uppdrag i Genève is available for purchase via http://www.hotstuff.se/, for a pretty reasonable price. The record includes five extra bonus tracks, including a 7” and live tracks. Since the record is still available for those willing to import it, I’ve only uploaded the main program for listening purposes. Give it a spin, and if you dig it, be sure to pick up the CD. Here’s the info:

Lustans Lakejer- Uppdrag i Genève LP
1. Rendez-Vous I Rio
2. En Lång Natts Färd Mot Dag
3. Sista Tangon I Paris
4. Segerens Sötma
5. Stilla Nätter
6. Man Lever Bara Två Gånger
7. Män Av Skugga
8. Unga Moderna
9. Öppna Städer
10. Paradisets Portar

*download it here*

For more information about Lustans Lakejer, check out the band’s official myspace page, run by singer Johan Kinde.

Lustans Lakejer on Myspace

1 Comment »

Störung- The Art of Combining Cassette

Posted in 1980s, 1983, minimal, minimal synth, netherlands, Störung on June 23, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Astute fans of minimal wave should already be familiar with Störung, a duo from the Netherlands who released one classic full length record in 1982 (get it here on Mutant Sounds). Their sound combines some of the most striking minimal electronics with dirty guitars, bass, and alternating male and female vocals.

The band formed in 1981, and during their lifespan released both the This is Future LP and the respective Dreadful Dance 7”. Though a recent archival release by Minimal Wave Records (currently available for a meager $8.50!) appeared two years ago, the band had only these releases under their belt, but still had several unrecorded tracks in their repertoire. An unofficial cassette was released by their label, Combinator, in 1983. The bootleg featured several Störung staples alongside a series of unreleased tracks, recorded during one of the band’s live sets. These are the only known versions of some of these tracks, and though the quality is a bit warm due to the nature of the release, it still holds up as an additional piece of the Störung puzzle.

Without any further ado, here’s the information for the release:

Störung- The Art of Combining Cassette
1. Empire SX
2. Nooduitgang 2
3. Modern Fetch
4. Drums Keep Thundering
5. Europe Calls
6. Radio Lines
7. Onweer
8. This Is Future
9. Siberia
10. Don’t Want To Know
11. Warschau Pact

*download it here*

Note: Also posted on the No Longer Forgotten Music blog. Check out his impressive backlogs!

8 Comments »

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