Archive for the 1980s Category

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Mankinds Audio Development- Sunfeast 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, ebm, john fryer, look back in anger, play dead, post-punk, synth, synthpop on December 4, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Been meaning to post this one for some time- a recent purchase that’s lived in my DJ bag for some time now. Two track 12” from 1984, featuring members of Play Dead and Look Back in Anger. Also produced by John Fryer, notorious for his pioneering work with 4AD and various other post-punk bands. This is their only release, though more tracks were meant to be recorded.

The sound here sounds like a mixture of soulful vocals (a la Colourbox), post-punk bass grooves, all under the guise of a primitive EBM track. Lots to love here. Here’s the breakdown:

Mankinds Audio Development- Sunfeast 12”
1. Sunfeast
2. Craving

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Trash X- Perestroika 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, german, synth, synthpop, the twins, trash x on December 4, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Just found this killer big-beat synthpop single – a playful two track 12” from Trash X, released in 1988. It’s the band’s only release, and was engineered by Ronny Schreinzer of The Twins.

It seems as if this particular release was a collaboration between several esteemed writers and producers, including David Heilmann (Wire, Depeche Mode) and H+N (Holger Flesch & Norbert Endlich). While it sounds of Russian origin, the single was actually recorded and released in Germany.

Not much more to be said about this one, so here’s the information:

Trash X- Perestroika 12”
1. Perestroika
2. Rigormortis Everywhere

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 1.4.19)

2 Comments »

X-Offender- Dreaming 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, italian, post-punk, synth, x-offender on December 1, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Another excellent Italian release from 1986 up on the slab today, a true gem and rarity. Absolutely no info to be found about these four mysterious fellows, but their label, Urgent Records, also issued early singles by Litfiba and Neon. The band only issued one futher track, called “Wehrmacht,” which appears on the 391 Umbria K7 with Aidons La Norvege, another Italian band.

You can expect some gloomy synth here, with excellent bass grooves and melodic vocals. Definitely essential, especially for fans of bands like Storung and Into a Circle. Two different sounds, I know, but let’s see what you all make of it… Here’s the details:

X-Offender- Dreaming 12”
1. Dreaming
2. What Is Smile?
3. Help To Helpless
4. The Stone Wood

*download it here*

As a brief aside, I’ve recently constructed two DJ mixes for various publications. The first, for VESSEL, features a more synth-driven sound while the second, for Zaptown mag, is of the coldwave/post-punk variety. Here they are, for your listening pleasure:

VESSEL playlist
Zaptown playlist

2 Comments »

The Arms of Someone New- Every Seventh Wave 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, darkwave, ethereal, synth, synthpop, the arms of someone new, US on November 29, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

This one, while potentially well known inside this circle, is a recent favorite of mine, and while the majority of their work appears elsewhere in the blogosphere, I haven’t seen this 12” around.

The Arms of Someone New (primarily a collaborative project between Mel Eberle and Steve Jones, also involved with Area) formed in Champaign, Illinois in 1983, releasing their first 7” the following year. At first, their sound had a biting, synth-driven edge to it, which eventually gave way to the growing ethereal scene into the late 1980s. I happen to dig the majority of their recordings in both spectrums, but this one falls more on the biting, danceable side of the band’s catalog. We have two remixes of the single here (both drastically different from the version that appeared on their 1984 12”), with two slower, but no less stellar tracks taking up the b-side. Here’s the breakdown:

The Arms of Someone New- Every Seventh Wave 12”
1. Every Seventh Wave (Intermix)
2. Every Seventh Wave (Album Mix)
3. The Sense of an Ending
4. Everything at Once

*download it here*

For those interested in the rest of the band’s discography, get it here, here, here, and here. Pretty sure this is the last piece of the puzzle!

2 Comments »

B-Movie- Early Singles

Posted in 1980, 1980s, 1981, 1982, b-movie, new wave, paul statham, post-punk, some bizzare, synthpop, uk on November 23, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

When I think of the best UK bands, few spring to mind quicker than B-Movie. I’ve covered them twice here before, once with their 1985 LP Forever Running and then a few years later with their unstoppable Nowhere Girl 12”. I’ve been meaning to upload their earlier singles for some time now, probably years, but it just slipped through the cracks. I hope you’ll forgive me, folks.

That said, contained within this zip file is the majority of B-Movie’s early works, starting from their first 12”s in 1980 and spanning until 1984. Quite a prolific period for the band, with most of their best songs being issued in this two year time period.  Here’s the rundown:

B-Movie- Take Three 7” (1980)
1. The Soldier Stood Alone
2. Drowning Man
3. Soundtrack

B-Movie- Nowhere Girl (1980)
1. Nowhere Girl
2. This Still Life
3. Institution Walls
4. Airplanes & Mountains
5. Left Out In The Cold
6. Remembrance Day

B-Movie- Remembrance Day 12” (1981)
1. Remembrance Day
2. Institution Walls (Remix)

B-Movie- Marilyn Dreams 7” (1981)
1. Marilyn Dreams
2. Film Music Part 1

B-Movie- Marilyn Dreams 12” (1981)
1. Marilyn Dreams

B-Movie- Nowhere Girl 7” (1982)
1. Nowhere Girl (Version)
2. Scare Some Life Into Me

B-Movie- Nowhere Girl 12”
1. Nowhere Girl (Version)
2. Remembrance Day
3. Nowhere Girl (Short Version)

B-Movie- A Letter From Afar (1984)
1. A Letter From Afar (Big Mix)
2. A Letter From Afar (Instrumental Mix)
3. A Letter From Afar (Small Mix)

*Download link removed* – digital reissues coming soon!

Again, in case you missed them the first time- here’s the full Nowhere Girl 12” (including the 12” extended mix) and their 1985 LP, Forever Running.

11 Comments »

Blue Siege- Ruins No Longer Remain 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, blue siege, paisley underground, post-punk on November 22, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a virtually unknown 12” from UK post-punk band Blue Siege. Definitely a must for fans of Sad Lovers and Giants, For Against, The Chameleons, etc., and also for those who like something a little more jangly (Winter Hours, early R.E.M.). Melodic singing, driving post-punk tracks, and a nice, punchy atmosphere. Prominent use of organ on here, if that’s your thing!

Can’t find a ton of information about this one, though I do believe it’s from 1986. The band released a 7” just before via Pride Communications, the same label who issued this recording. The 7” features production from Chris Layhe of the Icicle Works, another touchstone for the band’s sound. As for obtaining a copy of this one, there’s a few kicking around on ebay and various online record outlets, so snap one up!

Blue Siege- Ruins No Longer Remain 12”
1. Ruins No Longer Remain
2. Stolen Daylight
3. Like Red Rags To the Bull (Soweto)
4. Hollow Man
5. River Has Gone
6. Drifting Apart

*download it here*

1 Comment »

The Electronic Circus- Direct Lines 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, dramatis, electronic circus, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, synthpop, the electronic circus, visage on November 19, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a real quick post before I sneak off for the weekened. Uploaded here, by generous donation, we have one of the best minimal synth singles out there, at least in my opinion. The a-side is an absolute romantic synth classic, while the b-side here is a more atmospheric, piano-driven affair, an interesting but pleasant counterpoint to the sheer pop perfection on the flip.

Fun fact about this one. Main contributor Chris Payne was also in both Visage and the Dramatis (who had a solid hit with Gary Numan on vox). Easy to see why there’s such great mastery on this one! Here’s the info:

The Electronic Circus- Direct Lines 7”
1. Direct Lines
2. Le Chorale

*download link removed* – this 7” was reissued in 2017 by Animated Records in Chicago, and again in 2021 by Iron Lung Records. Support these labels and the artists and pick up a reissue copy if you can!

12 Comments »

Ex Post Facto- Oceanic Explorers 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, ex post facto, goth-rock, post-punk, synth on November 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

For those not entirely thrilled with the idea of a Depeche Mode clone, here’s a request that should suit you well. This particular 12” has been posted before over at music…isms, but the author admittedly wasn’t able to provide the b-side at good quality. A shame, as I find the second track on this 1982 single to be the best of the three!

You can read more about this UK synth/post-punk hybrid and nab the rest of their work over at music…isms, so let’s just dive right in!

Ex Post Facto- Oceanic Explorers 12”
1. Oceanic Explorers
2. Bast
3. Marilyn

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED at 320kbps on 7.31.18)

1 Comment »

Celibates- A Shameless Fashion LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, celibates, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on November 15, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Some of you may have seen this one kicking around previously over at Capa Nostra Syndicate, but I believe there may be a skip or two on that particular upload. So apologies for the repetition, but here’s a freshly ripped version of this quirky minimal synth/post-punk hybrid from 1981.

This particular LP actually serves as a nice companion to the VHF lp. Quirky synths, minimal beats, and a strange connection to bands like Devo, Voice Farm, and Futurisk. Of course, there’s a few duds along the way, but I especially am fond the first track. Minimal synth fans should recognize David Kane, one of the album’s main contributors. Better known as Quintronic, he’s the man responsible for the Trek w/ Quintronic LPs, which you can get over at Mutant Sounds. Kane was responsible for the electronic elements of the LP, while Kent Weber (of the Fems), played all guitars and effects. Terry Sullivan, the vocalist, has no other releases as far as I can tell.

Celibates- A Shameless Fashion
1. Coming Alone
2. Keeping The Count
3. Making Moves At Random
4. Girls With Headphones
5. Rap City (In Blue)
6. She’s The One
7. Reflex
8. Whipped Cream Girls

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 8.17.17)

(press photo courtesy of Greg)

14 Comments »

The Splash Band- Christine 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, electro, italo, italo disco, john carpenter, the splash band on November 15, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Glad to hear you’re all enjoying the last few posts so much! Moving right along, I have two posts slated for today, so bear with me. The first is something a little more well known, but no less fantastic. Actually, while this 12” isn’t exactly rare, I haven’t seen either of these mixes floating around in circulation before, so I’m pleased to offer them here.

There’s so much to be said about John Carpenter that I don’t quite know where to begin. Responsible for some of the best films in the horror genre, his scores also have earned huge notoriety over the years, influencing both ambient and electro music. While the score to Christine (based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name) is a more haunting, delicate affair, it’s the disco tracks and pulsing beats that really stand out to me. I included a mix of this track on the second Sequins and Spandex comp., a three minute mix that’s over before it truly begins, and has the unfortunate sound of a car engine revving throughout. Until I got this 12”, I never knew a car-less mix existed, let alone one that’s nearly double the length! The second mix is the one in question, while the first is an extended mix of the Sequins track… Both are performed by The Splash Band, who was responsible for doing a lot of these italo-infused dance mixes via the legendary ZYX label.

Without any further ado, here’s the info:

The Splash Band- Christine 12”
1. Christine (Part 1)
2. Christine (Part 2)

*download it here*

2 Comments »

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