Archive for the 1980s Category

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Q4U- Q2 1980-1983 CD

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1996, icelandic, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk, punk, q4u, reunited on June 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop


Here’s a long since out of print CD, containing dozens of tracks from Icelandic post-punk band Q4U. I wish I could say it’s the band’s entire discography, but there are so many tracks issued on their original 12” and K7 releases that it’s hard to include them all on one disc. In fact, the few copies I’ve seen of their original material fetch some of the highest prices on Discogs that I’ve ever seen!

This CD, released in 1996 via Icelandic label Norður & Niður, collects many of the band’s best tracks. You can expect, like many of the punk bands of the era, short blasts of female fronted energy, akin to the likes of X-Ray Spex and early Banshees. That said, the band’s use of drum machines and synths calls the early minimal synth movement to mind. An excellent hybrid, if you will. The catalyst for this disc included the resurgence of punk and interest in the Sex Pistols reunion, as the band reunited for a few local shows upon its release, playing exclusively older materal.

The band was rather famous in their native land, thanks to an appearance in the documentary Rokk i Reykjavic. Growing popularity and involvement with other bands led to the band’s first lineup shift in 1982, but not before recording dozens of leftover tracks for the Skaf I Dag K7, the band’s first release. The band would reunite some months later, employing a TR-808 drum machine dubbed Elizabeth II, though no tracks were released then (several demo recordings from this era are included here). Adding a few more additional members, the band would record their debut 12”, 1982’s Q1. Success from this release caused the band to drop the drum machine and focus on a more live sound, which led to opening slots for Classix Nouveaux in 1983. The band would split soon after, but not before recording a handful of tracks that would remain unreleased until this disc.

Phew, quite a mouthful there. Again, this disc does not contain the entire Q4U discography, but presents many of the band’s finest moments alongside some killer unreleased material. Curiously enough, only ONE track from the Q1 12” is missing here, not sure why it wasn’t included, but definitely gives extra incentive to track down the original 12”. Anyway, here’s the information:

Q4U- Q2 1980-1983 CD
1. Sigurinn
2. Draugasaga
3. Barbie
4. Miracle Man
5. Böring
6. PLO
7. Breiðabόlsstaður
8. AMDP
9. Tiskufrik
10. Why
11. Skemmtistaður
12. Plastic Vision
13. Family
14. Turninn
15. Þjόðlagið
16. Ekkert
17. Don’t
18. Creeps
19. Onward
20. Zoo
21. Walker
22. Pelagus-FFH
23. Romance La Paranoia
24. Þeir (Hverjir?)
25. Hoppland
26. Calígúla
27. Get You
28. Toys
29. Nacht Und Nebel
30. I Hate You
31. Má Ég Hjá Þér Borða
32. Judith The Savage Amazon
33. Jack The Skipper
34. Snjόhvit

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED:  Most of Q4U’s discography can now be purchased on both CD and LP, via Wave Records and Dark Entries records, respectively!  Please support the band!

6 Comments »

Profil- Profil LP + Bonus

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1982, 1983, german, NDW, post-punk on June 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a handful of posts to get you through the week. First up, we have the lone LP (complete with bonus cuts) from German NDW band Profil. NDW isn’t usually my standard fare, but some of these tracks are certainly winners, including the first two tracks, and the majority of the bonus material. Expect some jerky,synth-driven rhythms, some perfect for the dancefloor while others a little more spastic, but entertaining all the same.

Not much else I can tell you about the band. According to discogs, they were a five piece outfit, and released a handful of singles on Welt-Rekord (owned by Peter Hein of Fehlfarben and also responsible for some key Grauzone releases).

Essentially, the LP alone consisted of 10 tracks, many of which were scattered across their earlier singles. Included in this upload, however, is the remaining b-sides from the debut Beruhren 12” (1981) and the band’s final release, the Leb Wohl Mein Schatz 12” (1983). Looks to be a complete discography, minus the shorter edit of “Leb Wohl Mein Schatz,” but including the Dub Mix not found on the previous Mutant Sounds post. Enjoy!

Profil- Profil LP + Bonus
1. Berühren
2. 1964
3. Schwimmen Im Geld
4. Regennacht
5. So Kühl
6. Ich Liebe Dich
7. In Form
8. C’Est La Vie
9. Lieber Gott
10. Toscana
11. Berühren (Long Version)
12. Immer Mehr
13. Leb Wohl Mein Schatz (Long Version)
14. Leb Wohl Mein Schatz (Dub Version)
15. Du Lügst

Tracks 1-10 from Profil LP (1982)
Tracks 11 and 12 from Berühren 12” (1981)
Tracks 13 and 14 from Leb Wohl Mein Schatz 12” (1983)
Track 15 from Leb Wohl Mein Schatz 7” (1983)

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – this has been reissued by Genetic Music in 2016!

3 Comments »

Sanity Plexus- Devil’s Deception 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1989, manchester, post-punk, Sanity Plexus, Sexus, uk on June 3, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Almost had a heart attack when my freshly mailed copy of this had sibilance issues. Fortunately, it was just a brief turntable malfunction, and I’m able to bring you this stellar debut from England’s Sanity Plexus.

The two-piece band hailed from Manchester, home of some of the best post-punk bands in the world, so you can expect some fruitful gems here. Aggressive drum machines (most running a similar, but effective program), incisive guitar work, yet solid, danceable rhythms. A real treat!

It seems the band earned quite the following during their tenure, which lasted for three LPs. The band grew poppier and less aggressive with each release, which culminated in a name change. Sexus, as the band would then be known, grew in popularity into the early 1990s with a more acid house sound, typical of England at the time. Sexus released two LPs before disbanding.

You can fill in a few more details by visiting the band’s site, which appears to be run by a member. You can also download the title track from the band’s second release, the Tough Guy Shell 12”. Without any further ado, here’s the info for this killer release.

Sanity Plexus- Devil’s Deception 12”
1. Top
2. Masculine Mask
3. Squalor
4. A Boy Can Get Scared
5. Stains
6. Service With a Smile

*download it here* (reuploaded @320kbps)

6 Comments »

Man Klan- Flesh Machine LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, goth-rock, man klan, new wave, post-punk, swedish on June 1, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Second on the slab we have Man Klan’s lone LP, released in 1987. Can’t seem to find much about these guys either, and their entire discography consists of two 12” releases in 1985, this LP, and a 12” single for “Wanting & Waiting.” I believe the band was Swedish, though this particular LP was released on a UK label and features vocals in English. Pretty fluent, to boot!

Some great female fronted gothic grooves on here, sort of reminiscent of Concrete Blonde, (Devils era) X-Mal Deustchland, or Missing Persons, with sexually ambiguous lyrics. Striking similarities to mid-period Siouxsie as well, though track six is not a cover of the Banshees hit.

Man Klan- Flesh Machine LP
1. Wanting & Waiting
2. Everytime
3. Love For Pleasure
4. No Time For Mercy
5. Redheads
6. Candyman
7. Getting Closer
8. Fisherman
9. Flesh Machine
10. Love Child

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 4/2/22)

Up next: the highly coveted debut LP from Sanity Plexus! Just got a fresh copy in the mail!

4 Comments »

Soviet Sex- End of INRI LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, coldwave, goth-rock, post-punk, Soviet Sex, swiss on June 1, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Last week, I left you kids with a trio of synth-based dance records. Now, to switch over to the guitar driven side of things for a few posts. Up on the slab for today we have the 1984 debut of Soviet Sex, a post-punk band based in Switzerland. There are also two other bands with this name- a band from the US and a band from the Netherlands (featured here), but according to a few pieces of info kicking around and the band members listed on the sleeve of this record (Beat Rohrer, Vico, Alwin Luschin, and Jost Baggenstos), I believe this is a completely separate entry.

According to the Swiss Punk Archive, the band’s roots lie in a band called Crazy, a more punk-driven outfit. Naturally, the sounds here are still fast and energetic, but there’s a bit more gloom and tension in these songs. Definitely recommended for fans of Ziyo and Siekiera. Here’s the info:

Soviet Sex- End of INRI LP
1. Sünde
2. Walpurgis Night
3. Immer Noch Das Leben
4. Trauer
5. Bare Bodies
6. Zwischen Wann Und Wirklichkeit
7. Rettet Uns!
8. Weisser Tod
9. Geschirr Zerbricht

*download it here*

The band would follow this LP up with the Blind Dogs 12” in 1985, just before disappearing. Would love to hear that one, if anyone has a copy kicking around!

4 Comments »

Klein & M.B.O.- First LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, american, chicago house, house, italian, italo disco, Klein and M.B.O., minimal synth on May 21, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Second on the slab is this fantastic LP from Klein & M.B.O. It’s a little more disco-tinged than what I usually post around these parts, but there’s still some great minimal synth grooves kicking around here, combined with some classic italo production. As it stands, the project was not only successful in its native land, it also inspired the budding Chicago house movement.

The project was conceived by Tony Carrasco (USA) and Mario Boncaldo (Italy), two standout musicians in the disco scene. Vocals were performed by Italian jazz singer Roosanna Casal and a US singer named Naimy Hackett, while Davide Piatto lent a hand with some of the arrangements.

Despite the misleading title, this isn’t the band’s first release. However, it contains nearly all of the tracks released on various 12” singles, including the vocal version of “Dirty Talk” from 1982, their most famous track. In fact, it seems as if this release is simply a reissue of De-Ja-Vu, released a year prior on another label. I haven’t heard this LP, so I can’t be sure if the mixes are exactly the same, but my guess is that this LP is a clever reissue, released to capture the project’s growing influence in the US.

With that in mind, here’s the breakdown:

Klein & M.B.O.- First LP
1. The Big Apple
2. The MBO Theme
3. Wonderful
4. Dirty Talk
5. De-Ja-Vu
6. I Love You

*download it here*

10 Comments »

Nightmoves- Transdance 12” & Remixes

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1984, dance, darkwave, minimal synth, Night Moves, Nightmoves, remixes, synthpop, uk on May 21, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Going to be stepping away from the blog for a week, so I plan to leave you all with not one, but TWO stellar releases of the dancier, club-oriented variety. First on the slab, I’ve uploaded several different issues of Nightmoves’ (a.k.a. Night Moves) classic “Transdance”- a killer darkwave dance track that many should recognize. Unfortunately, this song never received the credit it was due, but is easily one of the best tracks of the ’80s. I’ve attached several different versions of the track, one under the guise of the reissued 1984 12” Robot Rock release (including a handful of alternate tracks) and a remixes 12”, which might just be a fan-made collection of mixes. If you’re not completely sick of the song by the time you’re through listening, I’ve also included the significantly shorter edit of the song, plucked from the 7” and included on the None Night of Flexipop Vol. 4 comp.

The UK-based project formed in the wake of Gary Numan’s chart breakthrough in 1979, when vocalist Michael Guihen placed an ad in NME looking for synth players. The original three piece lineup (known then as Oblong Mauve) folded after a few practice sessions, leaving Michael to form a new band. He struck an interesting partnership in 1980, meeting and developing tracks with Denis Haines, Gary Numan’s keyboard player. In exchange for providing the backing track for Numan’ “Love Needs No Disguise,” Michael received help in developing “Transdance,” the standout track from the original lineup’s demos. It was recorded in 1981, and since then, has seen several different versions as lineups changed and technology improved. The infamous UK mix even featured backing vocals from Eve Goddard, Adam Ant’s wife. The band eventually called it a day in 1984, as public tastes shifted dramatically.

Of course, this is only part of the Nightmoves story. The rest is viewable (along with some amazing photos) on the band’s official Myspace page, so click for the full story and some additional visuals. Without any further ado, here’s the info for this zip.

Nightmoves- Transdance 12” (1984)
1. Transdance (UK Club Mix)
2. Transdance (New York Disco Mix)*
3. You Can Take My Love
4. Beat This
5. Nightdrive

Nightmoves- Transdance Mixes 12”
1. Transdance (Edit)
2. Transdance (NYC Mix)
3. Transdance (UK Mix) –> same as UK Club Mix
4. Transdance
5. Transdance
6. Transdance (Remix)

bonus track- Transdance (7” Version)
*not on original 12”.

*download the lot here*

18 Comments »

The Puppets- The Way of Life 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, dance, disco, long island, nyc, synthpop, The Puppets on May 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a pretty killer dance/disco 12”, released in 1983. The Puppets were a New York/Long Island based dance group, who earned quite a bit of airplay from their lone 12” single. The 12” was released on Quality Records, a Canadian label, and came with generic brown sleeve. You can still find this one kicking around certain record stores if you have the patience to sift through coverless singles. Worth the time!

Rumor has it that The Puppets disbanded while recording a follow up full-length. Would love to hear any unreleased material!

Here’s the breakdown for the single:

The Puppets- The Way of Life 12”
1. The Way of Life (Dance Mix)
2. The Way of Life (Vocal)
3. The Way of Life (Instrumental)

*download it here* (re-ripped 4.15.17)

16 Comments »

Dave Ball- Rare Tempo 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, Dave Ball, Genesis P-Orridge, new wave, soft cell, synth, synthpop, uk on May 17, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

This one comes as a generous donation, and supplements Dave Ball’s full length LP, which you can nab over at Mutant Sounds.

For those unfamiliar, Dave Ball was most famous as the second half of Soft Cell, but also was a member of The Grid as well as an esteemed producer. Though Soft Cell didn’t split until 1984, Ball released a solo record and a string of 12” singles in 1983, collaborating with the likes of Gavin Friday (Virgin Prunes) and Genesis P-Orridge (Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle, etc.). In fact, this particular 12” features each of the three collaborative tracks, with Friday on the first and P-Orridge on the remaining two. The version of “Man In the Man” on this 12” is slightly different from the LP version (mostly clipping ten seconds of strange sounds at the beginning), but it looks like the other two songs are identical to their album counterparts, but might be a bit cleaner and crisper than the album provided above. Either way, it’s a nice additional nugget to any self-respecting synth collection! Here’s the information:

Dave Ball- Rare Tempo 12”
1. Strict Tempo
2. Man in the Man
3. Sincerity

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Abecedarians- Smiling Monarchs 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, abecedarians, coldwave, factory, LA, los angeles, post-punk on May 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Apologies for the overwhelming amount of posts today- feeling a bit productive, I suppose. Here’s the 1985 debut 12” by Los Angeles’ Abecedarians, one of the only American releases on Factory. Of course, the band would sign to Caroline to release the bulk of their material. You can nab the band’s posthumous early recordings collection here on these back pages, where you can read a bit more about the band as well. Without any further ado, here’s the info for this 12”:

Abecedarians- Smiling Monarchs 12”
1. Smiling Monarchs
2. Benway’s Carnival

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED*

This 12” has just been reissued as part of Pylon’s 2xLP & CD reissue of Eureka.  Pick it up!

1 Comment »

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