Archive for the 1980s Category

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Calculated X- Four Windows 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, american, Calculated X, darkwave, minimal synth, new wave, post-punk, US on January 23, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Not much is known about Calculated X, aside from their American (Tennessee) origins, and contributions by the late Bobby Bowie (no relation to David, I’m afraid). That said, this particular 12”, released in 1982, is one of the very best dark synth records of all time. All three tracks are pure class, especially the driving “Dream Affair,” one of my favorite tracks to spin here in New York.

It seems as if the band has also released a full length record, but I can’t seem to find much information on it. That all said, if anyone’s able to fill in the gaps and tell more of the Calculated X story, feel free. Otherwise, here’s the info for this killer 12”.

Calculated X- Four Windows 12”
1. Four Windows
2. Girl Like You
3. Dream Affair

*download it here*

17 Comments »

Belfegore- A Dog is Born LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, Belfegore, german, NDW, new wave, post-punk, synth on January 23, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a classic German post-punk record, one of the highlights of the NDW movement that swept the country throughout the 1980s. Combing dark synths, aggressive guitars, experimental tendencies, and deep grooves, this record has it all.

Formed in 1982, the members of Belfegore had their roots in equally stellar projects, including Nichts and Die Krupps. This record was the first of two released by the band. Their second record, released on Elektra, earned a bit more attention and exposure, while this first record was self funded and released by local independent label Pure Freude, also responsible for S.Y.P.H. and a handful of Mekons releases. Their second (self-titled) record also featured the hit “All That I Wanted,” which earned sporadic airplay on MTv and VH1.

The band opened up for U2’s Unforgettable Fire European tour in 1985, shifting members and splitting up soon after. Vocalist Meikel Clauss would leave the music business entirely, practicing medicine.

Here’s the information for the band’s debut record, released in 1983.

Belfegore- A Dog Is Born LP
1. Mensch Oder Gott
2. Glashaus
3. Herz Atmet Echos
4. Deutsche Mark´n Bein
5. Ridiculous
6. A Dog Is Born
7. WOW!
8. Schattenwelt
9. Der Fall Des IQ
10. Tod Durch Die Blume

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Ziyo- Ziyo LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, 1990s, 200s, coldwave, polish, post-punk, Ziyo on January 22, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a classic post-punk record, the first of many from Polish act Ziyo, who formed in 1984. Though it took five years for the band to release their debut, the wait was well worth it, as this s/t record is a quintessential slice of coldwave music from the Eastern Block.

Ziyo are still together to date, and just released their eighth studio record in 2009. As it stands, they are just as vital and powerful as Siekiera and De Press, two of their shorter-lived peers. Perhaps the key to the band’s longevity is their more eclectic sound? Either way, let’s get to the details.

Ziyo- Ziyo LP
1. Nr 1
2. Poza Tym Miejscem
3. Graffiti
4. Obwarowany
5. Idziemy Wytrwale
6. Panie Prezydencie
7. Pod Jednym Niebem
8. Nowe Krajobrazy

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Nagamatzu- 1986-1988 CD-R

Posted in 1980s, 1986, coldwave, minimal, minimal synth, Nagamatzu, uk on January 15, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post contains a handful of selected tracks by British darkwave act Nagamatzu, essentially a two piece featuring Andrew Lagowski (Legion, Terror Against Terror) on synths, guitar, and drum machines and Stephen Jarvis (aka Terraform) on bass, synth, and projections. Andrew Fleck also contributed keyboards from 1982-1983.

A good portion of these tracks appear on the band’s debut cassette release, 1986’s Sacred Islands of the Mad, a true minimal synth classic. In fact, all of the tracks are represented here, except “Lift Off,” the first track on the cassette. To make up for it, this collection contains three other tracks, including “Crackle Black,” “Op-Dead Post A,” and “Shroud,” only one whose origin is known. All tracks sound nice and crisp, as loud and clear as can be.

Without any further ado, here’s the info:

Nagamatzu- 1986-1998 CD-R
1. 150 Murderous Passions
2. Carmine
3. Crackle Black
4. Der Gute Kamerad
5. Ioneso
6. Magic
7. Op-Dead Post A
8. Roma Distruta
9. Schlaggefahr
10. Shakedown
11. Shroud
12. Taraiky
13. Watch + Waste

Tracks 1, 2, 4-6, 8-10, 12, and 13 from Sacred Islands of the Mad K7
Track 7 from Total Recess 3 comp.

*download removed by request*

You can also nab the killer Space Shuttle Shuffle 12” (which also features the missing K7 tape) as high quality AIFF files via The Nagmatazu Archive, a collection of free tracks Lagowski made available online. Here’s direct links to the tracks (which are about 70-80mb each), for your downloading pleasure! Just right click and “save as.”

1. The Sunlight Home
2. Lift Off
3. Schlaggefahr

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ATTENTION, dear readers- you can now get a remastered copy Sacred Islands of the Mad via the always excellent DARK ENTRIES label, an awesome reissue label based out of the west coast. Click here for more info!

5 Comments »

Various Artists- Mea Pulpa K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, asylum party, coldwave, compilations, little nemo, pavillon 7b on January 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

As promised, here’s the Mea Pulpa cassette, released two years before Passage Du Trou Marin and featuring more of the same great coldwave sound! Lots of familiar faces and a few rare treats, as always. Here’s the info:

Various Artists- Mea Pulpa K7
1. Persona- J’Attends
2. Collection D’Arnell-Andrea- Aux Mortes Saisons
3. Bunkerstrasse- Tears
4. Vox Populi- La Grande Plante Fibreuse
5. Dazibao- Sherguei
6. Little Nemo- Cloudy Sky
7. De Medicis- 1944
8. Complot Bronswick- Another Blue World
9. Pavillon 7B- Les Révoltés
10. Lucie Cries- The Fatal Message
11. L’Avis G821- Enemy
12. Asylum Party- Pigs Are Still Alive
13. Neva- Le Clown Est Mort
14. Tuatha De Danann- De Rerum Natura
15. No Words- Cent Masques Sans Illusions
16. Lost Desert- Sunrise
17. The Grief- Something Wild
18. Les Enfants De L’Ombre- Geste Pâle

Tracks 1-8: Pulpae Corpus
Tracks 9-18: La Mort Du Poulpe

*download it here*

8 Comments »

Various Artists- Passage Du Trou Marin K7

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 1991, babel 17, coldwave, compilations, l'enfance eternelle, little nemo, norma loy, passage du trou marin, resistance on January 5, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted some classic coldwave, so here’s a rare cassette compilation for you folks to kick off 2010. Released in 1991, this compilation collects a slew of classic coldwave artists, with a few more obscure gems thrown in for good measure. Many of the bands on this tape have been featured earlier on this blog, including Little Nemo, Babel 17, L’Enfance Éternelle, Norma Loy, and Résistance. Otherwise, this compilation collects a series of exclusive tracks (b-sides, non-album cuts, live performances), making this release a necessity for coldwave collectors everywhere.

Dépendance Continue, the French label who released this cassette, also released a similar cassette two years prior, entitled Mea Pulpa (featuring rare tracks by Asylum Party, Vox Dei, and Complot Bronswick). I’m happy to post that soon if anyone’s interested. That said, here’s the info for this release.

Various Artists- Passage Du Trou Marin K7
1. Palo Alto- Cible Sans Cils
2. Tuatha De Danann- Mesta In Telessa
3. Norma Loy- We Shall Win
4. Nervous Twitch- Nothing At All
5. Lucie Cries- Clara
6. Mazerno- Marteau Pilique
7. Résistance- Out Of The Body
8. Kafkha- Soleil Sur Rivière
9. Noise Gate- No Thank You
10. Alméria- Finambule
11. Little Nemo- Old Age
12. No Speak- Fire Song
13. Scalpel Humain- Death Angel
14. Babel 17- Low High
15. Die Bunker- Alone With Somebody
16. Wunderlich Ausgang- Train
17. Zorn- Prières
18. L’Enfance Éternelle- Plaisirs Acides
19. Modèle Martial- L’Amour Froid
20. Les Frères Straforelli- Tentatives

Tracks 1-11: Side 1 (Début…)
Tracks 12-20: Side 2 (…Fin)

*download it here*

10 Comments »

End of Data- Dans Votre Monde LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, art-rock, coldwave, end of data, french, minimal, post-punk, synth, wave on December 12, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Next up, we have the second End of Data LP, finally rescued from poorly-ripped hell. The only copy most folks have of this record in digital format are ripped at a low bitrate from a less than stellar LP copy, so here’s a more crisp, solid copy. This second record is slightly more poppy and new wave-esque than their more abrasive and strange debut, available here, so feel free to compare and contrast, and read up on the band while you’re at it. Otherwise, here’s a more solid and consistent rip of this 1985 classic!

End of Data- Dans Votre Monde LP
1. Dans Votre Monde
2. Movie Drama
3. Quetzalcoatl
4. Symphonie
5. La Rive Asiatique
6. Atttrra (Vers Le Miroir)
7. Venice
8. D.M.C.

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Twice a Man- Works on Yellow CD

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1990s, 2000s, swedish, synth, synthpop, twice a man, wave on November 10, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Yet another icy piece of Swedish minimal/coldwave for you, as this post features another solid Twice a Man record. We’ve already covered this glorious band several times over, so click here and here for more info and music. Otherwise, this particular LP sees the band experimenting with more atmospheric and ambient textures, all while keeping their signature synth-perfection intact. This particular record also features “Girl,” one of the band’s best known tunes, also featured on the Retronics compilation. Get that here, if you’re in need.

The LP was released in 1986, and was re-released on CD in 1993 with an extra bonus track added. This is the version uploaded below. Here’s the info:

Twice a Man- Works On Yellow CD
1. Brave New World
2. Happy Life
3. Lapwing Territory
4. Girl
5. Back On Venus
6. Left
7. Backward Mode
8. Time
9. Africa

*download it here*

6 Comments »

ExKurs- Fakten sind Terror LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, exkurs, german, modern enterainment, New deutsche welle, p1/e, post-punk, synth on November 9, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a particularly dark gem I stumbled upon in my travels. This post contains the lone LP from German post-punk band ExKurs, released in 1981. Though this is the band’s lone release, members of ExKurs have a rich history in the vast world of early 1980s synth. Michael Hirsch was previously active in Alexander Hacke’s P1/e, while Allan Rae Smith also released a record with Modern Entertainment, his previous punk outfit.

Otherwise, the sounds on this LP feature post-punk rhythms and buzzing electronics, chock full of energy. A true New Deutsch Welle gem, the opening track is a treat in and of itself. Let’s get to the details, shall we?

ExKurs- Fakten sind Terror LP
1. Warten
2. Fakten
3. Bewegung
4. Steril
5. Natur
6. Angst
7. Friedhof
8. Ausblick

*download it here*

The band also have a website, consisting of a disography and brief history, but it’s entirely in German. If you’re up to snuff on the language, feel free to click HERE and check it out.

Meanwhile, to make up for my absence, I have two more posts in store for today, as time allows, so stay tuned for a few requests!

2 Comments »

Zwischenfall- Gestern Und Heute CD

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 1995, german, italo disco, minimal synth, synthpop, Zwischenfall on October 16, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

As promised, here’s a CD compilation of German new wave/minimal band Zwischenfall, who wrote some of the most underrated tracks of the ’80s. Several of the cuts on this collection are dance floor destroyers, especially “Sandy Eyes” (more of an italo cut), “Sacred Time,” “Atemlos,” and two versions of “Flucht.”

From what I gather, the Gestern Und Heute CD collects the band’s entire discography, including a rather ’90s sounding remix of “Flucht.” The collection was released in 1995, and fetches a rather high price, even for a CD. I can’t seem to find anything concrete on the band aside from the band members involved (Martin Urban, Michael Sass, & Stephan Kraemer), but Google tells me that a prominent European club takes their name from the band.

Perhaps their legacy (like most of the bands featured here) is stronger overseas. On that note, let’s get to the music.

Zwischenfall- Gestern Und Heute CD
1. Atemlos
2. Heimatlose
3. Millionen
4. Flucht ’82 (German Version)
5. Sandy Eyes
6. Flucht ’84 (English Version)
7. Polar Magazine
8. Sacred Time
9. Katastrophe
10. Tausend Jahre
11. Atemlos (Remix ’93)
12. Flucht (Remix ’94)

*download it here*

————-

ATTENTION, dear readers- you can now get a remastered copy of Zwischenfall’s debut 12” via the always excellent DARK ENTRIES label, an awesome reissue label based out of the west coast. Click here for more info!

12 Comments »

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