Archive for the 1984 Category

1000 Ohm- A.G.N.E.S. 12” & Love In Motion 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1984, Belgian, minimal, synth, wave on October 15, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Back to the grind, ladies and gentlemen. Just recently married, I haven’t had much time to think about posting, but now that the dust has settled, let’s get this blog back up and running. I’m still aiming for a twice a week goal for now, so let’s see how that goes.

Today’s band is 1000 Ohm, a two man Belgian minimal synth project formed in 1979. Originally, 1000 Ohm was the brainchild of Frank Van Bogaert, but as the outfit continued into the 1980s, Johan Van Herck joined in to flesh out the band’s sound, joined by an unnamed third member for live shows (if anyone knows the third member’s name, please chime in). The first release uploaded today, the 1981 A.G.N.E.S. 12”, features just Frank at the helm, while Van Herck joined in time for 1984’s Love In Motion 12”.

The duo split in 1987 after several more 12” singles (including ‘The Claim’ a shameless synthpop jam), and Van Bogaert went on to produce several local artists before purchasing ACE studios in Antwerp. As the nineties came to a close, Frank began to release a series of his own organic synth recordings, some of which have won German awards. He still records to this day.

Without any further adieu, here’s the info for these two synth-pop gems:

1000 Ohm- A.G.N.E.S. 12”
1. A.G.N.E.S.
2. A.G.N.E.S. (2nd mix)
3. Look Around

1000 Ohm- Love In Motion 12”
1. Love In Motion
2. Love In Motion (Instrumental)

*download them here*

Venus In Furs- Platonic Love & Other Stories LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1990s, electronic, post-punk, times, uk, venus in furs on September 15, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Not much more info I can give today, but as promised, here’s the first official LP by UK electronic/post-punk band Venus In Furs (released in 1984). Managed to acquire the rest of the band’s discography, but am missing *one* track from Soft Life. Speak up if you’ve got it. Otherwise, on to the music:

Venus in Furs- Platonic Love & Other Stories
1. Fallen Statues
2. That First Wild Kiss
3. Majordomo
4. Entracte/Zurich 1924
5. His Master’s Voice
6. Platonic Love
7. Waltz Of The Venus De Milo
8. Achilles Brain
9. Snowscape
10. The Challenge

*download it here*

Bunnydrums- On the Surface 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 2000s, bunnydrums, minimal synth, philadelphia, post-punk on August 5, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

I have two releases in store today. A request post will follow, but first up, here’s a stellar Bunnydrums 12” ripped straight from my personal collection.

I loosely covered Bunnydrums just under one year ago, but this release is seemingly out of print. A quick recap: Bunnydrums formed in 1980 and originally split in 1986, after releasing a handful of singles and two full length records. The Philadelphia based band reformed in the new millennium, compiling several of their releases for the PKD/Simulacra collection, still available through Metropolis Records. The Funeral Crashers had the pleasure of playing with Bunnydrums just last year, but since then, the band seems to have split once more. Will they rise again? Only time will tell…

In the meanwhile, here’s the info for 1984’s On the Surface 12”:

Bunnydrums- On the Surface 12”
1. On The Surface (Edited)
2. Boundaries
3. Switch-Blade
4. Closed Eyes
5. On The Surface

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 3.16.17)

For your viewing pleasure, here’s a live performance clip of the band performing the title track in Holland, 1984:

Testcard F- complete discography

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1984, british, minimal, synth, testcard f, wave on July 9, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve had several requests this year for the remaining discography of Norwich minimal band Testcard F. Firstly, here’s my previously quoted entry on the band, with download information following:

“Testcard F formed in 1981, and reconstructed and built their own synthesizers throughout their tenure. Unlike some synth-punk and minimal wave acts of the time, this band near-completely utilized electronic instruments, drum machines, and backing tapes; the only organic instrumentation appearing in the form of trash cans, coat racks, and other assorted bits of debris. Oftentimes, their live performances would be slagged viciously by heckling attendees, anxious for guitars. One particular gig in their hometown of Norwich ended in a small riot.

The band split immediately on the brink of success after winning a Norwich battle of the bands and recording their two singles and Peel Session in 1984.”

Testcard F- Bandwagon Tango 7”
1. Bandwagon Tango
2. Unfamiliar Room

Testcard F- Third Stroke 7”
1. Third Stroke
2. If Only It Wasn’t

Testcard F- Peel Session (12.18.1982)
1. Bandwagon Tango
2. Blanket Expression
3. If Only It Wasn’t
4. Unfamiliar Room

*download it all here*

Sleep Chamber- Musik For Mannequins K7

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1990s, boston, experimental, industrial, musique concrete on June 2, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Sleep Chamber are an early 80s industrial collective consisting solely of John Zewizz and an otherwise revolving door lineup. The outfit formed in 1980 in Boston and was experimental in nature, yet as time passed the outfit shifted in styles several times over.

The late 80s saw a more EBM/synthpop direction, while Sleep Chamber began creating dark ambient music into the nineties, shifting between those two styles for the remainder of the decade. The band dropped from most radars in the new millennium as Zewiss’ personal troubles caused the project to self destruct, and it’s unclear whether Zewiss plans to record after a hiatus. However, a few collections of unreleased material has appeared and rumors hint at new material in 2008.

I’ve uploaded what seems to be Sleep Chamber’s third cassette release, entitled Musik For Mannequins, a more experimental/musique concrete release from 1984. Without any further ado, here’s the information:

Sleep Chamber- Musik For Mannequins K7
1. Victmm
2. Jungle Disease
3. The Lantern
4. A Distant Cry
5. Conversations In Between Walls
6. Left Side Of The Tomb
7. Twenty Three
8. The Last Fantasy
9. Rite To Death

*download it here*

This fan-run myspace page comes complete with a brief interview with John Zewiss, an interesting read for more information about the band’s whereabouts and future plans. Click below to take a peek:

Sleep Chamber on myspace

Bene Gesserit- A High, Happy, Perverse, and Cynical Cry of Joy LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, alain neffe, Belgian, bene gesserit, experimental, industrial, minimal, minimal synth on April 7, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

This one’s an old favorite of mine. Today’s post features an experimental/minimal band from Belgium named Bene Gesserit and their first record A High, Happy, Perverse, and Cynical Cry of Joy, released in 1984.

Taking their name from a religious race of humans from Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Bene Gesserit was formed in 1981 by Alain Neffe, a pioneer in the Belgian industrial scene. Joined by Nadine Bal, the pair would record a series of live cassettes and three records under psuedonyms (B. Ghoula and Benedict G., respectively). Their sound combined both the experimental edge of industrial music and the slick synthesized sound of minimal synth, a curious and innovative hybrid that earned the band a decent following and cult status to this day.

Though the band split after releasing their third record, Alain would remain active in such outfits as Human Flesh, Cortex, I Scream, and Pseudo-Code. You can nab another one of their records from Mutant Sounds by clicking here. Otherwise, here’s the info for Bene Gesserit’s first release:

Bene Gesserit- A High, Happy, Perverse, and Cynical Cry of Joy LP
1. She Is Walking
2. Japanese Song
3. Enfants Des Rues
4. Pravda
5. Nuit Et Chuchotements
6. Strange Strangers (In The Night)
7. Clear Blue Smile
8. Walt’s Waltz
9. Tonight
10. Désirs-Délires
11. Kitchen Music (For Kitchen People)
12. Existentialisme
13. No Rule For A Dream : Bali
14. Tourdorizonmuzikal (C’est Ça)
15. La Brabançonne (Belgian National Anthem)

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* Official CD reissue coming March 2012 via EE Tapes.

The band has both an official site and a myspace page, but both are entirely in French. For anyone fluent or otherwise curious:

Official Page
Myspace Page

On a previous note, anyone who downloaded Absolute Body Control’s Numbers should check back again, for I originally only had the first side of the cassette uploaded. The new link should now consist of both tape sides…

Siglo XX- Re-Released ’80-’82 LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, Belgian, coldwave, post-punk, siglo xx on March 3, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Fulfilling a request for today for Belgian post-punk/coldwave band Siglo XX. Siglo XX formed in 1980 during the fallout of the punk explosion, and the four piece outfit would drop a number of developmental DIY singles before recording their first record a few years later. Their sound was akin to the likes of the Factory Records crew, oftentimes hard-hitting and intense, while other times melodic, synthetic, and entrancing. Their name, which is Spanish for ’20th Century,’ stems from an anarchist movement and is representative of their gloom and doom sound, though the band loathed to be lumped in with their contemporaries.

Siglo XX disappeared from view as the eighties fizzled out, leaving behind a local legacy of singles, seven full-lengths, and several compilations. I’ve uploaded their 1984 collection, entitled Re-Released ’80-’82, which compiles their more formative (and in this author’s opinion, better) material.

Details:

Siglo XX- Re-Released ’80-’82
1. The Naked And The Death
2. Art Of War
3. Lines Of Hope
4. Youth Sentiment
5. Obsession
6. Factory
7. La Vie Dans La Nuit
8. Individuality
9. Autumn
10. Caraibian Nightmares
11. The Fall

*download it here*

I have a handful of their other releases lying around should anyone be interested in hearing more. Otherwise, click below for a Siglo XX myspace tribute page, and stay tuned for some treats, including a donated Marquis De Sade record and a third podcast.

Siglo XX tribute on myspace

End of Data- Sahrah LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, art-rock, coldwave, end of data, french, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on February 8, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

I promise this isn’t intentional anymore, folks, but today’s band also happens to hail from France. It’s a request of sorts from a new reader, and the band is End of Data, a four piece Coldwave outfit who formed in 1983 and split just a few years later. Live setups for the band included ex-members of Tanit and Orchestre Rouge.

The band’s discography consists of two solid records, 1984’s Sahrah and 1985’s Dans Votre Monde. As I’m unable to scour up a copy of the latter in an “acceptable” bitrate (if anyone wants a 128kps rip of the record, holler and I’ll post it), I’ve only uploaded their incredible debut. Alternately, if anyone has a more sufficient copy of said record, feel free to send it my way.

Details:

End of Data- Sahrah LP (1984)
1. End Of Data I & II
2. If I’m Not A Killer
3. Follow Me And So
4. Like A Succession I & II
5. Trottodaf
6. Sahrah / Symphonie Inachevée

*download it here*

During their tenure, the title track ‘Sahrah’ became a slightly prominent club hit, and has since been featured on several coldwave/French wave compilations. They made a video, to boot, and here it is:

Opéra De Nuit- Full discography

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1986, 1988, coldwave, french, opera de nuit on February 4, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

This one is for Curious Guy over at Phoenix Hairpins… Opéra De Nuit (Opera of the Night) are another classic French coldwave act whose discography consists of one self-titled LP and two 12” singles, all of which I’ve uploaded for your perusal.

The four piece outfit formed in Valréas, France in 1982 and disbanded soon after releasing their seminal s/t record in 1988, enjoying a fair amount of hometown success in the meanwhile. The track “Ami-Amant” (featuring haunting female vocal contributions and driving synth/bass grooves) became a dance floor staple and has been included on the Transmission 81-89:The French Cold Wave compilation that Infrastition put out in 2005, responsible for many a Coldwave band’s second coming.

Details:

Opéra De Nuit are:
Erik Adrien (guitar, synths)
Jean-François Chaleyssin (bass)
Franck Adrien (drums, synths)
Richard Fekkar (synths)

Amour Noir 12” (1984)
1. Amour Noir
2. Karen Lloyd
3. Hors du Temps

Sourire de l’Ombre 12” (1986)
1. Sourire de l’Ombre
2. Ami-Amant
3. Invitation
3. Possession

Opéra De Nuit LP (1988)
1. Boris Transylvania Camp
2. L’appel du Froid
3. Larmes de Sang
4. Annabella
5. Invitation
5. Jeu Damné
6. Rebelle-Rebelle
7. Ami-Amant

*download it here*

There seems to be an official myspace page up, so if your French is up to snuff, drop a note!
Opéra De Nuit on myspace

Baroque Bordello- Today 12” / Via LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1985, baroque bordello, coldwave, french, laurence tolhurst on January 25, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Another French coldwave request fulfilled, as I’ve uploaded the first two releases by Baroque Bordello, who formed in 1981 and disbanded seven years later. The band was primarily female fronted, with a very driving keyboard and drum driven sound. Like most coldwave acts, Baroque Bordello sung in both French and English. Their discography consists of two full-length LPs and one 12” single (their debut produced by ex-Cure member/co-founder Lol Tolhurst). A two disc retrospective was released by Infrastition a few years back, which comprises their entire discography. A limited edition version was released which contains a bonus disc of demo recordings.

In 1988, the band signed to Polydoor records, shortened its name to Baroque, and released one 12” single before disbanding. Also, it seems as if there are a handful bands who’ve gone by the name Baroque Bordello, all unrelated. The latest has been active in the new millennium, but is not a reformed lineup of the band.

Without any further ado, details proper for their first two releases:

Baroque Bordello- Today 12” (1984)
1. Today
2. From Your Eyes
3. Les Algues

Baroque Bordello- Via LP (1985)
1. Voyageur
2. Marie Chinese
3. L’autre
4. Baby doll
5. I and I
6. Comme Toujours
7. Squares (Join the Room)

*download link removed*

For anyone interested in nabbing the official Baroque Bordello retrospective (and several other coldwave reissues), here’s Infrastition’s homepage.

Infrastition dot com