Archive for the 1988 Category

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One Life- The Crowning 12”

Posted in 12'', 1980s, 1988, boston, goth, goth-rock, post-punk, US on June 2, 2016 by Frankie Teardrop

Quick and dirty- both this post and the sound of this record. Released on Beautiful Sounds and based in the Boston area, One Life put out but one 12” of raw, incisive post-punk in 1988, and were never heard from again. Definitely recommended for fans of the first Choir Invisible LP, The Blessing, and The Bolshoi. As for larger touchstones, some major Psychedelic Furs overtones- as if Richard Butler lived in LA in 1985 as far as the title track is concerned. Funny though, as the vocals are a bit less monotone on the other tracks.

Your mileage may vary with the extended remix that kicks off this 12”, but otherwise, I can’t recommend this one enough! Many thanks to Goutroy and Glenn for turning me on to this one.

One Life- The Crowning 12”
1. The Crowning (Extended Mix)
2. The Crowning
3. Never Sleep Again
4. Fate
5. Holy Grace

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Colour Scream- 12” Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1988, 1989, new wave, synthpop, US on July 6, 2015 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve been kinda loving this band for some time, and finding a few cheap copies of their discography has solidified it over the past few weeks. Colour Scream were a US based new wave band from San Jose, CA that flirted with a variety of styles across one mini-LP and remix 12”, released in 1988 and 1989 respectively via Whet Reign Records.

I’d recommend starting with the Dance No More 12”, which features several similar remixes of the title cut, a synthpop SMASH that hits hard where it counts. Equally nasty as it is catchy, it’s definitely ripe for the dance floor. There are two additional tracks on this 12” (one that’s exclusive) that are more indicative of their overall style, a hybrid of Flock of Seagulls-esque wave with college rock leanings. Closest comparison I can come up with is the underrated Vigil LP from 1987.

If you dig the additional tracks from the 12”, there’s more to be found on the mini-LP. But even still, no track is the same, and while some are pure wave goodness, the acoustic dirge “So Long” is a standout for me, almost like a precursor to Radiohead’s “Exit Music (For a Film)” as far as mood is concerned. The version of “Dance No More” from the mini-LP is very different, more dramatic and a bit darker than the remix version, almost beatbox-esque. Kinda took me surprise after playing the hell out of the remix!

Here’s the deets:

Colour Scream- Living and Dying (1988)
1. Will My Fear
2. Across the Sky
3. Jasmines Faith
4. Walls In the Way
5. So Long
6. Dance No More

Colour Scream- Dance No More 12” (1989)
1. Dance No More (Radio Mix)
2. Across the Sky
3. The Monster and I
4. Dance No More (Sir Arthur Mix)
5. Dance No More (Tiananmen Square Mix)

*download both here*

10 Comments »

Stimmen Der Stille- Morgenstern LP

Posted in 1980s, 1988, german, goth, goth-rock, post-punk, stimmen der stille on October 22, 2014 by Frankie Teardrop

Hi all, apologies for the delay but it’s been a bit difficult to make time for a post these days. I hope to rectify that soon. With that in mind, here’s one of my all-time favorite obscure goth/post-punk records, 1988’s Morgenstern by German band Stimmen Der Stille. Someone had requested this in the Asmodi Bizarr post, and that was the only motivation I needed to finally shell out for this one. Thanks for being a bad influence! 😉

There’s only a little information to be found about this band. Their name translates to Voices of Silence (pretty awesome). The official lineup consisted of Daniela Siemon on vocals, Thomas Stelkens on guitar, Martin Gasper on drums and Pamela Alnoch on bass. The band recorded two demos between 1985-6 and released one 12”, Kristallkugel around the same time as this LP. As one might expect, there’s a lot of similarity to Xmal Deutschland and Siouxsie and the Banshees (including a Budgie-esque breakdown on the title track), but the quality of this record is astounding. A few tracks veer into experimental soundscapes before taking hold with killer hooks and powerful vocals, so there’s plenty to love on this LP from front to back!

Stimmen Der Stille- Morgenstern LP
1. Intro (Warten)
2. Kämpfen
3. Fegefeuer
4. Eine Stunde
5. Morgenstern
6. Unterwelt
7. Sahara
8. Not Red
9. Todeslied

Tracks 8 and 9 are ripped as one continuous track!

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Iconoclass- Tenebrae 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, ace buzz, acidity, Belgian, iconoclass, new beat on September 11, 2014 by Frankie Teardrop

Some of you readers may know that I have moonlight as a DJ in NYC for over ten years. During my tenure, I’ve DJed post-punk, shoegaze, coldwave, minimal synth, and everything in between. However, these days I’ve been leaning heavily on the new beat side of things, tapping into the Belgian subculture. For those unfamiliar with the genre (for shame!), new beat is a hyrbid of EBM, acid house and the Chicago/Detroit dance scene, and some of the best tracks walk a fine line between all three. Tempos are slow, lyrics and samples are usually sexually charged, and acid squelches are plentiful. Many of the tracks were written and performed by the same core group of producers, with the singers usually acting as the only variable in the mix (also see Italo).

History lesson aside, many new beat records are affordable, and like any insular dance movement, there was a flood of songs on the market. New beat is one of the more plentiful genres I’ve come across as a collector, so much so that I’m still picking out gems on a regular basis. This particular single is one of the best I’ve come across, and it took a little nudge from Goutroy to check this one out. I was over at his pad one Friday evening, eating dinner and playing old video games, and at some point, he threw on a compilation entitled Best of the Beat– a surprisingly obscure and pricey new beat compilation with no real obvious cuts (101, Tragic Error, The Maxx, etc. are all absent). The whole comp. is solid, though the majority of it was written by a core group of producers- Gery Francois, Tony Baron, Lee Kane, whose projects include Acidity, Lou & the Acid Bananas, and Ace Buzz. As it stands, the trio’s recordings make up over half of the compilation.

Iconoclass is yet another project from these dudes, and quite possibly the best. Released in 1988 and appearing in both 12” and 7” form (both sporting an unassuming cover that looks like Disney meets The Phantom Tolbooth), the original version of “Tenebrae” is one of my favorite new beat tracks that I’ve ever heard; an instant classic combining the traditional new beat techniques with haunting Gregorian chant, a sound that pretty much guarantees true love on my part. It appears here as the B-side, while a remixed (and inferior) version of the track appears on the A-side, likely aiming for the NY hip-hop scene, with some awkward but charming rapping on top of the groove. Your mileage may vary on that version, but the original version is the real deal, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

Iconoclass- Tenebrae 7”
1. Tenebra (Rap Remix)
2. Tenebra (Original Version)

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Azile- La Sainte 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, azile, coldwave, france, french, lyon, post-punk on April 29, 2014 by Frankie Teardrop

It’s been a dog’s age, ladies and gents- or at least it feels like it’s been some time since my last post.  Life’s been a bit crazy here, but all is well, and I’m hoping to resume regular activity here soon.  With that in mind, here’s a new acquisition originally introduced to me by the always astute Stéphane B. of coldwave.fr.  Olivier, the singer and guitarist of the band was kind enough to send me a copy and to lend his permission to share the single here with you all.

This is the lone release by Azile, a French coldwave band from Lyon, home of some of the best bands of the era, including Gestalt, L’Enfance Éternelle, Opéra De Nuit, etc.  The latter is actually an excellent touchstone, as I find some sonic similarities between the A-side of this single and ODN tracks such as “Inviation” and “Karen Lloyd.”   It’s a short blast of excellent coldwave that I’m glad exists in this world, no matter how obscure.  The flip is no slouch either, combining acoustic guitar and churning synth stabs.

This 7” was self-funded and self-released by the band in 1988, though Olivier mentioned that the band recorded a few more tracks around the same time.  I hope to be able to share those with you soon, but in the meantime, here’s the details for this excellent single.

Azile- La Sainte 7”
1. La Sainte
2. L’Homme Qui Tombe

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Sixtieth Parallel- Into Bliss 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, alternative, paisley underground, post-punk, sixtieth parallel on July 8, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Sixtieth Parallel were an undersung US three piece from California, playing in the vein of early U2, The Chameleons, Mighty Lemon Drops, Sad Lovers and Giants, Blue Hollow, etc. (aka, some of my very favorite things).  Tight rhythm section, guitars reminiscent of the alternative explosion of the mid-80s, and really catchy songwriting at every turn.  This is their only documented release, dropped in 1988 on Dr. Dream records.

This 12” was highly recommended by my friend Teresa and I’ve been enjoying it for a few months now.  It can be found easily and for relatively cheap prices if you’re into it, and rumor has it the band has reunited to record new versions of old demos, so keep an eye out for those!

Sixtieth Parallel- Into Bliss 12”
1. Over And Over
2. Passionately Deep
3. Like Dust
4. Trust
5. One Day
6. Into Bliss

*download it here*

11 Comments »

Pro Memoria- 1988 K7

Posted in 1980s, 1988, coldwave, ethereal, france, french, k7, lost desert, spleen ideal with tags , on March 29, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Apologies for flooding your hard drives yet again, but I’ve been meaning to post this tape for months now, and it’s due time for it to be heard.  Here we have the debut demo cassette from Pro Memoria, a haunting and gloomy French Coldwave band from Lyon, one of the country’s hotspots for this sound.  The cassette was self-released in 1988, and features three incredible studio tracks and one live number to top it off.  Fans of Cocteau Twins, Lost Desert, Rosa Luxemburg, Baroque Bordello, Collection D’Arnell-Andrea, etc. will love this one.

There are a handful of scattered compilation appearances around the same era as this release, including two tracks on the often mentioned Nos Années Folles compilation (Lost Desert, Spleen Ideal, etc.)  The band changed their sound a bit to incorporate some jazz influences, releasing Elegia in 1991.  You can grab that one from 7” From the Underground.  “Cinderella” from this cassette has been cleaned up and reissued on the excellent Transmissions Continued compilation on Infrastition.

R-2186760-1268682141

Pro Memoria- 1988 K7
1. Cindirella
2. Le Cri
3. Secret Du Prisme
4. Pro Memoria (Live Lyon, Mars 88)

*download it here*

6 Comments »

L.A.S.’s Crime- Five Lies & Electa K7s

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1988, darkwave, electronic, italian, l.a.s.'s crime, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on January 15, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

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Two excellent tapes here from Italian project L.A.S.’s Crime, short for Lord Arthur Seville’s Crime, named after a classic Oscar Wilde novel. L.A.S.’s. Crime consisted of the duo of Sandro Marchetti and Maria Elena Brogi, who were very diverse and prolific over the course of five years.  The great Bx59cppw has shared several of their cassettes in the past, and Italian label Mannequin has reissued a compilation of material in 2012, featuring thirteen tracks from the band’s tenure, including a handful from these two tapes.   More people seem to know this band than ever before, so why not share a few more pieces of the band’s discography!

fivelies

L.A.S.’s Crime- Five Lies K7(1986)
1. Five Lies
2. Taedium Vitae
3. And Now
4. Statuary Emotion
5. Last Metro
6. Arabian Silence
7. Macabra Danza
8. The Lost Men
9. Devil In The Mirror
10. The Garden
11. Without Nothing
12. Inner World
13. The Important Day
14. My People Gone Away
15. Mary’s Room
16. The Snake
17. Small Man
18. The Final Scream

electa

L.A.S.’s Crime- Electa K7 (1988)
1. Atmosphere n.1
2. Animals Die
3. Atmosphere n.2
4. Party’s Over
5. Atmosphere n.3
6. Morpheus
7. Atmosphere n.4
8. Matrix
9. Atmosphere n.5
10. Dark Xmas
11. Atmosphere n.6
12. The Ultimate Sacrifice

*download both here*

The band recently joined Facebook as well and have uploaded a bunch of pictures, interviews, and miscellaneous images.  Feel free to drop them a line!

4 Comments »

Incee Wincee Spider- Don’t Know Anythin’ 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, goth, incee wincee spider, post-punk, punk, uk on November 1, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a razor sharp 7” from the UK, released in 1988.  Was turned on to this one by Michael of Return to the East/The Anxiety of Love. Highly recommended for fans of Lack of Knowledge, Razor Penguins, Play Dead, and other bands who employ the anthemic, yet razor-sharp post-punk/goth sound.  One of my favorite 7” sleeves, for the record.

I know very little about this band, as this is their only release.  There are four names attached to it, but no traces of activity in other bands/projects.  If anyone has any info about these lads, feel free to chime in.

Incee Wincee Spider- Don’t Know Anythin’ 7”
1. Don’t Know Anythin’
2. See My Love Shine

*download it here*

11 Comments »

Message- Dernière Nuit 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, coldwave, french, message, post-punk on July 1, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Arguably the best French 7”, second only to Coldreams’ classic Morning Rain, previously exhumed here. Like Coldreams, this one has also been posted in the past, but never at the greatest sound quality, as the most rare of records are hard to find in mint condition. Strangely enough, the insert here claims that 2000 of these were pressed, but very few seem to own this one, so I wonder just how many survived the 80s.

This single was released in 1988 on Krezimikroïd, a very DIY French label responsible for some other very-hard-to-find releases. More Message appear on several classic coldwave compilatioms, including the original L’Appel De La Muse (legendary), and the Esom Elion Esmaris K7. Another track appears on the Phantasm Compilation Vol. 1, which is very hard to track down. If anyone out there has this tape, please don’t hesitate to drop a line. Otherwise, here’s a crystal clear rip of this coldwave masterpiece!

Message- Dernière Nuit 7”
1. Dernière Nuit
2. The Crazy Garden

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.4.13)

14 Comments »

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