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7” grab bag no. 2

Posted in 1970s, 1977, 1979, 1980s, 1981, 1985, 7'', british, coldwave, french, grab bag, industrial, lars falk, metal urbain, post-punk, spk, synthpunk, twice a man on June 30, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for the delay here, folks…but to make up for it, here’s another one of those 7” grab bag posts, in which i’ve zipped up four singles for your listening pleasure, including one request from an Australian chum. Here’s the information and a quick blurb about each 7”.

SPK- No More 7” (1979)
1. No More
2. Contact
3. Germanik

This is the very first release by Australian industrial collective SPK, and certainly one of their most primitive and direct. This one was a limited run of 200 copies, and the a-side has yet to appear on a proper CD release, though both ‘Contact’ and ‘Germanik’ are featured on their Auto-Da-Fé LP.

Metal Urbain- Panik 7” (1977)
1. Panik
2. Lady Coca Cola

One of the very first synthpunk bands…French origins. This is their first 7” single, but most of their earlier work has since been collected on the Anarchy In Paris compilation.

Lars Falk- TV Eye 7” (1985)
1. TV Eye
2. Doors

Lars Falk is one of the ex-contributing members of Swedish coldwave act Twice a Man, who’s previously featured here. Though it shares the name with the Stooges classic, the a-side is an original number.

Where’s Lisse?- Talk Takes Too Long 7” (1981)
1. Talk Takes Too Long
2. You Stole My Gun

There’s something charming about this otherwise rickety and rough record from this British four piece. This is one of two releases (they followed this with an equally scarce 12” single), and is chock full of early post-punk energy. EDIT: cover scan provied by Rudeboy Noah! Thanks a ton!

*download all four here*

7 Comments »

Moderne- L’Espionne Aimait La Musique LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, coldwave, french, minimal, new wave on June 23, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Fulfilling a quick request for the second Moderne LP today, so look for a proper writeup on these guys and their first record here. Otherwise, here’s the info for the band’s second LP, 1981’s L’Espionne Aimait La Musique, which featured new vocalist Dominique Marchetti.

Moderne- L’Espionne Aimait La Musique LP
1. Switch On Bach
2. Mercenaire Solitaire
3. Judo-O-Dojo
4. La Romance
5. Qu’Elle Me Caresse
6. Eldorado
7. Video Idéale
8. L’Homme D’Affaires
9. Dilemma
10. Mode

*download link removed*

Minimal Wave, the fantastic NYC-based label known for collecting and reissuing obscure synth and wave gems has just recently released a double LP/CD, which contains both of Moderne’s groundbreaking records! Click here to nab your copy while the getting is good!

8 Comments »

Moderne- Moderne LP

Posted in 1980, 1980s, coldwave, french, minimal, new wave on June 19, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today calls for a little French electro-pop/minimal wave/whatever tag you want to put on these guys. It’s hard to classify, as some songs are cheery as sin, while there’s a hint of ice cold electronics throughout.

The band is Moderne, a French four piece formed in a town just south of Paris in 1979. Moderne released but two albums and a few 7”s, but each record featured a different vocalist. This is the first of the pair, a 1980 self-titled affair.

Moderne split soon after their second album L’Espionne Aimait La Musique was released, but have enjoyed some cult success with “Switched on Bach,” a single pulled from their swan song, also featured on 2004’s So Young But So Cold compilation.

Without any further ado, here’s the info for Moderne’s first record:

Moderne- Moderne LP
1. Indicatif
2. Séduction
3. Histoire Ordinaire
4. Electronique
5. Vers l’Est
6. Rock’n Roll Stars
7. Sans Signalement

*download link removed*

5 Comments »

Abecedarians- The Other Side of the Fence LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990, abecedarians, coldwave, LA, los angeles, post-punk on May 27, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

This one was donated last year by a good chum, and collects the early works of US post-punk/coldwave act Abecedarians. The trio formed in Los Angeles in 1983 and recorded several early demos until their first official release, a 12” on Factory Records. The band then signed to Caroline Records to release two LPs and a compilation, splitting by the end of the eighties.

In 1995, members Chris Manecke and John Blake formed the First Men on the Sun project, which continued in a similar aesthetic as Abecedarians’ work and released one LP in 1995 (EDIT: you can find that on A Viable Commercial). As for the record uploaded below, it was originally released by Independent Project Records (For Against, Savage Republic) on 2×10” vinyl LPs (clear and black vinyl editions) in 1990, around the same time the band split. All members felt that these early versions (many of which were re-recorded for their Caroline LPs) had more spirit to them. I tend to agree.

Here are the details for the release:

Abecedarians- The Other Side of the Fence LP
1. Beneath The City Of The Hedonistic Bohemians
2. Ghosts
3. John’s Pop
4. Come Out
5. Classic
6. Spaghetti Western
7. Switch
8. Where’s Karen
9. Soil
10. The Other Side Of The Fence
11. Wildflower
12. They Said Tomorrow

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED*

All 10 demos from The Other Side of the Fence have been reissued on Pylon’s reissue of Eureka. The CD version contains 4 of the tracks, while a double LP/bonus CD bundle contains a bonus disc with the remaining tracks. Support as you can!

7 Comments »

Guerre Froide- Untitled 12”/Archives Cassette

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1985, 2000s, coldwave, french, guerre froide, reunited on May 2, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

The pseudo-request I’m fulfilling originally came in for French coldwave act Guerre Froide’s first cassette release, Cicatrice, but I am absolutely unable to track it down, so instead, I offer two fine Guerre Froide releases for anyone unfamiliar with the band.

Guerre Froide began in 1980 as a collective of electronic/organic musicians, releasing several underground cassettes and a 12” single. They only lasted three years, with several lineup shifts throughout, but the band resumed activity in 2006, with most of the original lineup intact. They have since issued a full-length record in 2007, entitled Angoisses & Divertissement and are touring to this day.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve zipped both their lone untitled 12” single (released in 1981) and their 1985 post-breakup cassette, Archives. Here’s the individual information for these releases, but please note that the two are uploaded together.

Guerre Froide- Untitled 12”
1. Ersatz
2. Demain Berlin
3. Mauve
4. Peine Perdue

Guerre Froide- Archives Cassette
1. La Chanson D’Ian
2. Eva (Berlin 81)
3. Départ
4. Sans Ultimes Sens Multiples
5. Berlin Demain
6. Remorquage
7. Gloria Victis
8. Brumes
9. Picaro
10. Flashbacks Futurs

*download both here!*

Otherwise, if anyone happens to have the 1980 Cicatrice cassette, feel free to chime in! Otherwise, here are links to the band’s official web-hubs. Can’t seem to find any proper purchasing information for the older material, but my French isn’t quite up to speed these days, I’m afraid.

Official Site
Myspace dot com
Purchase Guerre Froide’s 2007 record here

13 Comments »

Résistance- 100 Lives LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, coldwave, france, french, resistance on April 18, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Fulfulling a request to finish out the week…Today’s post features French coldwave greats Résistance and their second LP, 1989’s 100 Lives. I’m unable to dig up further information about the band (let alone a proper picture), so should anyone have any to contribute, feel free to leave it in the comments box and I shall amend with due credit and thanks.

On that note, here’s the information and link. Enjoy!:

Résistance- 100 Lives LP
1. Across The Ocean
2. By Your Side
3. The Upper Room
4. 100 Lives
5. Instant
6. The Missing
7. End Of The Day
8. Personal Treason
9. Stand Aside
10. D.Dancers
11. Downfall
12. Glimmer

*download it here*

A video for ‘Across the Ocean’ is linked below…Oh youtube, how you surprise me from time to time:

10 Comments »

Babel 17- Shades LP

Posted in 1990s, 1991, babel 17, coldwave, france on April 3, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post features hard-edged French coldwave act Babel 17, who officially formed in 1989. Members of the band had been playing together under various names since 1983, scrapping, rewriting, and experimenting with songs and ideas before settling upon their official name and sound. The first incarnation’s drummer would go on to join Little Nemo, who helped the newly formed Babel 17 land a record contract with the prestigious Lively Art label.

The band released two albums and a series of singles before splitting in 1993, just as their peers were folding and Lively Art closed its doors. The band was rumored to have a third album all ready for release before Lively Art folded. However, though the band has the tracklisting and a few songs up on their official page, I’ve been unable to track it down in any medium. Instead, I’ve uploaded the band’s seminal sophomore record, 1991’s Shades for your listening pleasure, complete with CD only bonus tracks. I believe this release was originally upgraded from an EP, though both shared the same name. The details:

Babel 17- Shades LP
1. Shades of a Dream
2. XVI – XVII – XVIII
3. La Curee
4. Bittersweetness
5. Nohm-Bo
6. Madness Strides Along
7. Lo-Hi
8. A Prayer
9. Bittermixness
10. In Distress

*download link removed—-> album re-released on Infrastition in 2009! see below for links for purchase*

Here’s a clip of the band performing the title track live in 1990:

Last but not least, here’s some further information on Babel 17, including a link to purchase their first record, 1990’s Celeano Fragments through Infrastition.com:

Babel 17 official page
Infrastition.com

5 Comments »

Ruth- Polaroïd/Roman/Photo LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, coldwave, french, minimal, ruth, synth on March 13, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Ruth were an incredibly short lived French synth/coldwave project, combining the efforts of solo artist Thierry Müller and members Philippe Doray and Ruth Ellyeri. The band formed in the mid-80s and released one full-length lp, 1985’s Polaroïd/Roman/Photo before parting ways. Müller would explore graphic arts and soon after would continue his solo work and form a new synth/experimental project entitled Ilitch, which is still active to this day.

In 2007, two early Ruth recordings were uncovered and released as a lone 7”, expanding their scant discography. Since its release, the title track has been compiled several times over on various French wave discs, bringing Ruth’s semi-obscurity to a head as a classic of the genre. A subsequent re-release of their debut album on CD through Fractal Records (sadly out of print at this point) compiled a handful of exclusive remixes, all of which are included with today’s download. Without any further ado, the details:

Ruth- Polaroïd/Roman/Photo LP
1. Thriller
2. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo
3. She Brings The Rain
4. Misty Mouse
5. Mabelle
6. Mots
7. Tu M’Ennuies
8. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo (Cotton Wool Mix, 1984)
9. Sans Mots (L’Orchestre Inachevé, Remix 2001)
10. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo (Instrumental First Mix, 1982)

*LINK REMOVED*— purchase reissues from:
Angular (LP)
Infrastition (CD)

For some further information on Ruth, but moreso to learn more about Thierry Müller’s current work with Ilitch, click below:

Ilitch music
Myspace tribute to Ruth

24 Comments »

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

8 Comments »

Norma Loy- Romance 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 2000s, coldwave, french, minimal synth, norma loy, post-punk on February 25, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post is the very first 12” single by classic French coldwave band Norma Loy, one of the first bands of the genre, and one of the few to get significant exposure outside of their home country. Though original members Usher and Chelsea first met and collaborated in 1977, Norma Loy properly formed in 1981, dubbed so by Alan Vega of Suicide. Heavily drawing on the intensity of post-punk, the cold buzzing synths of minimal synth, and the theatrics of performance art, the band released several singles and full lengths with various lineups before disbanding in 1993. Usher and Chelsea continued their collaborations sporadically while each explored solo projects and various other art experiments in alternate mediums. In the meanwhile, the band’s influence grew, as several compilations and reissues sprung up from the band’s ashes.

After a thirteen year hiatus, Norma Loy reformed for a series of hometown shows, original members Chelsea and Usher joined by Lol (bass), Yann Reversat (guitar), Guillaume (drums), and Helene (buto dance). The band is seemingly still active, most recently appearing in Prague, yet no new material has surfaced.

I’ve uploaded their very first release, 1983’s Romance 12”. Without any further delay, the details:

Norma Loy- Romance 12”
1. Romance
2. Crazy Soul
3. Glance In Your Eyes
4. Tragic Venus

*download it here*

For your supplementary viewing pleasure, here’s a video clip for the band’s most well known tune, ‘Power of Spirit.’

For more info on Norma Loy, please visit their myspace page below. Also, Infrastition has reissued several of the band’s classic records, including the four tracks above (as part of an early singles compilation). Pick ’em up if you’re hip to it!

Norma Loy on myspace
Infrastition dot com

5 Comments »

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