Today’s post features Austrain wave act ZYX, little known duo whose first and only record, Trust No Woman was released in 1981. Since it’s inception, it’s become a pioneering electronic recording and has recently seen an expanded cd rerelease, including a slew of earlier recordings as bonus tracks.
Little information is known about this gem, aside from a few bits about the duo’s work in performance arts and television after releasing Trust No Woman. If anyone else has anything else to contribute, chime up! Otherwise, here’s two standout tracks from Trust No Woman for your enjoyment.
Today’s band, New Zealand wave act Car Crash Set, formed in 1983, rising from the ashes of pioneering underground post-punk act Danse Macabre. Upon the band’s demise, vocalist Nigel Russell would recruit a series of synth players pursue a more electronic direction with Car Crash Set. (Side note: their name points to the influence of pioneering wave track ‘Warm Leatherette’ by the Normal and the Ballard novel that inspired it, Crash).
The band would release one full length record (1984’s No Accident) as well as one EP and a handful of singles before splitting in 1986. I’ve uploaded both sides of their 1983-released Two Songs single for your listening pleasure:
Car Crash Set- Two Songs 12”
1. Outsider
2. Fall From Grace
Download links removed! Purchase the killer CCS reissue from Anna Logue records by clicking here!
Otherwise, that’s all I have on these gentlemen. Any more information about this fine band would be most appreciated!
Today’s band is a synthpunk classic, an ephemeral act who released little, but recorded a string of stellar tracks throughout their tenure.
Upon the demise of similar synthpunk unit Dow Jones and The Industrials, guitarist and vocalist Greg Horn would relocate to Arizona and kick off a band called Tone Set along with fellow KAET coworker Galen Herod. The two piece band would record a series of tracks which would compromise the 1982 cassette Cal’s Ranch. Their sound was a minimal blend of synthpunk, mostly relying on tape loops, various keyboards, and vocal samples; some tracks cold and experimental and others a bit more lighthearted. None of these songs featured lyrics, aside from a handful of lines in “Wigglin Around In Middletown.”
After a few compilation appearances, the band would shift in a more vocal direction for their 1983 record Calibrate, both members splitting vocal duties on the A-side. Despite a bit of underground buzz for their single ‘Life Is Busy’ (including high praise from Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo, who voted for the band in an early MTv competition) Tone Set would split up soon after as both Greg and Galen would go their separate ways, each releasing a series of solo records over the next decade.
The following two tracks come from their two releases. The first, ‘Life Is Busy’ is the lead-off single from 1983’s Calibrate and the second, a previous recording of ‘What Good’s a Hit Song’ from 1982’s Cal’s Ranch cassette.
No videos or links today, ladies and gentlemen- for I’m almost positive their work is out of print and their video for ‘Life is Busy’ is long-lost. If anyone does have said links, feel free to drop them below!
A request fulfilled! A quick reminder to chime up in the comments if you’d like to see a specific band featured- whether you’re involved, a fan, or trying to get ahold of more material or information.
That said, today’s band is Grauzone, a Swiss wave band who released but a few singles and one LP before disbanding. The band was the brainchild of multilingual singer Stephen Eicher and formed in 1978 along with his brother Martin, G.T. on bass, Claudine Chirac on sax, and Marco Repetto on drums. Though of Swiss origin, the majority of Grauzone’s songs were sung in German, breaking into a budding synth movement with their mild hit ‘Eisbär’ in 1981.
Soon after, their self titled full-length was released and Grauzone disbanded. However, Stephen’s interest in French music sparked a successful solo career as an ever changing musician, his future (and current) work covering a broad range of genres.
I’ve uploaded a duo of tracks for your enjoyment. The first is ‘Eisbär,’ their initial buzz single (which has since been covered prominently by both the Dresdon Dolls AND Nouvelle Vague) and the second hails from Die Sunrise Tapes, a pressed to CD collection of Grauzone’s work released in 1998.
Die Sunrise Tapes seems to be the only available and in-print CD available from Grauzone, though their vinyl is relatively easy to find on Ebay. For a link to nab Die Sunrise Tapes online, click below:
Scouring the usual channels, I’ve come up with very little information about today’s band, UK minimal wave act Basking Sharks. Origins and history otherwise undocumented, the band’s output consists of two singles and a full length record, all three released in 1983.
I’ve uploaded both sides of the Diamond Age 7” for your listening pleasure.
Basking Sharks- Diamond Age 7”
1. Diamond Age
2. New Industry
*DOWNLOAD LINKS REMOVED* Official copies and a CD reissue available from Basking Sharks dot net.
Today’s artist is one who’s worn several different hats and fronted a slew of projects over a period of time. Dating back to the 1980s, German electronic artist Dirk Torben K. has released material under the names Echo West and Intensive Care Unit, but today’s post will focus on his current work under the name Silent Signals.
Silent Signals appeared somewhat mysteriously in 2002 as a side project and has since released but one proper outing, a four track single entitled Walk on the Ladder. However, several Silent Signals tracks have appeared on various compilations and split singles, and the one-man outfit most recently appeared on NYC’s Wierd Records collection.
Without any further ado, here are the downloads. The first is the lone appearance of Silent Signals from the aforementioned Wierd collection, and the second is the title track from the Walk on the Ladder 7” single. Enjoy!
I’m not sure if Dirk has performed live under this moniker, but for a related visual treat, here’s a video of his main outfit Echo West performing in 2006:
For other information, and to nab a copy of the Wierd Records collection, please inspect these following links:
The (Hypothetical) Prophets were an ephemeral French coldwave band consisting of duo Bernard Szajner and Karel Beer. The band formed in 1980 and released a series of 12” singles and one full length record before their quick demise.
Despite a short discography, the band’s craft was unique. Singing in both their native tongue as well as English and alternating between male and female vocals, the the dozen or so songs recorded under this name are haunting minimal wave at its finest, a mixture of harsh electronic experimentation and catchy pulses of synth.
I’ve been trying to get a hold of their lone LP, 1982’s Around the World With the (Hypothetical) Prophets, but in the meanwhile, I’ve uploaded two tracks, both appearing as their own respective A-side. However, these versions are plucked from the 2004 So Young, But So Cold: Underground French Music 1977-1983 compilation. Enjoy!
I didn’t think I’d be able to find any videos, but lo and behold, click below for the video for ‘Person to Person.’
Since the band’s split, Bernard Szajner would continue to record music under his own name until 1986, persuing other artistic ventures in theatre and the arts soon after. However, according to his official site, plans are in the works to release four (!) records and rehearse a band for future touring. For more information, news, and bits and bobs on Bernard, click below for his official site:
A bit of a nostalgic kick and a semi-request for today’s post; another name known for but one splash song to many and for several classic recordings by those who followed them further.
Soft Cell were a sleazy electric music duo featuring singer Marc Almond and multi-instrumentalist David Ball. The band formed in Leeds in 1980, recording a few one off tracks for compilations alongside Depeche Mode, OMD, and The The. When the Daniel Miller produced single ‘Memorabilia’ hit the charts and the dance floors soon after, the band was given one last shot to fully break into the UK charts. Whereas most bands featured on these pages would fold or fail in the wake of such a challenge, Soft Cell would succeed; their cover of Gloria Jones-by-way-of Ed Cobb song ‘Tainted Love’ would become a smashing success. The song was then featured on their 1981 record Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, which also caught fire in the US. Marc Almond would also appear in a video for Coil’s dirge-tastic version of the song, and would contribute vocals to their following record The Horse Rotorvator.
Soon after the buzz, the band began a quick descent. Two records later, internal problems between the pair had forced the band apart, though each member would further record with new projects and under collaborative efforts. Though Marc would enjoy a fruitful solo career and David would form and re-form a band called the Grids, neither would reach the triumphs they shared with thier brief flirtation with chart success.
In 2001, the pair reunited for several well-received gigs and have since resumed recording, releasing a record in 2002 and several live records. A remix record is slated to be released this year.
I’ve uploaded two early Soft Cell gems for your listening pleasure. The first is their initial club splash ‘Memorabilia’ and the second, the sordid and debaucherous fan-favorite ‘Sex Dwarf,’ featured on Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret.
I could just as easily post the regular round of Soft Cell videos, but since the videos for ‘Tainted Love’ and ‘Bedsitter’ can be found from several immediate sources on Youtube, here’s a special treat instead- a video of Soft Cell and Clint Ruin/Foetus/Jim Thirlwell performing a cover of Suicide’s ‘Ghost Rider’ in 1983:
Ok, ok, and to watch the original video for ‘Tainted Love,’ click below:
I’ve only managed to dig up a few snippets about today’s band- NY based minimal synth act Hysterica Passio. Drawing name inspiration from an outdated term for dementia used in Shakespeare’s King Lear, the band put out but one 12” single in 1982 before their demise two years later. These two tracks would be featured on various DIY Flexi-Pop compilations soon after, but would never record another note.
Hysterica Passio- Grey Over Life 12”
1. Grey Over Life
2. Alone
*songs removed by request*
Naturally, I’ve no Youtube videos, band photos, or links to pick up their material in mass-quantities. The original vinyl single however, should one be lucky enough to find a copy online, fetches approximately $80.
Some classic minimal synth for you today, ladies and gentlemen… Today’s band is the Fast Set, a one man synth project who’s first and only 7” recording was also the very first release on Axis, aka 4AD.
The Fast Set is comprised of avant-artist David Knight, who signed with with Axis records upon its inception in 1980, just before label-head Ivo Watts-Russel was forced to change the label’s name to 4AD. As a one man project, the Fast Set recorded just one 7” single for the song ‘Junction One’ in 1980. The b-side of the single was a synthetic dirge rendition of ‘Children of the Revolution’ by T.Rex.
The band’s only other recorded moment was a cover of T.Rex’s ‘King of the Rumbling Spires,’ released on a Some Bizzare compilation in 1981. Afterwards, David disbanded his project and went on to work with the likes of Danielle Dax and the Shockheaded Peters.
Here’s that lone single for your listening and downloading pleasure:
The Fast Set- Junction One 7”
1. Junction One
2. Children of the Revolution
*DOWNLOAD LINKS REMOVED* Click here to purchase these via 4AD’s official site.
Systems of Romance was created in mid-2007 to serve as a dumping grounds for all great things coldwave, minimal synth, post-punk, synthpunk, industrial, synthpop, and various other combinations of these styles. Feel free to make requests, noodle around, and discuss all you like...
Otherwise, this blog is dedicated to showcasing material that has long since been out of print. If you are aware of any of these items being readily available from the artist or label, or take issue with these tracks being uploaded, please let me know so I can amend the post or remove the links.
