Archive for the new wave Category

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Marc Seberg- Le Chant Des Terres LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1990s, french, marc seberg, marquis de sade, new wave, post-punk on April 24, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

As mentioned in a post just over a year ago, French post-punk band Marc Seberg formed out of the ashes of Marquis de Sade, a similarly styled band who released two records in the late ’70s/early ’80s. After their split, vocalist Philippe Pascal and guitarist Anzia formed Marc Seberg, who released four albums (and one posthumous live record) the Virgin France label before dissolving as the nineties took hold.

Marc Seberg’s style continued with the same jangly, yet gloomy guitar driven sound developed by Marquis de Sade, with more glamorous synth production at the helm. For your listening pleasure, here’s the band’s sophomore effort, 1985’s Le Chant Des Terres LP, which was re-released on CD with the 1984 L’Eclaircie 7” attached. Here’s the info:

Marc Seberg- Le Chant Des Terres LP
1. L’Eclaircie
2. Le Chant Des Terres
3. Don’t Fail Me
4. Si J’Avais Su Te Dire
5. Aurore
6. Recueillement
7. E. Rope
8. Les Ailes De Verre
9. L’Eclaircie (Version Maxi)
10. Une Dernière Fois

*download it here*

Fun fact: The lyrics to “Recueillement” stem from a poem written by French poet Charles Baudelaire.

After scouring youtube, I’ve discovered an interview with the band attached to the promotional video for “L’Eclaircie,” so click below and give it a whirl if yr French is up to snuff:

2 Comments »

Jo Lemaire + Flouze- Pigmy World LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, Belgian, french, new wave, synthpop on April 16, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a fun synthpop/wave record for the excellent weather at work here in the northern hemisphere. The band in question is Jo Lemaire + Flouze, primarily a two piece project formed as an outlet for Belgian singer Jo Lemaire and musician Philippe Depireux, who were married at the time. The band released a handful of records in the late seventies/early eighties, splitting soon after this record, released in 1981. Jo Lemaire divorced Depireux and began a solo career to some fanfare in Europe, recording new wave records sung in both French and English.

It was their final record, 1981’s Pigmy World that set the stage for Lemaire’s solo career, with the strong support of “Je Suis Venue Te Dire Que Je M’en Vais,” a synthpop treatment of a prominent Serge Gainsbourg number. Though it is easily the highlight of the record, the remaining tracks keep the same summery synthpop vibe alive. Without any further ado, here’s the information for Pigmy World.

Jo Lemaire + Flouze- Pigmy World LP
1. Shades Of Night
2. Je Suis Venue Te Dire Que Je Mén Vais
3. Satellites
4. Siamese Sister
5. Chameleon
6. Voices In The Silence
7. Inner Void
8. Escape
9. Outside The Hole
10. Claustrophobia

*download it here*

For a peek at the classic Gainsbourg cover, click below for a “live” performance of the tune:

7 Comments »

Anything Box- Peace LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990, 1990s, 2000s, anything box, california, new wave, synthpop, US on March 20, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Before we begin, I’m headed to London and Paris for the next week and change, so please excuse my absence in advance. I’m leaving you with a fantastic seminal synthpop record, released in 1990 and cherished to date. The band is Anything Box, a three-piece synthpop band based out of Caliornia, who are still active to date.

Anything Box began their recordings in 1989, based out of a small New Jersey town (fun fact- the band played some of their first gigs at Passaic’s Loop Lounge, a stage I played on just a few years ago). The band signed to Epic Records and relocated to Orange County, California, immediately beginning work on their first album (uploaded below). Since then, the band has released several EPs, singles, and records over the years, and the last dates to 2008. However, Peace, their stunning debut, remains one of their most popular, and boasts the single “Living In Oblivion,” their biggest chart success. The record’s success, as well as all subsequent releases, helped keep synthpop alive in the 1990s.

Without any further ado, here’s the info:

Anything Box- Peace LP
1. Living In Oblivion
2. When We Lie
3. Kiss Of Love
4. Jubilation
5. Soul On Fire
6. Our Dreams
7. Carmen
8. Lady In Waiting
9. I Felt The Pain
10. Hypocrites
11. Just One Day
12. All These Days Undone

*download it here*

It seems both youtube copies of the video have embedding disabled by request, but click here to give it a spin. Otherwise, catch you kids when I’m back on home soil, and perhaps I’ll have found some rare minimal records to rip and share whilst I’m abroad!

Edit: Since this stellar debut, each Anything Box record has been self-released on the band’s own label. Click below to visit their site and purchase more Anything Box records!

Anything Box Homepage

9 Comments »

Anne Clark- Changing Places LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1990s, 2000s, anne clark, experimental, new wave, poetry, spoken word, uk on February 27, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Anne Clark is an UK-based experimental musician and poet, who began her career in 1982 and still records to this day. Her work combines spoken word, experimental music, and minimal synth electronics in a rather successful manner, adding a bit more introspection to the dancefloor.

I’ve been especially into her second record these days, 1983’s Changing Places LP, which features the successful single “Sleeper in Metropolis,” which appeared in remixed form in 1985. The record’s A-side [trax 1-6] was recorded and composed by David Harrow, while the second side [trax 7-11] were written and performed by Vini Reiley of the Durutti Column, giving each side a distinctively different tone. Without any further ado, here’s the info for the record:

Anne Clark- Changing Places LP
1. Contact
2. Sleeper In Metropolis
3. Poem For A Nuclear Romance
4. Wallies
5. Lovers Audition
6. Poets Turmoil No. 364
7. Echoes Remain Forever
8. All Night Party
9. Pandoras Box
10. Feel
11. The Last Emotion

*download it here*

For yr viewing pleasure, here’s a clip of Anne Clark performing “Sleeper in Metropolis” live in 1992:

2 Comments »

SSQ- Playback LP + Bonus

Posted in 1980s, 1983, new wave, ssq, stacey q, synthpop, US on February 24, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Synthpop/New Wave outfit SSQ were formed in 1982, changing their name from simply Q and adding two members. The name shift was mostly due to Quincy Jones’ use of the letter for his own production work.

The California-based band released just one record in 1983, but recorded two songs for the Return of the Living Dead soundtrack, released in 1985. Meanwhile, lead singer Stacey Swain’s popularity began to eclipse her remaining bandmates, and the outfit changed their name to simply Stacey Q. Most are familiar with her new wave hit “Two of Hearts,” though the remaining musicians are still credited as SSQ on the sleeves of Stacey Q’s first two records, Better Than Heaven and Hard Machine. The band also released a few tracks without Swain’s vocals, which appeared exclusively on soundtracks. Also worthy of note that core member Jon St. James not only manned the decks for Berlin’s Pleasure Victim LP (the two bands were labelmates over several occasions), but he also released two excellent synthpop records in the mid-1980s. His track “Trans-Atlantic” remains a favorite.

Without any further ado, here’s the information for the band’s lone release as SSQ, 1983’s Playback, complete with extra bonus tracks including b-sides, extended mixes, 3/4 of the original Q 12”, and an infamous soundtrack appearance.

SSQ- Playback LP
1. Synthicide
2. Jet Town
3. Big Electronic Beat
4. Clockwork [instrumental]
5. Screaming In My Pillow
6. Anonymous
7. Walkman On
8. N’importe Quoi
9. Playback
10. In Living Color
11. Video Girl
12. Music’s Gone
13. Shy Girl
14. Trash’s Theme
15. Tonight (We’ll Make Love Until We Die)
16. Big Electronic Beat (Extended)
17. Synthecide (Extended)

Tracks 1-8: LP
9-17: Bonus Tracks

*DOWNLOAD REMOVED BY REQUEST*- stay tuned news about a new SSQ reissue coming soon!

The album featured several singles which appear on Stacey Q’s respective greatest hits reecord. Both “Synthicide” and “Big Electronic Beat” had decent showings during their tenure, but I’m more partial to the penultimate track “Walkman On.” However, it’s been ages since I’ve posted videos on a regular basis, so click below to watch the promotional clip for “Synthicide” in all its shameless glory:

15 Comments »

Oh Harry, You’re Such a Drag!- compilation

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, kitchen and the plastic spoons, new wave, our daughter's wedding, p1/e, screamers, synthpunk, Units on February 17, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

A bit of a request for today, ladies and gentlemen, as I’ve uploaded a rather stellar mix of early synthpunk/new/minimal wave tunes. I can’t take credit for creating it, as this mix was originally constructed by Miss Amy Sammartino, a friend of mine from California. It’s both a great introduction to the wonderful synth-based rock world, offering a few choice cuts spanning the late seventies/early eighties. The name derives from the 1966 satircal comedy Lord Love a Duck, the dialogue which is sampled on one of this mixes’ best tracks.

Some of these artists have been featured on these back pages (mostly in earlier days), while others are both favorites old and new, so be sure to give this mix a spin and let me know what you dig. I have full records by most bands on the mix, so I’d be happy to upload a few for curious parties. Here’s the tracklisting, without any further ado:

1. People Like You- Nervous Gender
2. Uncircumsized Twin- Plastic Idols
3. Appeal to Them- Tone Set
4. Elevate (7” Version)- Voice Farm
5. Alien Day- Radio Free Europe
6. Hold That Coed- Dow Jones and the Industrials
7. The Beat Goes On- The Screamers
8. Integrating Circuits- Standing Waves
9. The Politics of Ecstasy- Body Falling Downstairs
10. The Things That You Do- Bob
11. Breakout- Drinking Electricity
12. Microbes- Mekanik Commando
13. Out of Order- The Skinnies
14. Happy Funeral- Kitchen and the Plastic Spoons
15. G-Stalt- Scientific Americans
16. Lawnchairs (Remix)- Our Daughter’s Wedding
17. Be A Zombie- Los Reactors
18. Shopping- Pink Section
19. 49 Second Romance (Disco Mix)- P1/E
20. Forever- Los Microwaves
21. We Need More Power- Geza X
22. Avorton- Edith Nylon
23. Nuclear Tofu- Amoebas in Chaos
24. Digital Stimulation- Units
25. Cardboard Lamb- Crash Course In Science
26. Chango- Devo

*download it here*

10 Comments »

Moev- Zimmerkampf LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1990s, canadian, new wave, synthpop on February 2, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Moev were a successful Canadian synthpop band formed in 1981 by Tom Ferris and Cal Stephenson. Though initial demos primarily featured the duo, the band would expand to a four piece before recording their debut, 1982’s Zimmerkampf.

Original vocalist Madelaine Morris (featured on today’s upload) would depart in 1984, just as the remaining band members formed Nettwerk Records to release the 12” single “Toulyev.” Moev would continue to shift members over the remainder of their tenure, peaking in 1989 with Yeah Whatever. The album’s biggest single, the THX 1138 sample driven track “Crucify Me” placed at no. 4 in Rolling Stone’s Top Dance Tracks.

Their follow up record, 1990’s Head Down, would feature then budding Sarah McLachlan on backup vocals. At this point in time, Dean Russell was vocalist, but his death in 1994 ceased all Moev work for the next five years, as members pursued other musical projects until their reformation and subsequent reactivation in 1999.

Nettwerk Records, though originally formed as an outlet for Moev’s releases, has also released records by Sarah McLachlan, Skinny Puppy, Delerium, Chris & Cosey, Severed Heads, and most recently, Ladytron.

Moev- Zimmerkampf LP
1. In Your Head
2. Madhatter
3. M.T. M.T. N.M.E.
4. Rotting Germaniums
5. 90 Minutes
6. Remembrance Day
7. Cocoon
8. Feline Frauline
9. Common House

*download it here*

For more detailed information about Moev, please direct your attention to the links below:

Moev.net
Unofficial Moev page

8 Comments »

Sequins and Spandex (parts 1 & 2)

Posted in 1980s, 2000s, disco, italo disco, mixes, new wave, sequins and spandex, synth on January 30, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a slight deviation from the standard Systems of Romance fare to end the weekend. Though it’s a mere stone’s throw away from minimal wave as it is, my interest in Italo and Space Disco has been on the rise over the past six or seven months, and has culminated in two mixes of classic tracks both old and new. I created the first Sequins and Spandex collection in November of ’08 (and forgot to post it here during the blog’s forced downtime). Otherwise, I just finished the second mix last night, and am pleased to offer them both for your listening pleasure. The first is a little more glitzy, polished, and modern, while the second is a little more gritty and of-the-era. Here’s all the info:

Sequins and Spandex: An Introductory Disco Compilation
1. Friday Nights- Diamond Vampires
2. Hands in the Dark- Chromatics
3. Destiny- Vivien Vee
4. Veronica’s Veil- Fan Death
5. Digitally- Plastic Mode
6. Esc Hatch- Mount Sims
7. Pillow Talk- Lustt
8. Lady Operator- Mirage
9. 1991- Crystal Castles
10. Beatific- Glass Candy
11. No Regrets- Black Devil
12. Automatic Amore- Patriza Pellegrino
13. I’m an Indian Too- Don Armando’s 2nd ave. Rhumba Band
14. How Do You Dance?- Telex
15. Speakerphone- Kylie Minogue
16. Movie Star- Roisin Murphy
17. The Night (Original Mix)- Valerie Dore
18. Last Night a DJ Saved My Life (Mirage Mix)- Indeep

*download it here*

Sequins and Spandex 2: Electric Boogaloo
1. Spacer Woman- Charlie
2. Chase (Dub Version)- Sun La Shan
3. What Did He Say- Nite Jewel
4. Hide It- The Golden Filter
5. Somewhere in the Night (Extended)- Stereo
6. Main Theme From ‘Christine’- John Carpenter
7. Moscow Discow (Single Version)- Telex
8. Ikeya Seki- Kano
9. Magic Fly- Ecama
10. You- Boytronic
11. Into the Night- Tobias Bernstrup
12. Pulstar- Hipnosis
13. Baseball Furies Chase- Barry de Vorzon
14. Polaris- Cyber People
15. La Nuite Blanche- Munich Machine
16. Don’t Lose Control- Material
17. Flashing- Goblin

*download it here*

I hope to make a habit of these, so if you dig ’em, please speak up! Happy Friday, ladies and gents!

27 Comments »

Play- Red Movies LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, new wave, play, survival records, synthpop, uk on January 2, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

I was just turned on to this record on New Year’s eve, and it’s an underrated synth-pop gem, through and through. Well, it’s more of an EP than a record proper, as it collects all three of UK synthpop act Play’s 12” and 7” singles on one vinyl.

Little is known about this one man act, though Wayne Kennedy was assisted by a few Survival Records pals, including David Rome of Drinking Electricty for the recording and release of this 1985 record. Otherwise, it’s simply another fantastic anomaly from the glory days of synthpop. Without more info to contribute, let’s get down to the nitty gritty, shall we?

Play- Red Movies LP
1. Red Movies
2. Erase the Memory
3. Deeper Than Blue
4. This Little Girl
5. Chasing the Sun
6. You Don’t Look the Same
7. In My Mind

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED- at long last, Medical Records has reissued the entire Play discography (Red Movies LP + the extra remixes here) on LP.  Order HERE on Bandcamp!

7 Comments »

Vicious Pink- Vicious Pink LP

Posted in 1980s, new wave, soft cell, synth, synthpop, vicious pink on September 9, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

As promised, here’s the second post for today, a stark contrast to the heavier sounds posted below. I’m not sure if someone requested this one per se, but it came up in a recent discussion, so it’s fair game one way or the other. The band: Vicious Pink, a synthpop duo formed in 1981 in the UK. Though the band was active for five years, their lone full-length is a self titled release, culled from the band’s numerous singles.

Originally, the duo of vocalist Josephine Warden and keyboardist Brian Moss began as backing vocalists for Soft Cell’s early years, and were known as the Vicious Pink Phenomenon, who released one killer single titled My Private Tokyo. The duo began targeting dance clubs with their highly infectious blend of synth-pop, and though their singles didn’t earn a massive amount of chart success, they were in heavy rotation in most of Europe’s dance clubs, and were highly influential in a budding electronic scene.

The band split in 1986, collecting nine tracks from their various singles for release as the band’s first and only record. A few demo records are rumored to exist but remain unreleased, and since the band’s split, their various singles and extended remixes have been collected in both an anthology and a single disc hits package.

Here’s the information for the 1986 s/t record:

Vicious Pink- Vicious Pink LP
1. Cccan’t You See
2. Spooky
3. The Spaceship Is Over There
4. Blue (Love Mix)
5. Fetish
6. Take Me Now
7. Always Hoping
8. 8:15 To Nowhere / Great Balls Of Fire
9. Cccan’t You See (Exxx-tended Re-Mixxx)

*download it here*

12 Comments »

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