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Aerial FX- Watching the Dance LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, aerial fx, british, new wave, post-punk, synth, uk on August 7, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Another request from down under, ladies and gentlemen…This time for UK post-punk/synth act Aerial FX, and their lone full-length, 1982’s Watching the Dance.

There’s little proper information to be found about Aerial FX, who has only three other 7” releases; 1980’s So Hard 1981’s Take It From Here, and 1982’s Instant Feelings. Seems that they split soon after releasing this full-length. The only solid information I can dig up mentions their involvement with Radiohead, arguably the biggest band in the world these days. Members Chris Hufford and Bryce Edge caught wind of the band through various demo tapes, liked what they heard, and got in touch. They still manage Radiohead to this day…

That said, it’s a shame their own outfit didn’t turn more heads during their tenure…Without any further ado, here’s the details for Watching the Dance:

Aerial FX- Watching the Dance LP
1. Out Of The Window
2. Who Is Down There
3. Hold Me
4. 5.15
5. Instant Feeling
6. Servitors
7. Accident
8. Where Is Tomorrow

*download link removed* – Reissue now available at Radiation Records silver and black.

10 Comments »

Secession- A Dark Enchantment CD

Posted in 1980s, 1987, minimal synth, new wave, post-punk, scottish, secession on July 15, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Another request fulfilled today, ladies and gentlemen. This one’s for short lived Scottish synth band Secession’s lone LP, entitled A Dark Enchantment. The four piece band formed in 1983 and split after a few singles and the aforementioned record, calling it quits by 1987. They were involved briefly with both Siren Records and the infamous Beggars Banquet label.

After Secession’s split, members Charlie Kelly and James Seenan co-formed Scottish pop band the Vaselines with Charlie’s brother Eugene and Frances Mckee. Coincidentally, we just caught the Vaselines in concert, as they’ve just reformed for a few US dates, but Charlie and James were nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, lead Secession vocalist Peter Thomson passed away in the late 1990s.

A Dark Enchantment is apparently limited to 1000 copies on LP, and is the only record the band has released on compact disc (which is the version I’ve uploaded, complete with a handful of bonus tracks). If you see either, snap them up, as they’re both incredibly scarce. Otherwise, here’s the digital details:

Secession- A Dark Enchantment CD
01. Eventide
02. Promise
03. Love Lies Bleeding
04. Sneakyville
05. Winifred
06. The Box That Holds A Secret
07. Ocean Blue
08. Radioland
09. The Magician
10. Love Lies Bleeding (Reprise)
11. The Wolf
12. Eventide (Theme From A Dark Enchantment
13. All The Animals Come Out At Night
14. Michael
15. Havoc
16. Promise (Dub)

*download it here* (NEW 320 CD rip courtesy of Jeffo!)

26 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 »

De Press- Product LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1990s, 2000s, de press, new wave, norweigan, polish, post-punk on May 23, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

De Press were a gloom-ridden post punk act formed in Norway during the late seventies. Their music would tread similar sonic territories as contemporaries Joy Division and the Sound, while Andrej Nebb’s vocals walked the line between unintelligible English and fluent Polish. Andrej’s history as a Polish refugee blended their gloomy sound with a series of eastern European influences, a distinguishing feature that made De Press one of the biggest bands in their homeland, even if they didn’t catch fire elsewhere.

The band’s first record Block to Block is a classic, as their sophomore effort, uploaded below. Product was released shortly after the original lineup of the band split. De Press reunited in 1991, however, and continues to release new material to this day, with Andrej Nebb remaining the only original member to date.

Here’s the info and download link for 1982’s Product:

De Press- Product LP
1. The Fatal Day
2. In a Position to Know
3. Passages
4. In a Crowded Room
5. Signals
6. Product
7. Another Man’s Sin
8. Heaven
9. Total Corruption
10. Swienty Pokoj

*download it here*

20 Comments »

Taxi Girl- Cherchez le Garçon Mini-LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, french, madonna, new wave, post-punk, taxi girl on April 30, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s upload was graciously donated by Chino and features French new wave act Taxi Girl and their 1980 debut Cherchez le Garçon (which seems to be an early collection of singles named after one of their 12” releases). Taxi Girl formed in 1978 and over the course of 8 years, released one full length record and five mini-LPs. The band developed a bit of a cult following due to their singles ‘S.O.S Mannekin’ and ‘Cherchez le Garçon,’ both of which are included below.

After releasing their lone full length in 1981, keyboardist Laurent Sinclair departed, while remaining members Daniel Darc and Mirwais continued Taxi Girl with a shift in musical style. The revamped lineup lasted three more years before disbanding. Darc, the vocalist, persued a solo career while guitarist Mirwais went on to produce Madonna’s Music and American Life.

Taxi Girl- Cherchez le Garçon Mini-LP
1. Petit Jardin Chinois
2. Cherchez le Garçon
3. V2 Sur Mes Souvenirs
4. Cherchez le Garçon (solitaire)
5. S.O.S. Mannekin
6. Les Yeux des Amants
7. Triste Cocktail

*download it here*

Chino also uploaded Taxi Girl’s 1981 full length Seppuku here, for anyone interested…

If your French is up to snuff, check out the band’s official site for more information, including current whereabouts and projects of Taxi Girl members. There’s even a forum, if you’re feeling saucy.

Taxi Girl official site

4 Comments »

Trash Groove Girls- Vol. 1 Arbeit, Sport & Spiel EP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, german, goth-rock, new wave, trash groove girls on April 28, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

The Trash Groove Girls were a three piece gothic/new wave act who I believe hailed from Germany and were active in the mid 1980s. The lineup consisted of Katinka Päkel on vocals, Simone Stepputat on guitar, and Barbara Matzner on keyboards, all other instruments pre-programmed by the trio. The band released one full-length record, two singles, and one Mini-LP/EP, the latter which I’ve uploaded below.

I can’t come up with much else in the way of visuals and information, but their sound is incredibly catchy and danceable, with a bit of abrasive edge thrown in for good measure. Without any further ado, here’s the release information for their 1986EP release:

Trash Groove Girls- Vol 1. Arbeit, Sport, & Spiel EP
1. Trash Beat
2. Zero
3. Sugar Pink Go Go Baby
4. Gimme, Gimme
5. Arbeit, Sport + Spiel
6. Gimme (The Beat Part 1)

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 10.6.2016)

I also have digital copies of the band’s two singles, but they’re ripped at a meager 128kpbs. Holler if you’re interested and I’ll zip them up and send them your way…

13 Comments »

Absolute Body Control- Numbers K7

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 2000s, absolute body control, Belgian, minimal, new wave, the klinik on April 4, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s some classic cream-of-the-crop minimal synth to wrap up this week, especially relevant as this band has just reactivated and is playing in the US this very moment.

I’ve uploaded a rare cassette release by Belgian act Absolute Body Control, whose origins date back to early 1980. The band featured a slightly rotating lineup throughout their early years, driven by Dirk Ivans. Pairing down from a three piece, the main contributors are Dirk and Eric van Wonterghem, a fan who joined shortly after the band released its first single. Absolute Body Control were among the first wave of Belgian electronic acts, and they developed a substantial cult following both on record and on stage.

In 1984, Dirk formed the Klinik, yet Absolute Body Control continued releasing cassettes until 1993, which saw the release of their lone compact disc, Eat This. The band was mostly inactive even before that and officially folded just after its release. However, demand in the new millennium led to several reissues of the band’s back catalog as well as several live festival appearances. Just recently A.B.C. took to the studio to re-record 13 of their best tracks, released as the Wind(re)Wind LP. An EP of new material was also released this year, and both will be available to purchase through iTunes and Amazon by June, though CD copies are now for sale through various outlets.

This featured release dates back to a 1982 cassette issue. Unlike the majority of their output, Numbers is exclusively instrumental, and each track is simply titled in numeric order (though original tracklistings are simply labeled “part one” and “part two” respectively). On that note, pardon the obvious lack of tracklisting. Without any further ado:

Absolute Body Control- Numbers K7

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – reissued as a digital release via Bandcamp!

I’m ashamed to admit that I’ll be missing tonight’s NYC gig, as I’ll be playing one of my own, but if you’re hip to it, drop on by the Music Hall of Williamsburg, if you aren’t coming to see us, that is. Otherwise, The band will be playing Saturday, April 5th in Los Angeles before flying back to Europe for some appearances. For all relevant information, click below:

Absolute Body Control on Myspace

and finally, a quick heads up: starting late next week, Systems of Romance will be offline for a spell while I’ll be kicking around New Orleans. However, this coming Wednesday, I will make it a point to upload another A.B.C. release with vocals to sweetly make up for the inactivity…

6 Comments »

Grauzone- Die Sunrise Tapes LP

Posted in 1991, grauzone, minimal, NDW, new wave, swiss, synth on March 30, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

A quick lazy Sunday post…I’ve had this one uploaded on divshare for a few months now, but forgot to post it here for everyone to enjoy. For a full writeup on Grauzone, see this post here, and otherwise, enjoy this classic Swiss minimal collection, released in 1998 and compiling Grauzone’s studio output.

Grauzone- Die Sunrise Tapes LP
1. Film 2
2. Eisbar
3. Hinter Den Bergen
4. Maikafer Flieg
5. Marmelade Und Himbeereis
6. Wutendes Glas
7. Kalte Kriecht
8. Kunstgewerbe
9. Der Weg Zu Zweit
10. In Der Nacht
11. Traume Mit Mir
12. Ich Und Du
13. Moskau
14. Ich Lieb Sie
15. Schlachtet
16. Raum

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED*- Full Grauzone discography has been reissued as of 2010. Click here to grab a copy from CD Baby.

5 Comments »

Pink Turns Blue- If Two Worlds Kiss LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, 2000s, darkwave, german, new wave, pink turns blue, post-punk, reformed on March 24, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

German post-punk band Pink Turns Blue is a recent discovery of mine, a band who are enjoying a bit of a renaissance these days as a reactivated unit. The band originally formed in 1985, and combined the playful edge of new wave with the dark undertones of the post-punk movement. Sources claim they are one of the pioneering darkwave bands, ushering in a new faction of post-punk inspired music. The band would release six full lengths and a series of seminal singles before splitting in 1995.

Due to high demand, Pink Turns Blue briefly reformed in 2003 to release a best-of compilation, appearing live at various festivals throughout the year. The reformation led to further collaborations between members, and the band has since released two full length records, 2005’s Phoenix and 2007’s Ghost.

However, jumping back 20 years, I’ve uploaded their debut record, 1987’s If Two Worlds Kiss. The details:

Pink Turns Blue- If Two Worlds Kiss LP
1. I Coldly Stare Out
2. After All
3. Walking On Both Sides
4. State Of Mind
5. When It Rains
6. If Two Worlds Kiss
7. That Was You
8. Missing You
9. A Moment Sometimes
10. When The Hammer Comes Down

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED- digital files for all of Pink Turns Blue’s work can be found on iTunes!

Feels like it’s been ages since I’ve posted a video…but here’s a clip of the band performing the equally amazing “Your Master is Calling” from their 1988 sophomore effort, Meta.

Last but not least, for more information on Pink Turns Blue as well as pictures, bits and bobs, and links to nab their newer records, please click below:

Pink Turns Blue dot com
Myspace