Archive for the post-punk Category

Abecedarians- Smiling Monarchs 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, abecedarians, coldwave, factory, LA, los angeles, post-punk on May 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Apologies for the overwhelming amount of posts today- feeling a bit productive, I suppose. Here’s the 1985 debut 12” by Los Angeles’ Abecedarians, one of the only American releases on Factory. Of course, the band would sign to Caroline to release the bulk of their material. You can nab the band’s posthumous early recordings collection here on these back pages, where you can read a bit more about the band as well. Without any further ado, here’s the info for this 12”:

Abecedarians- Smiling Monarchs 12”
1. Smiling Monarchs
2. Benway’s Carnival

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED*

This 12” has just been reissued as part of Pylon’s 2xLP & CD reissue of EurekaPick it up!

Voices- Memories’ Floor 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, coldwave, Contempo Records, italian, post-punk, Voices on May 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a 4 track EP from Italian post-punk band Voices, released in 1985. As far as I can tell, this is their only release, but bands such as Neon, Pankow, and DIaframma also appeared on Contempo Records. Contempo also served as distribution for 4AD bands such as Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance.

As for this EP, the first track is as dark as they come, while the others range from driving post-punk to sombre piano dirges. Definitely for fans of the dark Italian sound. Here’s the information:

Voices- Memories’ Floor 12”
1. Marble
2. Eucharistic Death
3. L’Idee Du Bien
4. Hands On My Soul

*download it here* *updated 6.5.12- new rip by bx59cppw!*

Flue- Some-times in Arabia 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1987, Dutch, Flue, Mecano, netherlands, new wave, post-punk, synth on May 5, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s the final 12” from Dutch synth band Flue, released in 1987. The fantastic Phoenix Hairpins blog features the band’s two full-length LPs, so with the exception of any bonus tracks issued on the One and a Half CD reissue, this should complete their discography. You can get their debut LP here, and their second LP here.

For those unfamiliar with the Flue story, the band was one of the flagship artists on the Torso label, who issued several key LPs from The Cult, Sonic Youth, and The Residents. Several more obscure synth/wave acts such as Mekanik Kommando and Mecano also found their way on to the label. In fact, Flue guitarist Cor Bolten was active in Mecano before joining the band after the release of their 1981 debut. The band’s second LP, Vista was recorded with an entirely new lineup.

It would be another four years before the band released their final single, 1987’s Some-Times in Arabia, which featured two versions of the title track and one exclusive b-side. Here’s the information for the single:

Flue- Some-Times In Arabia 12”
1. Some-Times (In Arabia) (New Version)
2. Some-Times (In Arabia) (Single Version)
3. Legacy

*download it here*

Echo Prism- Jade Flower 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, coldwave, echo prism, french, post-punk on April 16, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a one off coldwave single dating back to 1985. Little is known about Echo Prism, but judging from the artwork, it’s safe to assume the band was a three piece, and self-released this without help from a label. You can expect some child-like synths, minimal drum machines, and some driving post-punk guitars from both sides of this 7”. Simple and primitive, but always effective. Enjoy!

Echo Prism- Jade Flower 7”
1. Jade Flower
2. Mere Albion

*download it here*

Blue In Heaven REDUX

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1986, 1988, blue in heaven, irish, post-punk on April 9, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

You guys asked for it, and here it is! Contained within this post are four releases by Irish post-punk band Blue In Heaven, including both their debut single and the elusive Rock ‘N’ Roll R.I.P. EP. You can nab their two full length records in these back pages: here and here.

According to Wikipedia, this doesn’t complete the entire Blue In Heaven discography (as much as I’d like it to0. Their 1983 debut single The Lights Go Out (the same track Bono praised upon its release) is nowhere to be found, and the site also lists a final single in 1988, simply entitled Track 01. I’m also looking for a live track entitled “Tell Me,” plucked from the Live For Ireland complilation, but that may just be a video only release, as a clip exists on Youtube. If anyone has any more information for these releases, feel free to chime in and sling them my way! Otherwise, here’s the information for the remaining discography.

Blue In Heaven- Across My Heart 12” (1984)
1. Across My Heart
2. A Whiter Day
3. Across My Heart (Martin Hannett Version)

Blue In Heaven- Julie Cries 12” (1984)
1. Julie Cries (12” Version)
2. The Message
3. In Your Eyes

Blue In Heaven- I Just Wanna 12” (1986)
1. I Just Wanna (12” Mix)
2. Beating In My Head (Little Flower)

Blue In Heaven- Rock ‘N’ Roll R.I.P. 12” (1988)
1. She Is Everything
2. Swinging
3. Feel So Good
4. Loose (live) [originally by The Stooges]
5. On and On

*download all four here* (1-3 RE-RIPPED 1/6/16)

Entertainment- Gender CD

Posted in 2008, coldwave, darkwave, deathrock, Entertainment, georgia, post-punk, US on March 22, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I have a handful of synth/coldwave updates to keep you kids salivating throughout the week, but first things first, I have a newer LP from a fantastic underground artist to whet your appetite. Uploaded with permission of the band, here’s Entertainment’s debut LP in its crisp, intense glory.

I’ve been honored to share the stage with these boys in the past, and am pleased today to bring you a digital upload of the 2008 CD, currently out of print last I’ve heard. A handful of copies of the CD can still be found on Amazon, but you can get your hands on a limited edition remastered LP via Duchess Archive by clicking here. Otherwise, astute listeners can expect buzzing synths, unforgivable rhythms, and incisive vocals, coming at you from Athens, Georgia. You can read a little more about the record on Post-Punk dot com (click on “reviews” and scroll down for initial take on this hard-hitting latter day classic). Otherwise, here’s the information:

Entertainment- Gender
1. Romance in a Rain
2. Swing Movements
3. A Seduction Walks
4. Patroness
5. New Joys
6. The Nervous Walk
7. Confusion of Senses
8. Flesh

*download it here*

Stay tuned for LPs by Feu Ma Mere and Bugger West to follow in the next few days!

Panoramas- Amanda 12”

Posted in 1981, coldwave, french, Panoramas, polydor, post-punk on March 17, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another French post-punk/coldwave release, dating back to 1981. Can’t seem to dig up a ton of info on Panoramas, but this particular 12” was released on Polydor. There’s also a 7” version of the record, which you can nab over at Dreams and Voices. However, this 12” features two additional tracks! The real gem of the lot is the title track. While more romantic and less dark than many of their contemporaries, these tracks are catchy as hell.

Panoramas- Amanda 12”
1. Amanda
2. Sinbad the Sailor
3. Les Secrets Du Pharon
4. Future Star

*download it here*

Revel Hotel- The Beating of the Wings EP

Posted in 2000s, 2010, nyc, post-punk, Revel Hotel, synthpop on March 15, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Allow me to deviate slightly from this blog’s usual course to announce the release of my band Revel Hotel’s debut studio EP, The Beating of the Wings. In true Systems of Romance fashion, I’ve uploaded it for free download for any and all interested parties.

Revel Hotel formed as a three piece in ’06, playing our first show at Wierd soon after. Since then, we’ve changed our name, added a guitar player, and have been carving out our own niche here in New York City. While this is our first studio release, we’ve also issued a downloadable EP of a recent radio session, as aired on 91.5FM and mixed by JennaX. Alongside two tracks that appear on the studio EP, we cut two newer songs, as well as a rather faithtful cover of B-Movie’s “Nowhere Girl.” Those sessions can be downloaded here.

Our studio debut was recorded in March ’09, lovingly mixed and mastered over the course of a year. Without any further ado, here’s the info:

Revel Hotel- The Beating of the Wings EP
1. Purify
2. 1,000 Dreams
3. Terminission
4. Dark Naked
5. Before I Disappear

*download it here*

For anyone interested in purchasing the EP (no obligations, please!), the record is currently available on CDBaby, iTunes, and Wierd Records.

Otherwise, please feel free to spread the record around at will! Systems of Romance will soon resume regular activity, but in the interim, thanks for listening, and hope you enjoy!

Visit us at these hubs:
Webpage
Myspace
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Dobri Isak- Mi plačemo iza tamnih naočara K7

Posted in 1980s, 1986, darkwave, dobri isak, lo-fi, post-punk, serbian on February 17, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Contained within this post is Dobri Isak’s lone record, released on cassette in 1986. This Serbian darkwave/post-punk band drew heavy inspiration from Joy Division, so this is definitely a must for fans of dark, furious, and somewhat lo-fi post-punk and goth rock.

There seems to be an abundance of information about the band, despite their relative obscurity. The band, whose name translates to “Kind Isaac,” originally formed in 1983. After three years and a handful of lineup shifts, they dropped their first and only release. The cassette (which translates to “We Cry Behind Dark Glasses) was limited to 100 copies, which quickly sold out. The record contains an Arnold Layne song, the band several members were active in alongside Dobri Isak.

Though the record came out in 1986, Dobri Isak remained together until 1996, playing their last gig with Arnold Layne and splitting soon after. In 2009, PMK Records re-released their cassette, tacking on a few extra bonus tracks at the end. However, here’s a rip of the original cassette, as donated by a generous last.fm user. Be sure to purchase the reissue if you dig these tracks!

Dobri Isak- Mi plačemo iza tamnih naočara K7
1. Ona Se Igra Nožem
2. Sinoć Si Sanjao Da Si Pas
3. Mi Plačemo Iza Tamnih Naočara
4. Čekamo Te (Na Istom Mestu)
5. Ja Znam Da Ću Propasti
6. Nepoznata
7. Feniks
8. Plakati Su Ikone
9. Dozvoli Mi Da Ostanem U Tvome Krevetu
10. Mrzim Te
11. Tu U Uglu (Tada Sam Te Poslednji Put Video)

*download it here*

Note: My upload of the cassette seems to have an extra track inserted in the middle, one which does not appear on the official discogs/reissue listing. According to the cassette artwork- “Nepoznata” does not appear on the release, but might very well be a hidden track. Any information welcome!

Repetition- The Still Reflex 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 7'', post-punk, Repetition, Sarah Osburn, Spizzenergi on February 10, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Have a few more 7” records to post over the next little while, so might as well keep them coming.

This particular post features a solid 7” by Belgian post-punk band Repetition, a five piece featuring an ex-member of Spizzenergi (Pete Petrol). The two tracks hail from 1981, and sound a bit Siouxsie-ish, a rather popular sound at the time.

After releasing this single, the band switched vocalists to Steve Musham, who would go on to form jangle-pop band The Corn Dollies in the mid 80s. Musham would sing on the 1981 follow up A Full Rotation and 1982’s A Will to Win. Sarah Osborne, vocalist for this single, also sang for Marine, KLINGONS and lastly and most prominently for new wave band Allez Allez. Osborne married the Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory, the pair having met during bandmate Martyn Ware’s production work for Allez Allez’s second album Promises.

Otherwise, both tracks on this single are essential listening for that cold, early post-punk sound. Enjoy!

Repetition- The Still Reflex 7”
1. The Still Reflex
2. Fade Out

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 5.31.13)