Archive for the san francisco Category

Lyon in Winter- As Winter Falls LP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, new wave, post-punk, san francisco on January 13, 2020 by Frankie Teardrop

Ripped this one to upgrade a while back and thought I’d share it for those who are unfamiliar. Here we have the lone LP from Lyon in Winter. This LP is an excellent slice of smooth new wave with some excellent post-punk bass grooves.  I’m reminded often of things like The Lucy Show, The Hurting, Dole, and Fiat Lux. Lots of saxophone, if that’s your thing (hint: as long as there are icy synths, I’m down with sax, too).

“The Haunting Moon” is the clear standout for me here, often appearing in some lounge DJ sets here in NYC, but the whole album is a solid listen from front to back. The LP came out in 1986 and is still pretty attainable, for those who might want to grab a copy of their own…

Hope y’all enjoy this one.

EDIT: It appears the Discogs entry on this album is incorrect, as this is NOT an album from former Negativeland member Richard Lyons, but by another musician with the same name, who operated out of the Boston area. It DOES appear (unless that tag is incorrect as well and the sleeve is referencing another guy by the same name), that Merle Allin, the brother of G.G., played bass on this LP. With all of this in mind, if anyone has any further info about this record, I’d love to hear more!

Lyon in Winter- As Winter Falls LP
1. I Dream
2. Summer
3. The Haunting Moon
4. Push! Pound!
5. As Winter Falls
6. Please Don’t…
7. The Change

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Necropolis Of Love- In Search Of… 12” / The Graffiti 1.31.1985

Posted in 1980s, 1983, san francisco, US on July 23, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Uploading this as I just came across a copy and haven’t seen it posted out there before.  This is the final piece of the Necropolis of Love puzzle, which began with a minimal synth-tinged 7” in 1982 and ended with 1984’s The Hope, which is a seminal piece of post-punk from the West Coast scene (the guitar version of “Talk” remains a constant staple in my DJ sets).

However, this record walks a fine line between both sounds, catching the band in a transitional phase.  “Dance,” despite the surface-level title is an excellent wave track with club aspirations, the best moments being the ascending synth lines.  A different version of track also appears on The Hope 12”.  “Debutante” is a rhythm-based track that reminds me of a more dance-oriented Störung, with blaring saxophones to break up the repetitive rhythms.  “Cafetown” is the weakest song here, a jerky number with lyrics that seem to criticize California coffee-shop types.

This 12” was released in a generic sleeve- likely in small numbers, and it seems the scarcest of all the Necropolis of Love releases.  The copy I have didn’t sound that wonderful, but between the record cleaner and a little even-handed click removal, it should be a serviceable listen until a better copy presents itself .  I’ve only heard one other rip of this 12” before (overblown and tinny sounding) but it seems to have similar issues, so this is perhaps a common pressing problem.  If anyone else has a better sounding copy out there, feel free to get in touch!

As a bonus, I’ve uploaded a radio session the band performed on KSUF in 1985, featuring several unreleased tracks as well as a few familiar favorites.  This has been floating out there for some time but I don’t think it’s been blogged before either, so I’ll include it for anyone who missed it the first time around.  It seems the band has shed some more light on their time together, and there was to be an album deal with Sire records but it ultimately fell through.   Curious if some of these tracks were  being considered for the LP…

Necropolis of Love- In Search Of… 12”
1. Dance (Dance Mix)
2. Debutante
3. Cafe Town

Necropolis of Love- The Graffiti- Jan 31st 1985 (Live on KSUF)
1. KSUF Announcer Intro
2. Night Out
3. Cafe Town
4. The Tunnel
5. Alyssa
6. Heart of the Beast

*download both here*

13 Comments »

Love Club- Lime Twigs and Treachery CD

Posted in 1980s, 1990, alternative, darkwave, goth, goth-rock, love club, san francisco on November 10, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one I’ve had in my possession for some time now, donated by a friend a few years back. It’s been a while since I’ve thought about it, but after recovering from a major harddrive failure, I’ve since revisited this record with fond appreciation.

What we have here is a female fronted goth band from San Francisco, very much akin to the likes of Sunshine Blind, another US-based band who followed shortly after. This is their only album, released in 1990 on Popular Metaphysics, which was branded by MCA records, whose primary interest was metal at the time. Chances are that the band caught the label’s attention but didn’t perform as expected, as there are many cheap copies of this CD floating out there (and a wikipedia page!) but no audio to back it up. I’ve seen some requests for it out there in the ether, so about time this album is heard in full.

I must warn you: the second half of this album may be a little too Tori Amos-esque for some readers, but the first half just slays. Hard hitting tracks like “One Last Kiss” and “Holding Heaven’s Hand” should feel right at home for any late 80s darkwave collection, and are worth the price of admission alone. I feel like this album would have been more commercially successful if it were released three or four years later, when the alternative explosion was well underway with darker undercurrents. Don’t let the A word scare you off though, as you may find yourself surprised by the strength of the first few tracks.

Love Club- Lime Twigs and Treachery CD
1. One Last Kiss
2. Corpses In The Sand
3. Holding Heaven’s Hand
4. The Mirror
5. Killing Ground
6. Sad Eyes
7. Distant
8. Eternity
9. The Thief

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED:  purchase the album on iTunes!

4 Comments »

Eyes of God- Eyes of God

Posted in 1980s, 1984, darkwave, eyes of god, san francisco, synth, US on March 9, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

A few months ago, a friend and fellow DJ turned me on to Eyes of God, a four piece San Franciso-based darkwave band, filled with heavy guitars, blaring saxophones, powerful female vocals, and religious lyrics. Little information was available on the net, and at the time, it seemed as if the band only had the one release. The 12” I was originally given has also been uploaded on A Viable Commercial, one of the best blogs around these parts. That particular 12” was released in two formats, with different covers but the same basic track listing, likely released as a label cash-in.

However, I stumbled upon what I believe to be the band’s only other release, a debut 12” dating from 1984 and containing four proper studio tracks (not remixes). Naturally, I freed it from the confines of the dollar bin and am pleased to upload it for your listening pleasure.

Eyes of God- Eyes of God 12”
1. Love Letters
2. Secret Life
3. Sin Twist
4. Cruel Party

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 10.9.17)

6 Comments »

Voice Farm- The World We Live In LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1990s, minimal synth, san francisco, synthpunk, US, voice farm on March 14, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Fulfilling a quick Saturday morning request for Voice Farm’s The World We Live In LP, as the band was previously featured on the Oh Harry, You’re Such a Drag! compilation. As a quick aside, I’ve also posted a Radio Free Europe LP a ways back, for whomever asked.

Anyway, Voice Farm were primarily a two piece (but occasionally three or four piece) synthpunk band from San Francisco. Formed in 1981, the band earned a decent cult following over the years, eventually landing a spot opening up for Depeche Mode on their World Violation tour in 1990. They eventually split in 1995, but released four records before their demise. This first one, 1982’s The World We Live In, is significantly different than their last few, as the band persued a more pop-oriented sound in their latter-days, where as this debut is closer to the manic energy of synthpunk and the rampant electronic pulse of minimal synth. Curiously, the band would not release a follow up for another five years.

Here’s the info for their debut record.

Voice Farm- The World We Live In LP
1. A.M. City
2. Lost Adults
3. Beatnik
4. Davy’s Big Battle
5. Mama Made Me Do It
6. Sally Go Round The Roses
7. Double Garage
8. Follow Me Home
9. Voyeur
10. Cheeno
11. Over And Over

*download it here*

8 Comments »

Pre Fix- Underneathica 7”

Posted in 1981, arizona, post-punk, pre fix, san francisco, subterranean records on November 12, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s an incredibly rare treat to kick off your Monday, ladies and gentlemen. I have found scarce tidbits of information about today’s band, Tuscon, AZ’s Pre Fix. The band, whose credits consist of multi-instrumentalists Johnny Glenn and David Herbert, released but one curious and excitingly strange 45” in 1981 on San Fransciso’s Subterranean records.

Credits for the Underneathica single also include production by Tommy Tadlock, more well known for his work with Tuxedomoon. Post-Pre Fix, Johnny Glenn formed The Ballad of Johnny Glenn.

For your listening pleasure, here’s both sides of their lone single:

Pre Fix- Underneathica 7”
1. Underneathica
2. Ectomorphine

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Romeo Void

Posted in 1980s, post-punk, romeo void, san francisco, wave on September 27, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Another request to fulfill today, ladies and gentlemen. Today’s featured band is San Francisco based post-punk/new wave act Romeo Void.

Formed in 1979 by a group of college art school chums, Romeo Void would stir up a slice of controversy with their sex-fused lyrics and fiery performances. However, this controversy would not stop the band, led by Debora Iyall, from scoring a few independent hits for Columbia Records over the course of six years.

Romeo Void would record three full length records and one EP before officially disbanding in 1985 due to an apparent slew of lineup changes. Debora would release one solo record in 1986 before forming a handful of bands (including current outfit Knife In Water) while other remaining members would soon do the same. The band reunited in 1992 for a handful of benefit gigs for a friend and have since performed a one-off show on Vh1’s behalf in 2003. Though new material is rumoured to have been recorded since the band’s demise, no new tracks have appeared. Instead, the band’s legacy has sadly diminished to that unforgettable catchy chorus from the song ‘Never Say Never.’ The song features one of the most remembered lines of the 1980s- ‘I might like you better if we slept together’ and is to this date, a dancefloor favorite.

I’ve uploaded an extended (and far superior than the broadcasted version) mix of ‘Never Say Never’ plucked from the EP of the same name. The second featured tune is a personal favorite from their 1982 record Benefactor.

download Romeo Void- ‘Never Say Never (12” Single Version)’
download Romeo Void- ‘Chinatown’

And for your viewing pleasure, here’s a video for the song ‘Say No’ from their first record, 1981’s Instincts.

A few scattered links:
Debora Iyall’s website
Romeo Void on Amazon.com

6 Comments »

Chrome

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, chrome, experimental, industrial, noise, san francisco, synth on August 29, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop


Today’s band was so truly innovative that most of their output sounds futuristic and ahead of its time even today…

Formed in San Francisco under the pretenses of making ‘scary, funny music,’ Chrome was created by a drummer/synth player and a lone guitarist in 1976. Though the band would start as a straightforward synth-driven psychedelic project, their music would quickly take a turn for the more experimental and strange as the band shifted lineups after their debut. Over the course of four years, the band, (mainly) consisting of Helios Creed and Damon Edge, would release a slew of albums, their development accelerated by their extremely prolific nature. Their songs were part science fiction epics, part pre-punk fury, and mostly deconstructed experimentation.

This short incarnation of the band would serve as a blueprint for the upcoming post-punk and industrial movements, Chrome joining the ranks of early innovators Suicide, Silver Apples, and Throbbing Gristle. When the band split in 1983, Damon Edge relocated to Europe and continued on under the same name, releasing records consistently until 1995, when he died of heart failure in Los Angeles. Upon Damon’s death, Helios reformed the band out of tribute, carrying on sporadically with new and original collaborators both live and in the studio.

Here’s two tracks I’ve uploaded from the original incarnation of the band. The first is a more rare but solid track, released in a more widespread form via recent compilations of the band’s earlier material, and the second is the lead-off track from their 1977 record Alien Soundtracks.

download Chrome- ‘In a Dream’
download Chrome- ‘Chromosome Damage’

and for your futuristic, acid-loving viewing pleasure, click below to watch the (very A Clockwork Orange-esque) video for the 1980 single ‘New Age.’

Most of their recorded output is extremely difficult to get a hold of, outside of anthologies and used bins. However, according to their official site, three early records have been re-released and remastered. For more information on all of this as well as more on the band, please click below:

Official Chrome site
Chrome 1979-1983 Anthology on Amazon

3 Comments »