Archive for the synthpop Category

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Šizike- U Zemlji Čuda LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, master scratch band, new wave, Šizike, synthpop, yugoslavian on August 13, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Once more, sorry for the delay! I keep meaning to start back up with regularity, but this summer has proven to be a busy affair. I just had the honor and pleasure of playing bass for Mark Burgess (of the Chameleons), joined onstage in New York and Philly by some talented local musicians. It was a last minute affair, learning the songs the night before (and sometimes, that day), and playing them as best as we could under the most terrifying of circumstances. Needless to say, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life to date. I presume many readers are familiar with Burgess’ work with the Chameleons, but if not, pick some up posthaste! Otherwise, to any readers who were there, both on stage or off- thanks for the good times!

Anyway, on a different note, here’s an interesting treat that will hopefully get things back on track around here.

Šizike were a Yugoslavian dance/new wave band, known primarily in their home country for the slinky single “Don’t Stop.” The band was primarily an offshoot of the Master Scratch Band, who plucked three female vocalists to be the forefront of the project. The MSB played all instruments, while these three sirens provided the vocals for their lone release, 1984’s U Zemlji Čuda LP, an interesting and curious anomaly in the new wave spectrum.

The record is primarily a collection of songs, remixed or altered in various forms on the B-side. The project reminds me of a slower and synthier version of Fuzzbox, though obvious differences are notable. A little fun and fancy free…mildly cheesy at times, but oh so satisfying.

That reminds me, I should probably put a rip of the Fuzzbox LP up in full, to flesh out the post I made a ways back, but more on that soon. Here’s the details on this fine record:

Šizike- U Zemlji Čuda LP
1. Be-Bop-A-Lula
2. Ponavljačka Pesma
3. Don’t Stop
4. Svemirski Čistač
5. Patricia Twist
6. Don’t Stop (Remixed)
7. Hula-Hop Disco
8. Tužbalica
9. Čudni Ples
10. Mega-Mix Vol. 1.

*download it here*

To those of you who prefer to hear a track before taking the plunge, you’re in luck today. Click below to peep the official video for “Don’t Stop.”

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Turning Shrines- Face of Another 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, boston, experimental, minimal synth, new wave, psychic tv, synthpop, turning shrines on August 6, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Phew, sorry for the delay folks. Life’s been a whirlwind.

To make up for my absence, I’ve since acquired and ripped the first Turning Shrines 12” record, released in 1985 on Psychic TV’s Temple Records. These four tracks are a bit more catchy than the full length EP I posted a few entries back, but are no less enjoyable, through and through. Click here for the release and more info on Turning Shrines, but otherwise, here’s the scoop on this particular gem.

Turning Shrines- Face of Another 12”
1. Face Of Another
2. 1/4 Circle Black
3. Dirt Test
4. Waking Up In The Dirt

*download link removed by request*

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Samedi- Doubts & Beliefs LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, new wave, Samedi, swedish, synthpop on July 21, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Samedi were a synthpop band hailing from Sweden. I first discovered their classic track “Between Two Hearts” on the fantastic Retronics compilation, which collects several of their peers. Whereas other Swedish synthpop bands like the Mobile Homes earned some cult success in the States, Samedi wasn’t able to achieve the same success despite a similar sound. Otherwise, the band formed in 1983 as a four piece, and fluxuated between three and four members throughout the course of the 1980s.

The band’s discography consists of three 7” singles and one full length record. All of their releases were pressed via Canned Music, the band’s own label. After calling it a day in 1990, members of Samedi focused their efforts on manning a recording studio, producing, writing, and engineering several more Italo-tinged bands over the years. Check their discogs page for some of the tracks the band worked on.

Without any further ado, here’s the information for their 1989 full length, Doubts & Beliefs.

Samedi- Doubts & Beliefs LP
1. Big
2. In Our Time
3. Above Me
4. Strangers In The Night
5. Say Say Goodbye
6. Winter’s Coming To Town
7. Touch
8. Give Me All
9. Oh Mother Earth
10. I’ll Fly
11. Lay Down Your Head
12. Open Up (Long Dist Dance Mix)

*download it here*

The band do keep an official myspace page here. Upon getting in touch, the band said they are working towards remastering and re-releasing the now out-of-print Samedi material for a possible reissue. If you dig this record, show yr support and encourage the process! Naturally, this post will self destruct when that happens.

Meanwhile, still been meaning to get started on the ol’ 8 tracks account, but in the interim, take a peek at this particular audio/Youtube track to take a listen to “Between Two Hearts” (not featured on this LP, mind you).

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Voice- Anno Di Voce 12” (+Bonus Tracks)

Posted in 1983, 1985, canadian, Dwayne Goettel, synthpop, voice on June 9, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Apologies for the disappearance, ladies and gents, been off the radar for most of last week. To make up for it, here’s a generous donation from a contributing member, which collects rare tracks and one 12” by Canadian synthpop act Voice. There’s little information to be found about the band (as it tends to be in matters like this), but otherwise, Voice featured contributions from Dwayne Goettel, who would join Skinny Puppy soon after their demise in 1986. Goettel also played keyboards in likeminded act Psyche, who would open for Skinny Puppy’s earlier incarnations.

Otherwise, seven tracks can be found in the file below. Four hail from the band’s 1985 Anno Di Voce 12”, released on Switch Records. The other three hail from an 1983 cassette release. An alternate version of “Lime” exists on this release, but the other two tracks are exclusive. The lineup on the cassette release was Malcolm Swann, Dwayne Goettel, Sherri Iwaschuk, and Jeff Sawatzky. Jeff would depart before the recording of the 12” single.

Without any further ado, here’s the info!

Voice- Anno Di Voce 12”
1. Lime
2. Business As Usual In Beirut
3. Wake Up Dreaming
4. I Am the Walrus [Beatles cover]

Bonus Tracks:
1. Holiday
2. Lime [Alt.]
3. Smile

*download both here*

Jeff has also been kind enough to include two bootlegs recorded in 1983 with the original lineup. The info:

Voice- Live @ Primetime
1. Awake
2. Birthright
3. Smiling
4. Broken Chains
5. Lime
6. Mellow Yellow
7. Holiday
8. Dangerous

Voice- Primetime Again
1. Awake
2. Birthright
3. Dangerous
4. Holiday 1
5. Holiday 2
6. Kaleidoscope

Thanks again to Jeff for all the information and donations!

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November Group- NG89 Cassette

Posted in 1980s, 1989, boston, cassette, coldwave, k7, november group, synthpop, US on May 26, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Meanwhile, thanks to a generous donation and a quick home conversion this morning, I am pleased to offer the final piece in November Group’s discography, the oft-coveted NG89 Cassette, released only in this format in 1989, shortly before the group disbanded.

I was only able to take a photo of the tape’s cover before leaving this morning, but I will add further images over the next day or so. In the interim, here’s the information for this last piece of the November Group puzzle!

November Group- NG89 Cassette
1. Ahoy Ivan
2. Hardtimes
3. This is Not Heaven

*download it here* (reuploaded @320kpbs on 8.30.2016)

Otherwise, for the remainder of this fantastic band’s discography, click here!

8 Comments »

Fiat Lux- Commercial Breakdown VHS

Posted in 1980s, 1985, fiat lux, new wave, synthpop, uk on May 13, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

I’m pleased to offer this generous donation, a complete (audio only) Fiat Lux concert stripped lovingly from a VHS cassette and passed my way just a few days back. Entitled Commercial Breakdown, the show dates back to 1985, featuring a nine song set, with the studio version of “Secrets” being played both before and after, in video form.

The entire show is viewable in three parts on youtube, by searching for “Fiat Lux- Commercial Breakdown,” but for those interested in the audio, here’s the breakdown:

Fiat Lux- Commercial Breakdown VHS
1. Intro
2. Secrets (Video)
3. Blue Emotion
4. Photography
5. No More Proud
6. Sleepless Nightmare
7. The Moment
8. Comfortable Life
9. Embers
10. Splurge
11. House of Thorns
12. Secrets (Reprise)

*download it here*

Thanks to Craig for the donation! Otherwise, stay tuned today for another post to follow.

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Fiat Lux- Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1983, 1984, fiat lux, new wave, synthpop, uk on May 6, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve been enamored with UK synthpop/new wave band Fiat Lux’s killer track “Secrets,” which was lovingly deposited into my collection a few weeks back. Since then, I’ve been trying to track down the band’s complete discography, piecing together extended mixes, 7” recordings, and as many unreleased tracks as I could muster, and I’m finally able to offer what I believe to be the complete discography of Fiat Lux. Though no track is as gloomy and delicious as “Secrets,” there are still quite a few obscure new wave cuts ripe for the discovery.

Fiat Lux, firstly, translates from Latin as “Let There Be Light,” originally a Biblical quotation. The three piece band formed in 1982, releasing a handful of Polydor singles along a three year period before disbanding in 1985. Though a few of these singles were collected as a mini-LP, Fiat Lux never issued a full-length album proper. Upon disbanding, vocalist Steve Wright joined Camera Obscura and formed Hoi Poloi. Meanwhile, multi-instrumentalist Dave Crickmore is currently a member of Durbervilles. Unfortunately however, saxophonist/keyboardist Ian Nelson (member of Tattoo Hosts Vision On! and brother of the infamous Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe), died in his sleep in 2006.

Anyway, according to HiredHistory, a comprehensive fan made page, the following is Fiat Lux’s entire discography collected. There’s a few tracks that overlap, so please forgive the occasional dose of redundancy. Otherwise, I’ve also tracked down a handful of unreleased tracks, demoed over the years but never officially released. I’m on the hunt for more and will keep everyone posted if they turn up. Otherwise, without any further ado, here’s the rundown:

Feels Like Winter Again 7” (1982)
1. Feels Like Winter Again
2. This Illness

Photography 7” (1983)
1. Photography
2. Aqua Vitae

Photography 12” (1983)
1. Photography (Extended)
2. Aqua Vitae (Extended)

Secrets 12”* (1983)
1. Secrets
2. Comfortable Life
3. Aqua Vitae (Extended)

*there exists a 7” of “Secrets,” but the A and B side are the same as the 12”.

Blue Emotion 7” (1984)
1. Blue Emotion
2. Sleepless Nightmare

Blue Emotion 12” (1984)
1. Blue Emotion (Extended)
2. Sleepless Nightmare (Extended)

Hired History Mini-LP (1984)
1. Secrets
2. Photography (Extended)
3. Blue Emotion (Extended)
4. Comfortable Life
5. Sleepless Nightmare (Extended)
6. Aqua Vitae

House of Thorns 7” (1984)
1. House of Thorns
2. Three’s Company

House of Thorns 12” (1984)
1. House of Thorns (Extended)
2. Three’s Company (Extended)
3. Sally Free and Easy

Solitary Lovers 7” (1984)
1. Solitary Lovers
2. No More Proud

Solitary Lovers 12” (1984)
1. Solitary Lovers (Extended)
2. No More Proud (Proud Mix)
3. No More Proud (Dub Mix)

Unreleased Traxx:
1. Breaking the Boundary
2. The Moment
3. Solitary Lovers (Alt.)
4. Splurge

*download it here*

All of these tracks are sorely out of print, but perhaps the remaining members of the band can clean ’em up for a proper reissue. Otherwise, if you catch wind of any of these releases, snap them up! Otherwise, thanks again to HiredHistory for all their dedicated efforts in cataloging this band’s brief stint. Visit for more on the band, including press photos, gigography, and more information than you can shake a stick at! Otherwise, I’ll leave you with one final treat, the video for “Secrets,” my favorite track from the lot!

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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 »

Twice a Man- Music For Girls LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, currently active, minimal, minimal synth, swedish, synthpop, twice a man on April 8, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Ages ago, I uploaded Swedish minimal synth duo Twice a Man’s first 12”, one of the best releases of its time. Without repeating any information, click here for the original post, chock full of info and links to keep on Twice a Man’s current output.

Meanwhile, here’s the information for their debut full length, 1982’s Music For Girls, which though released on CD in 1994, remains curiously out of print to date.

Twice a Man- Music For Girls LP
1. Move
2. Breathe The Air
3. Boy
4. Battle
5. Russian Tractors
6. Decay
7. In My Mind
8. Dance
9. Gentlemen
10. Threat

*download it here*

6 Comments »

John Ruth- I Am a Model LP

Posted in 1981, john ruth, new york city, synth, synthpop, US on April 1, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

There’s very little information to be found on this particular artist, one John Ruth from New York, whose lone 1981 release, I Am a Model sits comfortably with the likes of OMD and John Foxx-era Ultravox, with a little Talking Heads quirk thrown in for good measure. Without any further ado, here’s the information for this fantastic synth gem.

1. Goodbye
2. Stalk The Wild Animal
3. Kick Me In The Bed
4. Rhonda La Boo
5. I Am A Model
6. Summer Commuter
7. 50 Mile Radius
8. Ordinary Mood
9. Restaurant
10. Polyclimate Is Here

*download link removed. see comments for purchasing link*

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