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A Popular History of Signs- Taste LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, a popular history of signs, minimal, synth, uk on December 15, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

A request for today, ladies and gentlemen. This post contains London based minimal synth/new wave band A Popular History of Signs and their 1987 singles collection, Taste.

The three-piece outfit (centering around Andrew Jarman on bass/vocals, Peter Scammell on keyboards, and Paul Clarke on percussion) released their first 7” record in 1980, and ended with this compilation and their final LP, 1988’s England in the Rain (which featured a slightly expanded lineup and a more pop-oriented approach).

Though the band never earned a huge following, they remained a cult favorite, attracting the attention of Ministry’s Al Jourgenson, who remixed both ‘Ladder Jack’ and ‘House,’ both versions which appear below. The rest of the compilation tracks appeared originally as 7” and 12” releases over the course of the 1980s.

Andrew Jarman is now flying solo under the Southern Arts Society moniker, recording and playing to date.

A Popular History of Signs- Taste LP
1. Crowds
2. Justice Not Vengeance
3. Dancing With Ideas
4. Stigma
5. Art Of Persuasion
6. If She Was A Car
7. Ladder Jack
8. Trapped
9. Body And Soul
10. House
11. Rock & Roll (Velvet Underground cover)
12. Run Through The Jungle (John Fogerty cover)

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – reissued on all your favorite digital media outlets!

6 Comments »

Foreign Press- Downpour 7” & Climbing 12”

Posted in 1970s, 1979, 1980s, 1982, emergency, foreign press, post-punk, uk on December 8, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Some classic post-punk on the slab this afternoon, half of this post which comes as a generous donation from Jeffo!, a good chum, stellar dj, and otherwise obscure expert here in the heart of New York City. He’ll be spinning a set at this week’s weekly Wierd Records night, if anyone’s in town.

That said, today’s band is Foreign Press, a UK based post-punk act originally formed in 1978 umder the name Emergency. Within a year, the band shifted their sound from a more standard punk aesthetic to incorporate more post-punk leanings, inspired by the likes of Joy Division, Magazine, and several of the Factory Records bands. The band would even bring Joy Division’s devoted manager, Rob Gretton, in for production on their first 7”, uploaded below.

Foreign Press would release four singles before their demise in the mid-1980s, exploring a more commercial, yet no less gloom-ridden direction over time. For your listening pleasure, I’ve uploaded their first two singles, both their 1979 debut 7” (Downpour), as well as their excellent 1982 follow up, Climbing. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty, shall we?

Foreign Press- Downpour 7”
1. Downpour
2. Crossfire
3. Behind the Glass

Foreign Press- Climbing 12”
1. Climbing
2. Remember You
3. Open Secret

*download both here*

Naturally, these two records are long out of print, but there seems to be a copy of the Climbing 12” on Ebay right this very second. If you’re hip to it, happy bidding!

Otherwise, no new reuploads just yet- haven’t been able to devote enough time to the blog’s backlog. Hopefully this week I can get all the old posts back up and running, so please continue to be patient in the interim. Keep your eyes peeled, however, for several posts to follow this week…

1 Comment »

Modern Eon- Peel Sessions and Live CD-r

Posted in 1980s, 1981, modern eon, post-punk, uk on November 25, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

The following record was graciously ripped and uploaded by Jeff of Uberbelly. It’s not quite an official release, but instead collects several live Modern Eon tracks alongside their lone Peel Session in 1981.

Again, I’ve already touched on Modern Eon previously, and again, this particular entry is dead in the water from that horrid Zshare crash, but Jeff was also kind enough to send along the CD reissue of Fiction Tales. I will most likely update the old post with a new link, but for now, grab it here, if you’re keen! Otherwise, here’s the info for the Peel Sessions and Live disc:

Modern Eon- Peel Sessions and Live CDr
1. Benched Down / 70’s Sixties
2. High Noon
3. Mechanic
4. The Grass Will Grow
5. Real Hymn
6. Choreography
7. Playwrite
8. Child’s Play
9. High Noon
10. Real Hymn
11. After The Party
12. Second Still
13. Watching The Dancers
14. Waiting For The Cavalry
15. Mechanic
16. Choreography
17. Euthenics
18. Real Hymn

Track 1 taken from the compilation Street To Street-A Liverpool Album.
Tracks 2-5 from Peel Sessions (21/01/1981).
Tracks 6-11 from a live concert in Groningen (23/08/1981).
Tracks 12-18 from a live concert in Liverpool (21/02/1981).

*download it here*

note: naturally, some of these tunes are of comprable quality, as they are sourced from concert tapes and radio sessions.

Many, many thanks again to Jeff! Otherwise, catch you kids after the holiday. I’m aiming to finish up all those looming reuploads and to move forward with more steam!

6 Comments »

The Reegs- Return of the Sea Monkeys LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 1991, post-punk, the chameleons, the reegs, uk on October 22, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Tackling an older request today, for the first LP by British post-punk/dreampop act The Reegs. Those familiar with post-punk 101 may recognize some of the key players in this band, as half of its lineup consisted of ex-members of the Chameleons (Dave Fielding and Reg Smithies), who drifted apart after the 1987 Tony Fletcher Walked On Water LP. Joined by singer Gary Lavery, the band released two LPs, both which combined the post-punk/dreampop edge of the Chameleons prior work with synthesizers and a more Manchester-based sound, developing in bands like the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. Their first record, uploaded below, is more of a compilation, gathering together two 1988 singles and two covers. Only two tracks on the record were “new.”

The band would support the Wedding Present during their ephemeral run, and would release a handful of EPs up until 1997, just a few years prior to the turn of the century Chameleons reunion. Dave is currently active in Coconut DF.

Without any further ado, here’s the information for the 1991 debut record, Return of the Sea Monkeys:

The Reegs- Return of the Sea Monkeys LP
1. See My Friends (Kinks cover)
2. Is There A Mother-In-Law In The Club?
3. This Savage Garden
4. Chorus Of The Lost
5. Pond Life
6. Start To See
7. These Days
8. Turn It Up
9. All Tomorrows Parties (instrumental Velvet Underground cover)

*download it here*

There seems to be an official Reegs myspace page, complete with a few rare videos of projects both past and present. Click below to check it out:

The Reegs on myspace

3 Comments »

Venus In Furs- Platonic Love & Other Stories LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1990s, electronic, post-punk, times, uk, venus in furs on September 15, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Not much more info I can give today, but as promised, here’s the first official LP by UK electronic/post-punk band Venus In Furs (released in 1984). Managed to acquire the rest of the band’s discography, but am missing *one* track from Soft Life. Speak up if you’ve got it. Otherwise, on to the music:

Venus in Furs- Platonic Love & Other Stories
1. Fallen Statues
2. That First Wild Kiss
3. Majordomo
4. Entracte/Zurich 1924
5. His Master’s Voice
6. Platonic Love
7. Waltz Of The Venus De Milo
8. Achilles Brain
9. Snowscape
10. The Challenge

*download it here*

13 Comments »

Venus In Furs- Strip MLP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1990s, electronic, post-punk, times, uk, venus in furs on September 12, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Fulfilling another request from down under. No, this isn’t the Velvet Underground song, the Sacher-Masoch novel, nor is it the fictional glam band from Velvet Goldmine (a lot of posh material discussed in this sentence), but instead this Venus In Furs was a cult favorite post-punk/electronic act from the UK that existed from 1983-the early 1990s.

The band formed in Sussex in the early 1980s, pairing down from a four piece to a duo before cutting any proper material. Over the course of six years, the band released six albums, one mini LP, and a series of 12” and 7” singles, all of which are extremely sought after. Little else is known about the band, or there current whereabouts, but one of the members was also doing double duty in a band called Times during this period.

Though this is their second release, I’ve uploaded 1985’s Strip mini-LP to kick things off. I’ve got most of their earlier catalog, aside from singles, Megalomania (1989), and their final recordings, so if anyone’s interested, I can upload the remaining three records I have over the course of next week. Otherwise, here’s the information for Strip:

Venus In Furs- Strip Mini-LP
1. All Night Party
2. Sultan
3. In My Velvet Cage
4. Rayogram IV
5. Concerning Status
6. The Debutante
7. O Sweetheart Libido
8. Rayogram VI

*download it here*

It seems as if the entire Venus In Furs catalog has been re-released on compact disc via Movement Recordings in the UK. The reissues come complete with full album artwork and a few of the 12” singles tacked on for good measure. Otherwise, I do believe these are CD-R burned copies otherwise, recorded onto burned discs from the original master tapes. If I come across a wad of cash, I’ll be picking up the entire lot, if they’re still available. I recommend you kids do the same! Click the link below to be taken to the order page:

Movement Recordings Order Form

16 Comments »

Mass- Labour of Love CD

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 4ad, mass, post-punk, rema-rema, uk, wolfgang press on September 9, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for yet another delay, folks. Things will be sporadic for a little while longer, but I have two uploads today. The first continues the 4AD tradition, featuring Mass’ lone LP, 1981’s Labour of Love.

Mass formed in 1980, in the wake of like-minded outfit Rema-Rema’s demise. 3/4 of the experimental/post-punk outfit continued on as Mass, along with Danny Briottet. One single appeared before the record, which is attached to the end of the CD release uploaded below.

Mass’ sound continued the thick and abrasive path Rema-Rema laid out before…These tracks are moody, dark, and heavy. This trend would continue upon Mass’ quick demise, as after Labour of Love‘s release, members Mick Allen, and Mark Cox formed the Wolfgang Press, who were active throughout the rest of the 1980s and early 1990s. Meanwhile, remaining Mass members Gary Asquith and Danny Briottet went on to form Renegade Soundwave.

Without any further adieu, here’s the information for Labour of Love, complete with the CD release artwork + bonus 7” tracks:

Mass- Labour of Love CD
1. Mass
2. Why
3. Ill
4. Why
5. Isn’t Life Nice
6. Elephant Talk
7. F.A.H.T.C.F.
8. Cross Purposes
9. Innocence
10. You And I
11. Cabbage

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – Mass discography reissued in 2011 by Desire.

Though the CD copy of this record has been out of print for years…4AD’s webpage does offer a digital copy of the record here, if you’re in the UK or are keen on the current exchange rate. Be sure to nab it if you love it!

4 Comments »

The Happy Family- The Man On Your Street CD

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 4ad, brel, josef k, literary references, momus, the happy family, uk on August 26, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

For my second post today, I’ll be tackling the first of a handful of requests for early 4AD material. I may have posted some of the upcoming releases in the past, but consider this an attempt to start phasing out some of the old divshare links in general. I may update old posts, or do fresh ones with full records in due time, so stay tuned.

Otherwise, this one’s a fresh post on The Happy Family, a UK based quirky pop/post-punk outfit formed in 1981. The band rose from the ashes of local band Josef K, and released both a three-track single and one full-length record in 1982 on 4AD records, landing the deal after a few support slots with the Cure. These remained their two official releases, though ten demos for an unreleased second album surfaced in 1985 as The Business Of Living.

The band’s sound is very different than the material 4AD was releasing at the time… Instead of budding ethereal or doom-ridden post-punk, the Happy Family had more in common with Brel-esque pop, tossing in several literary sensibilities.

Soon after the Happy Family disbanded, lead vocalist Nick Currie finished his schooling, and subsequently whipped up a solo career under the moniker Momus, who eventually signed with Creation Records. Momus is still active to this day…

The Man On Your Street was re-released on disc in 1992, tacking on the Puritans 7” at the end of the record:

The Happy Family- The Man On Your Street CD
1. The Salesman
2. Letter From Hall
3. The Luckiest Citizen
4. Revenge!
5. The Courier
6. The Man On Your Street
7. A Night Underground
8. Two Of A Kind
9. March In Turin
10. Puritans
11. Innermost Thoughts
12. The Mistake

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Family Fodder- Monkey Banana Kitchen LP

Posted in 1980, 1980s, art-punk, british, family fodder, synthpunk, uk on August 14, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a fun little gem for you folks today… Below lies the first album by Family Fodder, an idiosyncratic London-based synth band active from 1979-1983 (though they officially formed in 1975). The four piece act consisted of Media Fodder and her three brothers Tod, Rod, and God, obviously a clever lot of pseudonyms, as their discogs.com page reveals a sizeable lot of collaborative members, far more than four, with Alig Pearce being the only consistant member.

Family Fodder released two full lengths and several quirky 7” singles to a sizable cult following. Their fellowship with experimental post-punk act This Heat also helped bring the band to a bit of underground prominence.

Their music was generally playful, a hint of dub and reggae mixed with absurd, blissful pop, with synthpunk and sometimes experimental instrumentation. Most of the lyrics were also sung in French, courtesy of original vocalist Dominique Levillain, a combination rumored to be of some significant influence over Stereolab. Over the years, the band reformed several times over, recording and releasing sporadically since their initial demise in 1983. A handful of greatest hits collections have also appeared over the years, attempting to collect the band’s initial singles and best moments.

I’ve uploaded their first proper LP, 1980’s Monkey Banana Kitchen, which features ‘Savior Faire,’ an infectious little tune I can’t get enough of these days. Here’s the details and download information for the LP:

Family Fodder- Monkey Banana Kitchen LP
1. Darling
2. Symbols
3. Savoir Faire
4. Cold Wars
5. Monkey
6. Wrong
7. Organ Grinder
8. Love Song
9. Bass Adds Bass
10. Philosophy
11. Cerf Volant
12. Banana

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – reissued in 2014 on LP and CD!

The only in-print Family Fodder disc seems to be one of the more recent compilations, a 42 track anthology that seems to include several of the band’s hits, including alternate versions and more recent recordings. A definite must-have for fans of the band! Here’s a link to purchase the collection, entitled More Great Hits!

purchase More Great Hits! via amazon.com:

Seems to be a myspace page available as well…Is it official? I can’t tell you at the moment due to work-related securities, but take a peek and decide for yourselves:

Family Fodder on myspace.com

4 Comments »

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 »

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