L.A.S.’s Crime- Five Lies & Electa K7s

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1988, darkwave, electronic, italian, l.a.s.'s crime, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on January 15, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

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Two excellent tapes here from Italian project L.A.S.’s Crime, short for Lord Arthur Seville’s Crime, named after a classic Oscar Wilde novel. L.A.S.’s. Crime consisted of the duo of Sandro Marchetti and Maria Elena Brogi, who were very diverse and prolific over the course of five years.  The great Bx59cppw has shared several of their cassettes in the past, and Italian label Mannequin has reissued a compilation of material in 2012, featuring thirteen tracks from the band’s tenure, including a handful from these two tapes.   More people seem to know this band than ever before, so why not share a few more pieces of the band’s discography!

fivelies

L.A.S.’s Crime- Five Lies K7(1986)
1. Five Lies
2. Taedium Vitae
3. And Now
4. Statuary Emotion
5. Last Metro
6. Arabian Silence
7. Macabra Danza
8. The Lost Men
9. Devil In The Mirror
10. The Garden
11. Without Nothing
12. Inner World
13. The Important Day
14. My People Gone Away
15. Mary’s Room
16. The Snake
17. Small Man
18. The Final Scream

electa

L.A.S.’s Crime- Electa K7 (1988)
1. Atmosphere n.1
2. Animals Die
3. Atmosphere n.2
4. Party’s Over
5. Atmosphere n.3
6. Morpheus
7. Atmosphere n.4
8. Matrix
9. Atmosphere n.5
10. Dark Xmas
11. Atmosphere n.6
12. The Ultimate Sacrifice

*download both here*

The band recently joined Facebook as well and have uploaded a bunch of pictures, interviews, and miscellaneous images.  Feel free to drop them a line!

4 Comments »

Spleen Ideal- Untitled K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, cassette, coldwave, france, french, spleen ideal on January 7, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another generous donation from Marc Collin, formerly of Persona/New Horizon label and currently the brains behind Nouvelle Vague.  This is his own project, formed by Collin and Xavier Jamaux, who is now actve in film scoring.  

I can’t seem to get enough of this tape lately… Really great combination of organic instruments and electronics here (and even a sample from Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares); straight up perfect coldwaves from France.  Fans of bands like Résistance, End of Data, etc. will find lots to love here.  You can also find two more tracks by Spleen Ideal on the amazing Nos Années Folles comp from 1990.  I believe this tape was released in 1989. 

SIk7

Spleen Ideal- Untitled K7
1. Vague a Lame De Fond
2. Try Another World
3. Reflet D’une Beauté Mortelle
4. Conte de la Folie Ordinaire
5. Desseins a Colonier
6. Kasrolnikov

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Sixth Comm- The Taste For Flesh 12”

Posted in 12'', 1980s, 1987, darkwave, death in june, neo-folk with tags on December 18, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

It was difficult to choose the final post for 2012, somehow this particular 12” seems more holiday appropriate, in a morbid sort of way.  Now that I think of it, this band is the perfect soundtrack for the end of the world, due this Friday if all goes according to plan.

I’m sure Sixth Comm are no strangers to readers of this blog, as the band was an outlet for Death In June vocalist/percussionist Patrick Leagas, who abruptly left the band in 1985.  Leagas (aka Patrick O’Kill) was the primary force behind the Death In June’s interest in synth/dance-oriented music, and often re-recorded classic DIJ tracks under the Sixth Comm moniker (it may be sacrilege to most, but the DJ in me has a strong preference for Sixth Comm’s version of “Calling“).  The first few Sixth Comm LPs (most of which have been released on iTunes and can be found on LP for modest prices) continue in this vein, mixing dark, beat-heavy electronics and Norse-inspired mysticism.

I originally purchased this 12” for a non-picture disc version of “Othilia” to DJ at the Wierd party, but much to my surprise, I found the version here to be different than the recording that appears on Morthogenisis.  The more well known version of the track clocks in at the same length, though is a more straightforward run through of the song.  The other two tracks on this 12” appear on Morthogenisis, seemingly unchanged.  The alternate version of “Othilia” is worth the price of admission alone, so hopefully even the biggest DIJ fan can find something new to enjoy.

Sixth Comm- The Taste For Flesh 12”
1. Othilia
2. Neiflheim
3. Swan Death

*download it here*

On that note, I just wanted to thank everyone for sticking around during a rather tumultuous year.  It’s been five years and counting, and it’s been a pleasure sharing this music with you.  If we all make it to 2013, here’s hoping for an even better year ahead!  Best to you and yours.

13 Comments »

Lost Desert- Heterogen Infiltration K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, coldwave, france, french, lost desert, marc collin, nouvelle vague on December 4, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

I owe a great deal of gratitude to Marc Collin of Nouvelle Vague for the next two posts.  I had the pleasure of meeting Marc at the weekly Wierd party a few years back, and I soon found out that he was involved in a handful of great coldwave projects before growing to critical and popular acclaim.   For those unfamiliar, Marc was involved in both Spleen Ideal and Persona, two cassette culture bands who released a handful of obscure releases.  More on Spleen Ideal soon.  Marc also ran the excellent New Horizon label, who issued an alternate version of this particular cassette.

As for Lost Desert, little is known about this French band, though the tracks scattered across various compilations are some of the strongest female fronted French coldwave tracks, mixing both organic instruments and New Order-esque electronics.  In fact, one of their most discovered tracks is aptly named “Tribute to New Order,” which appears on the excellent Supercherie compilation.  Other tracks appear on New Horizon’s Nos Années Folles and the excellent Mea Pulpa cassette, previously posted here.

This tape was originally released without a label in 1989.  Most of these songs appear on the highly coveted A Travers Le Miroir cassette, which appeared on New Horizon in 1990.  Considering the track list is near identical (and as this tape was distrbuted/licensed by New Horizon according to the insert), my guess is that these versions are the same across both tapes, with just two exclusive tracks per cassette, unless the titles were simply changed before the New Horizon edition.  Anyway, this tape is certainly worth the hype, which features a highly melodic side A and a more electronic side B.  A perfect release from France’s cassette culture.

Lost Desert- Heterogen Infiltration K7
1. Ouverture
2. Tu Avais Tort
3. Nouvelle
4. Sunrise
5. Vision Enflammée
6. Far Away
7. L’arme De Sang
8. Conversation
9. Etrange Satire
10. Eyes of Ice
11. Baby Watch TV! (Live)
12. Final

*download it here*

A million thanks again to Marc for ripping this gem!

 

13 Comments »

The Rise and Fall of the Obscure Music Blog

Posted in Uncategorized on November 28, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

I recently took part in an online roundtable discussion with Eric Lumbleau of Mutant Sounds, Liam Elms of 8 Days in April, and Brian Turner of WFMU regarding our efforts and the current state of music blogging.  Thanks to Mark Allen (Vice, NYT) for the opportunity!  Feel free to join the discussion here.

1 Comment »

Ania- Ma’king Love 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, ania, minimal, minimal synth, swedish, synthpop on November 26, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Been a long time since we’ve had something on the minimal synth side of the spectrum, so after another excellent Thanksgiving break I offer up this little Swedish nugget from 1984.  A simple two track 7” of very murky origin, on a label with no other releases credited via discogs, a slice of synth perfection with female vocals that is guaranteed to get your goose, or rather, turkey leftovers cooking… The A-side is best enjoyed by those who like sleazy, funky disco in the vein of Nancy Nova.  The B-side is the real treat here, a must for minimal die-hards and worth the price of admission alone, if you’ve got the chowder to purchase your own copy.  After downloading, mister Vanilla Face of Crispy Nuggets drew accurate comparisons to Rive Gauche & Carol releases.  A perfect comparison, if I do say so myself!

Ania- Ma’king Love 7”
1. Ma’king Love
2. …On the Telephone

*download it here*

 

Taking a quick glance at the queue, we’ll be getting back to rare tapes over the next few weeks, with an exception here or there.  A few hints about some upcoming posts: LC, PM, OD, SI, & LD.  Stay tuned for more over the next few weeks!

1 Comment »

City- City LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, city, italian, post-punk, synth on November 20, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a rare LP from the outskirts of the Italian wave scene.  Though this album was released on Mercury (Abc, Tears For Fears, Bon Jovi) in 1982, it is virtually unheard outside of its native country.  Can’t tell you a thing about this band, though they certainly wear their Bowie influence on their sleeve.  I get a bit of a Lodger/Scary Monsters vibe from this LP (especially in the guitar work), as well as a bit of Magazine circa Secondhand Daylight, Marquis De Sade’s Rue De Siam, and some Simple Minds-esque hooks here and there.  While nothing on this LP touches the sheer highs of any of those artists, there are still some excellent tracks here, and the LP is very enjoyable from start to finish.  A friend who recommended this record tells me the lyrics are much more bleak and clever than the music might suggest, though my Italian isn’t up to snuff.  There is a lyric sheet included though.  Maybe someday I’ll type ’em up.

If anyone can tell me more about this album, I’m all eyes.  Without any further ado:

City- City LP
1. Citycidio
2. Antagonista
3 Isolamento
4. Autobahn
5. Giungla Metropolitana
6. Telefoni
7. Cliche
8. Notte
9. Guerra Psicologica
10. Macchina

*download it here*

13 Comments »

Six Sed Red- Shake It Right 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, b-movie, cabaret voltaire, electro, Marc and the Mambas, soft cell, synth, synthpop on November 13, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

This one goes out to Tamaryn, who’s currently touring behind Tender New Signs, my favorite record of 2012.  It’s been a while since we had anything club-friendly here, so here’s a fresh rip of one of my favorite WIERD DJ staples.  You may have seen this circulating around as bx-59cppw’s debut post, and there he sheds some light on this mysterious 12” from 1984.   Released on Sire, this single was produced by Cabaret Voltaire and features two tracks by the duo of Cindy Ecstasy (Soft Cell/Marc and the Mambas) and Rick Holliday (early B-Movie lineup).  It’s as good as it gets for club-ready, sex-dripping electro, and sounds to me like Prince and the girls from Strawberry Switchblade decided to record a cover of “Sensoria.”

Seriously.  You guys are going to love this one.

Six Sed Red- Shake It Right 12”
1. Shake It Right
2. Bang ‘Em Right

*download it here*

7 Comments »

Message- Demo K7

Posted in 1980s, cassette, coldwave, france, french, message on November 3, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

I know it’s only been a few days since my last post, but Stéphane B. of Coldwave.fr just passed this over to me and I couldn’t wait to share.  Keeping with recent themes, here’s an unknown and untitled demo tape from Message, previously covered here.  I don’t have titles for any of the songs, though the fourth track is clearly “The Crazy Garden”- the b-side from the 7”.   Can’t notice much of a difference between the two versions, tape murkiness aside.  The other three (untitled) tracks seem to be exclusive to this release.  Really wish they recorded more during their tenure…

No artwork for this one- sorry, kids!

Message- Demo K7
1. Track 01 (Instrumental)
2. Track 02
3. Strange Voice
4. The Crazy Garden

*download it here*

Speaking of coldwave demos, a lot of people have asked about the Coldreams demo tape, which can be found and enjoyed over at Kentucky Fried Wave.

6 Comments »

Incee Wincee Spider- Don’t Know Anythin’ 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, goth, incee wincee spider, post-punk, punk, uk on November 1, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a razor sharp 7” from the UK, released in 1988.  Was turned on to this one by Michael of Return to the East/The Anxiety of Love. Highly recommended for fans of Lack of Knowledge, Razor Penguins, Play Dead, and other bands who employ the anthemic, yet razor-sharp post-punk/goth sound.  One of my favorite 7” sleeves, for the record.

I know very little about this band, as this is their only release.  There are four names attached to it, but no traces of activity in other bands/projects.  If anyone has any info about these lads, feel free to chime in.

Incee Wincee Spider- Don’t Know Anythin’ 7”
1. Don’t Know Anythin’
2. See My Love Shine

*download it here*

11 Comments »

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