The Electronic Circus- Direct Lines 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, dramatis, electronic circus, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, synthpop, the electronic circus, visage on November 19, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a real quick post before I sneak off for the weekened. Uploaded here, by generous donation, we have one of the best minimal synth singles out there, at least in my opinion. The a-side is an absolute romantic synth classic, while the b-side here is a more atmospheric, piano-driven affair, an interesting but pleasant counterpoint to the sheer pop perfection on the flip.

Fun fact about this one. Main contributor Chris Payne was also in both Visage and the Dramatis (who had a solid hit with Gary Numan on vox). Easy to see why there’s such great mastery on this one! Here’s the info:

The Electronic Circus- Direct Lines 7”
1. Direct Lines
2. Le Chorale

*download link removed* – this 7” was reissued in 2017 by Animated Records in Chicago, and again in 2021 by Iron Lung Records. Support these labels and the artists and pick up a reissue copy if you can!

12 Comments »

Ex Post Facto- Oceanic Explorers 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, ex post facto, goth-rock, post-punk, synth on November 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

For those not entirely thrilled with the idea of a Depeche Mode clone, here’s a request that should suit you well. This particular 12” has been posted before over at music…isms, but the author admittedly wasn’t able to provide the b-side at good quality. A shame, as I find the second track on this 1982 single to be the best of the three!

You can read more about this UK synth/post-punk hybrid and nab the rest of their work over at music…isms, so let’s just dive right in!

Ex Post Facto- Oceanic Explorers 12”
1. Oceanic Explorers
2. Bast
3. Marilyn

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED at 320kbps on 7.31.18)

1 Comment »

Dr. Strangelove- Demo K7

Posted in 1990s, analog angel, dr. strangelove, new wave, reformed, synthpop on November 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I’m not usually fond of posting cassette rips, but this one’s an exception. Here we have an unlisted, scarce demo tape by Scottish synthpop band Dr. Strangelove, who were active in the early 1990s.

This seems to be their only “release,” though the band did, in fact, make a promotional video for the first track. They soon disappeared into the ether, without a trace. However, just a few years ago, 3 of the 4 members reconvened and formed Analog Angel, re-recording many of their older songs in a newer format. Their re-recording of “Why Do You Do” is virtuallty identical to the original, quality improvements aside. Analog Angel have, in fact, released their debut album, which can be purchased via their webpage.

Their promotional video gained a bit of internet notoriety when it appeared with the tag “Depeche Mode-esque.” Naturally, forming in the early 90s and adopting a synth-pop sound, Depeche Mode was a major influence in both style and execution. Fans of Black Celebration and Music For the Masses should enjoy this one.

Dr. Strangelove- Demo K7
1. Why Do You Do?
2. Consequences
3. ‘Title Unknown’

*download it here*

Sorry I can’t offer any artwork, but here’s the video for ‘Why Do You Do’ for your viewing pleasure:

6 Comments »

Celibates- A Shameless Fashion LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, celibates, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on November 15, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Some of you may have seen this one kicking around previously over at Capa Nostra Syndicate, but I believe there may be a skip or two on that particular upload. So apologies for the repetition, but here’s a freshly ripped version of this quirky minimal synth/post-punk hybrid from 1981.

This particular LP actually serves as a nice companion to the VHF lp. Quirky synths, minimal beats, and a strange connection to bands like Devo, Voice Farm, and Futurisk. Of course, there’s a few duds along the way, but I especially am fond the first track. Minimal synth fans should recognize David Kane, one of the album’s main contributors. Better known as Quintronic, he’s the man responsible for the Trek w/ Quintronic LPs, which you can get over at Mutant Sounds. Kane was responsible for the electronic elements of the LP, while Kent Weber (of the Fems), played all guitars and effects. Terry Sullivan, the vocalist, has no other releases as far as I can tell.

Celibates- A Shameless Fashion
1. Coming Alone
2. Keeping The Count
3. Making Moves At Random
4. Girls With Headphones
5. Rap City (In Blue)
6. She’s The One
7. Reflex
8. Whipped Cream Girls

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 8.17.17)

(press photo courtesy of Greg)

14 Comments »

The Splash Band- Christine 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, electro, italo, italo disco, john carpenter, the splash band on November 15, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Glad to hear you’re all enjoying the last few posts so much! Moving right along, I have two posts slated for today, so bear with me. The first is something a little more well known, but no less fantastic. Actually, while this 12” isn’t exactly rare, I haven’t seen either of these mixes floating around in circulation before, so I’m pleased to offer them here.

There’s so much to be said about John Carpenter that I don’t quite know where to begin. Responsible for some of the best films in the horror genre, his scores also have earned huge notoriety over the years, influencing both ambient and electro music. While the score to Christine (based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name) is a more haunting, delicate affair, it’s the disco tracks and pulsing beats that really stand out to me. I included a mix of this track on the second Sequins and Spandex comp., a three minute mix that’s over before it truly begins, and has the unfortunate sound of a car engine revving throughout. Until I got this 12”, I never knew a car-less mix existed, let alone one that’s nearly double the length! The second mix is the one in question, while the first is an extended mix of the Sequins track… Both are performed by The Splash Band, who was responsible for doing a lot of these italo-infused dance mixes via the legendary ZYX label.

Without any further ado, here’s the info:

The Splash Band- Christine 12”
1. Christine (Part 1)
2. Christine (Part 2)

*download it here*

2 Comments »

VHF- 1st Impressions LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, synthpop, VHF on November 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I was going to wait until Monday came to post this one up, but news travels fast, and a few people are already asking for it. Up on the slab we have one of the rarest new wave records in existence, the elusive VHF LP. Not to be confused with the heavy metal band of the same name (though the logo looks conspicuously like Van Halen), this particular EP has more in common with Speak and Spell era Depeche Mode, Erasure, and soulful synthpop in that vein.

This LP was released in the UK in 1984 on Pennine Records. A power pop single by Any Trouble was the label’s only other release. Coincidentally, VHF has a bit of a power pop vibe going for it, instead employing a slew of synth leads and drum machines in that minimal style we all love to get the job done. A curious mix, which generally works.

This doesn’t complete the VHF saga though… There’s a 7” out there for the title track, which I believe features an exclusive b-side. Maybe we’ll hear that one some day, but in the interim, here’s the info for this ‘holy grail’ of rare wave records:

VHF- 1st Impressions LP
1. The Peril Of Passion
2. Let Me Fall
3. Smile On Demand
4. No Surprise
5. I Know You Wanna Say Goodbye
6. Don’t Call Me
7. First Impressions
8. Key To My Heart
9. Our Love Is Undecided
10. Mirage
11. Counting The Days
12. Replacement Heart

*download it here*

27 Comments »

Atelier Du Mal- Noblesse Oblige Demo K7

Posted in 1980s, 1984, atelier du mal, italian, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on November 10, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Up next we have a killer demo tape from Italian minimal synth band Atelier Du Mal. I’m usually not too fond of cassettes, as I find the sound quality to be very sub-par on the whole, but this one is a real gem. Barely sounds like a cassette, let alone a demo, for that matter!

This is the band’s only official release, though track two, ‘Back to Taiwan,’ has been reissued as part of the Crollo Nervoso DVD set, essential listening/viewing for fans of obscure Italian wave.

Enough chatter, here’s the info:

Atelier Du Mal- Noblesse Oblige Demo K7
1. A Promise
2. Back to Taiwan
3. Another Kind of Madness
4. Waiting for Someone
5. Staticita
6. Palau
7. Marienbaad
8. Decadence (Underground Life)

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – this tape has been reissued by Mannequin! Pick it up here.

That’s all for today (major treat coming soon- stay tuned), but I’d like to draw your attention to the De Press LP post from years past. Freshly re-uploaded, for those who missed out the first time. Thanks to all for keeping me on my toes!

5 Comments »

The Intensive Care Unit- Skull Trans Fracture LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, intensive care unit, israel, minimal, minimal synth, the intensive care unit on November 10, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I have a few more Russian treats in store, as well as one of the rarest synth records to post over the next few days, but today’s posts come from mr. BX. First up, we have some killer minimal synth from Israel.

Released on CBS in 1983, this is Intensive Care Unit’s lone LP. Not quite sure how many people were involved in total, but one of the band members was Hadar Goldman, also involved in Siam and the Impolight. Jerky minimal synth grooves here, recommended for fans of Borghesia, Max & Intro, and even some of the Russian greats we’ve been talking about lately! Here’s the info:

The Intensive Care Unit- Skull Trans Fracture LP
1. Intensive Care Unit
2. Do# (C Sharp)
3. Yum-Yumi
4. No1
5. Normal Game
6. Opposite Man
7. Plastic Garden
8. Tikon
9. Atra
10. Train

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Телевизор (Televizor)- Шествие Рыб LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, minimal synth, new wave, russian, synth, synthpop, televizor, ussr, Телевизор on November 5, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Just received a request on Facebook to cover some of the Russian synth greats, so what better place to start than the debut album from Телевизор (translation- Televizor). While the band was conceived in 1984 in Leningrad, it took four years for their debut to appear. The LP was released on Мелодия records, which formed in 1964 and folded briefly when the USSR collapsed.

Kind of hard to classify this one properly, as it jumps styles on every track. If anything, it reminds me a bit of Chrisma’s Chinese Restuarant– a true hybrid that’s tough to pin down, but I’ll let you all decide for yourselves! Here’s the info and download link:

Телевизор- Шествие Рыб LP
1. Люди В Ожидании
2. Муха На Стекле
3. Город
4. Я Не Виноват
5. Вчера
6. Цветные Сны
7. Человек Из Ваты
8. Дальний Восток
9. Шествие Рыб
10. Обо Мне
11. Мания Величия
12. Товарищ Сухов
13. С Вами Говорит Телевизор

*download it here*

10 Comments »

Tally-Oh!- Hit the Beast 7”

Posted in 1980s, italian, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on October 31, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Last but not least, to complete our Halloween trifecta, it’s back to Italy for an uber-rare single from 1984.

Strangely enough, there are conflicting reports on this release. While the sleeve clearly says Tally-Ho!, many sources claim that the band’s name is, in fact, Tally-Oh! Not sure where the truth lies, but my guess is that someone made a typo on the album sleeve or around the net, or perhaps the band meant for it to be somewhat confusing. Perhaps someone can shed some light on this mystery?

Either way, you can expect some excellent, upbeat, synth and beat driven tunes here. A little jerky and bass-heavy for post-punk heads, but complete with those minimal grooves we all know and love. Definitely a must hear!

Tally-Oh!- Hit the Beast 7”
1. Hit the Beast
2. Transmission

*download it here*

5 Comments »

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