New Buildings- Le Dernier Homme & Your Message 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1984, minimal, new buildings, post-punk, spain, spanish on July 24, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Second on the slab for this weekend are the first two 12”s by Spanish band New Buildings, who come across as a hybrid of minimal synth and dark, gloomy post-punk. Kind of reminds me a bit of Q4U, or perhaps a more subdued version of Xmal Deutschland. Not a lot of information to be found about the band, but I believe this original lineup parted ways in 1983, reforming four years later as simply Buildings. Three releases followed in 1987/8. Not sure if the change in name also signified a change in sound, so perhaps someone out there can shed a little light on the subject. With that in mind, here’s the two New Buildings releases for your listening pleasure.

New Buildings- Le Dernier Homme 12” (1983)
1. Le Dernier Homme
2. Humo
3. Longues Avenues

New Buildings- Your Message 12” (1984)
1. Your Message
2. Historias Para Largos Recorridos
3. New Buildings

*download both here*

Parade Ground- Strange World 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1987, 2000s, colin newman, ebm, front 242, parade ground, reunited, synthpop on July 24, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a 12” by one of my favorite artists. Walking a fine line between glossy synthpop and early EBM (this 12” is on Play it Again Sam), Parade Ground issued six killer singles and one full length record, all pretty much essential for fans of the genre. The main lineup consists of brothers Jean-Marc and Pierre Pauly, who originally collaborated with Front 242. The brothers occasionally lent a hand to some of Front 242’s middle period recordings, maintaining a close personal relationship with Daniel B. The band has also collaborated with Colin Newman of Wire, who produced several of the band’s releases.

While the band split soon after releasing their full length in 1988, Parade Ground would issue two CDs in 2007. One consists of live tracks, while the other features brand new material.

Released in 1987, this 12” contains two high energy tracks, while the final track is a more atmospheric affair. Here’s the info.

Parade Ground- Strange World 12”
1. Strange World
2. Off Balance
3. The Chosen One

*download it here*

Though this one comes a close second, my favorite Parade Ground 12” can be found over at Crispy Nuggets. “Gold Rush” is a beast.

Richard Bone- The Real Swing 12”

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, ambient, currently active, disco, experimental, new wave, richard bone, shox lumania, synthpop on July 20, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a classic early Richard Bone 12” for your listening pleasure. Born in 1952, Bone is considered an influential figure in the New York music scene in the early 1980s, a huge pioneer of electronic music. He began exploring the early art of the synthesizer, driven by the works of Brian Eno and Harold Budd, before moving into more poppier territory. He was also a member of experimental electronic band Shox Lumania in 1981.

A good portion of Richard’s early singles were on Survival Records, the same label that brought you Drinking Electricty, Faith Global, Hard Corps, and Play, to name a few.

Though he ceased to make pop records as of the 1990s, he still creates ambient music to this day. This particular 12” hails from 1984, just a few years into his solo career. Here’s the information.

Richard Bone- The Real Swing 12”
1. The Real Swing (Extended 12″ Re-Mix)
2. The Real Swing (7″ Edit)
3. Heartache History

*download it here*

Oberkampf- Linda 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 2000s, coldwave, french, Oberkampf, post-punk, reformed on July 15, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Just played this track at Wierd last night and got a few responses, so tossing it up as a favor to those interested attendees. Classic French coldwave contained within, released in 1983. It’s one of the band’s earliest releases, preceding a handful of LPs before their inevitable split in 1985. The single version of the title track differs a bit from the LP version, released the same year.

According to a few sources, the band was generally known for their anti-nationalist politics, oftentimes burning the French flag during live performances. As of 2000, the band has reformed, and released an LP in 2003. I believe they’re still together to date, but not sure, as their official website (http://www.oberkampf.net/) won’t load for me… With that in mind, here’s the information for this killer 7”.

Oberkampf- Linda 7”
1. Linda
2. Irréelle

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 7.3.23)

Advanced Art- Scar 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 1991, advanced art, ebm, finnish, new beat, synthpop on July 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a slice of classic EBM for all you heavy-beat nuts. Advanced Art were based in Finland, formed in 1985, and split in the mid-90s, when the early EBM sound shifted focus to heavy metal guitars. The majority of their releases (four singles and two full lengths) explore the classic electro-based sound, so fans of Front 242, A Split-Second, and Nitzer Ebb should definitely enjoy this one. This particular 12” dates back to 1991, and follows two early 7” releases. Here’s the breakdown:

Advanced Art- Scar 12”
1. From Nothing to Nothing
2. Wake Up
3. Tear Open These Scars
4. From Nothing to Nothing (Edit)

*download it here*

Pretty Poison- Laced 12” & Expiration 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, freestyle, new wave, pretty poison, synthpop on July 11, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a pair of early releases by Philadelphia-based new wave band Pretty Poison. Many of you folks may remember this band from the freestyle hit “Catch Me I’m Falling,” but their earlier, less successful releases had a far darker edge, from the gloomy, yet danceable music to the stark black covers featuring gothic imagery. Though these tracks became minor college radio singles, it would take four years and a stylistic re-invention for the band to take off.

This pair of releases dropped in 1983. Dying to hear one of their first releases, a 1982 flexi cover of Tuxedomoon’s “No Tears.” If anyone has that one kicking around, please pass it our way! Otherwise, here’s the information for these two releases.

Pretty Poison- Laced 12”
1. Seal It With a Kiss
2. Let Freedom Ring
3. Expiration
4. Tempest Nightmare

Pretty Poison- Expiration 7”
1. Expiration
2. The Realm of Existence

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED @ 320kbps on 2.15.17)

For curious parties, the two versions of “Expiration” here are completely different. The band would go on to re-record “Let Freedom Ring” for their first full length record in 1987, with a far glossier edge.

Didi und die Herzschrittmacher- Wenn Dein Herz 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 7'', didi und die herzschrittmacher, flexi disc, german, minimal synth, post-punk on July 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a one off 7” by Didi und Die Herzschrittmach, a collaboration between a German post-punk band and an unknown chanteuse. This 1982 flexi-7” is their only known release two killer tracks of upbeat synth-influenced post-punk that sort of walk a fine line between minimal synth and Jacques Brel. You may recognize “Modern” from the Tribute to Flexi-Pop compilations, and while it’s the clear winner here, the A-side is equally catchy and fun. Here’s the info:

Didi und die Herzschrittmacher- Wenn Dein Herz 7”
1. Wenn Dein Herz…
2. Modern

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 11.12.20)

Indochine- L’Aventurier MLP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, currently active, french, Indochine, minimal synth, new wave on July 2, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s something a little more fun and bright for your summer weekend. Here we have the first major release by French new wave connoisseurs Indochine, released in 1982. Bright rhythms, pulsing synths, and shameless hooks to be found on each of these seven tracks.

The Indochine story began in 1981, but the band is still going strong to date, though only one original member remains in the band. According to a few sources, Indochine are the top selling band in France, and earned quite a cult following throughout Europe and Latin America. Unfortunately, like most non-English speaking bands, their music failed to find a proper audience in the US, despite fitting into the musical climate at the time. Well, let’s see if we can’t help turn a few heads around these parts, eh? Here’s the info for this killer debut 12”.

Indochine- L’Aventurier MLP
1. L’Aventurier
2. L’Opportuniste
3. Leila
4. Docteur Love
5. Indochine (Les 7 Jours De Pékin)
6. Dizzidence Politik
7. Françoise (Qu’est-ce qui t’as pris?)

*download it here*

Been ages since we had a video, but thanks to this band’s relative success, here’s the promo clip for the title track!

Housekeeping Pt. 2

Posted in Uncategorized on June 30, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Ok, kids. The Plague LP link has been restored. Click here for the amended post. As promised, the track order has been fixed, and the skip on “Empress” has been rectified with a fresh rip of that particular track (downloadable as a separate mp3 for extra convenience. Download with confidence!

Housekeeping

Posted in Uncategorized on June 29, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Taking down the link for The Plague LP for now- was informed of a rather nasty skip on one of the tracks, and the mismatched tracklisting bugs me to no end. I’ll have a fresh link ready in a day or so, and I’ll upload the fixed tracks separately as well. Sorry for the trouble, folks.