Archive for February, 2008

Snowy Red- The Right to Die LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, Belgian, minimal, snowy red, synth, wave on February 27, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Snowy Red is mainly a one-man minimal synth outfit from Belgium, active throughout the 1980s. Though occasionally a band here and there (and featuring scattered collaborators during their tenure), Snowy Red was primarily an outlet for Micky Mike (real name: Marcel Thiel, RIP), who released four records (and two cover records under his proper name) before seemingly disappearing from the music scene in the early nineties. Though seemingly a one-off reunion, Snowy Red reactivated for a Belgian music festival in 2004 as a two piece.

Though each of Snowy Red’s four records are synth classics, I’ve uploaded my favorite, 1982’s The Right to Die, which has a darker atmosphere and heavier synthetics than some of the other material. For more Snowy Red, revisit this post, as the Carol & Snowy Red ‘Breakdown’ 7” is included in the grab bag.

Details:

Snowy Red- The Right to Die LP (1982)
1. Euroshima (Wardance)
2. Nowhere
3. I’m Hurt
4. Never Alive
5. Relax
6. Opium
7. Lies In Your Eyes
8. Madman
9. The Right To Die

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED*—> An official boxset containing all of Mike’s work has been reissued via OnderStrom records. NOT TO BE MISSED! RIP Micky…

After scouring youtube, I came up with several clips for Snowy Red, but none actually are videos or live performances, but instead are songs playing with a static image, while one consists of a digitally rendered Second Life character boogying to ‘Euroshima.’ I won’t link it here, but it’s amusing, for those who wish to seek it out.

Otherwise, I believe Snowy Red’s material is best hunted down through your local record shops and eBay, but there IS a seemingly fan-run myspace page, for more information and some digital accompaniment:

Snowy Red on myspace

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Norma Loy- Romance 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 2000s, coldwave, french, minimal synth, norma loy, post-punk on February 25, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post is the very first 12” single by classic French coldwave band Norma Loy, one of the first bands of the genre, and one of the few to get significant exposure outside of their home country. Though original members Usher and Chelsea first met and collaborated in 1977, Norma Loy properly formed in 1981, dubbed so by Alan Vega of Suicide. Heavily drawing on the intensity of post-punk, the cold buzzing synths of minimal synth, and the theatrics of performance art, the band released several singles and full lengths with various lineups before disbanding in 1993. Usher and Chelsea continued their collaborations sporadically while each explored solo projects and various other art experiments in alternate mediums. In the meanwhile, the band’s influence grew, as several compilations and reissues sprung up from the band’s ashes.

After a thirteen year hiatus, Norma Loy reformed for a series of hometown shows, original members Chelsea and Usher joined by Lol (bass), Yann Reversat (guitar), Guillaume (drums), and Helene (buto dance). The band is seemingly still active, most recently appearing in Prague, yet no new material has surfaced.

I’ve uploaded their very first release, 1983’s Romance 12”. Without any further delay, the details:

Norma Loy- Romance 12”
1. Romance
2. Crazy Soul
3. Glance In Your Eyes
4. Tragic Venus

*download it here*

For your supplementary viewing pleasure, here’s a video clip for the band’s most well known tune, ‘Power of Spirit.’

For more info on Norma Loy, please visit their myspace page below. Also, Infrastition has reissued several of the band’s classic records, including the four tracks above (as part of an early singles compilation). Pick ’em up if you’re hip to it!

Norma Loy on myspace
Infrastition dot com

5 Comments »

Camera Obscura- Horizons of Suburbia LP

Posted in 1980s, 2000s, 2005, camera obscura, minimal, synth, uk, wave on February 20, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Thanks for all the requests over the past few weeks, ladies and gents…I’ve been uploading them slowly but surely over the past few posts, and ideally, I shall attend to each one of them in the very near future. Today’s request was for Camera Obscura’s Horizons of Suburbia LP, a synth/wave gem from 1983. Well…not quite. These ten tracks were recorded fifteen years ago but remained unreleased until 2005. Previously, the only documented Camera Obscura releases were a 7” single and a lone compilation appearance.

For the record, there seem to be several bands bearing the same name, including a rather prominent indie pop group. This particular Camera Obscura, however, consisted of Nigel James and Peter Oldroyd and hailed from the UK. The band formed in 1982 and soldiered through record label hardships until 1987, when the band when on indefinite hiatus. In 2005, however, Nigel and Peter dusted off their old material and took to playing shows throughout Europe, meanwhile releasing this lost classic as well as a live record and re-recorded single material. All recent Camera Obscura material has been released by German label Anna Louge Records.

Details:

Camera Obscura- Horizons of Suburbia LP (2005)
1. Escape From The City
2. Horizons Of Suburbia
3. The Mandarin Man
4. Fever Pitch
5. Vincent Van Gogh
6. Destitution
7. Circular Waves
8. Scarlet Vixen
9. Mystery Box
10. Race In Athens

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED BY REQUEST*

To purchase Camera Obscura’s material through Anna Logue Records, please click below! Also, see the following link for the band’s official homepage:

Anna Louge Records
Clan Camera dot com

5 Comments »

Ellysgarden- Echoes CD

Posted in 1990s, 1994, coldwave, ellysgarden, french, post-punk, shoegaze on February 19, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Pardon the delay in posting, friends… Today’s band fulfills a request via email for French coldwave outfit Ellysgarden and their lone release, 1994’s Echoes. Their sound is more likens more to the shoegaze and dreampop movement as opposed to their country’s coldwave roots, most likely a product of the times. Further information about the three-piece band is scarce, though members of the band were previously active as Rosa Luxemburg, but if anyone has any more info regarding Ellysgarden’s whereabouts or history, feel free to send it my way. Otherwise, without any further ado, here’s the information for this gem of a record:

Ellysgarden- Echoes CD
1. Open Doors
2. Our Prayers
3. Over the Fancies
4. I’ll Know
5. Rise of Soul
6. Echoes
7. Muse (On My Own Face)
8. Velvet
9. King for a Day
10. A Boy Too Shy
11. Expiration
12. Her Face

*download it here*

18 Comments »

ADN’ Ckrystall- Jazz’ Mad LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 2000s, adn ckrystall, french, minimal on February 11, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Before I begin today, my apologies for the dead massmirror links…I have no idea what happened with those, but I’m currently switching everything back to zshare. I have about four more posts to reupload (Clint Ruin, Boytronic, Mary Goes Round, and Baroque Bordello), and that should all be sorted out within the evening…

Secondly, thanks for all the requests that have been pouring in this weekend! I’m aiming to upload all I can get my hands on, but stay tuned soon for Siglo XX, Babel 17, Camera Obscura, Pavillon 7B, etc. and some local treats. I’ll attack all that as soon as I can.

Otherwise, today’s post is on ADN’ Ckyrstall, a French minimal artist who’s given name is Erick Moncollin. Erick took on his moniker as early as 1977, playing an experimental brand of rock music infused with primitive synthesizers. Throughout the late seventies, he developed his craft alongside members of the like-minded act GonG. The first ADN’ Ckryrstall release appeared in 1982, and until 2005 it was the lone full-length, though one other single followed in 1984. Afterwards, Erick added other members to the project, renamed ADN’ La Catastrophe,. Both outfits dropped off the radar in 1992 as Erick would delve into the techno/ambient scene under the name Dr. Strange, only to reappear in 2005 with a new LP, entitled Synthesizers And Other Electronic Masturbators.

I’ve uploaded ADN’ Ckrystall’s debut record Jazz’ Mad for your listening pleasure.

Details:

ADN’ Ckrystall- Jazz’ Mad LP
1. Cocaina Vitamina
2. Pour L’Amour D’Un Cygne / Puckies’ Power
3. Le Blues De La Fille Aux Jambes De Jeans
4. Haschisch T’Es Pas Cap!
5. Dragons’ Caravan / Spanik Elektronik
6. Tam Tam Samba

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED: The album has been lovingly reissued by Dark Entries records!  Please purchase a copy and support the artist and label!

In 2005, underground label Minimal Wave uncovered a handful of copies of Jazz’ Mad on LP and are offering them through their catalog. Click below for a link to purchase it if you’re so inclined. Also included- a link to ADN’ Ckrystall’s myspace page, for those interested.

Purchase Jazz’ Mad via Minimal Wave
Myspace page

9 Comments »

End of Data- Sahrah LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, art-rock, coldwave, end of data, french, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on February 8, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

I promise this isn’t intentional anymore, folks, but today’s band also happens to hail from France. It’s a request of sorts from a new reader, and the band is End of Data, a four piece Coldwave outfit who formed in 1983 and split just a few years later. Live setups for the band included ex-members of Tanit and Orchestre Rouge.

The band’s discography consists of two solid records, 1984’s Sahrah and 1985’s Dans Votre Monde. As I’m unable to scour up a copy of the latter in an “acceptable” bitrate (if anyone wants a 128kps rip of the record, holler and I’ll post it), I’ve only uploaded their incredible debut. Alternately, if anyone has a more sufficient copy of said record, feel free to send it my way.

Details:

End of Data- Sahrah LP (1984)
1. End Of Data I & II
2. If I’m Not A Killer
3. Follow Me And So
4. Like A Succession I & II
5. Trottodaf
6. Sahrah / Symphonie Inachevée

*download it here*

During their tenure, the title track ‘Sahrah’ became a slightly prominent club hit, and has since been featured on several coldwave/French wave compilations. They made a video, to boot, and here it is:

14 Comments »

Clair Obscur – Play. LP

Posted in 1980s, 1988, 1990s, 2000s, french, minimal, synth on February 6, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Clair Obscur are a classic French minimal wave/synth act who began in 1981 as a three-piece collective. Throughout their expansive tenure, members have come and gone, though two core members, vocalist Christophe Demarthe and guitarist Nicholas Demarthe, have always been present.

In the 80s, Clair Obscur developed some success and a bit of cult following for mixing their blend of bleak minimal wave music with expansive visuals, and earned spots on prominent local festivals and an opening slot with Killing Joke. Though the band has gone through several lineup shifts over the years (and has recorded as CO2 during bouts of inactivity), Clair Obscur is still active to date, playing sporadic gigs throughout Europe.

I’ve uploaded the entirety of their full length, Play. Though the record was released in 1988, Play. comprises several earlier releases, including the 1984 Dansez 12” and the 1982 La Cassette Noir cassette release. When the record was pressed to CD, the tracklist was chronologically rearranged, resulting in the version I’ve uploaded. Also, four separate covers were issued with the original LP.

Details:

Clair Obscure- Play. LP
1. Sequence
2. The Last Encounter
3. Blume
4. K.G.
5. Pessimiste Combattif
6. Revol Dub
7. Vivant
8. Hibernation
9. Kriegs Opera
10. The Pilgrim’s Progress
11. Zeda
12. Die Kinder Sind Allein
13. Tremendous

*download it here*

For your viewing pleasure, here’s a clip of Clair Obscur performing ‘La Ballade des Gens Heureux ‘ in 1986. The song is originally featured on the 1986 Smurf In The Gulag 12”.

CD copies of Play. are available through Infrastition. Otherwise, for more on Clair Obscur, including full discography, bio, pictures, and fun facts, click below:

Clair Obscur dot net

2 Comments »

Opéra De Nuit- Full discography

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1986, 1988, coldwave, french, opera de nuit on February 4, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

This one is for Curious Guy over at Phoenix Hairpins… Opéra De Nuit (Opera of the Night) are another classic French coldwave act whose discography consists of one self-titled LP and two 12” singles, all of which I’ve uploaded for your perusal.

The four piece outfit formed in Valréas, France in 1982 and disbanded soon after releasing their seminal s/t record in 1988, enjoying a fair amount of hometown success in the meanwhile. The track “Ami-Amant” (featuring haunting female vocal contributions and driving synth/bass grooves) became a dance floor staple and has been included on the Transmission 81-89:The French Cold Wave compilation that Infrastition put out in 2005, responsible for many a Coldwave band’s second coming.

Details:

Opéra De Nuit are:
Erik Adrien (guitar, synths)
Jean-François Chaleyssin (bass)
Franck Adrien (drums, synths)
Richard Fekkar (synths)

Amour Noir 12” (1984)
1. Amour Noir
2. Karen Lloyd
3. Hors du Temps

Sourire de l’Ombre 12” (1986)
1. Sourire de l’Ombre
2. Ami-Amant
3. Invitation
3. Possession

Opéra De Nuit LP (1988)
1. Boris Transylvania Camp
2. L’appel du Froid
3. Larmes de Sang
4. Annabella
5. Invitation
5. Jeu Damné
6. Rebelle-Rebelle
7. Ami-Amant

*download it here*

There seems to be an official myspace page up, so if your French is up to snuff, drop a note!
Opéra De Nuit on myspace

10 Comments »

podcast 02

Posted in Uncategorized on February 2, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Systems of Romance- Podcast 02

1. Wild in Blue- Suicide
2. Confusing Outsides- Martial Canterel
3. Magazine- Bunnydrums
4. Fallout Fever- the Floor
5. A Day’s Wait- Altered Images
6. A Shoulder to the Wheel- Bel Canto
7. Rain in the Summertime- The Alarm
8. The Path of Least Resistance- The Human League
9. Ungawa pt. 2- Pulsallama
10. Seagull’s Eye- The Snake Corps
11. Be Brave- The Comsat Angels
12. Looking From a Hilltop (restructure)- Section 25
13. Violent Heartstrings- The Opposite Sex
14. Scream Like an Angel- Brilliant
15. Arena II- Colourbox

*download it here*

podcast 01 link

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