Archive for April, 2008

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Taxi Girl- Cherchez le Garçon Mini-LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, french, madonna, new wave, post-punk, taxi girl on April 30, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s upload was graciously donated by Chino and features French new wave act Taxi Girl and their 1980 debut Cherchez le Garçon (which seems to be an early collection of singles named after one of their 12” releases). Taxi Girl formed in 1978 and over the course of 8 years, released one full length record and five mini-LPs. The band developed a bit of a cult following due to their singles ‘S.O.S Mannekin’ and ‘Cherchez le Garçon,’ both of which are included below.

After releasing their lone full length in 1981, keyboardist Laurent Sinclair departed, while remaining members Daniel Darc and Mirwais continued Taxi Girl with a shift in musical style. The revamped lineup lasted three more years before disbanding. Darc, the vocalist, persued a solo career while guitarist Mirwais went on to produce Madonna’s Music and American Life.

Taxi Girl- Cherchez le Garçon Mini-LP
1. Petit Jardin Chinois
2. Cherchez le Garçon
3. V2 Sur Mes Souvenirs
4. Cherchez le Garçon (solitaire)
5. S.O.S. Mannekin
6. Les Yeux des Amants
7. Triste Cocktail

*download it here*

Chino also uploaded Taxi Girl’s 1981 full length Seppuku here, for anyone interested…

If your French is up to snuff, check out the band’s official site for more information, including current whereabouts and projects of Taxi Girl members. There’s even a forum, if you’re feeling saucy.

Taxi Girl official site

4 Comments »

Trash Groove Girls- Vol. 1 Arbeit, Sport & Spiel EP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, german, goth-rock, new wave, trash groove girls on April 28, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

The Trash Groove Girls were a three piece gothic/new wave act who I believe hailed from Germany and were active in the mid 1980s. The lineup consisted of Katinka Päkel on vocals, Simone Stepputat on guitar, and Barbara Matzner on keyboards, all other instruments pre-programmed by the trio. The band released one full-length record, two singles, and one Mini-LP/EP, the latter which I’ve uploaded below.

I can’t come up with much else in the way of visuals and information, but their sound is incredibly catchy and danceable, with a bit of abrasive edge thrown in for good measure. Without any further ado, here’s the release information for their 1986EP release:

Trash Groove Girls- Vol 1. Arbeit, Sport, & Spiel EP
1. Trash Beat
2. Zero
3. Sugar Pink Go Go Baby
4. Gimme, Gimme
5. Arbeit, Sport + Spiel
6. Gimme (The Beat Part 1)

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 10.6.2016)

I also have digital copies of the band’s two singles, but they’re ripped at a meager 128kpbs. Holler if you’re interested and I’ll zip them up and send them your way…

13 Comments »

Nine Circles- Nine Circle CD

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1996, minimal, netherlands, synth, wave on April 24, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Some of you may have seen this one on Mutant Sounds*, but if not, here’s some classic female-fronted minimal synth for you folks, the lone release by Netherlands based band Nine Circles. The self-titled disc was released in 1996 but is comprised of tracks recorded in 1982. Though the band’s material scattered across various compilation appearances, it took 14 years for this collection to surface, and there’s little information about this band to be found otherwise.

I have two more tracks by Nine Circles kicking around; ‘How About the Aims in Life?’ and ‘Once In a While’ respectively. I know the former dates from a Dutch compilation cassette entitled Colonial Vipers, but not sure about the latter. For now, here’s the information for the self-titled collection:

Nine Circles- Nine Circles CD
1. When I Dance
2. Twinkling Stars
3. Here Come I
4. The Rose
5. Something Between You And Me
6. Miss Love
7. What’s There Left
8. I’m Deeply Touched

*download it here*

In other news, a few folks have been kind and generous to donate hard-to-find releases over the past few days, so if you’re keen, I’ll work on posting them up here with all the appropriate information soon. If you’re impatient, feel free to scour the comments from the last few entries and pluck ’em out!

*I am admittedly crap about checking every blog to see what’s been posted, but in all fairness, Mutant Sounds is a vast ocean, so I didn’t realise they tossed this same compilation up until after I uploaded it. Nuts!

16 Comments »

Robert Rental- Paralysis 7” & Double Heart 7”

Posted in 1970s, 1978, daniel miller, minimal, mute, robert rental, scottish, synth, the normal, thomas leer on April 21, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post features Scottish electronic music pioneer Robert Rental (real name: Robert Donnachie), who grew to prominence in the underground music scene in the late seventies/early eighties. Though he’s received a fair amount of credit for his live work with Daniel Miller (Mute Records, the Normal) and Thomas Leer (The Bridge LP, released in 1979 under Throbbing Gristle’s record label), he also recorded two 7” synth singles that are well worth a listen.

The Bridge was released on CD in 1992, but no further recordings appeared before or after. Robert Rental passed away from cancer in 2000.

Zipped up below are both of Robert’s 7” singles in one file. The details:

Robert Rental- Paralysis 7” (1978)
1. Paralysis
2. A.C.C.

Robert Rental- Double Heart 7” (1980)
1. Double Heart
2. On Location

*download them here*

9 Comments »

Résistance- 100 Lives LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, coldwave, france, french, resistance on April 18, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Fulfulling a request to finish out the week…Today’s post features French coldwave greats Résistance and their second LP, 1989’s 100 Lives. I’m unable to dig up further information about the band (let alone a proper picture), so should anyone have any to contribute, feel free to leave it in the comments box and I shall amend with due credit and thanks.

On that note, here’s the information and link. Enjoy!:

Résistance- 100 Lives LP
1. Across The Ocean
2. By Your Side
3. The Upper Room
4. 100 Lives
5. Instant
6. The Missing
7. End Of The Day
8. Personal Treason
9. Stand Aside
10. D.Dancers
11. Downfall
12. Glimmer

*download it here*

A video for ‘Across the Ocean’ is linked below…Oh youtube, how you surprise me from time to time:

10 Comments »

Fall of Saigon- Fall of Saigon 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, fall of saigon, french, minimal, pascal comelade on April 17, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Uploaded this for a friend this morning, and figured I’d share it here as well. Linked below is the lone release by French minimal pop project Fall of Saigon, who walked in similar territory as the classic Young Marble Giants. Think very minimal drum machine patterns, scattered bass and guitar, toy pianos, and direct vocals, both male and female.

This 12” was released in 1983, and information about it and respective collaborators is scarce, with the exception of Pascal Comelade, who remains a prominent French musician to this day. His own works consist of wild instrumental pieces (some of which tread similar sonic territory as the Fall of Saigon material), while his collaborations span genres, including work with Faust and PJ Harvey.

Fall of Saigon- Fall of Saigon 12”
1. Visions
2. Blue Eyes
3. She Leaves Me All Alone
4. So Long
5. On The Beach At Fontana
6. The Swimmer

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* Click here to purchase a reissue of these tracks (and more) from Gazul/Musea Records.  Vinyl also available via Dark Entries records!

I’ve been trying to track down some of your most recent requests…However, I’m unable to find the specific records some of you have asked for. Mostly, I’ve tracked down a few Guerre Froide releases, but not the Cicatrice cassette. Stay tuned for some of the other requests tomorrow/next week.

5 Comments »

Borghesia- Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1990s, borghesia, ebm, minimal, slovenia on April 16, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Borghesia were a Slovenic electronic/wave band, formed from an existing theatre group in 1982. Both their performances and music touched on repressed themes and taboo subjects, combining this content with a dark synthetic backdrop. They were lumped in with the budding EBM (electronic body music) movement, yet their first record has more in common with the minimal wave sound.

Over the course of thirteen years, Borghesia developed a substantial cult following in Europe, appearing on festival bills and obtaining distribution through Wax Trax records. The original five piece outfit would shift lineups before splitting in 1995, with around/over a dozen releases under their belt. Uploaded here today, is the debut record, 1985’s Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti

Borghesia- Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti LP
1. Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti
2. A.R.
3. Kdo Je Ugasnil Luc
4. Brisk Vomit
5. Jaz (Pesem B)
6. On
7. Nocne Setnje
8. Previse Tenzije
9. Tako Mladi
10. Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti II

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – you can now get a remastered copy of this LP via the always excellent DARK ENTRIES label, an awesome reissue label based out of the west coast. Click here for more info!

For your viewing pleasure, the promotional video for ‘A.R.’:

For more info on Borghesia, click the following two links:

discography
myspace

4 Comments »

Absolute Body Control- S/T cassette

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 2000s, absolute body control, Belgian, minimal, the klinik on April 9, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Ok kids, as promised, here’s another Absolute Body Control release to usher in my week-long hiatus. This one seems to be their first cassette release, a 1981 self-titled effort. Without any further ado, let’s hop right in:

Absolute Body Control- Absolute Body Control cassette
1. Weaving Hands
2. Touch Your Skin
3. Baby’s On Fire (Brian Eno cover)
4. So Obvious
5. Total Control
6. A Broken Dream
7. Do You Feel It Inside
8. Game For A Laugh
9. Shake

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – this has been reissued on both LP and digital! Seek it out!

In case you missed it, the previous Absolute Body Control post can be found here. Otherwise, stay tuned until next week, and feel free to drop any requests in the meanwhile.

11 Comments »

Bene Gesserit- A High, Happy, Perverse, and Cynical Cry of Joy LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, alain neffe, Belgian, bene gesserit, experimental, industrial, minimal, minimal synth on April 7, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

This one’s an old favorite of mine. Today’s post features an experimental/minimal band from Belgium named Bene Gesserit and their first record A High, Happy, Perverse, and Cynical Cry of Joy, released in 1984.

Taking their name from a religious race of humans from Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Bene Gesserit was formed in 1981 by Alain Neffe, a pioneer in the Belgian industrial scene. Joined by Nadine Bal, the pair would record a series of live cassettes and three records under psuedonyms (B. Ghoula and Benedict G., respectively). Their sound combined both the experimental edge of industrial music and the slick synthesized sound of minimal synth, a curious and innovative hybrid that earned the band a decent following and cult status to this day.

Though the band split after releasing their third record, Alain would remain active in such outfits as Human Flesh, Cortex, I Scream, and Pseudo-Code. You can nab another one of their records from Mutant Sounds by clicking here. Otherwise, here’s the info for Bene Gesserit’s first release:

Bene Gesserit- A High, Happy, Perverse, and Cynical Cry of Joy LP
1. She Is Walking
2. Japanese Song
3. Enfants Des Rues
4. Pravda
5. Nuit Et Chuchotements
6. Strange Strangers (In The Night)
7. Clear Blue Smile
8. Walt’s Waltz
9. Tonight
10. Désirs-Délires
11. Kitchen Music (For Kitchen People)
12. Existentialisme
13. No Rule For A Dream : Bali
14. Tourdorizonmuzikal (C’est Ça)
15. La Brabançonne (Belgian National Anthem)

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* Official CD reissue coming March 2012 via EE Tapes.

The band has both an official site and a myspace page, but both are entirely in French. For anyone fluent or otherwise curious:

Official Page
Myspace Page

On a previous note, anyone who downloaded Absolute Body Control’s Numbers should check back again, for I originally only had the first side of the cassette uploaded. The new link should now consist of both tape sides…

6 Comments »

Absolute Body Control- Numbers K7

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 2000s, absolute body control, Belgian, minimal, new wave, the klinik on April 4, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s some classic cream-of-the-crop minimal synth to wrap up this week, especially relevant as this band has just reactivated and is playing in the US this very moment.

I’ve uploaded a rare cassette release by Belgian act Absolute Body Control, whose origins date back to early 1980. The band featured a slightly rotating lineup throughout their early years, driven by Dirk Ivans. Pairing down from a three piece, the main contributors are Dirk and Eric van Wonterghem, a fan who joined shortly after the band released its first single. Absolute Body Control were among the first wave of Belgian electronic acts, and they developed a substantial cult following both on record and on stage.

In 1984, Dirk formed the Klinik, yet Absolute Body Control continued releasing cassettes until 1993, which saw the release of their lone compact disc, Eat This. The band was mostly inactive even before that and officially folded just after its release. However, demand in the new millennium led to several reissues of the band’s back catalog as well as several live festival appearances. Just recently A.B.C. took to the studio to re-record 13 of their best tracks, released as the Wind(re)Wind LP. An EP of new material was also released this year, and both will be available to purchase through iTunes and Amazon by June, though CD copies are now for sale through various outlets.

This featured release dates back to a 1982 cassette issue. Unlike the majority of their output, Numbers is exclusively instrumental, and each track is simply titled in numeric order (though original tracklistings are simply labeled “part one” and “part two” respectively). On that note, pardon the obvious lack of tracklisting. Without any further ado:

Absolute Body Control- Numbers K7

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – reissued as a digital release via Bandcamp!

I’m ashamed to admit that I’ll be missing tonight’s NYC gig, as I’ll be playing one of my own, but if you’re hip to it, drop on by the Music Hall of Williamsburg, if you aren’t coming to see us, that is. Otherwise, The band will be playing Saturday, April 5th in Los Angeles before flying back to Europe for some appearances. For all relevant information, click below:

Absolute Body Control on Myspace

and finally, a quick heads up: starting late next week, Systems of Romance will be offline for a spell while I’ll be kicking around New Orleans. However, this coming Wednesday, I will make it a point to upload another A.B.C. release with vocals to sweetly make up for the inactivity…

6 Comments »

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