Archive for the 1981 Category

Choir Invisible- Choir Invisible LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, Choir Invisible, darkwave, LA, los angeles, new wave, post-punk, punk, US on September 1, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Choir Invisible were a four piece post-punk band hailing from Pasendena/LA area, California. The band formed in the wake of the Flyboys, a first wave LA punk band, who split after the death of bassist/keyboardist David Wilson. Singer John Curry also played bass in The Plugz, and drummer Danny Benair would join jangle-pop band The Three O’Clock.

Lisa Fancher, head of Frontier records (who released the lone Flyboys 12” in 1980), essentially pieced Choir Invisible together after the Wilson’s death. The band grew to local prominence, opening for the likes of Romeo Void, Depeche Mode, and Christian Death in the early 1980s, before releasing their debut record in 1981.

Though the band split shortly after their 1981 tour, a few straggling members recorded a follow up in 1982, which was released two years later on Passport records. I shall upload this one for my next post, but in the meanwhile, here’s the info for the band’s 1981 self-titled debut.

Choir Invisible- Choir Invisible LP
1. Quiet Place
2. Fatal Dream
3. The Other Room
4. Fixation
5. Chameleon
6. Side To Side
7. Private Life
8. The Key
9. Playing Cards
10. Portrait Of Charles
11. The Distance From…

*download it here*

Lustans Lakejer- Uppdrag i Genève LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1990s, 2000s, lustans lakejer, new wave, reunited, swedish, synth on June 26, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Lustans Lakejer (aka Lustavision and Vanity Fair) were a Swedish new wave band originally formed in 1978 with a punk informed approach, not unlike the likes of Magazine and Ultravox. The band issued several 7 and 12” singles and a debut record before releasing today’s download, Uppdrag i Genève in 1981. At that point, the synthesizer became a main component of the band’s sound.

After a handful of following releases and lineup shifts, the band split in 1986. Reissues of the band’s catalog, expanded with bonus tracks and expanded booklets, followed. The band reunited in 1999 for a festival appearance. Another record followed and the band is currently active as both a recording and touring entity to date.

The CD reissue of Uppdrag i Genève is available for purchase via http://www.hotstuff.se/, for a pretty reasonable price. The record includes five extra bonus tracks, including a 7” and live tracks. Since the record is still available for those willing to import it, I’ve only uploaded the main program for listening purposes. Give it a spin, and if you dig it, be sure to pick up the CD. Here’s the info:

Lustans Lakejer- Uppdrag i Genève LP
1. Rendez-Vous I Rio
2. En Lång Natts Färd Mot Dag
3. Sista Tangon I Paris
4. Segerens Sötma
5. Stilla Nätter
6. Man Lever Bara Två Gånger
7. Män Av Skugga
8. Unga Moderna
9. Öppna Städer
10. Paradisets Portar

*download it here*

For more information about Lustans Lakejer, check out the band’s official myspace page, run by singer Johan Kinde.

Lustans Lakejer on Myspace

Airstrip 1- Full Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1982, Airstrip 1, Airstrip One, post-punk on May 22, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Thanks to all the great donations as of late! There’s some good stuff kicking around in comments lately, some of which I’ll be re-zipping up over the next week or so, but in the meanwhile, here’s a generous email donation from Craig, containing a vast majority of UK post-punk band Airstrip 1’s material. Taking their name from Orwell’s 1984, little concrete info is available on these guys, though they did change their name from Airstrip 1 to Airstrip One (I know, not much difference) over the course of their short existence on Polydor Records. According to discogs, the uploaded collection contains a majority of their 12” vinyl releases, but is missing a few rare promo-only remixes. Here’s what’s contained below:



(cassette images by Craig)

Airstrip 1- Collection
1. Nothing is Forever
2. Fiction
3. Vodka Cola
4. New Messiah
5. Nothing is Forever (Remix)
6. Longer to Live
7. English Guns
8. Crime
9. Social Fools (Extended Version)
10. All Fall Down
11. Satellite (12” Remix)

*download it here*

The first four tracks hail from a very rare cassette, released, to my understanding, with a xerox sleeve and DIY hand-written label. Meanwhile, the rest of the tracks hail from 12” releases. Tracks 6-8 hail from the Longer to Live 12”, released in 1981, while tracks 10 and 11 hail from the Satellite 12”. Track 9 is plucked from the respective 12”. Aside from the Longer to Live 12”, the other 12” tracks hail from 1982.

What’s missing: “Satellite” (7”, if there is a difference between the two) and various promo-only remixes of “Social Fools,” but this looks to be the lot. If anyone has these remixes, feel free to drop a note below!

Craig has been kind enough to upload the two missing Airstrip 1 promo remixes of Social Fools, so check above for a new zip including those remixes. Thanks again to Craig for the donations!

Jo Lemaire + Flouze- Pigmy World LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, Belgian, french, new wave, synthpop on April 16, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a fun synthpop/wave record for the excellent weather at work here in the northern hemisphere. The band in question is Jo Lemaire + Flouze, primarily a two piece project formed as an outlet for Belgian singer Jo Lemaire and musician Philippe Depireux, who were married at the time. The band released a handful of records in the late seventies/early eighties, splitting soon after this record, released in 1981. Jo Lemaire divorced Depireux and began a solo career to some fanfare in Europe, recording new wave records sung in both French and English.

It was their final record, 1981’s Pigmy World that set the stage for Lemaire’s solo career, with the strong support of “Je Suis Venue Te Dire Que Je M’en Vais,” a synthpop treatment of a prominent Serge Gainsbourg number. Though it is easily the highlight of the record, the remaining tracks keep the same summery synthpop vibe alive. Without any further ado, here’s the information for Pigmy World.

Jo Lemaire + Flouze- Pigmy World LP
1. Shades Of Night
2. Je Suis Venue Te Dire Que Je Mén Vais
3. Satellites
4. Siamese Sister
5. Chameleon
6. Voices In The Silence
7. Inner Void
8. Escape
9. Outside The Hole
10. Claustrophobia

*download it here*

For a peek at the classic Gainsbourg cover, click below for a “live” performance of the tune:

John Ruth- I Am a Model LP

Posted in 1981, john ruth, new york city, synth, synthpop, US on April 1, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

There’s very little information to be found on this particular artist, one John Ruth from New York, whose lone 1981 release, I Am a Model sits comfortably with the likes of OMD and John Foxx-era Ultravox, with a little Talking Heads quirk thrown in for good measure. Without any further ado, here’s the information for this fantastic synth gem.

1. Goodbye
2. Stalk The Wild Animal
3. Kick Me In The Bed
4. Rhonda La Boo
5. I Am A Model
6. Summer Commuter
7. 50 Mile Radius
8. Ordinary Mood
9. Restaurant
10. Polyclimate Is Here

*download link removed. see comments for purchasing link*

7/12” grab bag #3

Posted in 12'', 1980s, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1988, 7'', coldwave, grab bag, kuruki, minimal, minimal synth on February 13, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Last year, I made a point to upload a few rare 7” recordings in one post, offering a few new sounds for folks to pick up on. These proved to be rather popular, so I’ve decided to bring the series back. Here’s a blurb about each of the following releases:

Land of Giants- Cannibal Dolls/Seven Men 12”
Land of Giants were a Candian minimal wave band who released this one 12” single in 1982. The single topped the college charts in its day, and was praised by John Peel. No further release would appear until recently, when the band issued a CD featuring several new and unheard demo tracks recorded between 1982 and 1985, which can be purchased via paypal here.

1. Cannibal Dolls
2. Seven Men

Chromagain- Any Colour You Like Mini-LP
Once uploaded by Ale at the sadly defunct 7” From the Underground blog, this particular gem is one of the best wave recordings of its time. The three piece band hailed from Italy, and released this one five track record in 1985. “Satisfied” is easily one of my favorite tunes from the entire wave spectrum, so be sure to give this one a spin. *NOW REISSUED VIA ALESSANDRO’S OWN MANNEQUIN RECORDS!*

1. Satisfied
2. Spot
3. Killing Dome
4. After The Clouds
5. Season of Steel

Body 11- Mind 7”
Lone 1988 release by this German industrial/ebm collective. Nice and hard-hitting, with a few dance grooves thrown in for good measure. If anyone has any further information about this German duo’s whereabouts, feel free to pass it along!

1. Wasteland II
2. Fire
3. Hearts
4. Attack

Kuruki- Such a Liar 12”
Belgian new wave/italo-flavored duo known for their underground hit “Crocodile Tears,” released as a one-off single in 1981. That particular track also appears on this particular 12”, released just a few months later. A handful of singles followed over the next few years, and a full length appeared in 1984. Currently, vocalist Gerry D’Haeyer is in cahoots with Roland Van Campenhout, a Belgian blues artist.

The full length, TV Scape is available on Mutant Sounds, while 7” From the Underground has featured their debut single.

1. Such a Liar
2. Crocodile Tears
3. Yack Yack

*DOWNLOAD ALL FOUR RELEASES HERE*

Graf+Zyx- Trust No Woman LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, austrian, zyx on February 13, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Revisiting an old post from back in the day, and re/uploading the full Zyx record as a quick request, as our friend Soundhead is having a rest after the great zshare crash of ’08.

Check out the old post (linked above) for information about this Austrian wave act. Otherwise, check out the full record below. Apologies for the bit rate, 160kpbs seems to be the best that’s around.

Graf+Zyx- Trust No Woman LP
1. Get Away Wisdom
2. Hey You
3. Little Boy’s Desires
4. Away To Freedom
5. When Darkness Comes
6. Trust No Woman
7. Sister Green Eyes
8. Mawkish
9. Bad Manners
10. What Do You Live For

*DOWNLOAD REMOVED* – this lp was reissued by Dark Entries Records!

Stay tuned, I have a 12” grab bag coming this afternoon!

Starter- Start CD-R

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 2004, minimal, swiss, synth, wave on December 29, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

The following upload comes as a request, and features Swiss minimal synth band Starter’s entire discography. Starter formed in 1981 as a three piece, led by Francis Foss, who remained the only original member after a personnel switch in 1985.

Starter would release one LP in 1981, followed by several 12” releases throughout the late eighties, calling it quits in 1989. Francis Foss was also active in Shy Rose, a Swiss Italo Disco act who released a handful of singles.

In 2004, Topfuel Entertainment collected Starter’s discography and released it as an extremely limited CD-R pressing, sold alongside a DVD of various live performances over the years. Only sixty copies of this fine release exist, and I’ve had my eyes peeled for ages. Snap one up if you see it! Otherwise, here’s the information for the CD-R portion.

Starter- Start CD-R
1. Lunapark
2. Is This Love
3. Minijupe
4. Baby
5. Plastic
6. Tanger
7. Tarzan And Jane
8. Machinedrum
9. Part Of You
10. Victim
11. My Love
12. Night By Night
13. Cause I Love You
14. Victim Of The Beat

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – ATTENTION, dear readers- 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!

Though I have yet to find an original copy of this release, a generous party has uploaded a video from the DVD-R portion, so please click below to view live performances of both Lunapark and Minijupe from 1982:

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Modern Eon- Peel Sessions and Live CD-r

Posted in 1980s, 1981, modern eon, post-punk, uk on November 25, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

The following record was graciously ripped and uploaded by Jeff of Uberbelly. It’s not quite an official release, but instead collects several live Modern Eon tracks alongside their lone Peel Session in 1981.

Again, I’ve already touched on Modern Eon previously, and again, this particular entry is dead in the water from that horrid Zshare crash, but Jeff was also kind enough to send along the CD reissue of Fiction Tales. I will most likely update the old post with a new link, but for now, grab it here, if you’re keen! Otherwise, here’s the info for the Peel Sessions and Live disc:

Modern Eon- Peel Sessions and Live CDr
1. Benched Down / 70’s Sixties
2. High Noon
3. Mechanic
4. The Grass Will Grow
5. Real Hymn
6. Choreography
7. Playwrite
8. Child’s Play
9. High Noon
10. Real Hymn
11. After The Party
12. Second Still
13. Watching The Dancers
14. Waiting For The Cavalry
15. Mechanic
16. Choreography
17. Euthenics
18. Real Hymn

Track 1 taken from the compilation Street To Street-A Liverpool Album.
Tracks 2-5 from Peel Sessions (21/01/1981).
Tracks 6-11 from a live concert in Groningen (23/08/1981).
Tracks 12-18 from a live concert in Liverpool (21/02/1981).

*download it here*

note: naturally, some of these tunes are of comprable quality, as they are sourced from concert tapes and radio sessions.

Many, many thanks again to Jeff! Otherwise, catch you kids after the holiday. I’m aiming to finish up all those looming reuploads and to move forward with more steam!

1000 Ohm- A.G.N.E.S. 12” & Love In Motion 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1984, Belgian, minimal, synth, wave on October 15, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Back to the grind, ladies and gentlemen. Just recently married, I haven’t had much time to think about posting, but now that the dust has settled, let’s get this blog back up and running. I’m still aiming for a twice a week goal for now, so let’s see how that goes.

Today’s band is 1000 Ohm, a two man Belgian minimal synth project formed in 1979. Originally, 1000 Ohm was the brainchild of Frank Van Bogaert, but as the outfit continued into the 1980s, Johan Van Herck joined in to flesh out the band’s sound, joined by an unnamed third member for live shows (if anyone knows the third member’s name, please chime in). The first release uploaded today, the 1981 A.G.N.E.S. 12”, features just Frank at the helm, while Van Herck joined in time for 1984’s Love In Motion 12”.

The duo split in 1987 after several more 12” singles (including ‘The Claim’ a shameless synthpop jam), and Van Bogaert went on to produce several local artists before purchasing ACE studios in Antwerp. As the nineties came to a close, Frank began to release a series of his own organic synth recordings, some of which have won German awards. He still records to this day.

Without any further adieu, here’s the info for these two synth-pop gems:

1000 Ohm- A.G.N.E.S. 12”
1. A.G.N.E.S.
2. A.G.N.E.S. (2nd mix)
3. Look Around

1000 Ohm- Love In Motion 12”
1. Love In Motion
2. Love In Motion (Instrumental)

*download them here*