I’ve had this LP kicking around for ages, but never really thought much about it. One of my recent great purges had me reconsidering this record, and after careful consideration, I’m all in. Here we have a private press, gonzo minimal synth record from 1987, the lone album by an otherwise mysterious project from the NY/NJ area. There’s a tape edition of this album, as well as a single-sided flexi 7” of the title track, which in itself is worth the price of admission alone.
There are quite a few experimental pieces in play here, dark ambient passages mixed with short industrial landscapes, and a long, evolving piece that fills out side B. As mentioned though, minimal synth heads will love the title track, a furious 18-minute KR-55 workout that starts with gusto, begins to wear out its welcome, and by the time it finishes, comes back around again and commands the utmost respect. It’s one helluva ride.
With all that in mind, here’s the rundown:
The Sophist- Subliminal Control LP
1. Attention All People
2. Subliminal Control
3. Baby
4. Eternal Performance
If so, this one is a request for the 1987 comp. from Drowning Pool, the nu metal bandthe post-punk band from Los Angeles, California. The band were also featured on the Ultraviolet compilation I posted last time around, so the name should certainly sound familiar… You may also recognize the band via their debut single under the name Landscape of Sound, which has also been featured here previously.
This particular double LP is a compilation of sorts, collecting a series of rare tracks alongside centerpieces from their four major LPs. This LP may have been shared in the past, but certainly at a low bitrate according to all sources I could find. As such, it’s an excellent introduction point AND a solid record to fill in the gaps, even if you have their other LPs in your collection. This record was released in 1987 via Nate Starkman and Son, an offshoot of Independent Project Records. It’s actually some small mystery they weren’t officially on IPR, as the sound and style and location all line up. They would have certainly been a welcome addition to the roster.
For those unfamiliar with Drowning Pool, there’s lots to love here across the post-punk spectrum. On paper, the band come off like a much more sinister and experimental take on Dead Can Dance, with tribal passages and ethereal soundscapes nestled among pure post-punk fury and avant-ghetto chaos. I’m also reminded of In the Nursery’s earlier, more primitive records. Of course, apt comparisons could also be made to local scene bands Autumnfair and Savage Republic, as the band no doubt ran in similar circles.
Soon after this LP was released, Drowning Pool changed their name to Mumbles and released one LP before disbanding. If you like what you hear here, you’d do well to seek out the band’s LPs, which are all rather affordable and all worth pouring over in great detail. For those who like to check on these things, the band keep an active social media presence, so you can check in on them for some old photos, details, stories, and more. Otherwise, here’s all the info:
Drowning Pool- Satori LP
1. Petit Malfacteur
2. Ritual Regeneration/Toy Soldiers*
3. Ruts
4. Nierika
5. Festival Of Healing
6. Fired From Within
7. Uncork The Mind
8. Game Room
9. You Are My Rescue
10. Weaving Petals
11. Muted Streak
12. Master Bebra
13. Ghirlandaio’s Apprentice/Macaulay Call*
Also seems fitting to post a band from LA, as I’ll be landing there tomorrow to kick off a tour with Public Memory, who I’m playing synths with these days. Perhaps we’ll cross paths? Check here for full list of west coast dates, and come say hi if you’re in town!
Got an email request for the early material of A Primary Industry, an incredibly underrated UK band who walked a fine line between the avant ghetto of SPK, 23 Skidoo, and A Certain Ratio and the ethereal textures of Cocteau Twins and Operating Theatre. While their lone LP Ultramarine was released in 1986, there are quite a few tracks that point heavily towards the shoegaze genre that was barely a glimmer across a pedalboard at the time.
That all said, A Primary Industry released most of their material on Sweatbox, an excellent label also responsible for the like-minded In the Nursery during their earlier and more experimental phase. The label also released a handful of Meat Beat Manifesto records, so you get an idea of some of the wildly oscillating moods and textures that can be found across all three bands. Otherwise, once A Primary Industry ran its course, the band morphed into Ultramarine (sharing the name with API’s lone LP), who released a series of more electronic/downtempo records in the 90s, and one in 2013. While Ian Cooper and Paul Hammond stayed on board for both projects, vocalist Jemma Mellerio left after Ultramarine’s first LP, Folk.
A Primary Industry’s work has been shared before, but at low bitrates that have since been scrubbed from the internet blogosphere. As their work is some of my very favorite, it was due time to dust off my copies of these records and share them across the board. Thanks also to Jeffo! for supplying a great rip of the band’s first 7”. I’ve uploaded the band’s four main singles and excellent LP from fresh rips, but have also included a handful of compilation tracks. I can’t take credit in any way for the lower bitrate comp rips, with the exception of the exclusive track from Bark, an excellent compilation from the Sweatbox label that also features The Anti Group, Perennial Divide, Meat Beat Manifesto, and In the Nursery. Just wanted to include the other comp tracks (minus Life at the Top, as the version of “Perversion” is identical to the 7” b-side, as is the mix of “Heart of Glass” from Bark) to complete the discography, more or less.
That said, if anyone has the elusive Real Time 6 compilation (or the exclusive track “Under Western Eyes”) I’d love to hear it, as that’s all we’re really missing here… Otherwise, enjoy!
A Primary Industry- At Gunpoint 7” (1984)
1. At Gunpoint
2. Perversion
Various Artists- Heures Sans Soleil LP (1985)
11. From This Prospect
A Primary Industry- 7 Hertz 12” (1986)
1. Cicatrice
2. Obeah
3. Biting Back
4. Bled Dry
A Primary Industry- Ultramarine (1986)
1. Body Blow
2. Beacon Hill
3. Shear
4. Sans Orange
5. Cicatrice
6. Watchword Weal
7. Gush
8. Raw Umber
9. Silesia
10. Rose Madder
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Various Artists- Suck (A Soundtrack For Everyday Living) LP (1986)
5. Rose Madder (Edit)
When’s the last time we had a video here?! With that in mind, there’s a video for “Cicatrice” (the first track of theirs I heard, and the winner among winners). Enjoy!
This one is FRESH off the needle, ladies and gentlemen. Just got home to find this waiting in my mailbox, and couldn’t wait to rip and share it with y’all.
Some folks may recall hearing the guitar and hook driven b-side on a previous Systems of Romance compilation, but I’ve always wanted to hear the lead track. I feared the worst, for usually when only one track surfaces from a highly coveted single, chances are that the other track isn’t really worth it. Happy to report that the a-side might be even better, though the two tracks are very similar sounding overall. Chances are the b-side originated from this excellent compilation of German goth and post-punk tracks, as this single appears to be extremely rare.
If you’re not already familiar with this band, Royal Depeche were a German post-punk band who released this one single in 1987, and were never heard from again. Though it was released much later, there are definitely 81-84 vibes all over this one, especially in the Chameleons-esque guitar lines that can be heard throughout both tracks. There are hooks galore and strong female vocals to bring the tracks home. With that in mind, hope you enjoy this one as much as I do!
Royal Depeche- Reality 7”
1. Reality
2. Your Return
Thanks to Nick from Crispy Nuggets for re-ripping this gem for me to clean up and share with y’all! This is the lone LP from French synthpop/coldwave project 7ème Discours (Pour Une Meilleure Existence), which translates to 7th Speech (For Better Existence). A little bit of a mouthful, but what we have here is eight killer tracks of lo-fi synthpop of the highest caliber. Every track here is a gem, most ripe for the dance floor, with a few moody coldwave numbers included for good measure.
The LP was self-released in 1987. The band hailed from Lyon featured Xavier Martin on synths, bass, guitar, and vox, Eric Arcil on synths, and Christophe Berthoux on synths as well. This is their only logged release, though the band’s Facebook page linked a few deleted videos with additional song titles, so perhaps there are demos or a self-pressed follow up in someone’s collection. Would love to hear more about that, if so! Otherwise, here’s the details:
7ème Discours (Pour Une Meilleure Existence)- 7ème Discours (Pour Une Meilleure Existence) LP
1. Ruptures
2. Le Bébe
3. Cauchemars De Jour
4. Lait Caillé Et Peau Flasque
5. J’ai Cassé Ma Montre
6. Le Square
7. Vide
8. 7ème Discours
Here’s an old favorite that the postman just dropped off at my door the other day, so I thought I’d celebrate with a fresh rip of this Welsh synthpop classic. Released in 1987, this is the first of five releases by the band, and my favorite that I’ve heard to date. Seriously, the A-side is the perfect mix of powerful female vocals, chorus-heavy guitars, and a rollicking beat, which plenty of synth hooks to keep you coming back for more. It’s been a regular in my DJ sets for some time, and I’d honestly rank it as one of my all-time favorites, through and through. The flip is no slouch, either!
Vocalist Fiona Owen was also a member of Plant Bach Ofnus (translation- Timid Little Children), who were a little more on the esoteric side, but no less delightful. Her husband, Gorwel, was also a member of the project, and the two still make music together to date.
Eirin Peryglus- Bronson 7”
1. Bronson
2. Y Dyn Newydd
I have two posts today, both request from friends so I thought I’d drop both on you in one day. This first post fulfills a request by Xerfrank for the official discography of post-punk/goth band Quite Simple, from Holland. I’ve seen these two records go for moderate prices over the years, so they certainly warrant some more attention for those unaware of the band.
Fans of hook-driven Leeds bands such as March Violets and the Lorries should love this one, straight down to the male/female vocal dynamics and big, shameless production. For a private pressing, the production on the LP is especially impressive, and sometimes it sounds like the LP is only a major label away from being Floodland II.
Unknown Stranger was released in 1989, while the 7” (which I prefer by a small margin) was released in 1987. There’s also another track released on the Made In Brabant compilation in 1987, and since that collection pre-dates the LP as well, I’m assuming the recording of “Visions” from the compilation is different than what would appear two years later. If anyone has this compilation, feel free to drop a line! Otherwise, enjoy!
Quite Simple- Victims 7” (1987)
1. Victims
2. Light In the Dark
Quite Simple- Unknown Stranger LP (1989)
1. Unknown Stranger
2. Mistery of the Night
3. Visions
4. Age of Miracles
5. China Town
6. Curious Eyes
7. Nightmare
8. Out of the Spirit World
Now that blog culture has come full circle, there are very few “holy grails” left to uncover. However, this LP has achieved near mythic status to me over the years after hearing a loose track ages ago. I don’t even remember how I came across the track, and having it tagged improperly didn’t help much, as it took me some time to figure out that the band name was The Chyldren and not The Children. Either way, I was always curious to hear the rest of it, and here we have it, another donation that comes courtesy of xerfrank. Thanks again!
All talk aside, this record, like VHF and Eleven Pond before it, deserves it’s mythic status, less so based on the quality of the recording but moreso because it was never *officially* released. Sure, there are copies of it out there, especially if you’ve got $700 to spare, but good luck finding this one in your local record store. The story behind it is simple: band makes record, record goes to print in 1987, record does not make it past the test pressing phase. It should be self explanatory, but in case you’re not a vinyl collector or of a younger generation, test pressings are simply copies of an album used to gauge the quality of a pressing, as anomalies, variables, and errors can be rather commonplace. Now in my experience, there’s usually only four or five test pressings of a given record, mostly for individual band members or label personnel. With that in mind, I’m not sure how 8 people (or more, since discogs records are never 100% accurate) came across a test pressing, but I suppose it could be possible that they pressed more of these than usual to be sold at shows or given away to friends. Either that, or some people on discogs are theoretical collectors. All copies of this album come complete with a (rather goofy) cover/sleeve that looks professional, but the inner label is handwritten, as shown here in photos.
Now, let’s talk a bit about the music. You might expect this record to be a complete novelty, judging from the goofy cover, terrible font choices, and religious themed psuedonyms used by the three band members (my personal favorite is Lucifer the Cross, though your mileage may vary). Well, it’s not. The album is a rather good, if but a little one-dimensional synth-driven record that utlizes the same bombastic drum machine pattern and vocal melody on almost every track. So, while the band certianly doesn’t take themselves too seriously, even on the compositional side of things, there are some nice gems to be found here, even if they all sound pretty interchangeable with each other. The good news is that the album is rather short- 7 tracks in 25 minutes, so as long as you like the vibe, it doesn’t overstay its welcome.
You know, it’s funny that I mentioned both VHF and Eleven Pond up there, as this album almost comes across like a hybrid of both records, combining the synth-heavy, toe-tapping catchiness of VHF with the darkwave/Factory records vibes of Eleven Pond. The religious themes also remind me heavily of Eyes of God, but in all honesty, this LP sounds like a long lost, fully synth-driven cousin of Sanity Plexus, but I digress. Check this one out for yourself.
The Chyldren- Mortis Hora LP
1. Private Crucifixion
2. Sin
3. Chase Me
4. Speed
5. Burn
6. Fade Away
7. You
8. Dope
I first heard this one on a cassette while sitting in a car outside the Wierd party with Martial Canterel and Nick from Crispy Nuggets, and we all couldn’t get enough of it. I’ve been trying to track the single down since with no luck, but many thanks to Klumpa for providing a rip of this one to share. We can expect a few more treats along these lines, including a handful of loose tracks just itching to be compiled and an Italo flavored 7” to come over the next few weeks.
Very little info to be found about this band (who shares the name with classical terminology, making it difficult to google), though the sleeve indicates that this was released in 1987 and featured the duo of Jan Sinclair and Pete Ward, with various guest musicans and backup singers contributing. There are a few Pete/r Wards out there, some active around the same period, so I can’t really pinpoint which, if any, are responsible. Believe me, I’ve tried!
However, here we have two excellent tracks, the a-side coming across like a Kissing the Pink/Eurythmics hybrid with a stomping, torch song rave-up, while the b-side has a very neofolk-esque frailty reminiscent of the Nature & Organisation record and other Rose Mcdowall contributions over the years…
Any more information on this one is welcome!
Toccata- We Are the Sub-Machines 7”
1. We Are the Sub-Machines
2. Gypsy Eyes
Originally posted by the great Dreams and Voices and freshly ripped from my own copy, this is one of my favorite mid-tempo French singles from Montpellier, a little romanticism in the B-side to get you through the week. As he mentions, there’s a Little Nemo vibe in “Diva Diva,” certainly a welcome addition to the cold, melancholic French catalog. “Conquistador” isn’t too shabby either, with a sinister synth undercurrent and a percussive-heavy melody.
This single was released in 1987 and is their only known recording. Not much more to say about this one, other than enjoy!
Systems of Romance was created in mid-2007 to serve as a dumping grounds for all great things coldwave, minimal synth, post-punk, synthpunk, industrial, synthpop, and various other combinations of these styles. Feel free to make requests, noodle around, and discuss all you like...
Otherwise, this blog is dedicated to showcasing material that has long since been out of print. If you are aware of any of these items being readily available from the artist or label, or take issue with these tracks being uploaded, please let me know so I can amend the post or remove the links.
