Yesterday’s posts focused on the darker edge of the post-punk/electronic spectrum, so today’s goal is to bring you two dancier recordings. First up, we have In Trance 95’s debut 7”, the elusive and hypnotic Desire to Desire. While the A-Side is a catchy piece of synthpop, it’s the B-side that especially grabs me, with its deep repetitive grooves. Both tracks have a bit of a Cabaret Voltaire vibe going for them, without being as abrasive.
The band formed in Greece and released this 7” in 1988 via Wipe Out! Records. In Trance 95 split for several years, but the main duo has reappeared as a band called Itenef, re-recording several of their classics and writing several new tracks with a female vocalist at the helm.
In Trance 95- Desire to Desire 7”
1. Desire to Desire
2. Brazilia
Readers of this blog might have noticed several posts featuring Twice a Man, the Swedish synth group still active to date. Not only is the duo’s expansive discography rather solid (and rather genre hopping) from start to finish, one time contributor Lars Falk’s solo discography is just as captivating.
While Lars Falk was only a contributing member to Twice a Man, his three solo releases prove he’s an equally driving force in the Swedish wave scene. A great mix of gloomy synths, icy vocals, and jagged guitars calls both John Foxx and Fad Gadget to mind. Tracks such as “Hello Hello” and “See My Friend Fall” are dj staple around these parts, while the latter also been featured on the fantastic Retronics compilation, which collects several other Swedish acts including Lustans Lakejer, Samedi, and of course, Twice a Man.
That all said, here’s Lars Falk’s three solo releases, all wrapped up for your listening pleasure.
Lars Falk- Through K7 (1983)
1. Let Tomorrow Take Over
2. Hello Hello
3. Rainy Days
4. In The City
5. Through
6. Smell Of Chaos
Lars Falk- TV Eye 7” (1985)
1. TV Eye
2. Doors
Lars Falk- Lars Falk LP (1988)
1. In The Night
2. Kings And Queens
3. Nothing Is The Same
4. Painting Pictures
5. Elmer
6. Dum Dum Boy
7. See My Friend Fall
8. It’s Here Again
Sorry for the repetition lately, but here’s another Ecstasy post by request. Keeping in chronological order, here’s the band’s third album, released in 1988. All information about the band can be found in the previous two posts, so let’s get to the upload, shall we?
The Essence- Ecstasy LP
1. Burned In Heaven
2. Only For You
3. Sleeping
4. Like Christ
5. Angelic
6. Jump And Fall
7. Ice
8. The Afterworld
9. So Gorgeously
10. Despair
11. Understand Why
12. One More Wasted Night
Naturally, we’ve got some bonus tracks here. Tracks 5 and 6 hail from the Only For You 12”, while “Ice” seems to be exclusive to this release, at least according to the band’s discogs listing. If anyone knows for sure, let me know. Otherwise, enjoy- and expect some more goodies to follow in the next few weeks.
Edit: I am currently in the process of updating all the divshare links from the first year of the blog, since I’ve heard that download limits are often exceeded. Kas Product should be live by the end of the afternoon, and the rest will follow as I have time. I also have a few zshare reuploads to handle, so stay tuned for that.
I don’t tend to buy into the whole “holy grail” aspect of the minimal synth genre, but I’m tempted to make an exception for today’s post. In short, I was first clued in to Teenage Brain Surgeon‘sexistence by fantastic fashion guru and DJ Jeralyn, who runs I’ll Wear Any Color as Long as It’s Black. We were only able to track down 2/3rds of their sparse discography, but I was fortunate enough to stumble upon the final, elusive track in my late-night travels. Huzzah!
There’s virtually no information available about this German band, as this is their lone release. The limited edition 7” (1,000 copies are said to be in existence) was self-released in 1988. Extremely rare, but extremely solid, all three of these tracks are ripe for the dance floor, chock full of infectious electronics and a stomping beat- very EBM friendly if that’s you’re thing. The title track is especially choice, and never fails me in a DJ set.
If anyone out there has any information whatsoever regarding this band, feel free to chime in! Otherwise, let’s get to the good stuff, shall we?
Teenage Brain Surgeon- Fatal Day 7”
1. Fatal Day
2. Years Gone By
3. Cold
Here’s the first of two short posts for the day. Uploaded below, we have the lone 12” by minimal wave/synthpop band Doppler Effect. As there were two bands who went by this name as early as the 1980s, there’s little information to be found on this particular act, but I do believe they’re a four/five piece American band, at the very least. Otherwise, this particular 12” features three hi-energy wave tracks, essential for any aspiring DJ. The final track on the 12”, “Four Day Romance” has been compiled and included among several classic minimal wave gems. Meanwhile, the band seems to have contributed two stand-alone tracks on the 1984 compilation Hit the Floor but the jury’s still out about the origin of these tracks.
If anyone has any further information about this band or the above noted release, feel free to drop a note. Otherwise, here’s the information for this particular 12”, released in 1988.
Doppler Effect- Hard At Work 12”
1. Hard At Work
2. I Don’t Wanna Be Your Man
3. Four Day Romance
*download link removed*
I received an email from Michael James Straight of Doppler Effect, who not only told me about the newly uploaded Doppler Effect collection on iTunes, but also filled in some of the blank spaces about the band. Here’s what he had to say:
A little backstory, We ended up having issues with another band called The Doppler Effect which were a garage rock band, they stole our artwork and a few other things to confuse the market so we decided to change our name to Workforce. The line-up of the band changed over the years as well. Workforce is in the process of working on Soundtrack music but have been back in the studio to work up an new electro project that we hope to release in the fall…
The iTunes collection also features a handful of bonus tracks- including demos, remixes, and a bonus track from the above mentioned Hit the Floor compilation. Not to be missed! CLICK here to purchase Doppler Effect via iTunes!
Sorry for the burp in the system. Not quite ready to close the doors here just yet, despite the one post takedown. I understand the reasons behind it, and many thanks to the bands who have been cordial and asked to have their links removed graciously. I’ve always been more than happy to comply, especially with reissues becoming more and more commonplace. The sad truth remains, there’s still a slew of out-of-print wave and post-punk music that’s sadly been forgotten, save the efforts of passionate fans, so let’s try to keep that focus running here for as long as possible.
That said, today’s post features a rather curious experimental gem. After hearing one tune by Turning Shrines, I found it difficult to track down any further material from the band. I was lucky enough to find the band’s one full length record, 1988’s Cinnabar & Porcelain, in a local record bin, so I snapped it up and ripped it. The band is essentially the brainchild of Boston musician Fred Giannelli, who was involved in various incarnations of Psychic TV, among several pioneering techno acts throughout the nineties. Turning Shrines lone 12” and album were released on Temple Records, the independent label run by Genesis P-Orridge as an outlet for a decade’s worth of PTV material.
Meanwhile, Cinnibar & Porcelain is a curious effort. The first side is made up of experimental song fragments, few of which run over 2 minutes long. The second side of the LP is a 23 minute long eponymous track, composed of several similar sound experiments held together by a thread. There’s a bit of confusion between both the record’s sleeve, the discogs listing (which my record completely contradicts), and the music itself, so I’ve done my best to stick to the sleeve’s tracklist, though there is still a few minutes worth of uncataloged music on the rip below. Every note is still in place, however, so if anyone has any proper information as to the names and identities of the handful of fragments, feel free to share. Otherwise, here’s the information for this fantastic experimental LP:
Turning Shrines- Cinnibar & Porcelain LP
1. Are You Experienced?
2. Wonderful Gift
3. Mystification
4. 23 Stillings St
5. Iron Nights
6. The Process
7. Cinnabar & Porcelain
*download link removed by request*
I’m not sure if the link is still good, but there’s a more informative post on Turning Shrines and Giannelli on Small Room Reverb blog. Also, take a peek at Gianelli’s wikipedia page for more information on his various other projects!
Stay tuned for more from Systems of Romance, including a few rare Airstrip 1 donations!
Pardon the double post, ladies and gents, but here’s a rather solid 12” by German EBM act Velodrome. Though this is their only release, each member of the duo had been previously active in other similar bands. Previous to Velodrome, Jorge Guber played in both Lineas Aereas and Metropakt while vocalist Krishna Goineau was a member of the famous Liaisons Dangereuses, who resumed activity soon after this 12” release.
Without any further ado, here’s the information for their lone 12”, released in 1988.
Velodrome- Au Velodrome 141 12”
1. Au Velodrome 141
2. Glasfabrik
3. Capataz
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.
Today’s band is a curios anomaly that walks the line between minimal synth and beat poetry. Algebra Suicide formed in Chicago in the early 1980s. Essentially a two piece affair, the band combined the analog electronic sounds and thin, direct guitarwork of Don Hedeker with the beat-inspired poetry of Lydia Tomkiw, a published poet at the time of the band’s formation. The band’s unique style earned them some critical acclaim during their tenure.
The band’s discography consists of several EPs and a few full length records (mostly compilations) throughout the eighties and early nineties. The band seldom performed live, but often incorporated multimedia visuals for a trifecta of literary, visual, and musical approach. The band presumably split in 1994, and both Don and Lydia pursued solo ventures. However, in 2007, Lydia Tomkiw passed away in her home in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 48…
Here’s the information for the band’s first full-length record, 1988’s The Secret Like Crazy. The album originally appeared on vinyl and cassette, but was reprinted on CD in limited capacity in 1992 via RRRecords.
Algebra Suicide- The Secret Like Crazy LP
1. Little Dead Bodies
2. Somewhat Bleecker Street
3. Gist
4. Why No Action Is Taken
5. Father’s By The Door
6. Tractor Pull
7. Tuesday Tastes Good
8. In Bed With Boys
9. Sinister
10. True Romance At The World’s Fair
11. Tonight
12. Please Respect Our Decadence
13. Heat Wave
14. No War Bride
15. Let’s Transact
16. Lethargy
17. Amusing One’s Self
18. Recalling The Last Encounter
19. Seasonal Zombies
20. Agitation
Pardon the ball-dropping, ladies and gents, as this weekend was best spent soaking in the after effects of a short Nick Cave and the Badseeds set. Couldn’t muster the effort for a post. That said, all systems go this week, and I’ll kick this Monday off with a relatively cult favorite post-punk band, England’s own Into a Circle.
Into a Circle (a.k.a. In Two a Circle and In2a0) formed in 1985 in the wake of similarly styled outfit Getting the Fear, who released but one single (both as a 7” and 12”- will upload by request) before imploding. Afterwards, members Bee (aka Paul Hampshire) and Barry Jepson formed Into a Circle as a collective creative unit without the limitations of a four-piece band. Their material was self-produced and self-released, and Into a Circle quickly grew a rather significant cult following with their initial DIY single.
The band eventually signed with Abstract Records, who allowed them to continue their more laissez-faire work. The pair began to experiment more with tape loops and analog samples, drafting Strawberry Switchblade’s Rose McDowall for backup vocal duties both live and in the studio.
Into a Circle eventually split in 1989 after a final grueling tour, having released four well-received 12” singles and one record, 1988’s Assassins, which I’ve uploaded for you today. Both Getting the Fear and Into a Circle circulated several live recordings at concerts, and there were rumors of further collaborations and recordings, none of which have seen the light of day. Since then, Bee has been involved in Futon, an electro-rock group also featuring the ex-drummer of Suede.
Here’s the details for today’s download:
Into a Circle- Assassins LP (1988)
1. Beneath Mikhail
2. Over + Over
3. The Swinging Tree
4. ‘Elim
5. Forever
6. Allah Akhbar
7. Tender Skin
8. Evergreen
9. Assassins
10. Seraphin Twin
download link removed— click HERE to purchase the band’s entire discography on Cherry Red!
For your viewing pleasure, here’s a promotional video for ‘Evergreen,’ knicked straight off youtube:
There also exists a live clip of the band performing ‘Beneath Mikhail,’ so run a quick search over there if you want to see more! Otherwise, happy Monday, ladies and gents…
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.
Yesterday’s posts focused on the darker edge of the post-punk/electronic spectrum, so today’s goal is to bring you two dancier recordings. First up, we have In Trance 95’s debut 7”, the elusive and hypnotic Desire to Desire. While the A-Side is a catchy piece of synthpop, it’s the B-side that especially grabs me, with its deep repetitive grooves. Both tracks have a bit of a Cabaret Voltaire vibe going for them, without being as abrasive.
