Archive for the 1989 Category

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Crashing Plastic – Gretchen 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1989, goth, synth, synthpunk, US on December 8, 2022 by Frankie Teardrop

Thanks to Goutroy as always for turning me on to this one and making the original rip. A Viable Romance!

Here we have three icy guitar-wave tracks from Crashing Plastic, self-released in 1989. There’s a touch of deathrock/synthpunk flavor in both Gwen Alyson’s vocals and synth melodies and Chris Daya’s musicianship, with razor-sharp guitars, punchy drum programming, and synths galore to round out their sound. I’m reminded of the early Pretty Poison releases, before they went freestyle. This tracks in a sense, as this duo also appears to be from Philadelphia, PA. As always, if anyone has anything more to share about this band, please do.

Otherwise, hope y’all enjoy!

Crashing Plastic – Gretchen 12”.
1. Gretchen
2. Time Tunnel
3. Take Me Away

*download it here*

 

 

4 Comments »

A Deux Voix- Reaction 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1989, a deux voix, synth, synthpop, US on March 29, 2021 by Frankie Teardrop

Spring is here in NYC. Brighter skies, more hope on the horizon, and much more in the coming weeks, I hope. With that in mind, here’s a quick post to keep things moving along here. This particular 12” is by a Dallas, TX-based synth pop project called A Deux Voix. Released in 1989, this single is the only release by the band, which is a two piece, judging from the back cover details.

Obvious touchstones here are Celebrate the Nun, Red Flag, and the slew of Depeche Mode-esque synth pop bands that were pretty common at the time. Even though the sound is a familiar one, the songs are stellar slabs of big beat synth pop that should get you aching for the dance floor again, or at the very least, eager to run to Discogs to score a copy asap. The b-side of this 12” is comprised of instrumental versions, which may or may not be up your alley, depending on your particular tastes.

Anyway, I can’t share too much more about this one, but I’m happy to get straight to the details. Enjoy!

A Deux Voix- Reaction 12”
1. Reaction
2. Choices
3. Choices (Instrumental)
4. Reaction (Instrumental)

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Nebraska- The House of Strangeness LP

Posted in 1989, goth, goth-rock, New York, new york city, post-punk, US on December 31, 2019 by Frankie Teardrop

Happy New Year, everyone! Been a minute again, and with that in mind, here’s an extremely rare post-punk/goth LP from a NY-based four-piece band curiously named…Nebraska, released in 1989. I’ve been on the hunt for this one for some time now and just now picked up a copy for myself, but deep thanks to Ilya for lending his copy for ripping it some time ago.

According to a comment left on the Discogs entry, this LP was recorded in Staten Island, and the cover photo is of an old abandoned hospital nearby the studio. Very curious to hear these kind of sounds coming from Staten Island, but always nice to hear a local gem.

As for touchstones, this LP sits nicely alongside some of the more anthemic, yet darker guitar driven records – think along the lines of Into Paradise, Blue In Heaven, Beg For Eden, etc. A little more primitive and razor sharp as far as the production is concerned, but a lot of top notch post-punk churning to be found. Hope y’all enjoy, and see you in 2020!



Nebraska- The House of Strangeness LP
1. Georgia
2. Whipping Wind
3. Love Is Hate
4. It’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
5. So This Is The Real World
6. Twilight Zone
7. A Thought Of Your Own
8. She Could Be A Bride

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Various Artists- Ultraviolet LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, abecedarians, california, post-punk, US on October 15, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

Fresh off the needle, here’s an updated rip of a favorite US post-punk compilation from ’89, released on Sketch Records. Ultraviolet collects nine tracks of California-based post-punk and new wave tracks, several of the bands who were seldom heard from again. The first two bands are likely the most well-known of the lot, as both Abecedarians and Drowning Pool (not the nu metal band of the same name, mind you) have respectable cult followings. Abecedarians of course, have been covered here before a handful of times (and have their debut 12” release on Factory Records), and Drowning Pool’s body of work is incredibly enjoyable, in line with many of the other bands from the time period (Red Temple Spirits, Savage Republic, etc.).

The most notable standout, and one of the best reasons to own this compilation is for the track “Eleven Is Waiting” by Homeland. Not only is the song an absolute corker, an five-minute post-punk workout with haunting melodies, a chorus-drenched bass line, flutes, and a tempo that changes tempos near its close, it’s also a curious footnote to the Brian Jonestown Massacre story, as Homeland was singer Anton Newcombe’s first project. The band released one excellent demo cassette in 1989, which has since been reissued on CD-r, as has a slew of unreleased work including additional demos and live tracks, all of which likely exist due to the Brian Jonestown Massacre’s indie success over the years.

That all said, here’s the good stuff:

Various Artists- Ultraviolet
1. Laugh At Yourself (Live)- Abecedarians
2. Edith, Hold Out Your Hand- Drowning Pool
3. In Their Eyes- 3D Picnic
4. During Moss- X-1 Whiteman
5. Blue Roses- Electric-Cool-Aide
6. Green Gel- Blue Death Ride ’69
7. Eleven Is Waiting- Homeland
8. Tundra- Man From Missouri
9. Sesso Fantasma- Prison of Socrates

*download it here*

2 Comments »

The Whittingtons- The Whittingtons K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, an april march, canadian, dreampop, indie, jangle on July 5, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve been meaning to share this one for some time, and it’s certainly the season for some dreamy, jangly guitars. Here we have the lone tape by The Whittingtons, a band from Canada who would become An April March, shared previously here. I’d like to thank Danella, vocalist of both bands, who sent over a copy of this tape a few months back.

This particular cassette was released in 1989 and features the original lineup of An April March (including original drummer Joe Walsh, who would play on a handful of tracks on Impatiens). The six songs here are all exclusives, and a few of them, such as opening track “Sylvian,” and closing track “When the Sky Falls” especially point to the lush dream pop sound that An April March would encapsulate just a few years later. Others, like “Beatrice” and “Craving Wakes” are more firmly rooted in the jangle/indie/C86 sound, with a little bit of the folk vibes of bands like The Innocence Mission.

However, we all know the lines can get a bit blurred between shoegaze, dream pop, and indie pop, so hopefully there’s plenty to enjoy here for everyone. With that in mind, here’s the details:

The Whittingtons- The Whittingtons K7
1. Sylvian
2. Antiguos Muros (Sylvian Part II)
3. Beatrice
4. Craving Wakes
5. When the Sky Falls

*download it here*

2 Comments »

Various Artists- 041 Compilation K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, goth, goth-rock, post-punk, punk, yugoslavian on March 16, 2016 by Frankie Teardrop

Wow, been a spot of time, ladies and gents. Sorry about that! To make up for it, here’s an incredibly obscure compilation I just recently picked up on cassette, featuring a slew of European post-punk and goth tracks. The tape was released in 1989 by FV Založba, the Yugoslavian label run by members of Borghesia. While there are a handful of excellent exclusive releases (case in point), the label often released unofficial copies of alternative classics, including Sonic Youth, Pere Ubu, Nick Cave, and the like.

That all said, there’s plenty to love on this compilation. Nearly every track is a winner, from the opening cover of The Beatles’ “The Fool On the Hill” by Endymion, Lepra’s “Soba” (which reminds me quite a bit of Paralisis Permanente), and several excellent contributions from the female fronted Nemesis, who run the gamut from trashy post-punk and indie across four tracks. There isn’t a slew of information about any of these bands, as none of them survived the late 80s underground.

Various Artists- 041 Compilation
1. Endymion- The Fool On the Hill
2. Nemesis- Silent War
3. Nemesis- Stranger
4. Nezaboravan San O…- Hladni Simboli
5. Lepra- Soba
6. Jozo Oko Gospa- Reci Omm
7. Lepra- Bol
8. Nemesis- Icarus
9. Nemesis- The Autumn Song

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Colour Scream- 12” Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1988, 1989, new wave, synthpop, US on July 6, 2015 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve been kinda loving this band for some time, and finding a few cheap copies of their discography has solidified it over the past few weeks. Colour Scream were a US based new wave band from San Jose, CA that flirted with a variety of styles across one mini-LP and remix 12”, released in 1988 and 1989 respectively via Whet Reign Records.

I’d recommend starting with the Dance No More 12”, which features several similar remixes of the title cut, a synthpop SMASH that hits hard where it counts. Equally nasty as it is catchy, it’s definitely ripe for the dance floor. There are two additional tracks on this 12” (one that’s exclusive) that are more indicative of their overall style, a hybrid of Flock of Seagulls-esque wave with college rock leanings. Closest comparison I can come up with is the underrated Vigil LP from 1987.

If you dig the additional tracks from the 12”, there’s more to be found on the mini-LP. But even still, no track is the same, and while some are pure wave goodness, the acoustic dirge “So Long” is a standout for me, almost like a precursor to Radiohead’s “Exit Music (For a Film)” as far as mood is concerned. The version of “Dance No More” from the mini-LP is very different, more dramatic and a bit darker than the remix version, almost beatbox-esque. Kinda took me surprise after playing the hell out of the remix!

Here’s the deets:

Colour Scream- Living and Dying (1988)
1. Will My Fear
2. Across the Sky
3. Jasmines Faith
4. Walls In the Way
5. So Long
6. Dance No More

Colour Scream- Dance No More 12” (1989)
1. Dance No More (Radio Mix)
2. Across the Sky
3. The Monster and I
4. Dance No More (Sir Arthur Mix)
5. Dance No More (Tiananmen Square Mix)

*download both here*

10 Comments »

Crashblack Big Orange- Crashblack Big Orange K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, chicago, crashblack big orange, darkwave, goth, goth-rock, post-punk, US on April 15, 2015 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post is a supplement to Goutroy’s excellent post from 2012. His original post featured the lone full length LP from Chicago based husband and wife duo Crashblack Big Orange, which was a surprisingly excellent late 80s darkwave record in the vein of Intelligence Unit, Stimmen Der Stille, Xmal Deutschland, & Insulin Reaction. I’ve always thought these guys were kind of like a gothier version of X (or even a much less campy version of Rumania-era Nuns).

In his post, Goutroy mentioned that the band released three demo tapes prior to the LP, so this is one of the three missing pieces to the puzzle. This particular demo from 1989 is a single sided, self-titled affair, and features three tracks- two of which are exclusive to this release. The final song appears on the LP as well, and doesn’t seem to be too heavily altered, so it’s hard to tell if they just re-used this version or re-recorded it in exactly the same manner. The two exclusive tracks are exactly what you’d expect if you’re already a fan of the LP. The uninitiated can expect plenty of trashy, distorted deathrock-style guitars, high energy drum patterns, a mix of excellent male and female vox, and plenty of menacing hooks to go around.

crashblack

Crashblack Big Orange- Crashblack Big Orange K7
1. Voices
2. Nerves
3. Strange Sky

*download it here*

If anyone has a copies of the remaining two demos, feel free to drop a comment or an email! Would love to hear them!

6 Comments »

Quite Simple- Victims 7” & Unknown Stranger LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, 1989, darkwave, Dutch, goth, goth-rock, post-punk on November 18, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

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

*download both here*

6 Comments »

Spleen Ideal- Untitled K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, cassette, coldwave, france, french, spleen ideal on January 7, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another generous donation from Marc Collin, formerly of Persona/New Horizon label and currently the brains behind Nouvelle Vague.  This is his own project, formed by Collin and Xavier Jamaux, who is now actve in film scoring.  

I can’t seem to get enough of this tape lately… Really great combination of organic instruments and electronics here (and even a sample from Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares); straight up perfect coldwaves from France.  Fans of bands like Résistance, End of Data, etc. will find lots to love here.  You can also find two more tracks by Spleen Ideal on the amazing Nos Années Folles comp from 1990.  I believe this tape was released in 1989. 

SIk7

Spleen Ideal- Untitled K7
1. Vague a Lame De Fond
2. Try Another World
3. Reflet D’une Beauté Mortelle
4. Conte de la Folie Ordinaire
5. Desseins a Colonier
6. Kasrolnikov

*download it here*

3 Comments »

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