Archive for the 2000s Category

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Duchess Says- Noviçiat Mère-Perruche EP

Posted in 2000s, 2005, canadian, duchess says, mutant, synthpunk on December 10, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Happy Monday, ladies and gents… Today’s post features a recent favorite EP by mutant synthpunk act Duchess Says, a French-Candian outfit featuring a full lineup of guitars, drums, synths, and intensely driving female vocals.

Formed in 2003, Duchess says have released a lone EP, winning over fans with their catchy tracks and otherwise eccentricity, marrying their abrasive dancefloor sound with hyperactive stage performances and theatrics, including readings from the Pamphlet of Budgerigars, an alternate religious text created by members of the band, who claim to serve in the Church of Budgerigars. According to scattered interviews and reviews, he church primarily celebrates the consumption of beer, numerology, and the band itself.

I’ve uploaded the band’s 2005 EP, Noviçiat Mère-Perruche. Four tracks long, and featuring a cover of (previously uploaded) Six Finger Satellite’s ‘Rabies’, it’s a shame it’s so short, since it leaves you wanting more.

Details:

Duchess Says- Noviçiat Mère-Perruche EP
1. In Serial
2. Cut Up
3. Rabies (Babies Got The)
4. Black Flag

*download it here*

and for your viewing pleasure, here’s a live clip of the band performing ‘Black Flag,’ the final (and my favorite) track from Noviçiat Mère-Perruche.

Though it seems as if their initial EP is out of print, the band has made a remix single for ‘Black Flag’ available only on vinyl. Click below for a link to snap one up for yourself…

‘Black Flag’ single on Summer Lovers Unlimited
Duchess Says on myspace

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Ceremony- Our Last Goodbye EP

Posted in 2000s, 2005, ceremony, dreampop, shoegaze, underground, virginia on November 26, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Very seldom can a stellar band split up and form two equal (if not better) bands in the wake of their demise. This is fortunately the case with Skywave, a since defunct noise-pop band from Virginia which yielded both previously covered A Place to Bury Strangers and today’s band, Ceremony.

Whereas APTBS was formed in NYC by guitarist Oliver Ackermann, ex-Skywave members Paul Baker and John Fedowitz continued on as Ceremony in their hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Though Ceremony also continues down a similarly apocalyptic path with their blend of harsh noise rock, they’ve taken added a more notable synthetic element to their songs, which splinter with distortion, hard-hitting drum machines, and whirring electronic melodies.

I’ve uploaded a single track from their newest offering, 2007’s full length recording, Disappear. As a bonus, I’ve also zipped up an earlier EP for your listening pleasure.

download Ceremony- ‘I Heard You Call My Name’

Ceremony- Our Last Goodbye EP
1. Our Last Goodbye
2. Someday
3. Marianne
4. Do You Love Me?

*download it here*

Lo and behold! For the first time in what feels like ages, I can effectively post purchasing links and live videos as additional treats, since Ceremony is a currently active band with easily available material. On that note, here’s an appropriately glitchy video for the song ‘You Never Stay,’ also featured on Disappear.

and last but not least, a few web resources for more information and purchasing:
Myspace page
Purchase Disappear from Safranin Sound

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Bell Hollow

Posted in 2000s, bell hollow, dreampop, nyc, post-punk, shoegaze on November 7, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop


I’m pleased to post about today’s band, NYC local dreampop favorites Bell Hollow. Fresh off the release of their debut full-length, Foxgloves, the band shall be playing their cd release party in the heart of New York next Friday, November 16th, at Don Hills.

The band’s origins date back to 2003, where like minded bassist Christopher Bollman and guitarist Greg Fasolino (both veterans of NYC deathrock outfit Naked & the Dead) formed Bell Hollow to explore and rekindle a love of all things dream-pop and post-punk. The band’s lineup was fully realised with the inclusion of singer Nick Niles in 2005 and the addition of their second drummer, Todd Karasik, in 2006.

Bell Hollow’s sound calls to the glory days of shimmering shoegaze and guitar-pop, swirling guitars, locked-in rhythms, and ethereal vocals, and the band’s influences (Kitchens of Distinction, The Sound, Sad Lovers and Giants) are built upon with solid songwriting, clever arrangements, and admirable musicianship. The band has two releases under their belt, 2006’s Sons of the Burgess Shale EP and 2007’s Foxgloves, both released under indie label five03 (also home of the likeminded and equally captivating Prids). Both releases were recorded and produced by local NYC engineer Hillary Johnson, who also fills out the quartet’s live sound with synthesizers. Acoustic guitar contributions on Foxgloves are also made by Josh Strawn, lead vocalist of fellow NYC outfit Blacklist.

For today’s downloads, I’ve uploaded one track each from Bell Hollow’s releases…the first, a favorite of mine from their debut EP and the second, the lead-off track from Foxgloves.

download Bell Hollow- ‘Secret Key’
download Bell Hollow- ‘Seven Sisters’

If you like what you hear, be sure to support these local darlings and pick up copies of their records, which are available through the iTunes music store, as well as straight from five03. Again, Bell Hollow will grace the stage on Friday, Nov. 16th at Don Hills here in New York City, so be sure to drop by if you’re in the neighborhood! For more on the band, including purchase links, I entreat you to visit the following web-hubs:

Bell Hollow on myspace
purchase Bell Hollow records via five03

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The Neon Judgement

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, Belgian, industrial, synth, the neon judgement, wave on October 24, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop


Today’s post features Belgian new wave act the Neon Judgement, a two piece outfit currently reactivated after a temporary hiatus.

Neon Judgement formed in a town outside of Brussels in 1981, and since then the duo of TB Frank and Dirk Da Davo have been creating synth driven music with a dash of electronic violence and a sprinkle of rock and roll ideology. Neon Judgement would release several records and remixes before briefly disbanding in 1998. However, as the two reunited in 2004 to promote an upcoming remix collection in Europe, the band was also reactivated as a creative unit. In 2005, the band also released The Box, a 2cd set comprising live tracks and rarities alongside classic cuts.

On the side, member Dirk Da Davo also spearheads the Neon Electronics side project, composing new material and reworking old tracks.

The first of two tracks I’ve uploaded is the top-off track from the 1986 record Mafu Cage. The second hails from 1989’s General Pain and Major Disease.

download The Neon Judgement- ‘Awful Day’
download The Neon Judgement- ‘Factory Walk’

For a live performance of ‘Miss Brown,’ click the video below:

…and for more on the Neon Judgement, including a link to pick up some cds and merchandise, here’s their homepage for your clicking pleasure:

The Neon Judgement homepage
Neon Electronics homepage

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Crispy Ambulance

Posted in 1980s, 2000s, british, crispy ambulance, factory, manchester, post-punk on October 15, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop


A large group of cohorts and I just caught the NYC premier of Anton Corbijn’s Control this weekend, a biopic about the life and times of Ian Curtis. Though today’s post doesn’t feature Joy Division OR New Order, it features one of their contemporaries, fellow Manchester based Factory records outfit Crispy Ambulance, whose singer would fill in for Ian Curtis during one ill-fated night, culminating in an audience riot.

The band, formed in 1977 by Alan Hempsall and Robert Davenport, was unfairly dismissed as Joy Division knockoffs during their short recording tenure. Despite these accusations however, Crispy Ambulance had their own innovative style to add to the budding post-punk movement, and often incorporated a more minimal and dreamy sound to their compositions.

The band would flesh out their lineup and record a handful of singles in 1980 and play shows alongside the likes of prominent bands such as Killing Joke. Upon Factory’s request, the band would sign to record the full length record The Plateau Phase and a few assorted singles. Unfairly written off (along with fellow label mates Section 25, previously featured on these pages), the band would split in 1982, releasing a collection of unreleased tracks soon after.

Despite their demise, the band would reunite in 1999 to record two more records into the new millenium, and are together to this day, playing sporadic gigs in their native Manchester.

I’ve uploaded a handful of tracks…The first, a personal favorite from the 1982 record The Plateau Phase and the second, a lone 1984 single compiled on a resissued version of said album.

download Crispy Ambulance- ‘The Force and the Wisdom’
download Crispy Ambulance- ‘Sexus’

…and here’s the video for ‘The Presence’ from A Factory Video.

For more information on Crispy Ambulance, including a full discography, live mp3 downloads and more, here’s a link to their official site:

Crispy Ambulance dot com

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Adult.

Posted in 2000s, adult., detroit, electronic, synthpunk, wave on October 8, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop


Today’s band is Adult., a currently active synthpunk/wave unit hailing from Detroit, Michigan. Consisting of married couple Adam Lee Miller and Nicola Kuperus, their sound blends female vocals and harsh electronics. Since their inception, Adult. has helped bring dance and synthpunk back to prominence under the guise of a budding electroclash movement.

The two-piece outfit formed in 1998 under the name Plasma Co., and has since independently released four full-length records, one EP, and a series of 12” singles under their proper name. The band has since grown notorious for their captivating live performances and a slew of altered remixes of their contemporaries and influences.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve uploaded a duo of tracks. The first, ‘Shake Your Head’ is featured on their second record, 2003’s Anxiety Always while the second is a remix/reworking of avant-garde act Tuxedomoon’s ‘No Tears.’

download Adult.- ‘Shake Your Head’
download Tuxedomoon- ‘No Tears (Adult. Remix)

Here’s a live video of the band performing ‘Bad Ideas’ in 2005. The track appears on their third record, 2005’s Gimme Trouble.

For more on Adult., including discography, photos, live dates, and purchase links, please visit these links:

Official Site
Myspace Page
Adult. on Amazon.com

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Audra

Posted in 2000s, audra, glam, post-punk, projekt on September 19, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop


Today’s band, gloom guitar-oriented Audra’s origins are fuzzy at best. The brainchild of Helm brothers Bret (vocals) and Bart (guitars), Audra began writing and recording music as far back as 1993, soon after their relocation to Mesa, Arizona.

Alongside their trusty drum-machine (replaced by live drummer J. Dewolfe in 2002), the band would self-release a slew of cassette tapes and demos over the course of six years, eventually drawing the attention of Projekt’s Sam Rosenthal, who signed the band and released their self-titled debut in 2000, a driving record with glam rock hooks, dark meandering lyrics, and heavy backbeats.

Their sophomore effort, 2002’s Going to the Theatre improved upon this formula, adding more subtle and haunting beauty to their compositions. The record earned the band a series of favorable reviews and television spots on select MTv programs.

Though the band has yet to release their follow-up, it is said to be in the works. In the meanwhile, Audra has contributed Christmas tunes and cover songs to various compilations, and both Bret and Bart Helm have been regular members of neo-ambient act Black Tape for a Blue Girl since 2002.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve uploaded a track from both of their records, in reverse chronological order.

download Audra- ‘There Are No Snakes In Heaven’
download Audra- ‘In Hollywood Tonight’

Though it’s no handy embedded youtube file, for a video of the band’s cover of Joy Division’s ‘Walked In Line,’ please click the following link:

Walked In Line on IFC Media Lab

Otherwise, both of Audra’s recordings are available for purchase by visiting these links below:

Audra homepage
Audra on Projekt Records

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Silent Signals

Posted in 2000s, minimal, silent signals, synth, wierd records on September 13, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s artist is one who’s worn several different hats and fronted a slew of projects over a period of time. Dating back to the 1980s, German electronic artist Dirk Torben K. has released material under the names Echo West and Intensive Care Unit, but today’s post will focus on his current work under the name Silent Signals.

Silent Signals appeared somewhat mysteriously in 2002 as a side project and has since released but one proper outing, a four track single entitled Walk on the Ladder. However, several Silent Signals tracks have appeared on various compilations and split singles, and the one-man outfit most recently appeared on NYC’s Wierd Records collection.

Without any further ado, here are the downloads. The first is the lone appearance of Silent Signals from the aforementioned Wierd collection, and the second is the title track from the Walk on the Ladder 7” single. Enjoy!

download Silent Signals- ‘Exit Out’
download Silent Signals- ‘Walk on the Ladder’

I’m not sure if Dirk has performed live under this moniker, but for a related visual treat, here’s a video of his main outfit Echo West performing in 2006:

For other information, and to nab a copy of the Wierd Records collection, please inspect these following links:

Purchase the Wierd Records 3x LP collection
Echo West homepage (in German)

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The Brides

Posted in 2000s, nyc, synthpunk, the brides on September 7, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s band is a currently blossoming post-punk/wave act from New York City.

In the vein of both Devo and the Dead Kennedys, The Brides are a high energy, almost anthemic act combining the buzzsaw guitars of punk and the sharp synths of wave. Like the best sort of punk, there’s a whimsical atmosphere around their lyrics, and incredibly catchy organ hooks throughout even their most bleak material. The band’s vocals even contain a hint of Jello Biafra’s timbre and ferocity. Delightfully morbid, the band is equally austere as it is playful and energetic.

Though the band is relatively new, popping up in the bowels of NYC as early as 2001, both vocalist/guitarist Corey Gorey and drummer D.W. Friend are no strangers to the underground NYC punk scene, for the Brides were formed in the wake of the demise of the Brickbats, a more horror-punk outfit whose split triggered a change in direction for these two previous members. Since the turn of the century, The Brides have released a slew of EPs and compilation tracks, and their most recent offering, Sofa City Sweetheart was released just this year to a fair amount of critical acclaim and buzz.

If you’re living in New York, the Brides will be appearing shortly in both Albany and Poughkeepsie as well as playing various shows in their own hometown. For anyone else out there, here’s a duo of tracks plucked from their matching 2002 EPs; Here Come the Brides (parts 1 & 2).

download the Brides- ‘Amputation Celebration’
download the Brides- ‘Those Things You Cannot See’

And in line with their curious sense of humor, here’s their music video for ‘New Shocks,’ featured on Sofa City Sweetheart:

Their material is available through various outlest such as CDBaby and the Itunes Music Store. For all further information including upcoming shows and purchase links, please divert your attention to these links:

The Brides homepage
The Brides on myspace

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Severed Heads

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, australia, severed heads, synth, synthpunk, wave on August 27, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Hailing from Australia, today’s band Severed Heads relied early on tape loops and abrasive synthesizers, and over the course of several years perfected their noise-based craft into a blend of experimentation and pop music.

The band formed in Sydney in 1979 under the name Mr. and Ms. No Smoking Sign and changed their name to Severed Heads as they began recording their expansive discography. With their unique stage shows and noise-laced yet catchy tracks, the band developed a rather large following and by 1984, they embarked upon a rather large world tour backed by their single ‘Dead Eyes Opened.’

Unlike most bands featured on these pages, Severed Heads are still alive and kicking, having gone through several record deals and lineup changes (Tom Ellard remaining the only original member to date) since their conception and peak. The band would disappear from the music industry in late 1999, but continues to release underground and independent recordings and live collections on a semi-regular basis. Their most recent work includes a soundtrack to a DVD film entitled The Illustrated Family Doctor in 2005.

I’ve uploaded two of my favorite Severed Heads tracks from their earlier days… The first, ‘Triangle Tangle Tango’ is a favorite of mine to spin, featured on 1989’s Rotund For Success. The second track, ‘We Have Come to Bless This House’ is featured on their classic 1985 record City Slab Horror.

download Severed Heads- ‘Triangle Tangle Tango’
download Severed Heads- ‘We Have Come to Bless This House’

As for their biggest single, here’s the official video for ‘Dead Eyes Opened’ for your viewing pleasure:

Severed Heads official website– for more information, hilarious commentary by Tom Ellard, purchase links, and more.

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