Archive for the Belgian Category

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Pas De Deux- Des Tailles mini-LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, Belgian, pas de deux, synthpop on March 31, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for the delay, ladies and gents, but I’ve returned and look forward to resuming regular activity on this blog. To kick things off, I have two posts lined up for this afternoon. The first is Belgian minimal wave/synthpop band Pas De Deux, who formed in the early eighties. Taking their name from a popular French dance step, the band’s first appearance was a legendary performance at the Eurovision Song Contest, where the band debuted their mainstay “Rendez-Vous” to a misunderstanding crowd. Despite it’s lukewarm reception (the band placed third to last in the competition), “Rendez-Vous” became a rather prominent Belgian single in the summer of 1983.

The band released one mini-LP, and surrounded its release with a handful of singles. The Des Tailles LP, released in 1983, has been reissued a handful of times, each with slightly different tracklistings encompassing further b-sides and single tracks. However, here’s the information for the original Belgian pressing, released on Parsley Records.

Pas De Deux- Des Tailles Mini-LP
1. Rendez-Vous
2. Mani Meme
3. Lits Jumeaux
4. Take A Cigarette
5. Instant Karma (John Lennon cover)
6. Cold Turkey/Axe Ends (Medley)

*download link removed by request*

For your viewing pleasure, here’s the infamous Eurovision Song performance of “Rendez-Vous”, complete with alternate instrumentation. Oh, the internet!

4 Comments »

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*

6 Comments »

The Neon Judgement- Mafu Cage LP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1990s, 2000s, Belgian, industrial, synth, the neon judgement on May 12, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve already done a brief overlook on the Neon Judgement, a Belgian based wave act, but since their seminal 1986 record Mafu Cage seems to be out of print, I’ve uploaded it for your listening pleasure. Otherwise, I’ll cut and paste what I said about them last October:

The 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 Neon Judgement- Mafu Cage LP
1. Awfull Day
2. The Man
3. He’s Gonna Drop
4. Be Nice To Me
5. Rise (I Hope One Day)
6. 1958
7. Voodoo Nipplefield
8. Dead Friends Body
9. Tomorrow In the Papers*
10. Antoine*
11. Tv Treated*
12. The Man (Remix)*

*cd release bonus tracks

*download it here*

For all other info on the Neon Judgement, please click below:
Neon Judgement homepage

5 Comments »

Twilight Ritual- Rituals LP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1990s, 2000s, autumn, Belgian, linear movement, minimal, minimal synth, twilight ritual on May 5, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

To complete the trifecta and fulfill an older request, here’s a reissue of Twilight Ritual’s Rituals LP, originally released in 1986. This is the “latest” project of Geert Coppens and Peter Bonne, also known for their work in Autumn and Linear Movement, two equally captivating Belgian wave outfits. The project originally formed in 1982 and has been an on again, off again focus for the pair.

Twilight Ritual seems to be active to this date. Micrart, responsible for the cataloging and reissuing of releases new and old, alludes to two new studio records, one of which is available as of last year and one of which is on the way. In the meanwhile, Geert Coppens keeps himself occupied with two side projects; Das Cabinett (not the same previously featured in these back pages) and Gerardus Le Monk.

Twilight Ritual- Rituals LP
1. Amorphous Materials
2. I Never Called You A Dream
3. Message
4. What Are Rooms For?
5. Strength For Me
6. He Is Ice
7. Means Of Heath
8. Closed Circuit
9. Tears On The Wall

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED*—- See below for official downloads via Micrart and iTunes

Micrart
Twilight Ritual on myspace dot com

3 Comments »

Absolute Body Control- S/T cassette

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 2000s, absolute body control, Belgian, minimal, the klinik on April 9, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Ok kids, as promised, here’s another Absolute Body Control release to usher in my week-long hiatus. This one seems to be their first cassette release, a 1981 self-titled effort. Without any further ado, let’s hop right in:

Absolute Body Control- Absolute Body Control cassette
1. Weaving Hands
2. Touch Your Skin
3. Baby’s On Fire (Brian Eno cover)
4. So Obvious
5. Total Control
6. A Broken Dream
7. Do You Feel It Inside
8. Game For A Laugh
9. Shake

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – this has been reissued on both LP and digital! Seek it out!

In case you missed it, the previous Absolute Body Control post can be found here. Otherwise, stay tuned until next week, and feel free to drop any requests in the meanwhile.

11 Comments »

Bene Gesserit- A High, Happy, Perverse, and Cynical Cry of Joy LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, alain neffe, Belgian, bene gesserit, experimental, industrial, minimal, minimal synth on April 7, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

This one’s an old favorite of mine. Today’s post features an experimental/minimal band from Belgium named Bene Gesserit and their first record A High, Happy, Perverse, and Cynical Cry of Joy, released in 1984.

Taking their name from a religious race of humans from Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Bene Gesserit was formed in 1981 by Alain Neffe, a pioneer in the Belgian industrial scene. Joined by Nadine Bal, the pair would record a series of live cassettes and three records under psuedonyms (B. Ghoula and Benedict G., respectively). Their sound combined both the experimental edge of industrial music and the slick synthesized sound of minimal synth, a curious and innovative hybrid that earned the band a decent following and cult status to this day.

Though the band split after releasing their third record, Alain would remain active in such outfits as Human Flesh, Cortex, I Scream, and Pseudo-Code. You can nab another one of their records from Mutant Sounds by clicking here. Otherwise, here’s the info for Bene Gesserit’s first release:

Bene Gesserit- A High, Happy, Perverse, and Cynical Cry of Joy LP
1. She Is Walking
2. Japanese Song
3. Enfants Des Rues
4. Pravda
5. Nuit Et Chuchotements
6. Strange Strangers (In The Night)
7. Clear Blue Smile
8. Walt’s Waltz
9. Tonight
10. Désirs-Délires
11. Kitchen Music (For Kitchen People)
12. Existentialisme
13. No Rule For A Dream : Bali
14. Tourdorizonmuzikal (C’est Ça)
15. La Brabançonne (Belgian National Anthem)

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* Official CD reissue coming March 2012 via EE Tapes.

The band has both an official site and a myspace page, but both are entirely in French. For anyone fluent or otherwise curious:

Official Page
Myspace Page

On a previous note, anyone who downloaded Absolute Body Control’s Numbers should check back again, for I originally only had the first side of the cassette uploaded. The new link should now consist of both tape sides…

6 Comments »

Absolute Body Control- Numbers K7

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 2000s, absolute body control, Belgian, minimal, new wave, the klinik on April 4, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s some classic cream-of-the-crop minimal synth to wrap up this week, especially relevant as this band has just reactivated and is playing in the US this very moment.

I’ve uploaded a rare cassette release by Belgian act Absolute Body Control, whose origins date back to early 1980. The band featured a slightly rotating lineup throughout their early years, driven by Dirk Ivans. Pairing down from a three piece, the main contributors are Dirk and Eric van Wonterghem, a fan who joined shortly after the band released its first single. Absolute Body Control were among the first wave of Belgian electronic acts, and they developed a substantial cult following both on record and on stage.

In 1984, Dirk formed the Klinik, yet Absolute Body Control continued releasing cassettes until 1993, which saw the release of their lone compact disc, Eat This. The band was mostly inactive even before that and officially folded just after its release. However, demand in the new millennium led to several reissues of the band’s back catalog as well as several live festival appearances. Just recently A.B.C. took to the studio to re-record 13 of their best tracks, released as the Wind(re)Wind LP. An EP of new material was also released this year, and both will be available to purchase through iTunes and Amazon by June, though CD copies are now for sale through various outlets.

This featured release dates back to a 1982 cassette issue. Unlike the majority of their output, Numbers is exclusively instrumental, and each track is simply titled in numeric order (though original tracklistings are simply labeled “part one” and “part two” respectively). On that note, pardon the obvious lack of tracklisting. Without any further ado:

Absolute Body Control- Numbers K7

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – reissued as a digital release via Bandcamp!

I’m ashamed to admit that I’ll be missing tonight’s NYC gig, as I’ll be playing one of my own, but if you’re hip to it, drop on by the Music Hall of Williamsburg, if you aren’t coming to see us, that is. Otherwise, The band will be playing Saturday, April 5th in Los Angeles before flying back to Europe for some appearances. For all relevant information, click below:

Absolute Body Control on Myspace

and finally, a quick heads up: starting late next week, Systems of Romance will be offline for a spell while I’ll be kicking around New Orleans. However, this coming Wednesday, I will make it a point to upload another A.B.C. release with vocals to sweetly make up for the inactivity…

6 Comments »

Autumn- Experiments With Environments LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, autumn, Belgian, experimental, minimal, synth, twilight ritual on March 17, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post features Belgian minimal wave band Autumn’s original 1982 cassette, Experiments With Environments. I’m unable to dig up a ton of information about the band, but the primarily two-piece outfit released countless underground cassette tapes documenting their pioneering and experimental synth work for five years throughout the early 1980s, many of which have only seen the light of day due to recent CD-r releases via collective label Micrart. Just before retiring the name to persue other projects, Autumn would record their own soundtrack to Fritz Lang’s silent classic Metropolis, which was occasionally performed alongside screening’s of the film before an ‘official’ score was made available.

As Autumn changed directions and laid their moniker to rest, members Geert Coppens and Peter Bonne would find some more success as members of Twilight Ritual, while Peter would also work as Linear Movement a short period of time.

Here are the details for the Experiments With Environments release:

Autumn- Experiments With Environments
1. Ocilado Q
2. Memories
3. Twilight World Part 1
4. Towards Tokio Part 1
5. Reach You From Behind My Walls
6. I Still Care
7. Gardens
8. Friday
9. Mystery Screen
10. Twilight World Part 2
11. My New Friend
12. PSI, A Destiny Experience
13. Metal Dream
14. The Posession L
15. 7.49
16. Towards Tokio Part 2
17. Experiments With Environments
18. Pale Mist Meditation
19. Delayed Mind Creation

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* Mp3s available via iTunes music store and Micart:
Micrart dot com

8 Comments »

Siglo XX- Re-Released ’80-’82 LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, Belgian, coldwave, post-punk, siglo xx on March 3, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Fulfilling a request for today for Belgian post-punk/coldwave band Siglo XX. Siglo XX formed in 1980 during the fallout of the punk explosion, and the four piece outfit would drop a number of developmental DIY singles before recording their first record a few years later. Their sound was akin to the likes of the Factory Records crew, oftentimes hard-hitting and intense, while other times melodic, synthetic, and entrancing. Their name, which is Spanish for ’20th Century,’ stems from an anarchist movement and is representative of their gloom and doom sound, though the band loathed to be lumped in with their contemporaries.

Siglo XX disappeared from view as the eighties fizzled out, leaving behind a local legacy of singles, seven full-lengths, and several compilations. I’ve uploaded their 1984 collection, entitled Re-Released ’80-’82, which compiles their more formative (and in this author’s opinion, better) material.

Details:

Siglo XX- Re-Released ’80-’82
1. The Naked And The Death
2. Art Of War
3. Lines Of Hope
4. Youth Sentiment
5. Obsession
6. Factory
7. La Vie Dans La Nuit
8. Individuality
9. Autumn
10. Caraibian Nightmares
11. The Fall

*download it here*

I have a handful of their other releases lying around should anyone be interested in hearing more. Otherwise, click below for a Siglo XX myspace tribute page, and stay tuned for some treats, including a donated Marquis De Sade record and a third podcast.

Siglo XX tribute on myspace

8 Comments »

Snowy Red- The Right to Die LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, Belgian, minimal, snowy red, synth, wave on February 27, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Snowy Red is mainly a one-man minimal synth outfit from Belgium, active throughout the 1980s. Though occasionally a band here and there (and featuring scattered collaborators during their tenure), Snowy Red was primarily an outlet for Micky Mike (real name: Marcel Thiel, RIP), who released four records (and two cover records under his proper name) before seemingly disappearing from the music scene in the early nineties. Though seemingly a one-off reunion, Snowy Red reactivated for a Belgian music festival in 2004 as a two piece.

Though each of Snowy Red’s four records are synth classics, I’ve uploaded my favorite, 1982’s The Right to Die, which has a darker atmosphere and heavier synthetics than some of the other material. For more Snowy Red, revisit this post, as the Carol & Snowy Red ‘Breakdown’ 7” is included in the grab bag.

Details:

Snowy Red- The Right to Die LP (1982)
1. Euroshima (Wardance)
2. Nowhere
3. I’m Hurt
4. Never Alive
5. Relax
6. Opium
7. Lies In Your Eyes
8. Madman
9. The Right To Die

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED*—> An official boxset containing all of Mike’s work has been reissued via OnderStrom records. NOT TO BE MISSED! RIP Micky…

After scouring youtube, I came up with several clips for Snowy Red, but none actually are videos or live performances, but instead are songs playing with a static image, while one consists of a digitally rendered Second Life character boogying to ‘Euroshima.’ I won’t link it here, but it’s amusing, for those who wish to seek it out.

Otherwise, I believe Snowy Red’s material is best hunted down through your local record shops and eBay, but there IS a seemingly fan-run myspace page, for more information and some digital accompaniment:

Snowy Red on myspace

6 Comments »

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