Archive for the british Category

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I’m So Hollow- discography REDUX

Posted in 1980, 1980s, 1981, british, post-punk, sheffield scene on May 15, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

For today’s post, I’ve uploaded the entire discography for Sheffield post-punk band I’m So Hollow, which is admittedly not a whole lot. The four piece band formed in 1978 and only lasted three years, splitting up after recording one 7” single and one full length record. The band wet their feet opening up for the likes of Clock DVA, and have since developed a bit of a cult following due to their involvement in the Sheffield music scene, their peers including the Human League and Artery, among others. I’m So Hollow also managed to cut a John Peel session before disbanding. One exclusive song, also included below, has been compiled several times over since the band’s demise and appears on both Hicks From the Sticks and Future Shock– both identical compilations released by two different labels.

I’m So Hollow- Dreams to Fill the Vacuum 7” (1980)
1. Dreams To Fill The Vacuum
2. Distraction

I’m So Hollow- Emotion/Sound/Motion LP (1981)
1. Entrance
2. Which Way..?
3. Unbroken Line
4. Touch
5. Collisions
6. Excitement = Change
7. The Triangular Hour
8. Emotion / Sound / Motion
9. Nosferatu/Distraction

Various Artists: Hicks In the Sticks Compilation (1980)
13. I Don’t Know

*download them here* (LP RE-RERIPPED 6.4.13 —  7” RE-RIPPED 6.24.15)

For your viewing pleasure, here’s a live performance of ‘Touch’ taken from the Made In Sheffield DVD:

Lastly, a request for the peanut gallery: if anyone has a recording of the I’m So Hollow Peel Session, please send it my way! Pretty please with cherries?

24 Comments »

Clock DVA- Advantage LP

Posted in 1983, british, clock dva, industrial on May 9, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s rain-soaked upload features seminal industrial/electronic act Clock DVA’s most solid record, 1983’s Advantage.

The band originated in England in the late 70s, taking inspiration for their name from Anthony Burgess’ dystopian nightmare novel A Clockwork Orange. Clock DVA originally consisted of two members, Adi Newton and Steven Turner, who worked with both Cabaret Voltaire and early members of the Human League before forming the band. Their first recordings were released on Throbbing Gristle’s own Industrial Music label, and quickly, Clock DVA grew to prominence in the budding industrial scene with their experimental tape loop and synthesizer treatments. However, by the time the band recorded their follow up records, they had lost and gained members and shifted to a more structurally sound lineup, blending their experimental electronic techniques with some more conventional rock instruments.

Over the course of the 80s, the band split several times over, Adi Newton remaining the only consistent member with each reformation. The band shifted styles with each lineup change, eventually settling on a more EBM sound. Though the band never “officially” split, the last Clock DVA album was released in 1993…Meanwhile, the most current members have persued solo projects.

The 1983 LP uploaded below is the perfect hybrid of Clock DVA’s experimental and more conventional sound. I’ve attached a few bonus tracks from a CD reissue, but have left off the extended and alternate remixes that grace the end. Without any further ado, the details:

Clock DVA- Advantage LP
1. Tortured Heroine
2. Beautiful Losers
3. Resistance
4. Eternity In Paris
5. The Secret Life Of The Big Black Suit
6. Breakdown
7. Dark Encounter
8. Poem
9. Noises In Limbo
10. Black Angels Death Song

*REMOVED PER ARTIST REQUEST*

Lastly, here’s what seems to be an official myspace page, with photos, discography, and more. Click click!

Clock DVA on myspace

21 Comments »

Basking Sharks- Shark Island LP

Posted in 1983, basking sharks, british, minimal, synth, wave on January 3, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

A request fulfillment for my first of the year, folks… This is UK wave act Basking Shark’s full length record Shark Island, released in 1983. Upon second look, I am still unable to find information about this band aside from a scant discography, but if you want to hear more from them, check my previous post on the Diamond Age 7” here.

Details:

Basking Sharks- Shark Island LP
1. Red Rose
2. Starusfa
3. Friends Of Bill
4. Charm
5. View From The Hill
6. Back To Africa
7. Forget
8. Blue Cross
9. The Dive
10. Put It Off
11. Croatia
12. Little Death

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* — visit the official Basking Sharks site to buy official copies and a CD reissue!

To purchase the band’s best of, Back in the Deep Water, according to a comment left in my last Basking Sharks post, feel free to email baskingsharksnet@hotmail.com for more info. Also, though it hasn’t launched yet, seems as if there will be an official web-hub coming soon at baskingsharks.net.

11 Comments »

Shox- No Turning Back 7”

Posted in 1980, 1980s, 4ad, british, shox, synth, wave on November 2, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for the delay, ladies and gents…I’ve had computer trouble for a few days, and as of this morning (fingers crossed) I’ve gotten things back up and running, with only a few gigs of music completely lost. That said, here’s a quick Friday treat.

Shox were a British wave trio comprising Mike Atkinson, Jacqui Brookes and John Peters. They released only two tracks in 1980, comprising one of the first four Axis 7” singles, just before the label rechristened itself as 4AD that same year.

Jacqui Brookes would go on to sing for both Siam and Intro after this single, releasing a solo LP as well. Not at all sure what happened to the remaining Shox members after this lone recording appearance…

Shox- No Turning Back 7”
1. No Turning Back
2. Lying There

*download it now*

These two tracks can also be purchased digitally via this link to 4AD’s homepage:

Shox on 4AD dot com

Stay tuned next week for more resumed activity (*fingers crossed*), including an album request, a post on NYC locals Bell Hollow, and a bit of new material from the legendary Bush Tetras!

5 Comments »

Neon Hearts

Posted in 1970s, british, paul raven, post-punk, punk, uk on October 29, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Just last week, influential bass player Paul Raven passed away, and today’s post pays tribute to one of his earlier bands, Neon Hearts.

A few years before Paul would co-form Killing Joke, he would join the ranks of fellow UK punk rockers to form Neon Hearts in 1977. The band would embellish upon the bare-bones punk structure, complimenting it’s furious rhythms with blaring saxophones, a precursor to the sonic experimentation that would soon birth the post-punk movement.

The band gigged regularly, saving up cash to record their first single, Regulations, released in December, 1977. After more relentless touring, the band gained a relatively large following and signed to Satril Records. However, the glory of a recording contract did little to stop the band from splitting at the seams far too soon, mostly thanks to Satril Records’ constant meddling in the band’s creative process. The band split just before their first full length, Popular Music was released in April of 1979.

I’ve uploaded both sides of their debut Regulations single for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

download Neon Hearts- ‘Regulations’
download Neon Hearts- ‘Venus’

Though the band’s records are tough to come by in their original form, Overground Records has compiled their discography (both singles and their full length) into one collection, also entitled Popular Music. Click below for a purchase link.

Purchase Popular Music from Overground Records.

2 Comments »

The Sound

Posted in 1980s, british, post-punk, the sound on October 19, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s band is a lesser post-punk classic, UK act The Sound. The band formed in 1978 as the Outsiders, switching up their name in 1979 after a quick lineup shift.

Their sound was akin to the likes of the intitial wave of post-punk, and the band toured with the likes of friends and cohorts the Chameleons, Echo & the Bunnymen, Au Pairs, and the Comsat Angels. Singer Adrian Borland’s lyrics would often ruminate on existentialist affairs and paranoid observations, while the music would mix synthesizers and horns with fast-paced rhtyhms and guitars.

Throughout their tenure, the band recorded five full length records, a few peel sessions, and a slew of EPs and singles before their split in 1987, just after a canceled European tour. Adrian would persue a solo career, but the band would never reunite, as keyboardist Colvin “Max” Mayers would pass on in 1993 and Adrian Borland would commit suicide in 1999. However, the band lives on- several reissues of the Sound’s catalog and tributes to their material have since materialized, and the band’s influence can be heard in many modern post-punk acts.

I’ve uploaded two tracks- the first from their second record, 1981’s From the Lion’s Mouth and the second a track from their 1980 debut Jeopardy.

download The Sound- ‘Fatal Flaw’
download The Sound- ‘Heartland’

For your viewing pleasure, here’s a video of the Sound performing ‘Sense of Purpose’ (From the Lion’s Mouth‘s lead-off single) on the Old Grey Whistle Test:

Even though most of the band’s material was released for the first time on CD earlier this decade, those copies are still hard to come by. Keep your eyes peeled for them!

2 Comments »

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

1 Comment »

We’ve Got a Fuzzbox and We’re Going to Use It

Posted in 1980s, british, fuzzbox, post-punk, synth, we've got a fuzzbox and we're going to use it on September 24, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

We’ve Got a Fuzzbox and We’re Going to Use It formed in Birmingham in 1985 as an incredibly raw, all female post-punk act with a knack for outrageous dress and catchy hooks. Their initial style, a devil-may-care attitude fostered on punk rock fury and a dose of playful sexuality, initially caused a controversial buzz upon their debut.

After a double-a side single for the songs ‘XX Sex’ and ‘Rules and Regulations’ reached number 41 in the British charts, the band took to the studio and recorded their first full length record. Released in 1986, their self-titled record hit the charts, airwaves, and dance floors in England, but failed to make much of an impact outside of Europe, where their name was truncated simply to ‘Fuzzbox’ and the album retitled to Bostin’ Steve Austin.

Their second record, 1989’s Big Bang! featured a revamp of style and sound, the band trading in their punk rock ethics for a sound more in line with slick dance pop. Despite an attempt to adapt to the times, the band split almost immediately after the album’s release, and lead singer Vickie Perks would form Vix And The Kix after a failed solo effort.

After a few listens, I’m not too keen on their second record, so with that being the case, I’ve instead uploaded two of the singles from their debut record, Bostin’ Steve Austin for your consumption.

download Fuzzbox- ‘Love is the Slug’
download Fuzzbox- ‘Rules and Regulations’

The video for ‘Love is the Slug’ may very well be one of the most amusing, fun, and strange videos I’ve ever seen, so approach below with caution and perhaps a love for sheer wackiness.

Most of their output is seemingly out of print, but available on LP via various auction and second-hand sites. If you like it, seek it out!

12 Comments »

Basking Sharks- Diamond Age 7”

Posted in 1983, basking sharks, british, minimal on September 17, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Scouring the usual channels, I’ve come up with very little information about today’s band, UK minimal wave act Basking Sharks. Origins and history otherwise undocumented, the band’s output consists of two singles and a full length record, all three released in 1983.

I’ve uploaded both sides of the Diamond Age 7” for your listening pleasure.

Basking Sharks- Diamond Age 7”
1. Diamond Age
2. New Industry

*DOWNLOAD LINKS REMOVED* Official copies and a CD reissue available from Basking Sharks dot net.

4 Comments »

Au Pairs

Posted in au pairs, british, death disco, post-punk on September 6, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Formed in 1979 in the UK, the Au Pairs attacked gender, sexuality, and politics with their funk-based blend of female fronted post-punk.

More in line with James Brown than with Bauhaus, Au Pairs would record two full length records, a series of singles, and a handful of BBC Sessions before breaking up in 1983, just before they were slated to record with legendary post-punk producer Steve Lillywhite. Despite their brief splash, the band’s gender-charged lyrics, scathing guitar hooks, and catchy dance rhythms would serve as a major influence for the Riot Grrrl movement in the 1990s.

After the band’s demise, lead singer Lesley Woods would form an all-girl band called the Darlings, who split quickly. Lesley would leave the music industry all together soon after, and now practices law. Other members of the band joined jazz and funk outfits after their Au Pairs tenure.

For your listening enjoyment, I’ve plucked a track each from the band’s two studio records. The first, ‘We’re So Cool’ kicks off their first record, 1981’s Playing With a Different Sex and the slower, more atmospheric dub track ‘Sex Without Stress’ hails from their sophomore effort, Sense and Sensuality, released in 1982.

download Au Pairs – ‘We’re So Cool’
download Au Pairs – ‘Sex Without Stress’

Though the band remained a cult-classic before and after their run, they enjoyed a bit of buzz from the post-punk/underground music documentary Urgh! A Music War, featuring a series of captivating live performances. Here’s their spot from the film, performing ‘Come Again’ live in London.

2 Comments »

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