Archive for the canadian Category

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The Lucy Show- Electric Dreams 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, canadian, post-punk, the lucy show, uk on September 22, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

The Lucy Show are one of my all-time favorite bands of the 80s. Hands down amazing melodies, great vocals, production, the whole package. It comes as some surprise that this particular 7” (their second, released in 1984) hasn’t been posted to my knowledge. Crazy!

For those unfamiliar, The Lucy Show was formed by two Canadian-turned London musicians, who earned a bit of buzz for their first single, Leonardo Da Vinci (perfectly summed up and shared here). Peel picked up on the band, this 7” followed, and the rest, as you could say, was History. A tour with R.E.M. brought the band to prominence, and their debut LP Undone dropped in 1985 and shot straight to the top of the college charts. Mania followed in 1986, and the band soon called it quits.

Really perfect pop, here. The A-side recalls early Cure and INXS to mind, while the B-side is a dark and gloomy affair, reminiscent of 4AD’s earliest releases. Don’t miss it!

The Lucy Show- Electric Dreams 7”
1. Electric Dreams
2. History Part 1

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.16.12)

4 Comments »

Data 3- Heartful of Soul 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, canadian, new wave, synth, synthpop on April 13, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a tasty synthpop single from 1984. This is the band’s only release, a three piece female fronted group from Canada who remind me a bit of The Flirts crossed with The Bangles. Pure dancefloor energy on both tracks, though I tend to favor the A-side (which is a clever rendition of The Yardbirds classic). The 12” was issued via Telescope Records, while a 7” was released in Europe via Dureco Benelux, which features slightly shorter mixes.

This one has been on constant loop since discovering it, and it can still be had for reasonable prices if you know where to look! Not much more I can say about this one, other than: ENJOY!

Data 3- Heartful of Soul 12”
1. Heartful of Soul
2. Who’s That?

*download it here* (re-ripped 4.17.17)

6 Comments »

Glamatron!- Only The Heart Beats…….Inside The Silence 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, canadian, glamatron, minimal synth, new wave, niagara, post-punk on January 10, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Thanks to the Museum of Canadian Music (www.mocm.ca) for the information and rip on this one, here’s the incredibly scarce 12” from Glamatron, released in 1981. Some excellent minimal synth tracks combined with organic touches, sometimes reminiscent of John Foxx-era Ultravox. Either way, a true gem. Kurt Laporte, credited as a songwriter on this release, went on to join Vis-A-Vis, who released THIS great record. Here’s the info for this killer 12”. Enjoy!

Glamatron!- Only The Heart Beats…….Inside The Silence
1. Passport
2. Facial Saviour
3. Factor 2-2-2
4. The Word (Death In September)
5. Continentals
6. Porcelain Doll

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* — a reissue of this LP is now available, with extra tracks! Pick it up!

8 Comments »

Trans-X- Living on Video CD

Posted in 1980s, 1983, canadian, disco, reformed, space disco, synthpop, Trans-X on April 28, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Trans-X were a two piece disco/synth outfit from Canada, who made quite the name for themselves in their home country with a handful of catchy electro-pop singles. Laurie Ann Gill (formerly a backup vocalist for Nudimension) and ambient musician Pascal Languirand comprised the duo for their first (and most prolific) run, which concluded in 1986 due to frustrations and lack of success outside of Canada.

Languirand returned in 1994 with a revamped version of the band, reissuing and re-recording several key singles with new vocalist Nadia Sohaei. As of 2010, Languirand has been living in Mexico, hard at work on the next Trans-X release.

Without any further ado, here’s the information for the band’s Living on Video LP, released in 1983. A compilation of sorts, the LP collected many of the band’s earliest singles and b-sides. This particular rip hails from the CD issue, which dropped ten years later and featured a handful of appropriate bonus tracks. Here’s the details:

Trans-X- Living on Video CD
1. Living On Video
2. Message On The Radio
3. Nitelife
4. 21st Century
5. Josee
6. Digital World
7. Eyes Of Desire
8. 3D-Dance
9. Monkey Dance
10. Through The Eyes Of The 90’s
11. Ich Liebe Dich (I Love You)
12. Living On Video (Re-Recorded)
13. Message On The Radio (Remix)
14. Vivre Sur Video

*download it here*

For your viewing pleasure, here’s the video for the title track, released in 1981:

6 Comments »

Ohama- I Fear What I Might Hear LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, canadian, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, Ohama on August 25, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post features the 1984 debut LP from Ohama, essentially a one man minimal wave project helmed by Canadian musician Tona W. Ohama, with occasional lyrical contributions by Johannes Halbertsma.

Over the course of three years, Ohama released two LPs and three singles. All of these releases (and more, including the 1986 Ohama Meets Dania LP) have been collected in an impressive 9xCD boxset, which may very well still be available by contact with Minimal Wave’s site. Should you dig this release, and should it still be available, I encourage you folks to snap up a copy of the set posthaste! Otherwise, here’s the info for the record.

Ohama- I Fear What I Might Hear LP
1. Of Whales
2. Sometimes
3. Feelings
4. Midnite News IV
5. Where Do You Call Home?
6. Midnite News II
7. Body Of Vagrant Waves
8. Part In Peace

*download it here*

13 Comments »

Bolero Lava- Inevitable 12” (+Bonus Materials)

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1990s, bolero lava, canadian, new wave, phaedra, post-punk on June 26, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another generous donated post from Jeff/Uberbelly, who was involved in this particular band during their later incarnation. Otherwise, the band in question is Vancouver based Bolero Lava, who began life as an all-female post-punk band. Their sound reminds me personally of a cross between 4AD’s Colourbox and The Au Pairs, with both a soulful croon and a funky post-punk edge to them.

The original lineup of the band lasted through 1983-1988, releasing the Inevitable 12” in 1984. Original members Barbara Bernath and Laurel Thackeray departed in 1988, replaced briefly by Andy Graffiti and Linda McRae. Jeff Sawatsky (our gracious donator, also involved with Voice and Sarah McLachlan) and Sherri Leigh replaced Andy and Linda, and Mallory Temple was the final member of Bolero Lava’s lineup, replacing Leigh after her short stint. The band officially called it quits in 1991.

Uploaded below, we have three separate releases. Firstly, we have Bolero Lava’s original 12” record, released on Mo-Da-Mu records in 1984. The second 12” below was a one off-single recorded in by guitarist Phaedra Struss, featuring contributions by Adrian Sherwood, Jah Wobble, David Harrow, and Bolero Lava bandmate Vanessa Richards. Last but not least, we have a rather impressive stack of Bolero Lava demos, recorded between the years of 1988-1991, with the various lineup changes in tow.

For more information and images from the Inevitable 12”, check out the Discogs.com listing I just submitted. Otherwise, let’s get to the information, shall we?

Bolero Lava- Inevitable 12” (1984)
1. Inevitable
2. Click of the Clock

Phaedra- Jesus Lives in Vegas 12” (1990)
1. Jesus Lives in Vegas
2. Telephone Operator [Pete Shelley cover]

Bolero Lava- Demos
1. Swim to Me
2. A Road and a Car
3. Easy
4. My Old Friend
5. News For You
6. Prey
7. Protection

*download it here*

Otherwise, thanks again to Jeff for the fantastic rips, photos, scans, and donations! For more information on the band and some previewed tracks, click below for their Myspace page.

Bolero Lava on Myspace

7 Comments »

Iko- ’83 LP/CD-R Bootleg

Posted in 1980s, 1982, canadian, iko, minimal, minimal synth on June 22, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

I see this one was one hosted on 7” From the Underground but has since expired. Otherwise, here’s the entire discography of Canadian minimal synth outfit Iko. The band released one LP and one 12” record, both in 1982, before disbanding.

This particular CD-R bootleg features two extra tracks not originally pressed on the LP, though one of the tracks made its way onto the Tribute to Some Bizzare series. Otherwise, there’s little info available outside of what Alessandro has dug up, so click there to read the proper credits, and otherwise, here’s the tracklisting and artwork:

Iko- ’83 LP/CD-R
1. Elevator
2. Gonadotropic Synthesis
3. Subway 49
4. Communication Off
5. Approach On Tokyo
6. Digital Delight
7. Model Type A
8. Radio Active Mist
9. Military Service
10. Surrender To The Dream

*****DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED*****- check out this excellent and legit reissue of the IKO material on Medical Records!

4 Comments »

Voice- Anno Di Voce 12” (+Bonus Tracks)

Posted in 1983, 1985, canadian, Dwayne Goettel, synthpop, voice on June 9, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Apologies for the disappearance, ladies and gents, been off the radar for most of last week. To make up for it, here’s a generous donation from a contributing member, which collects rare tracks and one 12” by Canadian synthpop act Voice. There’s little information to be found about the band (as it tends to be in matters like this), but otherwise, Voice featured contributions from Dwayne Goettel, who would join Skinny Puppy soon after their demise in 1986. Goettel also played keyboards in likeminded act Psyche, who would open for Skinny Puppy’s earlier incarnations.

Otherwise, seven tracks can be found in the file below. Four hail from the band’s 1985 Anno Di Voce 12”, released on Switch Records. The other three hail from an 1983 cassette release. An alternate version of “Lime” exists on this release, but the other two tracks are exclusive. The lineup on the cassette release was Malcolm Swann, Dwayne Goettel, Sherri Iwaschuk, and Jeff Sawatzky. Jeff would depart before the recording of the 12” single.

Without any further ado, here’s the info!

Voice- Anno Di Voce 12”
1. Lime
2. Business As Usual In Beirut
3. Wake Up Dreaming
4. I Am the Walrus [Beatles cover]

Bonus Tracks:
1. Holiday
2. Lime [Alt.]
3. Smile

*download both here*

Jeff has also been kind enough to include two bootlegs recorded in 1983 with the original lineup. The info:

Voice- Live @ Primetime
1. Awake
2. Birthright
3. Smiling
4. Broken Chains
5. Lime
6. Mellow Yellow
7. Holiday
8. Dangerous

Voice- Primetime Again
1. Awake
2. Birthright
3. Dangerous
4. Holiday 1
5. Holiday 2
6. Kaleidoscope

Thanks again to Jeff for all the information and donations!

13 Comments »

Moev- Zimmerkampf LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1990s, canadian, new wave, synthpop on February 2, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Moev were a successful Canadian synthpop band formed in 1981 by Tom Ferris and Cal Stephenson. Though initial demos primarily featured the duo, the band would expand to a four piece before recording their debut, 1982’s Zimmerkampf.

Original vocalist Madelaine Morris (featured on today’s upload) would depart in 1984, just as the remaining band members formed Nettwerk Records to release the 12” single “Toulyev.” Moev would continue to shift members over the remainder of their tenure, peaking in 1989 with Yeah Whatever. The album’s biggest single, the THX 1138 sample driven track “Crucify Me” placed at no. 4 in Rolling Stone’s Top Dance Tracks.

Their follow up record, 1990’s Head Down, would feature then budding Sarah McLachlan on backup vocals. At this point in time, Dean Russell was vocalist, but his death in 1994 ceased all Moev work for the next five years, as members pursued other musical projects until their reformation and subsequent reactivation in 1999.

Nettwerk Records, though originally formed as an outlet for Moev’s releases, has also released records by Sarah McLachlan, Skinny Puppy, Delerium, Chris & Cosey, Severed Heads, and most recently, Ladytron.

Moev- Zimmerkampf LP
1. In Your Head
2. Madhatter
3. M.T. M.T. N.M.E.
4. Rotting Germaniums
5. 90 Minutes
6. Remembrance Day
7. Cocoon
8. Feline Frauline
9. Common House

*download it here*

For more detailed information about Moev, please direct your attention to the links below:

Moev.net
Unofficial Moev page

8 Comments »

Rational Youth- Cold War Night Life CD

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 2000s, canadian, minimal, rational youth, synth, synthpop on December 9, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Second post for today, ladies and gents. Feeling a bit productive today. Below lies a recent favorite of mine, making its way into my latest DJ sets.

The Canadian synthpop/minimal wave band Rational Youth began in 1981 as a duo. Members Tracy Howe (ex-Heaven 17/Men Without Hats) and Bill Vorn released several singles and their debut record, Cold War Night Life in 1982. Soon after the record was released, Bill Vorn departed, marking the beginning of several lineup shifts that would occur over the following years. Several EPs and one more full length (1985’s Heredity, more of a Howe solo record under label intervention) followed before Howe retired the name for almost a decade.

In 1997, Howe reactivated Rational Youth, releasing one more record and touring for four years before playing their final show in 2001. Bill Vorn would join Tracy for the very first show, but could not return to the band full time, instead choosing to persue his interactive robotic work.

Uploaded below is the original Rational Youth LP, Cold War Night Life, released in 1982 by the original two-man lineup. This album was re-released in 1997 on CD with a few 12” bonus tracks, also generously uploaded below.

Rational Youth- Cold War Night Life CD
1. Close To Nature
2. Beware The Fly
3. Saturdays In Silesia
4. Just A Sound In The Night
5. Le Meilleur Des Mondes
6. Ring The Bells
7. City Of Night
8. Dancing On The Berlin Wall
9. Power Zone
10. I Want To See The Light
11. Coboloid Race

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – mp3s now available through your favorite digital outlets!

11 Comments »

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