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Boytronic- The Working Model LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 2000s, boytronic, german, synth, wave on January 22, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Thanks to Glenn, I just discovered today’s band, German wave/electro/boy band act Boytronic, this long weekend, and have acquired and uploaded their first record, 1983’s The Working Model, for your listening pleasure.

Boytronic formed in 1983 and released two seminal synthpop records (in the vein of Visage and early Depeche Mode) before running into troubles, as their label claimed ownership to the band’s name, and re-assembled Boytronic with a completely different lineup which lasted into the mid-90s. Funnily enough, the band reunited in 2002, but this incarnation featured Holger Wobker from the first lineup, and Hayo Panarinfo from the second, and continues to this day, releasing records and performing live.

Details:

Boytronic– The Working Model LP

1. Recycled

2. Luna Square

3. Diamonds and Loving Arms

4. Red Chips

5. You

6. (I Want To Live) In Harmony

7. My Baby Lost Its Way

8. You’re the One Who Stays

9. At Last

*download it here*

Here’s the video for ‘Diamonds and Loving Arms’:

For any curious parties:
Boytronic dot com

5 Comments »

Grauzone

Posted in 1980s, german, grauzone, minimal, NDW, swiss, synth, wave on September 21, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

A request fulfilled! A quick reminder to chime up in the comments if you’d like to see a specific band featured- whether you’re involved, a fan, or trying to get ahold of more material or information.

That said, today’s band is Grauzone, a Swiss wave band who released but a few singles and one LP before disbanding. The band was the brainchild of multilingual singer Stephen Eicher and formed in 1978 along with his brother Martin, G.T. on bass, Claudine Chirac on sax, and Marco Repetto on drums. Though of Swiss origin, the majority of Grauzone’s songs were sung in German, breaking into a budding synth movement with their mild hit ‘Eisbär’ in 1981.

Soon after, their self titled full-length was released and Grauzone disbanded. However, Stephen’s interest in French music sparked a successful solo career as an ever changing musician, his future (and current) work covering a broad range of genres.

I’ve uploaded a duo of tracks for your enjoyment. The first is ‘Eisbär,’ their initial buzz single (which has since been covered prominently by both the Dresdon Dolls AND Nouvelle Vague) and the second hails from Die Sunrise Tapes, a pressed to CD collection of Grauzone’s work released in 1998.

download Grauzone- ‘Eisbär’
download Grauzone- ‘Schlachtet!’

Die Sunrise Tapes seems to be the only available and in-print CD available from Grauzone, though their vinyl is relatively easy to find on Ebay. For a link to nab Die Sunrise Tapes online, click below:

CD Universe.com

3 Comments »

Der Deutsche Adel- Der Deutsche Adel MLP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, coldwave, der deutsche adel, german on August 24, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Happy friday, ladies and gents. Today’s band is one I could find little information on aside from their origin and lone release info.

Der Deutsche Adel is the name of the band, a German post-punk band with a killer synth-heavy sound and just one self-titled release under their belt. Can’t seem to dig up any more info about the record, but it’s easily one of the best of its kind.

Though the band hailed from Germany, there are French and Spanish pressings of this mini-LP, the former released on Divine (Mecano, Fra Lippo Lippi, End of Data, Complot Bronswick, Seconde Chambre, etc.). Curious. Here’s the info:

Der Deutsche Adel- Der Deutsche Adel MLP
1. Unfurled Flags
2. Build Those Fires
3. Dive
4. Sometimes
5. Sally Oh Sally
6. Guess Works

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.30.12)

EDIT: For more information about Der Deutsche Adel, please visit THIS informative fan page!

8 Comments »

Einstürzende Neubauten- Thirsty Animal 12”

Posted in alexander von borsig, american, collaboration, Einstürzende Neubauten, german, industrial, no-wave on August 22, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s writeup will feature a two track single, an exciting and stellar collaboration by two great experimental artists, both of which need no introduction to most.

Einstürzende Neubauten (translation: collapsing new buildings) formed in 1980 in West Berlin, the brainchild of several local avant-garde musicians. Since then, the band has deconstructed the face of popular music, remaining an active, prolific, and powerful force in industrial and experimental music.

Lydia Lunch is an American musician and poet. She was the former frontwoman of influential NYC no-wave act Teenage Jesus & the Jerks until the band disbanded in 1979. She then persued a solo career, offering up several classic records and collaborations, and has since explored film, poetry, and other creative disciplines.

In 1982, as the two were gaining steam and exploring the boundaries of music with their own respective acts, Einstürzende Neubauten would record but two tracks with Lydia Lunch, also featuring contributions from Birthday Party/Crime & the City Solution guitarist Rowland S. Howard. What resulted is a true masterpiece of experimental work, a frightening two track 12” single entitled Thirsty Animal. Combining the subtleties and talents of both units, these two pieces are among the most powerful and harrowing tracks that either would record.

…and here they are, for your listening ‘pleasure:’