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Passiflora- Statica 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1987, italian, jangle, passiflora, post-punk on March 2, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

Traveling through Europe and landing in Italy for our third and final post today. Passiflora were an Italian outfit who tapped into similar sonic territory as Cocteau Twins, combining ethereal vocals with classical influences, jangly/folky post-punk, and some sax thrown in for good measure. Other touchstones include the excellent and underrated All About Eve or even perhaps The Innocence Mission, if they had a more post-punk edge.

This 1987 single is the band’s first release, though a cassette and a LP would follow after. The band would change vocalists in 1988, splitting after the 1991 LP release.

As always, enjoy!

Passiflora- Statica 7”
1. Statica
2. Gente Del Teatro E Della Morte

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Fotoscura- Fotoscura LP

Posted in 1980s, 1988, ethereal, fotoscura, italian, post-punk on July 21, 2021 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve always enjoyed this dreamy Italian post-punk record from 1988, and I thought y’all might, too. This is the lone LP from Fotoscura, a five-piece who were from Rome. The sounds are a mix of ethereal, melodic passages and melancholy post-punk, definitely recommended for fans of The Cure, The Essence, Lowlife and so on. I love every track on this record, some of my favorite kinds of sounds this side of the spectrum. Angel Records, the band’s label, also released a handful of neoclassical recordings as well as some Edge of the Water material. I’m also quite fond of the Selena Moor record, but I’m also a sucker for a good ethereal sound…Maybe I’ll post that one in the near future.

As for Fotoscura, there’s also a demo tape that fetches quite a pretty penny, but I haven’t heard it, sadly. Rumor has it there will be a reissue of some sorts coming, so stay tuned here (or better yet, over at the band’s Facebook page) for more details.

Fotoscura- Fotoscura LP

1. Guerra Senza Nome
2. …Nel Buio
3. Fotoscura
4. Cavaliere Del Nulla
5. 1991
6. Volo

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Fru Aut- Fru Aut K7 & LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1988, goth, italian, post-punk on February 9, 2021 by Frankie Teardrop

Happy New Year, y’all! A bit of a new post here, and a bit of an update to an old post at the same time. If you visit this previous post on the incredible Italian post-punk band Fru Aut, you’ll find information about their 1988 self-titled LP, a masterpiece of the Italian post-punk scene and a perfect listen for fans of dreamier post-punk, in the vein of things like Sad Lovers & Giants, Film Noir, Modern Eon, Xmal, Nico + Faction, etc. In the same post, there’s also an allusion to a previous 12”/cassette release from a long defunct (but wonderful) blog. So with that in mind, I thought I’d kick the year off lightly with an update of both of these releases.

If you aren’t already familiar with Fru Aut, the band was a five piece from northern Italy, more specifically Bassano del Grappa. They self-released this cassette in 1985, with a more limited 12” version appearing the same year. The LP appeared in 1988, also self-released. There was also a CD that came out in 1994, but sadly I haven’t heard it and I have an inkling it might veer more into rock territory, but if anyone could confirm or deny that, I’d gladly give it a listen! Lastly, there’s another cassette out there from the same era as these two releases I’m guessing, with very little info, no year or tracklisting to confirm if it’s exclusive material, or similar to what’s already released elsewhere… Any info on that one is even more welcome…

Even though I’ve updated the previous post, I’ll include both the LP and the cassette here to make things a little neater. With that in mind, here’s the info for both of these excellent releases:

Fru Aut- Fru Aut K7 (1985)
1. Tesò
2. Verderame
3. Sdies Nuzna Vainà
4. Glu Glu

Fru Aut- Fru Aut LP (1988)
1. Prova D’Orckestra
2. La TV Sensuale
3. Kabul
4. Bla Bla – Discorso Alla Finestra
5. Tesò
6. Indastria
7. Berber
8. Segnali
9. Freiherz
10. Superglu

*download both releases here*

7 Comments »

Dawn Fades- Demo K7 & Nine Thorns CD

Posted in 1990s, 1993, 1997, dawn fades, italian, post-punk on February 12, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

Back in 2011, I posted the debut EP from Italian post-punk band Dawn Fades, who invoked the spirit of Killing Joke, Lucie Cries, and even early Modern English. I’ve updated the original post with a 320kbps of the CD, but what better time to post the rest of the band’s discography, which includes an earlier demo as well as a full length album.

I’ve been sitting on the full album for some time, as it took me a few listens to really appreciate it. While the band’s trademark heavy guitars and post-punk fury are still intact, there are a slew of late 90s electronics at play here, which may or may not be to some folks’ liking. The record came out in 1997, and definitely channels much of that alternative/industrial sound. If you don’t mind a little Nine Inch Nails/early 90s Killing Joke in your post-punk, it’s a great listen!

The demo tape precedes the original EP and was released in limited quantities in 1993 (and repressed in 1994). The majority of the cassette is live, but there are two studio cuts (and an intro) to kick things off. The live cuts are a mix of originals and covers, two of which were originally by Joy Division, the band’s clear namesake. The version of Sixteen Days is identical to the one that appears on the EP.

I’d like to thank Marc, the drummer of Lucie Cries, for contributing a rip of this cassette! If you aren’t already familiar with his band, please make it your first priority to check them out! There have been several reissues of the band’s catalog – a LP of selected cuts as well as a deluxe CD package of the full discography. Thanks again, Marc, and hope you all enjoy these releases!

Dawn Fades- Dawn Fades K7 (1993)
1. Intro
2. The Rape
3. Young God
4. What Use? (live)
5. Sixteen Days (live)
6. Coil (live)
7. Shadowplay (live)
8. The Rape (live)
9. Transmission (live)

Dawn Fades- Nine Thorns (1997)
1. Nine Thorns
2. Anger
3. 1.6
4. She Will Be
5. Loop
6. Collapse And Confusion
7. Lust
8. Control
9. Off

*download both here*

9 Comments »

Inox- Tingle Tangle LP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, inox, italian, new wave, post-punk on May 11, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a generous donation from Antonio, a reader, collector, and label owner from Italy. I was definitely interested in hearing the full length Inox album after spending more time with the Segni Dal Fiume 12”. The full length is more of the same excellent female-fronted wave with a touch of gloomy post-punk thrown in for good measure. If anything, these tracks go a bit deeper and a bit darker, which is definitely right up my alley.

This particular LP came out in 1986 and completes the Inox discography… Antonio warns us that the pressing isn’t necessarily the best, so please forgive any anomalies you may notice while listening! I’m also pretty amused that the band featured a photo of the 12” on the cover for this LP. Gotta collect ’em all, I suppose?

Not sure if I mentioned in my previous post, but this band was from Torino/Turin, a city in north western Italy that is still known for post-punk today. Other bands from the region included Carmody, Chromagain, Monuments, Deafear, and many more. For a good overview of the region, check out this amazing compilation from 2015 that highlights many of the bands from the Peidmont region.

That all said, thanks again to Antonio of White#Trash for sharing this! Hope you all enjoy.

Inox- Tingle Tangle LP
1. Tingle Tangle
2. Valvole
3. Meno 6°
4. Colorama
5. Elisir
6. Sonecka
7. Regina Mab

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Litfiba- Yassassin 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, darkwave, italian, italo, italo disco, post-punk, synth, synthpop on January 13, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Happy New Year, ladies and gents! Been trying to shake the dust off of 2016 to begin what will be the TENTH year for Systems of Romance. Having started this blog in summer of 2007, I never thought I’d be doing this as long as I have been, while many other blogs have come and gone and interests have waned. It’s true, there just isn’t *as much* undiscovered stuff left to reveal.

Even with that being the case, my interests still lie in collecting and restoring things that have been posted elsewhere in higher quality, and I’d like to start this year off with more of the same. I’m choosing this particular 12” in tribute to David Bowie as well, for this week marks both his birthday and deathday all in one, so what better homage? In this instance, Italian giants Litfiba tackle “Yassassin,” a high point from the last installment of David’s legendary Berlin trilogy. While the original, featured on 1979’s Lodger, is a moody, Middle Eastern flavored track with a reggae tinge, Litfiba take the track into the Italo-drenched stratosphere, translating the awkward rhythms into heavy kick blasts and synth stabs. It’s an inspired choice, one that helped bridge the gap between their earlier post-punk releases and embracing the big beat dance sound they would become famous for in their home country. Both versions of “Yassassin” (an extended dancefloor mix and a shorter radio mix) sandwich an original track, chock full of a similar middle eastern flair that sounds equally inspired by Lodger‘s wanderlust. In general, the band would adapt a very Mediterranean-informed vibe from here on out, all but tossing their UK influences out the door.

For more on Litfiba’s rich and storied history, feel free to brush up here. Otherwise, hope you all enjoy!

Litfiba- Yassassin 12”
1. Yassassin
2. Elettrica Danza
3. Yassassin (Radio Version)

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Inox- Segni Dal Fiume 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, inox, italian, new wave, post-punk on August 12, 2014 by Frankie Teardrop

I feel like I’ve had this 12” on my hard drive for ages, but for some reason it never really clicked with me until today. A shame, as it’s an excellent, catchy piece of Italian new wave that’s well worth hearing. The opening notes of “Waiting For You” immediately set the tone for a great listen, chock full of heavy drum pads, big guitars, sparkling synth arpeggios, female vocal melodies with just the right blend of joy and sadness, and even a little saxophone to drive the wave home. They almost come across like Italy’s answer to The Passions, Missing Persons, and Berlin, mixing both post-punk and wave influences seamlessly.

The band hailed from Turin, Italy and self-released this 12” in 1985, following it up with a full length LP in 1986 before disappearing into the ether. I’d love to hear that one if anyone happens to have a copy… Otherwise, hope you all enjoy this nice little slice of Italian new wave!

Inox- Segni Dal Fiume 12”
1. Waiting For You
2. Chance
3. Shanghai
4. Energia In Bianco
5. Sexy Play
6. Shanghai Reprise

*download it here*

11 Comments »

Move- Move K7

Posted in 1980s, 1985, demo, goth, goth-rock, italian, move, post-punk on March 28, 2014 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for the huge delay in posting, ladies and gents. That said, good things come to those who wait, and I have quite a few obscurities to share to make up for my disappearance. First up we have a previously unheard Move demo tape from 1985, ripped by a good friend in Italy. This tape precedes the Move out Sight cassette and the self-titled LP by a year and change and features a handful of otherwise unreleased songs from the Move catalog, as well as a few that appear elsewhere over the years.

I believe this tape completes the Move discography, though I also have been sent a live performance from S.P.S.P., which featured some members from Move. The tracklisting is unknown, but the band also performed a few Move songs in the set. I don’t generally go for live tapes, but I hope to post that sometime down the line for anyone who’s interested. In the meantime, here’s the info for this cassette:

Move- Move K7
1. Speeding Speed/Sweet Move
2. Kronstadt
3. Ragazzo Di Strada
4. Re Sole
5. Salto Nel Vuoto
6. When I’m With Myself
7. Lacrime & Sangue
8. Romano
9. F.L.C.T.
10. Lo Scoglio

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Peggy & the Pills- Nobody’s Bride 12”

Posted in 12'', 1985, italian, italo, italo disco, peggy & the pills, synthpop on December 4, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

It’s been a very low energy week here at SOR headquarters, so here’s something that gets my blood flowing a bit more, and hopefully will have the same effect on you.

This is a one off Italo 12” from Peggy & the Pills, recorded and released 1985. While some Italo records fetch insane prices (some of the highest I’ve ever seen, actually), this one can still be found for a few bucks, and is worth picking up for anyone interested. While the sound is very much in the Italo disco vein we all know and love, this song also calls the sweet, sugary, and sharp edge of bands like Strawberry Switchblade, Pink and Black, and especially Book of Love to mind. There’s also some guitar undercurrents throughout the track, little stabs of chorus-infused strings that add an interesting element to the track. I’m also reminded a bit of Stephin Merrit’s Future Bible Heroes project a bit, the sardonic wit of the lyrics call to mind some of the best moments from Eternal Youth, an album I used to adore (but haven’t thought about since coming across this record).

As with most Italo projects, the creators of this track had their hands in other releases. Keyboardist Marcello Ciao was also the engineer for an early Litfiba release, while Mario Natale (arrangement) also worked with Den Harrow, Clockwork, and dozens of other Italo artists.

Peggy & the Pills- Nobody’s Bride 12”
1. Nobody’s Bride (Vocal)
2. Nobody’s Bride (Instrumental)

*download it here*

Sadly, Peggy Richardson, the wedding-dress donning diva from this 12”, passed away a few years ago, but drummer Andrea Contini has posted an excellent video honoring her life and the project. This video appears to be the only “live” recording of Peggy & the Pills, and shows the three piece band backing Peggy in 1984, who swaps out her trademark wedding dress at the halfway mark. Check it out below:

6 Comments »

Various Artists- Treviso Underground Vol. 1: Nuovo Rock/Wave

Posted in 1980s, coldwave, italian, post-punk on November 27, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s an amazing Italian cassette compilation from 1988, generously ripped by Carlo. This is the first in a two part series of homebrew tape compilations from the 80s featuring bands from the Treviso region of Northern Italy. This edition focuses on new wave and post-punk bands, while the second volume caters more towards experimental and ambient bands. You can get the second volume here.

I was originally drawn to this cassette via Wax Heroes and Scent Merci, two excellent post-punk bands that only have a handful of releases between them. However, the entire compilation is awesome, with the exception of the Nicotine Spyral Surfers songs, which aren’t bad if you prefer things on the more garage-y side. However, the true standout to me is Inside Loneliness, a band who truly invokes the cold Cure-esque vibes of Seventeen Seconds as well as other bands of that ilk. I can’t get enough of “It’s Over Again,” (which builds to the same simple, but perfect chord progression as The Chameleons’ “Second Skin”), while their second track here is no slouch, either. Inside Loneliness also contributed more tracks (including an alternate version of “It’s Over Again” that lacks the synth intro) to the Opere Senze Ombre compilation, which features the German Shadowplay, Opera Multi Steel, and the Venus Fly Trap. As you can see, that compilation wasn’t as ethnocentric as this one is, but is still worth hearing and can be found here.

As for the rest of the bands here, Domus Tedii plays a darker, organ driven style of post-punk, while Em’s Dream all but sounds like Robert Smith singing. In fact, Marathon’s contribution is also reminiscent of the Cure’s Head On the Door/Kiss Me period (see above), with the trademark keyboard flute sounds and sad, yet boisterous melody. Turbe Psichiche Di Origine Dolosa are the most punk-inspired of the bands, with backing vocals that are both anthemic as well as slightly Byrds-esque. Aside from Inside Loneliness, my other favorite track on this compilation comes from Lacrima Christi, with some great cold sounds and solid atmosphere. I’m not sure if this is the same band that appears on a 1991 compilation, but I’d love to hear more from them either way.

Various Artists- Treviso Underground Vol. 1: Nuovo Rock/Wave
1. Miky Mouse- Wax Heroes
2. Wake Me Up Wizard!- Wax Heroes
3. It’s Over Again- Inside Loneliness
4. Trees Out of My Way- Inside Loneliness
5. School Days II- Scent Merci
6. The Bright Moonlight- Scent Merci
7. You Make Me Fly (So High)- Nicotine Spyral Surfers
8. Are You Surprised?- Nicotine Spyral Surfers
9. Non Presenza- Domus Tedii
10. Rachele- Lacrima Christi
11. Bloodless (Not Buried)- Em’s Dream
12. Sun of the Awning- Marathon
13. Questo E’ Il Tuo Giorno- Turbe Psichiche Di Origine Dolosa

*download it here*

Thanks again, Carlo!

3 Comments »

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