Archive for the some bizzare Category

B-Movie- Early Singles

Posted in 1980, 1980s, 1981, 1982, b-movie, new wave, paul statham, post-punk, some bizzare, synthpop, uk on November 23, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

When I think of the best UK bands, few spring to mind quicker than B-Movie. I’ve covered them twice here before, once with their 1985 LP Forever Running and then a few years later with their unstoppable Nowhere Girl 12”. I’ve been meaning to upload their earlier singles for some time now, probably years, but it just slipped through the cracks. I hope you’ll forgive me, folks.

That said, contained within this zip file is the majority of B-Movie’s early works, starting from their first 12”s in 1980 and spanning until 1984. Quite a prolific period for the band, with most of their best songs being issued in this two year time period.  Here’s the rundown:

B-Movie- Take Three 7” (1980)
1. The Soldier Stood Alone
2. Drowning Man
3. Soundtrack

B-Movie- Nowhere Girl (1980)
1. Nowhere Girl
2. This Still Life
3. Institution Walls
4. Airplanes & Mountains
5. Left Out In The Cold
6. Remembrance Day

B-Movie- Remembrance Day 12” (1981)
1. Remembrance Day
2. Institution Walls (Remix)

B-Movie- Marilyn Dreams 7” (1981)
1. Marilyn Dreams
2. Film Music Part 1

B-Movie- Marilyn Dreams 12” (1981)
1. Marilyn Dreams

B-Movie- Nowhere Girl 7” (1982)
1. Nowhere Girl (Version)
2. Scare Some Life Into Me

B-Movie- Nowhere Girl 12”
1. Nowhere Girl (Version)
2. Remembrance Day
3. Nowhere Girl (Short Version)

B-Movie- A Letter From Afar (1984)
1. A Letter From Afar (Big Mix)
2. A Letter From Afar (Instrumental Mix)
3. A Letter From Afar (Small Mix)

*Download link removed* – digital reissues coming soon!

Again, in case you missed them the first time- here’s the full Nowhere Girl 12” (including the 12” extended mix) and their 1985 LP, Forever Running.

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B-Movie- Nowhere Girl 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, b-movie, paul statham, post-punk, some bizzare, uk on May 13, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Just ripped this one up this morning for a chum and figured I’d post it here for you folks to enjoy as well. I’ve already covered B-Movie in the past, but that particular record doesn’t hold much of a candle to most of their earlier single work, even though both tracks on this particular 12” appear in re-recorded form on Forever Running. In fact, the two featured tracks have been re-recorded countless times, and I’ve lost track of just how many versions of these two songs exist. Fortunately, they’re both fantastic slices of synth-based post-punk.

This particular single has also been re-released several times over, via original label Some Bizzare and various other labels since its original appearance in 1980. This particular one was issued on Sire in 1982, but my copy still boasts the Some Bizzare logo. Curious. Anyway, without any further ado, here’s the information.

B-Movie- Nowhere Girl 12” (1982, Sire/Some Bizzare)
1. Nowhere Girl (Version)
2. Remembrance Day
3. Nowhere Girl (Short Version)

*Download link removed* – digital reissues coming soon!

I may have the previous versions of the single (most with exclusive b-sides and alternate versions) kicking around in digital form, for any interested parties.

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B-Movie- Forever Running LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, b-movie, paul statham, post-punk, some bizzare, uk on July 25, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

And now, for a lighter affair of sorts…This band’s been a recent obsession of mine for some time now; a little catchy wave/post-punk outfit from the UK called B-Movie, who combined catchy and punchy post-punk with a synth edge. You can find them on the Some Bizzare Album I posted a few weeks back…

The band originally formed in 1978, fresh from the ashes of The Aborted, a local punk band. Though the band’s first release dates back to 1980, it took five years and several singles for the band to cut a proper record, 1985’s Forever Running. As a result of this, several versions of the same songs exist over the years, up until the band’s demise soon after Forever Running appeared. Since then, these early singles have been often compiled, resulting in The Dead Good Tapes and Volume 1- Remembrance Days respectively. A BBC sessions disc also appeared in 2001. This might very well be my favorite release of theirs, as the BBC versions feel less polished than the album below.

With all of this interest in the band’s back catalog, the band decided to reunite for a handful of shows in 2007. In the meanwhile, the ex-members of B-Movie have kept busy. Paul Statham has been the most prolific member of the band. Over the years, Paul has been involved with Peter Murphy’s early solo career (performing on and co-writing tunes on Love Hysteria, Deep, Holy Smoke, and Cascade). He also formed Peach, who signed to Mute Records in the mid-nineties, and has also been responsible for co-writing and producing material on Dido’s No Angel and Kylie Minogue’s Fever.

Well, I’ve just dropped a slew of information… Time for the release details:

B-Movie- Forever Running LP
1. Forever Running
2. Heart Of Gold
3. My Ship Of Dreams
4. Just An Echo
5. Remembrance Day
6. Switch On-Switch Off
7. Blind Allegiance
8. Arctic Summer
9. Nowhere Girl

*Download link removed*

It’s been ages since I’ve been able to post an official video, but here’s a TOTP-style clip for the 12” version of ‘Nowhere Girl.’ Click below to enjoy:

There exists a rather comprehensive B-Movie website, complete with (one half of) a bio, a full discography, several bits of information and fun Q&As, and other interested information. There are also a few links to pick up reissued B-Movie material and several post-B-Movie records. Dig it:

B-Movie official site

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Various Artists- Some Bizzare Album LP/CD

Posted in 1980s, 1981, depeche mode, soft cell, some bizzare, the fast set, the the on June 16, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Firstly, thanks to the responses to the debate, and for everyone’s support. I was a bit disappointed not to hear much from the other end of the spectrum, but the topic remains open if anyone has more to say on the subject. Otherwise, I’ve got two requests on my plate. The first is for Blue in Heaven’s second LP, but I’ll need to rip it from my vinyl copy unless I can track down a better digital source than the one I’ve got kicking around my computer. Stay tuned for that over the next day or so.

This second request hails from Australia, and it’s for the Some Bizzare Album, a 1981 compilation from the British independent label of the same name. This comp. announced the label’s launch with twelve tracks of unsigned minimal synth/early new wave artists compiled by label head Stevo Pearce. Of this early crop of artists, few stayed with the budding label, while others prospered under their guidance. As the label progressed, they signed a series of early industrial artists including Cabaret Voltaire, Psychic TV, Einsturzende Neubauten, and Coil.

The collection was originally released in 1981. It was pressed to CD in 1992 with a flipped running order: Side B plays before side A on the CD, which is the running order uploaded below. Though the CD is out of print to date, Some Bizzare will be re-releasing and expanding the collection sometime this year, so be sure to nab a copy when it hits the shelves! Otherwise, here’s the compilation details.

Various Artists- Some Bizzare Album
1. Blancmange- Sad Day
2. Soft Cell- The Girl with the Patent Leather Face
3. New Electrikk- Lust of Berlin
4. Naked Lunch- La Femme
5. The Fast Set- King of the Rumbling Spires
6. The Loved One- Observations
7. Illustration- Tidal Flow
8. Depeche Mode- Photographic
9. The The- (Untitled)
10. B-Movie- Moles
11. Jell- I Dare Say It Will Hurt a Little
12. Blah Blah Blah- Central Park

~Blancmange: Early new wave act, found some chart success on London Records. Split in 1987, but has since reformed and is rumored to be working on new material.
~Soft Cell: This synth-pop duo should be old hat to the lot of you by now…The track featured on this compilation was almost deleted, cut in half by a studio mishap.
~Neu Electrikk : Formed in 1978, this more experimental wave outfit has a slim discography (I’ll track it down shortly). Their sax player joined The The for a short period of time.
~Naked Lunch: Short lived wave outfit with three 7” singles under their belt. Formed in 1979, split by 1984.
~The Fast Set: Very first 4AD act, this track is one of three tracks the band released during their short life. The other two can be found here.
~The Loved One: Two man experimental synth project with one 7” and one full length record under their belt. Remastered versions are in the works!
~Illustration: Can’t find a ton of info about these guys…This track seems to be their only release.
~Depeche Mode: Not much I can say about these guys that hasn’t already been said. This track was recorded live in one take, and was the first track the band ever cut before signing to Daniel Miller’s Mute Records. This version’s a particular favorite of mine…
~The The: Ever changing critically acclaimed act formed in 1978, and still active to this day. This particular track is a bit darker and more experimental than their successful records to follow.
~B-Movie: This band stuck with Some Bizzare and earned some serious chart success in the UK, but split in 1985. Guitarist Paul Statham joined up with Peter Murphy to record Love Hysteria and Deep.
~Jell: Female fronted act, seems to be a studio collaboration consisting of some regular Clock DVA/Cabaret Voltaire contributors. This is their only release.
~Blah Blah Blah: More of a story set to music than an actual tune. Blah Blah Blah released one 7” in 1979 and one full length LP in 1981.

*download it here*

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