Archive for the the normal Category

Robert Rental- Paralysis 7” & Double Heart 7”

Posted in 1970s, 1978, daniel miller, minimal, mute, robert rental, scottish, synth, the normal, thomas leer on April 21, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post features Scottish electronic music pioneer Robert Rental (real name: Robert Donnachie), who grew to prominence in the underground music scene in the late seventies/early eighties. Though he’s received a fair amount of credit for his live work with Daniel Miller (Mute Records, the Normal) and Thomas Leer (The Bridge LP, released in 1979 under Throbbing Gristle’s record label), he also recorded two 7” synth singles that are well worth a listen.

The Bridge was released on CD in 1992, but no further recordings appeared before or after. Robert Rental passed away from cancer in 2000.

Zipped up below are both of Robert’s 7” singles in one file. The details:

Robert Rental- Paralysis 7” (1978)
1. Paralysis
2. A.C.C.

Robert Rental- Double Heart 7” (1980)
1. Double Heart
2. On Location

*download them here*

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Silicon Teens- Music For Parties LP

Posted in 1980, 1980s, daniel miller, minimal, synth, the normal, uk on January 7, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s artist is Silicon Teens, a fictional UK outfit spearheaded by the infamous Daniel Miller, head of independent wave label Mute Records. After two releases under The Normal (both the famous ‘Warm Leatherette’ 7” and an experimental live recording with Robert Rental), Miller took to his synths to record a series of updated (and somewhat campy) 50s/60s rock n’roll tunes (alongside two originals), adopting a false ‘teen’ band to handle any budding press. Fad Gadget’s Frank Tovey would act as lead vocalist during interviews as the remainder of the ‘band’ was portrayed by various actors, however, every note and vocal take was recorded by Miller himself.

Though one track from the Silicon Teens’ lone release appeared on the soundtrack for Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, the 1980 record had little impact or chart success, and rumour claims that Mute would sign Depeche Mode soon after blowing the lid off the project in attempts to successfully market a true teen wave act.

Details:

Silicon Teens- Music For Parties LP
1. Memphis, Tennessee
2. Yesterday Man
3. Doo-Wah-Diddy-Diddy
4. T.V. Playtime
5. You Really Got Me
6. Chip N’ Roll
7. Do You Love Me?
8. Let’s Dance
9. Oh Boy
10. Sweet Little Sixteen
11. State of Shock (Pt. 2)
12. Just Like Eddie
13. Red River Rock
14. Judy In Disguise
15. Let’s Dance
16. Sun Flight

*download it here*

…and for your viewing pleasure, here’s the promotional video for ‘Memphis, Tennessee,’ feat. Fad Gadget’s Frank Tovey as the leader of the band:

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