Archive for the uk Category

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Ahab- Party Girl 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, chicken jazz, minimal, minimal synth, uk on April 11, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a 7” from the UK that I can’t seem to get enough of lately. Virtually no info to be had out there on the web, but I do know this record dropped in 1981 via Chicken Jazz, who released several records by The Waterboys. The cover looks a little reminiscent of A-ha’s “Take On Me” video, but the styles are quite different. Here we have what seems to be two one-man minimal synth tracks. The a-side has a bit of a Felt/Eyeless in Gaza-esque vibe to it (a sound I very much enjoy), and features lyrics I’m sure everyone can relate to. The second track (a cover of a classic 70s ballad) is a bit more driving, but still has a bit of sadness behind the uptempo melody. All in all, an excellent obscurity to kick off your week!

Ahab- Party Girl 7”
1. Party Girl
2. Don’t Give Up On Us

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.4.13)

11 Comments »

Jih- This Gift 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, jih, new wave, post-punk, synth, synthpop, uk on February 19, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a long lost 12” from Jih, a new wave band from the UK. While their full length LP was shared here, there also are a few 12” singles kicking around. This one was released in 1986, the same year as the LP.

In true 12” fashion, the version of “This Gift” on this record is different than the LP version, extended by a few minutes or so. I do believe the version of “The Shadow to Fall” is identical, though. Here’s the rundown:

Jih- This Gift 12”
1. This Gift
2. This Boy
3. Shadow to Fall

*download it here*

8 Comments »

Hang the Dance- Ghost Bloody Country LP

Posted in 1980s, 1988, goth-rock, hang the dance, post-punk, synth, uk on February 16, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

February seems to be a very post-punk month for Systems of Romance thus far. With that in mind here’s an excellent LP from the UK which I discovered in a local record bin for just a few dollars. A random purchase, selected on the strength of the cover and a quick turntable preview. Some awesome sounds here, reminiscent of Southern/Death Cult, but with clear, catchy synth lines on a handful of the tracks. Fans of bands such as Play Dead, Into A Circle, Snake Corps, and the Situation Two sound should really enjoy this one.

This appears to be the band’s only full length LP, though three singles were released around the same time. While there isn’t a lot of information about the band themselves, many gigographies include shows with the band over the years. Most notably, member Roman Remeynes sparked some controversy when calling in about the Ukranian John Peel Sessions performed by The Wedding Present. Fluent in Ukranian, Remeynes playfully stated that the band was ‘bastardizing the music.’ He was then invited to join in for the second peel session!

Here’s the info:

Hang the Dance- Ghost Bloody Country LP
1. Enfold
2. On the Waterfront
3. Babysitter
4. Horseflesh
5. Ghost Bloody Country
6. Host
7. Mahogany Day
8. Slate Detail
9. Look At Heaven
10. Some Sacred Ground

*download it here* (Re-ripped 8.13.17)

7 Comments »

Sanity Plexus- Redux

Posted in 1980s, 1990, 1990s, 1991, manchester, post-punk, Sanity Plexus, Sexus, uk on February 9, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

It’s been a long eight months, but I’ve since tracked down the remaining Sanity Plexus discography, consisting of a 12” and a full length LP. While the band taps into a little more production value here, there’s still the raw, DIY aesthetic throughout both releases that appeals. Fans of raw post-punk and indie rock with hard-hitting minimal drum programming should find lots to love here. Synth fans will especially dig the LP, which features arpeggiated keyboard lines and string pads to flesh out the sound a bit further than the two previous releases.

Both of these records were released on the same label as the debut 12”, which you can nab here if you missed it. Without any further ado, here’s the info:

Sanity Plexus- Tough Guy Shell 12” (1990)
1. Tough Guy Shell
2. Career Boys
3. Ambassador of Angst
4. The Pleasure Utensils

Sanity Plexus- Fidelity LP (1991)
1. It’s Not What You Think
2. Fatty Takes A Flyer
3. You Never Can Tell
4. Malevolent Angel
5. Big Chill
6. Why I Don’t Dance
7. Ozone-Friendly Boyfriend
8. Slice Of Life
9. Pop
10. Scandal In A Small Town

*download both here* (reuploaded @320kbps on 8.30.16)

2 Comments »

Troops For Tomorrow- Songs of Joy & Faith 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, furyo, gene loves jezebel, portion control, post-punk, troops for tomorrow, uk on February 3, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a killer post-punk 7” from 1982, released on Portion Control’s Rhythmic Records. The band hailed from the UK and this is their only release, though Albie De Luca of Gene Loves Jezebel/Furyo was a member. Definitely a must for fans of (early) New Order and Modern English. Coincidentally, members of Modern English produced this one. Otherwise, gloomy vox and punchy rhythms make this one a must for all fans of this kind of sound!

Troops For Tomorrow- Songs of Joy & Faith 7”
1. Songs Of Joy & Faith
2. The Prisoner

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.4.13)

10 Comments »

Dorian Gray- Promise of Love 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, dorian gray, post-punk, uk on January 13, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Picked this 7” from 1985 up at one of my favorite NYC record shops, the newly unveiled Heaven Street Records in Greenpoint. Bears no relation to either the Dorian Gray posted here, or the Dorian Grey posted here, though both are worth checking out as well. Seems to be a popular name for those in the pre-Google age!

What we have here are two tracks from the UK wave scene that strike a balance between Into a Circle and Crocodiles-era Echo and the Bunnymen. Not shocking to hear the band once supported Gene Loves Jezebel, as there’s a melodic post-punk vibe running through this single. The b-side is a more percussive and groove-oriented remix of the title track, for those who appreciate that sort of thing. Dig it:

Dorian Gray- Promise of Love 7”
1. Promise Of Love
2. Miles Away

*download it here*

There’s another 12” from 1986 out there, priced a little higher than this 7”. Hope to snag and share that one sometime soon, so stay tuned. There’s also a video for ‘Promise of Love’ kicking around on YouTube, linked for your viewing pleasure:

4 Comments »

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.

11 Comments »

Bendall’s Box- Nightmares 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, Bendall's Box, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk, uk on October 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Ok, I promise I’m done for today. Last, but not least, we have the highly coveted 7” from Bendall’s Box, from 1981. The band hailed from the UK and this is their only release, two tracks of quirky minimal synth. Jerky bass rhythms, but classic drum machine/synth tracks.

I’ve had this one kicking around for some time, but the b-side has always circulated at poor quality, with plenty of digital skips. Most unfortunate, as it’s the true standout on this release. I’d like to thank Iker of Morning Magazine for originally sending me a cleaned up version of the b-side, and also supreme thanks to Oystein for ripping the track from his own personal collection! A+, gentlemen! Here’s the details:

Bendall’s Box- Nightmares 7”
1. Nightmares
2. Games Today

*download it here*

EDIT 6.3.12:
Bendall’s Box has returned after 30 years with a brand new new single! The single drops Monday, June 9th. Check here for more info:

http://soundcloud.com/bendalls-box
http://bendallsbox.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bendalls-Box/225063627528071
https://twitter.com/bendallsbox

5 Comments »

Aaah…!- Input:Output 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, Aaah..., minimal, minimal synth, uk on September 20, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Next up, thanks to a generous donation, we have the highly coveted second 7” by UK minimal synth project Aaah…!, released in 1984. Many may be familiar with the band via their debut 7”, posted over at Crispy Nuggets. You can also hear the band’s material at various DJ nights and clubs, especially those that focus on minimal/post-punk obscurities.

Here’s the info for this highly coveted gem:

Aaah…!- Input:Output 7”
1. Input:Output
2. Neon Nylon

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Sanity Plexus- Devil’s Deception 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1989, manchester, post-punk, Sanity Plexus, Sexus, uk on June 3, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Almost had a heart attack when my freshly mailed copy of this had sibilance issues. Fortunately, it was just a brief turntable malfunction, and I’m able to bring you this stellar debut from England’s Sanity Plexus.

The two-piece band hailed from Manchester, home of some of the best post-punk bands in the world, so you can expect some fruitful gems here. Aggressive drum machines (most running a similar, but effective program), incisive guitar work, yet solid, danceable rhythms. A real treat!

It seems the band earned quite the following during their tenure, which lasted for three LPs. The band grew poppier and less aggressive with each release, which culminated in a name change. Sexus, as the band would then be known, grew in popularity into the early 1990s with a more acid house sound, typical of England at the time. Sexus released two LPs before disbanding.

You can fill in a few more details by visiting the band’s site, which appears to be run by a member. You can also download the title track from the band’s second release, the Tough Guy Shell 12”. Without any further ado, here’s the info for this killer release.

Sanity Plexus- Devil’s Deception 12”
1. Top
2. Masculine Mask
3. Squalor
4. A Boy Can Get Scared
5. Stains
6. Service With a Smile

*download it here* (reuploaded @320kbps)

6 Comments »

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