Archive for the uk Category

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Venus In Furs- Platonic Love & Other Stories LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1990s, electronic, post-punk, times, uk, venus in furs on September 15, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Not much more info I can give today, but as promised, here’s the first official LP by UK electronic/post-punk band Venus In Furs (released in 1984). Managed to acquire the rest of the band’s discography, but am missing *one* track from Soft Life. Speak up if you’ve got it. Otherwise, on to the music:

Venus in Furs- Platonic Love & Other Stories
1. Fallen Statues
2. That First Wild Kiss
3. Majordomo
4. Entracte/Zurich 1924
5. His Master’s Voice
6. Platonic Love
7. Waltz Of The Venus De Milo
8. Achilles Brain
9. Snowscape
10. The Challenge

*download it here*

12 Comments »

Venus In Furs- Strip MLP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1990s, electronic, post-punk, times, uk, venus in furs on September 12, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Fulfilling another request from down under. No, this isn’t the Velvet Underground song, the Sacher-Masoch novel, nor is it the fictional glam band from Velvet Goldmine (a lot of posh material discussed in this sentence), but instead this Venus In Furs was a cult favorite post-punk/electronic act from the UK that existed from 1983-the early 1990s.

The band formed in Sussex in the early 1980s, pairing down from a four piece to a duo before cutting any proper material. Over the course of six years, the band released six albums, one mini LP, and a series of 12” and 7” singles, all of which are extremely sought after. Little else is known about the band, or there current whereabouts, but one of the members was also doing double duty in a band called Times during this period.

Though this is their second release, I’ve uploaded 1985’s Strip mini-LP to kick things off. I’ve got most of their earlier catalog, aside from singles, Megalomania (1989), and their final recordings, so if anyone’s interested, I can upload the remaining three records I have over the course of next week. Otherwise, here’s the information for Strip:

Venus In Furs- Strip Mini-LP
1. All Night Party
2. Sultan
3. In My Velvet Cage
4. Rayogram IV
5. Concerning Status
6. The Debutante
7. O Sweetheart Libido
8. Rayogram VI

*download it here*

It seems as if the entire Venus In Furs catalog has been re-released on compact disc via Movement Recordings in the UK. The reissues come complete with full album artwork and a few of the 12” singles tacked on for good measure. Otherwise, I do believe these are CD-R burned copies otherwise, recorded onto burned discs from the original master tapes. If I come across a wad of cash, I’ll be picking up the entire lot, if they’re still available. I recommend you kids do the same! Click the link below to be taken to the order page:

Movement Recordings Order Form

16 Comments »

Mass- Labour of Love CD

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 4ad, mass, post-punk, rema-rema, uk, wolfgang press on September 9, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for yet another delay, folks. Things will be sporadic for a little while longer, but I have two uploads today. The first continues the 4AD tradition, featuring Mass’ lone LP, 1981’s Labour of Love.

Mass formed in 1980, in the wake of like-minded outfit Rema-Rema’s demise. 3/4 of the experimental/post-punk outfit continued on as Mass, along with Danny Briottet. One single appeared before the record, which is attached to the end of the CD release uploaded below.

Mass’ sound continued the thick and abrasive path Rema-Rema laid out before…These tracks are moody, dark, and heavy. This trend would continue upon Mass’ quick demise, as after Labour of Love‘s release, members Mick Allen, and Mark Cox formed the Wolfgang Press, who were active throughout the rest of the 1980s and early 1990s. Meanwhile, remaining Mass members Gary Asquith and Danny Briottet went on to form Renegade Soundwave.

Without any further adieu, here’s the information for Labour of Love, complete with the CD release artwork + bonus 7” tracks:

Mass- Labour of Love CD
1. Mass
2. Why
3. Ill
4. Why
5. Isn’t Life Nice
6. Elephant Talk
7. F.A.H.T.C.F.
8. Cross Purposes
9. Innocence
10. You And I
11. Cabbage

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – Mass discography reissued in 2011 by Desire.

Though the CD copy of this record has been out of print for years…4AD’s webpage does offer a digital copy of the record here, if you’re in the UK or are keen on the current exchange rate. Be sure to nab it if you love it!

4 Comments »

The Happy Family- The Man On Your Street CD

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 4ad, brel, josef k, literary references, momus, the happy family, uk on August 26, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

For my second post today, I’ll be tackling the first of a handful of requests for early 4AD material. I may have posted some of the upcoming releases in the past, but consider this an attempt to start phasing out some of the old divshare links in general. I may update old posts, or do fresh ones with full records in due time, so stay tuned.

Otherwise, this one’s a fresh post on The Happy Family, a UK based quirky pop/post-punk outfit formed in 1981. The band rose from the ashes of local band Josef K, and released both a three-track single and one full-length record in 1982 on 4AD records, landing the deal after a few support slots with the Cure. These remained their two official releases, though ten demos for an unreleased second album surfaced in 1985 as The Business Of Living.

The band’s sound is very different than the material 4AD was releasing at the time… Instead of budding ethereal or doom-ridden post-punk, the Happy Family had more in common with Brel-esque pop, tossing in several literary sensibilities.

Soon after the Happy Family disbanded, lead vocalist Nick Currie finished his schooling, and subsequently whipped up a solo career under the moniker Momus, who eventually signed with Creation Records. Momus is still active to this day…

The Man On Your Street was re-released on disc in 1992, tacking on the Puritans 7” at the end of the record:

The Happy Family- The Man On Your Street CD
1. The Salesman
2. Letter From Hall
3. The Luckiest Citizen
4. Revenge!
5. The Courier
6. The Man On Your Street
7. A Night Underground
8. Two Of A Kind
9. March In Turin
10. Puritans
11. Innermost Thoughts
12. The Mistake

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Family Fodder- Monkey Banana Kitchen LP

Posted in 1980, 1980s, art-punk, british, family fodder, synthpunk, uk on August 14, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a fun little gem for you folks today… Below lies the first album by Family Fodder, an idiosyncratic London-based synth band active from 1979-1983 (though they officially formed in 1975). The four piece act consisted of Media Fodder and her three brothers Tod, Rod, and God, obviously a clever lot of pseudonyms, as their discogs.com page reveals a sizeable lot of collaborative members, far more than four, with Alig Pearce being the only consistant member.

Family Fodder released two full lengths and several quirky 7” singles to a sizable cult following. Their fellowship with experimental post-punk act This Heat also helped bring the band to a bit of underground prominence.

Their music was generally playful, a hint of dub and reggae mixed with absurd, blissful pop, with synthpunk and sometimes experimental instrumentation. Most of the lyrics were also sung in French, courtesy of original vocalist Dominique Levillain, a combination rumored to be of some significant influence over Stereolab. Over the years, the band reformed several times over, recording and releasing sporadically since their initial demise in 1983. A handful of greatest hits collections have also appeared over the years, attempting to collect the band’s initial singles and best moments.

I’ve uploaded their first proper LP, 1980’s Monkey Banana Kitchen, which features ‘Savior Faire,’ an infectious little tune I can’t get enough of these days. Here’s the details and download information for the LP:

Family Fodder- Monkey Banana Kitchen LP
1. Darling
2. Symbols
3. Savoir Faire
4. Cold Wars
5. Monkey
6. Wrong
7. Organ Grinder
8. Love Song
9. Bass Adds Bass
10. Philosophy
11. Cerf Volant
12. Banana

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – reissued in 2014 on LP and CD!

The only in-print Family Fodder disc seems to be one of the more recent compilations, a 42 track anthology that seems to include several of the band’s hits, including alternate versions and more recent recordings. A definite must-have for fans of the band! Here’s a link to purchase the collection, entitled More Great Hits!

purchase More Great Hits! via amazon.com:

Seems to be a myspace page available as well…Is it official? I can’t tell you at the moment due to work-related securities, but take a peek and decide for yourselves:

Family Fodder on myspace.com

4 Comments »

Aerial FX- Watching the Dance LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, aerial fx, british, new wave, post-punk, synth, uk on August 7, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Another request from down under, ladies and gentlemen…This time for UK post-punk/synth act Aerial FX, and their lone full-length, 1982’s Watching the Dance.

There’s little proper information to be found about Aerial FX, who has only three other 7” releases; 1980’s So Hard 1981’s Take It From Here, and 1982’s Instant Feelings. Seems that they split soon after releasing this full-length. The only solid information I can dig up mentions their involvement with Radiohead, arguably the biggest band in the world these days. Members Chris Hufford and Bryce Edge caught wind of the band through various demo tapes, liked what they heard, and got in touch. They still manage Radiohead to this day…

That said, it’s a shame their own outfit didn’t turn more heads during their tenure…Without any further ado, here’s the details for Watching the Dance:

Aerial FX- Watching the Dance LP
1. Out Of The Window
2. Who Is Down There
3. Hold Me
4. 5.15
5. Instant Feeling
6. Servitors
7. Accident
8. Where Is Tomorrow

*download link removed* – Reissue now available at Radiation Records silver and black.

10 Comments »

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

12 Comments »

Schleimer K- Fugitive Kind 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1982, experimental, minimal, minimal synth, schleimer k, uk on July 25, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for the delay folks, haven’t had much time to catch my breath. To make up for the lack of posts this week, I’m tossing up two separate entries throughout the course of today. The first is another request from down under, and it’s for both the s/t Schleimer K record and their very first 12” release.

Schleimer K were a four piece UK based experimental synth band who existed from 1981-1983. During their two year tenure, the more studio oriented band put out three releases and one split 7” with Die Partei. You can nab 1983’s Wounded Wood, their final LP, up on Phoenix Hairpins. Otherwise, here’s the info for their first two releases:

Schleimer K- Schleimer K LP (1981)
1. Cold Sounds
2. Crime
3. Come To Me
4. Short Cuts
5. On The Road Again
6. Wolf
7. The Message
8. Bed Of Roses
9. Women
10. Hang-Ups
11. Nevermore

Schleimer K- Fugitive Kind 12” (1982)
1. Fugitive Kind
2. Third Rate Man
3. She’s Gone
4. Broken Vein

*download it here*

I’ve just reuploaded the 12”, as the S/T (and Wounded Wood) are now available via iTunes. You know what to do, folks!

4 Comments »

Shoc Corridor- Train of Events LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, british, darkwave, minimal, shoc corridor, synth, uk on July 21, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

While scouring the local record bins this past week, I came across the final Shoc Corridor LP tucked away in the ‘new arrivals’ section. Naturally, I clutched it tight and brought it to the register, and am pleased to be able to share it with you after giving it the digital transfer treatment.

See last week’s post for the band’s first LP. This one is a different creature…The same template is retained, yet the sound is infinitely brighter and less gloom-ridden, a rather incredible progression in just two years time. I do like this record less than their debut, but there are some gems hidden on this one, especially during the latter half of the record.

Without any further ado…

Shoc Corridor- Train of Events LP
1. Garden Of Eden
2. The Legendary Gertie
3. My Secret In The East
4. Nightshift Moves
5. Holding Treasure
6. Green Silence
7. Almost In Walking Distance
8. Fever

*download it here* (Re-ripped 8.13.17)

12 Comments »

Inca Babies- Evil Hour

Posted in 1980s, 1987, blues, deathrock, inca babies, manchester, post-punk, uk on June 4, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s something a little more explosive and guitar oriented than the usual fare. Today’s post features UK post-punk act Inca Babies, who formed between 1982-83 in the industrialized neighborhoods of Manchester. The band took several cues from the likes of the Birthday Party, the Cramps, and the Gun Club, influences which the Inca Babies proudly wear on their sleeve.

As the UK music scene shifted away from the initial wave of post-punkers into a more synth based dance direction (especially in Manchester with the rise of New Order and the Happy Mondays), the Inca Babies soldiered on for four years total, releasing four records and several 12” singles and EPs. The band split in 1987, and in 2006, a collection of favorites hand picked by the band was released on Cherry Red Records.

Uploaded below is their final LP Evil Hour, released in January of 1987, a few months before the band split. The details:

Inca Babies- Evil Hour
1. Evil Hour
2. Long Uphill Trek
3. Partisans River
4. A Madmans Demise
5. Bad Hombre
6. Artillery Switchback
7. Two Rails To Nowhere
8. Volts
9. Burning Town
10. Young Blood

*download it here*

For more info on Inca Babies, including an official discography and an image gallery, click below. Also linked below is a link to purchase the band’s retrospective, Plutonium via Cherry Red Records.

Inca Babies homepage
Cherry Red

4 Comments »

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