Black September- Rainbow Kiss 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, goth, indie, post-punk, uk on February 22, 2019 by Frankie Teardrop

Let’s get some guitars into the mix, shall we? Here’s a relatively cheap, but nonetheless obscure single from UK band Black September, who released this one slab of wax in 1986 via Lost Moment Records (Jesus Couldn’t Drum, Skin Side Out, B-Z Party, etc.).

The band were a four piece, led by Ian Hunter. While most folks might recognize the name from Mott the Hoople, though I’m not familiar enough with their catalog to confirm if this is indeed the same Ian Hunter, or someone with the same name. Otherwise, the music sounds suspiciously close to Death Cult, with a slightly more indie/commercial vibe. Other touchstones might include early Gene Loves Jezebel, Zero Le Creche, or Into a Circle – slightly anthemic, guitar-driven tracks with sweeping synths, through and through. I tend to prefer the b-side, but both tracks aim to please.

As of now, the single is a couple of bucks through the usual channels, so if you dig it, it’s well worth picking up!

Black September- Rainbow Kiss 12”
1. Rainbow Kiss
2. David

*download it here*

 

2 Comments »

The Sophist- Subliminal Control LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, US on February 6, 2019 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve had this LP kicking around for ages, but never really thought much about it. One of my recent great purges had me reconsidering this record, and after careful consideration, I’m all in. Here we have a private press, gonzo minimal synth record from 1987, the lone album by an otherwise mysterious project from the NY/NJ area. There’s a tape edition of this album, as well as a single-sided flexi 7” of the title track, which in itself is worth the price of admission alone.

There are quite a few experimental pieces in play here, dark ambient passages mixed with short industrial landscapes, and a long, evolving piece that fills out side B. As mentioned though, minimal synth heads will love the title track, a furious 18-minute KR-55 workout that starts with gusto, begins to wear out its welcome, and by the time it finishes, comes back around again and commands the utmost respect. It’s one helluva ride.

With all that in mind, here’s the rundown:

The Sophist- Subliminal Control LP
1. Attention All People
2. Subliminal Control
3. Baby
4. Eternal Performance

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Tableau Noir- Correspondances LP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, coldwave, france, french, minimal synth, tableau noir on January 15, 2019 by Frankie Teardrop

Happy new year, everyone!

I’d like to kick off 2019 with a record that just arrived in my mailbox just yesterday. This LP is a curious French obscurity from 1986, centered around the works of Charles Baudelaire. Each song on this LP pulls the title, lyrics, and inspiration from Baudelaire’s classic Les Fleurs Du Mal. The music is set to a minimal backdrop; cold synths, dry drum machines, angular guitars, and a mix of both male and female vocals across the board, often sung and sometimes spoken. It’s not as dark as you might suspect, given the subject matter, but there’s definitely plenty to love here, especially for fans of bands like Marquis De Sade, early Martin Dupont, Taxi Girl, etc. I’m especially fond of “Sed Non Satiata,” which I could easily imagine hearing in a club setting.

Since there isn’t too much more to tell about this LP, let’s jump straight to the details. Enjoy!

Tableau Noir- Correspondances LP
1. Correspondances
2. Le Voyage
3. Le Reniement de St Pierre
4. Lesbos
5. L’Albatros
6. Sed Non Satiata
7. La Mort des Amants
8. Le Serpent Qui Danse
9. Les Bijoux

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Various Artists- Woke Up Smiling & Kindred Spirits CDs

Posted in 1990s, 1994, 1995, dreampop, ethereal, shoegaze on December 19, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

For the last post of the year, I’d love to share two excellent CD-only collections of exclusive dream pop, ethereal, and shoegaze tracks from Bedazzled, released in 1994 and 1995, respectfully. I can’t help but get nostalgic during this time of year, and listening to these comps make me miss Bedazzled and the centralized US/Canadian dream pop scene that thrived in the late 80s and early 90s.

With that in mind, these compilations showcase the majority of the acts on the label, and include rare or otherwise exclusive tracks across the board. Most notable are repeat SOR-offenders An April March, as well as tracks from Mistle Thrush, Viola Peacock, Underflowers, The Curtain Society, Ultracherry Violet, This Ascension, and of course, Monica Richard’s pre-Faith and the Muse project Strange Boutique. Kindred Spirits extends a little further past the immediate Bedazzled family and includes tracks from Switchblade Symphony, Purple Ivy Shadows, and extremely underrated band The Garden, who are worth price of admission alone.

Of course, let’s get to the listening! Thanks for an excellent year, y’all!

Various Artists- Kindred Spirits CD (1994)
1. This Charm- Strange Boutique
2. Clown- Switchblade Symphony
3. Adrenaline- The Curtain Society
4. Pontus- Siddal
5. Falling in Love- Ultracherry Violet
6. Whispers- Mistle Thrush
7. Pocketful (Remix)- Big Hat
8. As I Hit the Floor- Twelve Tone Failure
9. Shave Your Head- Viola Peacock
10. Blackwell Road- Opium Den
11. Admire- This Ascension
12. Blithe Spirit- The Garden
13. Carry Nation for the First Time- Purple Ivy Shadows

Various Artists- Woke Up Smiling CD (1995)
1. She Is A Flower- Mistle Thrush
2. Cradle- The Curtain Society
3. In The Lonely Trees- Strange Boutique
4. Sense Of Skin- Where I Wake Warm
5. An Angel A Week- Viola Peacock
6. In Galleons Lap- Feast Of Saints
7. As Far As Forever- Johanna’s House Of Glamour
8. Shindo- Chainsuck
9. Wayve- Ultracherry Violet
10. Halo- Blueshift Signal
11. A Glendale Melody- Siddal
12. Delirium- An April March
13. Psalm To The Sun- Underflowers
14. Falling- Lanterna

*download both here*

8 Comments »

Fourwaycross- Fourwaycross K7

Posted in 1980s, 1985, california, fourwaycross, post-punk, US on December 4, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

Picking back up where our last post left off, here’s an album that’s been near and dear to my heart for many moons, hailing from the same general area and scene as Drowning Pool, Abecedarians, etc. While there seems to be a lot of activity in the area, there doesn’t seem to be as much love out there for Fourwaycross, who began in 1984 in Los Angeles. Though the main core of the band was Tom Dolan, Biff Sanders, Steve Gerdes and Courtney Davies, the band has shifted lineups and styles seamlessly over the years, most notably drafting Brad Laner and Beth Thompson, who would then go on to form Medicine upon the band’s demise.

Despite the lineup changes, the original core of the band offered up what is in my opinion, their strongest work, 1985’s self-titled cassette. The release is haunting, singular, and transcends genres to allow for neo-classical passages, Savage Republic-esque tribal post-punk, ethereal instrumentals with flutes in tow, and psychedelic, haunting folk. The cassette was reissued several times over in a variety of formats, including a vinyl pressing (affordable and essential), cassettes with alternate artwork, and even a CD-R issue in 2011 as interest in post-punk music was thriving. That said, this rip comes from an original cassette from 1985, in pristine condition.

This is the band’s earliest material, not counting a posthumous release of outtakes, demos, and rare tracks on Independent Project Records, released as Pendulum. The band would issue three equally strong albums following this debut, and have released a handful of excellent singles in the last year featuring the original core lineup. You can listen and purchase the new work via the band’s Bandcamp, and you can also find them all on Facebook. Courtney and Steve have also launched a new project called The Roogs, who are currently working on material.

Without any further ado, here’s the info on this cassette:

Fourwaycross- Fourwaycross K7
1. Intro
2. When Will You
3. Apologize
4. Sharpened Knives
5. Long Talk
6. Driving Thru Trees
7. MF
8. Strictly Morphine

*download it here*

1 Comment »

Drowning Pool- Satori LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, drowning pool, los angeles, post-punk, US on November 5, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

Are y’all down with the sickness?

If so, this one is a request for the 1987 comp. from Drowning Pool, the nu metal bandthe post-punk band from Los Angeles, California. The band were also featured on the Ultraviolet compilation I posted last time around, so the name should certainly sound familiar… You may also recognize the band via their debut single under the name Landscape of Sound, which has also been featured here previously.

This particular double LP is a compilation of sorts, collecting a series of rare tracks alongside centerpieces from their four major LPs. This LP may have been shared in the past, but certainly at a low bitrate according to all sources I could find. As such, it’s an excellent introduction point AND a solid record to fill in the gaps, even if you have their other LPs in your collection. This record was released in 1987 via Nate Starkman and Son, an offshoot of Independent Project Records. It’s actually some small mystery they weren’t officially on IPR, as the sound and style and location all line up. They would have certainly been a welcome addition to the roster.

For those unfamiliar with Drowning Pool, there’s lots to love here across the post-punk spectrum. On paper, the band come off like a much more sinister and experimental take on Dead Can Dance, with tribal passages and ethereal soundscapes nestled among pure post-punk fury and avant-ghetto chaos. I’m also reminded of In the Nursery’s earlier, more primitive records. Of course, apt comparisons could also be made to local scene bands Autumnfair and Savage Republic, as the band no doubt ran in similar circles.

Soon after this LP was released, Drowning Pool changed their name to Mumbles and released one LP before disbanding. If you like what you hear here, you’d do well to seek out the band’s LPs, which are all rather affordable and all worth pouring over in great detail. For those who like to check on these things, the band keep an active social media presence, so you can check in on them for some old photos, details, stories, and more. Otherwise, here’s all the info:

Drowning Pool- Satori LP
1. Petit Malfacteur
2. Ritual Regeneration/Toy Soldiers*
3. Ruts
4. Nierika
5. Festival Of Healing
6. Fired From Within
7. Uncork The Mind
8. Game Room
9. You Are My Rescue
10. Weaving Petals
11. Muted Streak
12. Master Bebra
13. Ghirlandaio’s Apprentice/Macaulay Call*

*ripped as one track

*download it here*

—–

Also seems fitting to post a band from LA, as I’ll be landing there tomorrow to kick off a tour with Public Memory, who I’m playing synths with these days. Perhaps we’ll cross paths? Check here for full list of west coast dates, and come say hi if you’re in town!

3 Comments »

Various Artists- Ultraviolet LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, abecedarians, california, post-punk, US on October 15, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

Fresh off the needle, here’s an updated rip of a favorite US post-punk compilation from ’89, released on Sketch Records. Ultraviolet collects nine tracks of California-based post-punk and new wave tracks, several of the bands who were seldom heard from again. The first two bands are likely the most well-known of the lot, as both Abecedarians and Drowning Pool (not the nu metal band of the same name, mind you) have respectable cult followings. Abecedarians of course, have been covered here before a handful of times (and have their debut 12” release on Factory Records), and Drowning Pool’s body of work is incredibly enjoyable, in line with many of the other bands from the time period (Red Temple Spirits, Savage Republic, etc.).

The most notable standout, and one of the best reasons to own this compilation is for the track “Eleven Is Waiting” by Homeland. Not only is the song an absolute corker, an five-minute post-punk workout with haunting melodies, a chorus-drenched bass line, flutes, and a tempo that changes tempos near its close, it’s also a curious footnote to the Brian Jonestown Massacre story, as Homeland was singer Anton Newcombe’s first project. The band released one excellent demo cassette in 1989, which has since been reissued on CD-r, as has a slew of unreleased work including additional demos and live tracks, all of which likely exist due to the Brian Jonestown Massacre’s indie success over the years.

That all said, here’s the good stuff:

Various Artists- Ultraviolet
1. Laugh At Yourself (Live)- Abecedarians
2. Edith, Hold Out Your Hand- Drowning Pool
3. In Their Eyes- 3D Picnic
4. During Moss- X-1 Whiteman
5. Blue Roses- Electric-Cool-Aide
6. Green Gel- Blue Death Ride ’69
7. Eleven Is Waiting- Homeland
8. Tundra- Man From Missouri
9. Sesso Fantasma- Prison of Socrates

*download it here*

2 Comments »

The Enter- Whole New World 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, the enter on September 7, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

Before we even get started, I’d like to thank Rich Benton for contacting me out of the blue on my Facebook page to send me these tracks. Rich was the synth player in The Enter, who you may recall had a one-off track on the excellent Young Blood compilation, the gloomy “The Contract.” While this single was never released, Rich informs me that these two tracks were recorded midway through their four year run and then subsequently pressed to a white label 7”, which never was released to the public. The tracks were recorded in 1985 at Slaughter House Studios in Driffield UK.

Rich also filled in a few more gaps about the band, otherwise a three-piece based around vocalist Paul Smith. Drummer Danny King (who has since passed away) also performed and helped with the programming, and as Rich claims, was “the only real musician in the band.” Of course, we all know that these things don’t matter much in the DIY-minimal synth world, as The Enter definitely tapped into something special. These two tracks aren’t as gloomy as “The Contract” but are definitely equally enjoyable – a bit more polished and poppy for all lovers of obscure new wave.

As you might have guessed – a white label single means no artwork, so you’ll have to use your imagination for this one. Otherwise, here are the tracks:

The Enter- Whole New World 7”
1. Whole New World
2. To Go (All the Way)

*download it here*

Thanks again Rich, and happy Friday, all!

7 Comments »

Dead Neighbours- Strangedays : Strangeways LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, dead neighbours, goth, goth-rock, lowlife, post-punk on August 30, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

 

Here’s a fresh rip of a forever classic, hot off the needle to soothe your end-of-summer anxiety. Here we have the second (and final) LP by Scotland’s Dead Neighbours, released in 1985 and featuring eight tracks of driving post-punk bliss.

For those unfamiliar, Dead Neighbours began as a Cramps-inspired psychobilly band, featuring the powerful baritone vocals of Craig Lorentson (RIP) at the forefront of their sound. The band was managed by Brian Guthrie, brother of Cocteau Twins guitarist Robin Guthrie, who helped develop the band’s cult following.

During the recording of their second LP, bassist David Steele departed the band, and the Guthries encouraged Will Heggie to join to complete the record. Heggie, freshly departed from the Cocteau Twins after a tumultuous tour supporting Garlands, was happy to oblige, and completed the record and stayed on to work on new material. Heggie’s incredibly charismatic playing instantly changed the dynamic of the band, and after swapping guitarists for Stuart Everest, the band decided to rechristen themselves as Lowlife, who would go on to release five highly acclaimed albums and a handful of EPs until their breakup in the mid-90s.

With that in mind, the shift in sound is already present on this LP, a clear shade of difference from their 1984 debut Harmony In Hell. Heggie’s energy can already be felt, and the songs appear harder, faster, and stronger, despite shirking much of their psychobilly roots. There’s still a little of that sound present, but just enough to keep things interesting. Lyrically, the album is very focused on mental illness and suicide, especially apparent on opening track “Wreckage of Your Mind” and the final track. Also worthy of note: closing track “The Cowards Way” [sic] was re-recorded by Lowlife and a more lush, dreamier version kicks off their 1986 debut record Permanent Sleep.

If you HAVE heard this one before, hope you enjoy a fresh 320kbps rip of this classic. I don’t happen to have their first album Harmony In Hell NOR the 1985 compilation Wild Women Vs Rubber Fish! in my collection to provide new rips, but hope this one satiates your ears for now. Either way, feel free to pull this down and crank it loud!

Dead Neighbours- Strangedays : Strangeways LP
1. Wreckage Of Your Mind
2. Turmoil
3. Terror Eyes
4. The Survivor
5. The Ultimate Goal
6. Beauty and the Beast
7. Tell Me Why
8. The Cowards Way

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Somewhere A Voice- Love, Logic + Ego LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, post-punk on August 29, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s an excellent UK DIY post-punk gem from 1982, well within the golden era of bands with this sort of sound. Somewhere A Voice were based in London and existed for two short years, with just this album and an appearance on Compilation 1 to show for their time together. The band were primarily a three piece, as their original drummer left before recording the LP and was subsequently replaced with a session musician. According to a rather lengthy discogs bio, the melodic interplay on the record is a byproduct of the band’s relative inexperience, with Hillary Dron’s basslines often mimicking the vocals while the synth provides alternate leads. Dron also handled the artwork for the LP.

That all said, this LP is a great listen from front to back, chock full of Factory-minded post-punk, complete with skirty rhythms, icy synths, and the occasional sax. The closest touchstone for me is the equally obscure Phones debut Two Hearts, Two Heads, but this LP is a bit quicker on the tempo overall. Perhaps a kinder, gentler Swell Maps?

Either way, hope y’all enjoy!

Somewhere a Voice- Love, Logic + Ego LP
1. Snakebite
2. Shalott
3. Maze
4. Conscience
5. Hanged Man
6. Lowlands
7. Bitter Sweet
8. Face On A Wall
9. His Decade
10. Another World

*download it here*

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