Psychedelic Furs - Radio One Sessions 1997

No Intro needed..
Talk, Talk, Talk and Forever Now were monumental albums for me in my youth and these
sessions are just Brilliant!

Adrian Borland - The Lovefield Demos

Lots of requests for this one..

Here are the demos from the Lovefield sessions.
There is 1 additional track not available on this compilation, you an get that here .

Marilyn's Army - Puppet's Of a Broken Dream 7 " (Germany)

Sorry for being MIA for the past few months folks, had an incredibly busy summer with a new move and all the other lovely things life throws at you. But that all said.. I have a few new things to put up, the first being from an obscure band from Essen, Germany.

More info about them will be spread out over a few of my next posts, since I will be putting also up from them the very limited 'Golden Paradise'. Put out in 1989, The Puppet's of A Broken Dream 7" was limited to 507 copies, printed in 4 different colours or (I guess what was available at the copyshop) and each handfolded.
With tribal drumming and violins, Marilyn's Army proves to be some interesting goth fare .

You can also grab their full length Lp Golden Paradise here

Marilyn's Army at this time were :

*click to enlarge*

Puppet's of A Broken Dream 7"

Side A . Puppet's of A Broken Dream
Side B . Welcome to the Bitter Times

VA - Beyond The Horizon ..... An Homage to And Also The Trees

An ongoing project since 2002 showcasing vast genres, countries and wonderful interpretations of the works of these sublime post punk heroes. My favorite cover on this compilation and the reason why I seeked it out is for Arc Gotic's version of The Pear Tree. Having many similarities, they are able to capture the same decadence and atmosphere that AATT was known for. Many other excellent covers some by known bands and many unknown, below I have linked websites to the various band that are featured on this Compilation.

*Arc Gotic - The Pear Tree*

Beyond The Horizon - An hommage to And Also The Trees

Jerome Avril ( Mary Goes Round ) - Anchor Yard
Karsten Nielson - Another Bullet Head
Monica's Last Prayer - Brother Fear
The Bright Stairs - Brother Fear
Malcom Lowry - Dialogue
Prints - Gone..Like The Swallows
Le Chaos Entre 2 Chaises + Aube L - Jacobs Fleet
Frederic Troung - L'Unica Strada
Mindfields - Mermen of the Lea
De Volanges - Missing ( yeah this track is 10:49..listen to the whole thing it's brilliant )
Golden Apes - Red Valentino
Magnetfisch - Roulette
No It IS Opposition - Scarlet Arch
Vestfalia's Peace - Scythe & Spade
Cryptic Scenery - Sea Change
IMWI - Suffering The Stream
My Eternal Thief - Talk Without Words
Dark Orange - The House Of The Heart
Arc Gotic - The Pear Tree
The Rainfall Years - The Reply
The Pale Flowers- There was a Man Of Double Deed
Babel 17 - Twilight Pools

Sully - Bright Lights (Canada)

Canadian indie rock with dreampop undertones....

would really appeal to those who like LUSH and THE CRANES.




*Running Before The Start*

Sully - Bright Lights (2001)
Self - released

Point Taken
Inside From The Outside
This Town Called Crash
Half of Once
Running Before the Start
Inuim
Poosh 'm Up
Interlude
Ten Thumbs
Weakness
Weighting
Fidget
Touchin'

We Miss The Earth - A New Silent Era EP (USA)

A very impressive first EP.....

Heavily influenced by the Jesus and Mary Chain, The Sound and The Chameleons this new band out of Portland manages to fuse post punk and shoegaze together just wonderfully.

*Voices in the Dryer*

We Miss The Earth - A New Silent Era Ep (2007)
No- label

Life and Limb
Colossus
Kill Cupid
Voices In the Dryer
Reception
Cellmate in Heaven

***Buy the full length CD here that has 4 additional tracks on it. Available at This A Way Records, The Prids self-made label.

Siddal - The Pedestal (USA)

Mellow, Moody dream pop from Porthsmouth, Virgina off the wonderful Bedazzled label.

Siddal - The Pedestal (1995)
Bedazzled Records

Circus Fire
The Pedestal
Hiding Home
When The wolf Comes
Frozen Garden
Treasures Of Sleep
Leaving
Lighthouse Wreckage
Italiano
Fairbanks

Qua Dance- A Heart 7" & Toilets - An Unspoiled land 7" (The Netherlands)

Yet another helping of Dutch post punk from the Top Hole label

Qua Dance - A Heart 7" 1982
Top Hole Records

a1 A Heart
a2 Fallbreak

**May appeal to those who like Xmal Deutschland and Asmodi Bizarr


*A Heart*

A thumbs up for this great 7"



Toilets - An Unspoiled Land 7" 1981
Top Hole Records

a1 An Unspoiled Land
a2 Do The Gamelan

*An unspoiled Land*

...A Fuzzed Out Horror A Go-Go !

The Famous Monsters

Were based in New Orleans an was an all girl surf-oriented garage rock outfit that played around with 50's-era horror movie themes. Consisted of Devil Doll, ex bassist of White Zombie Sean Yseult, Vampire Girl, Katielynn Campbell of Nashville Pussy and She-Zilla. Kitschy and overly campy, In The Night is filled with B horror maddening tunes to shake your booty to!

Famous Monsters - In The Night CD (1999)
+Estrus Records +


Murder Beach U.S.A.
In the Night!
Lone Wolf Massacree
Destroy Puny Earthlings!
Bloody Mary
Haunting of Planet Earth
Hairy Eyeball
Outerspace Deathrace #13
Satan Sends a Rat!
Vampire Cosmonaut
Oil Monstre, Oui
F Is for Fiend
Clock Strikes 10 *Cheap Trick Cover*
International Monster Presentation
When I Grow Up**The Groovie Goolies theme*

The Legendary Golden Vampires were based in Berlin, Germany and released at least two 12"s and a four song ep. A few of their songs appeared on compilations in the late 80s. A cross between X and The Cramps with a fuzzed-out 60s rave-up.

The Legendary Golden Vampires - Creeping Poison 7" (1985)
+Exile Records+

Creeping Poison
Rebel woman

The Waterboys - December 12 " (1983)

Okay let me first start off by saying that The Waterboys really are a required taste and might not appeal to some of our readers, but for one thing I do know they were an amazing band and worth discovering. In only 5 years in the 80's they released four albums back-to-back that would put most mainstream bands to shame. The Waterboy's had this signature sound, a kind of 'New Wave wall of sound, where they believed MORE is definitely better` this style stretches the band's songs to great lengths with perfectly matched impassionate vocals and earnest lyrics, you can really see why they were Adrian Borlands favorite band.

The Waterboys - December 12"

+Ensign Records+

A1December
B1 The Three Day Man
B2 Red Army Blues

Will appeal to those who enjoy Felt and Into Paradise

Droserae (France)

This interesting young Band from France was recommended to me by a friend, while my partners and me were looking for Bands to book for ‘Schaedelweiss‘. Back then Zorch Factory Records had the first EP up, and I already was highly impressed by their sound. A couple of weeks ago my wife told me that Droserae finally released a second EP, again a free release on ZFR. This EP carries on the well defined Sound that was present on the first, but is also showing an evolution in their style.

Describing their style comes pretty easy, since it straight forward Post Punk at it’s best. (Of course with the twist of having the classic ‘French attitude’)

Droserae was formed in 2007 in Paris, their first EP was released in 2009 and the second in 2010. Of course they also got the (by now to be expected) playtime on some samplers. (Zoundbies, Smoke and Spotlight 5, etc)

My advice is to give this Band a try, after all it’s for free…. ;-)

EP1 – 2009 – Zorch Factory Records

EP2 – 2010 - Zorch Factory Records

+favorite track 'Metropolis'

The Visitor (Netherlands)

The Visitor were from the Frisian region of the Netherlands and existed from 1980-1988. They were apart of the Die Friese Bries scene (avantgarde wave bands) that was happening in that Region in the mid 80's as well as the emergence of Top Hole Records. Here are their first 2 releases which are a nice helping of dark, moody wave.

The Eye of Madness 7" (1981)
+Top Hole Records+

The Eye of Madness
Point Zero Nagasaki







Liquid and Crystalline EP (1983)
+Top Hole Records+

Liquid and Crystalline
The Happy Few
Spiral of Spiderlimbs
Tourist In the Third World
Silence is Soothing

The Witch Trials (1981)

In reference to my post I did about Adrian Borland I wanted to do this as a seperate post.
In 1980 Borland worked on two projects, Second layer which he did with future Sound bandmate Graham Bailey and then The Witch Trials. The Witch Trials was a one off thing he did with Jello Biafra ,East Bay Ray, Christian Lunch and Morgan Fisher which they managed to recorded in one 4 hour session at Morgan Fishers house in London.

Spoken word ..Improvisation ..Noise ..Chaos ..in other words very cool stuff!

The Witch Trials (1995 CD reissue)

+released on Alternative Tenticles+

Humanoids From the Deep
The Tazer
Trapped in The Playground
Meat Beat

In Memoriam - Adrian Borland

In the recent anniversary (April 26th) of the passing of one of my favorite and most respected musicians, Adrian Borland I decided to pull together a short span of his 20+ year career and the different bands he formed and participated in. Besides being a musician he was also a noted producer, who aided the likes of Felt, Dole, and Into Paradise .

* I highly recommend downloading these 3 bands *

Here are a few of my favorite albums throughout his career.

The Outsiders - Vital Years (1976-79)

This is where it all started.. a angry young Borland. Besides playing gigs at the infamous Roxy, they were the first noted UK punk band to release their own DIY album ' Calling All Youth' while everyone else was putting out 7".This is a collection of all of The Outsiders material, Vital years was released in 2000, but I'am uncertain of it's availability.

Second Layer - State of Emergency (1981)
Borland and other bandmate Graham Bailey's side projects while starting up The Sound. Dark, creepy and experimental and completely left field of what they went to do with The Sound but nevertheless very cool stuff. You can get the reissue of 'World Of Rubber' here.







The Sound - Korova Demos (80-81)
Since it is nearly impossible for me to pick a favorite Sound album I decided to put up the Korova tape demos from the earlier part of their career, If you haven't heard all of The Sound albums you are seriously missing out ! All the sound stuff at one time was all reissued on RENASCENT but because of liscensing issues they are no longer available to buy.








Honolulu Mountain Daffodils -
Guitars of the Oceanic Overgrowth(1987)

a lesser known project Borland worked on under the
alias of Joachim Pimento.










Adrian Borland & The Citizens - Alexandria (1989)
Not to long after the end of The Sound, Borland started a solo career with the Citizens as his back up band. A complete different direction musically, but throughout his solo career you can see how much he grew as a songwriter and musician, get all of the albums if you can.









Adrian Borland - Cinematic (1995)
Borland solo minus the Citizens, stylewise nothing like The Sound,but still a very strong and beautiful album.








White Rose Transmission (1995 - present)

Borland's collaboration with Carlos Van Putten (The Convent and Dead Guitars).






* I only decided to put up a few of my favorite albums,quite a few blogs have every album already on their blog but If anyone would like anything else from Second Layer, The Sound, and Adrian Borland's solo albums just comment below and leave a request. *

The Climb (Uk)

Before their were the Trashing Doves, there was The Climb.

Below are the two singles and demos that were recorded before their transitioning, and what a crazy transition that was(if you listen to TD you'll see what I mean). 'I Can't Forget' is a sentimentally sweet wave song,that really calls to mind New Order. The 12" and 7" versions of this song are different, the 12 " is an extended version and sightly better. What really stands out the most is the B-sides 'Only a Human', 'Your Hell' and 'Lower Class Of Heaven' are in a completely different style, lyrically and musically much more profound. They claimed they were listening to a hell of alot of Echo and The Bunnymen at the time and you definitely can tell.

They have one more 7" 'Poacher is as Poacher Does', which no one can find, but their is a demo version of it along with the other demos, which a few of them turned into Thrashing Dove songs. Regardless... still worth a listen.

The Climb

I Can't Forget 7" version (1981)
+Pinnacle Records +

A I Can't Forget
B Only A Human

I Can't Forget 12 " version (1981)
+Pinnacle Records +

A I Can't Forget (A Mother's Crime)
B Your Hell

Touch Me (Heaven) 7" (1982)
+Pinnacle Records +

A Touch Me (Heaven)
B Lower Class of Heaven


Demos

Away With Words
Dragonflies
Moses Beat
Poacher is as Poacher Does
The Final Bath
The Hobbledehoy
Tinderbox

Darkroom (Canada)

For this one we have to delve back, deep into my childhood and with that back to one of my big Idols and Heroes… Lumpi von Schlotterstein. Lumpi was one of the Characters in the TV show ‘The little Vampire’ (Or ‘Der kleine Vampier’ as we knew it in Germany). Lumpi was played by the Canadian Actor/Musician Jim Gray, who probably single handedly influenced more children then any other tv personality in Germany… every boy wanted to be like him, and every girl had a crush on him… well, at least that’s how I remember it. ;-)

But to get back to the subject, besides singing the title-song (Which you will find a bit further down) for the series, Jim Gray already was an established musician in Canada. He released two Albums with his Band ‘Darkroom’, ‘San Paku’ in 1983 and ‘A test of time’ in 1985. Both Albums are a bitch to find in Germany, and I only got my Hands on the first one because my wife found it and recognized Jim on the cover. (That’s what you get for marrying a german guy, you will have to watch strange but really cool TV for children. )
When you are listening to ‘San Paku’ you can clearly hear that this is an '80s band, not that there is anything wrong with it. There are a lot of comparable bands out there, so I will not even try to drop a name here, I highly suggest everybody listens to it and picks one for them self. But all in all it’s a decent Album and fun to listen to. Having this strong childhood connection to this man may influence my point of view here, but there is nothing wrong with a little bit of Hero Worship.

Jim Gray - They can See in the Dark

As a conclusion I can only say that it is a relief to have an alternative to ‘They can see in the dark’ to spin at parties… ;-)

San Paku 1983

In Dim Light 3:35
Leave It To Heaven 3:45
Tears Hold No Cure 3:45
Proven Guilty 3:32
It's Cold Out Here 3:44
San Paku 5:06
Don't Talk 3:30
Some Stories Never Change 5:23
Pressure 4:06

Bonus from EP:
Detective Man 3:22

And if you have never seen ‘The little Vampire’ you should really search for it, it’s an amazing show.
But be careful, it needs to be the Original German/Canadian co-production from 1985, there was another series and a movie later, and both are really bad… most likely because they don’t have Jim Gray playing Lumpi. ;-)

Voluptas Dolendi (Italy)

Here's another Italian obscurity for you all

Voluptas Dolendi were from Ancona, Italy and existed for a short 2 year run between '86-'88 and managed to release 2 demo tapes.
These guys are really all over the place... neo psychedelic deathrock with synths thrown in and almost teetering on the edge of experimental, nevertheless really interesting stuff.

Favorite Track'Inferno della Carne' full demo link below+

Voluptas Dolendi/Il Gioco Degli Dei demos (1986-87)
+self released+

Intro
Innocente
Ecco Perche
Sensazione
Voluptas Dolendi
Ghiaccio
In Isolamento
Inferno Della Carne
Innocente (acustica)
Metamorfosi
Urla
Uomini
Il Gioco Degli Dei
Shazzan

Kitchens Of Distinction - Strange Free World (uk)

BRILLIANT album from a brilliant Band.
Strange Free World is filled with impassioned vocals and lushy effects laden guitar that seems to sound like a mass of swirling guitars that reach for the heavens and crash like waves. Kitchens of Distinction always leaves me entranced, from the amazing opener 'Railwayed' to 'Quick as Rainbows, the bittersweet 'He Holds Her He Needs Her' and 'Drive that Fast' which I posted a video. Will appeal to those of you who enjoy The Cocteau Twins, Johnny Marr and The Chameleons more or less for the lushy guitar and wall of sound.
Kitchens Of Distinctions never got picked up by any major labels due to the fact of their openly gay lyrics and attacks on the then prime minister Thatcher. Really...stupid reasons if you ask me !

+Favorite track'he holds her he needs her' full album link below+

Strange Free World LP (1990)
+One Little Indian Records+

A1 Railwayed
A2 Quick as Rainbows
A3 Hypnogogie
A4 He Holds Her He Needs Her
A5 Polaroids

B2 Gorgeous Love
B2 Aspray
B3 Drive That Fast
B4Within The Daze Of Passion
B5 Under The Sky, Inside The Sea

*produced by Hugh Jones (Echo and The Bunnymen,Simple Minds, REM ) *

UPDATE : unfortunately this link has been requested to be deleted..sorry folks

Death In Venice (Italy)

Death in Venice was a goth, coldwave act from Venice, Italy. Its hard for me to do a write up about this band since what info I do find is in Italian. I've included some magazine scans for anyone who can translate them. Below is their entire discography I have made available, except the 7" version of Presence in Absence, I just think the 12" is better..it has the outstanding track 'Sex of the Angels' which I could listen to over and over again.

+favorite track'sex of the angels' full albums downloads below+

Death in Venice Discography


Deca Dance demo (1983)
+self released no label+

Lunar Shell
Black Flowers of Dance
Happy Birthday
Pre Existence
Insanus Driver

Presence in Absence 12" (1985)
+released on Contempo Records +

Pale Flesh
China Guru
Justine

Paroxismos 12 " (1986)
+released on Contempo Records+

The Sex of The Angels
Orgasm Guaranteed
Victims

Clan of Xymox Peel Sessions

Having mixed feelings as I do about this band and only being a fan of the earlier Clan stuff, I rarely revisit their material. But I will have to say these peel sessions have to be the best thing they ever recorded.

+Favorite track'STRANGER' full album link below+


Peel sessions CD (aired on) June 04 & November 3 1985
+ released on Strange Fruits (2003) + *OOP*

Stranger
Muscoviet Mosquito
Seventh Time
After The Call
Agonised By Love
Mesmerised

The Reegs - Chorus of The Lost 12" 1989

Just came back from holiday in London and stumbled across some interesting pieces of vinyl, which I'll post over the next few weeks. 1st one is this gorgeous 12" from ex Chameleons Dave Fielding and Reg Smithies' project, The Reegs.

The Reegs - Chorus Of The Lost 12 " 1989 + Released on Imaginary Records +

a1- Chorus Of the lost
b1- Pond Life
b2- Start To See


All their reissues can be found here
+ The Definitive Collection all their works on one CD, definitely worth purchasing+

Brotherhood Of Pagans- Tales Of Vampires FRANCE (1995)

Remember This One ?

If you do.. give it another listen, if not..... Du musst !
Brotherhood of Pagans were a gothrock act from France who rose out of the then fading Coldwave scene. Some catchy tracks on this lovely little album, and still enjoying them after these 13 years.

+ I'm still searching for their 2 demo tapes Flower of Oblivion and Inquisition Day..if anyone has these I'd love a copy +

**you can get the demos over at Fritz die Spinne blog ..Thanks for posting those Fritz

+favorite track'WARSHOW' full album link below+


Brotherhood of Pagans- Tales of Vampires (1995)

The Gathering
Don't Fall
Warshow
Resurrection
Black Art
Sinner comes to Bits
Halloween
Rooms
Guilty
God Damn My Soul

Ministry - Same Old Madness (198?)

... Al Jourgensen you sexy beast ! What the hell happened ? You use to be so cool ! Okay here's a little gem from back when Ministry was actually ..ummm interesting!? Nevertheless I enjoy the heck out of this track.

Here's the download for 'Same Old Madness' +unreleased track+

Crimson Muddle (France)

Again I have to start a blog with stating the fact that it is pretty hard to describe the Music from a band I’m writing about. (Looks like this will become a habbit) But in this case it’s actually hard to pinpoint anything to compare Crimson Muddle with. Of course there are rather obvious inspirations from the whole of the French Cold-Wave, I especially can understand a comparison to Martin Dupont. Beside that their influences seem to be all over the place (and I mean that in the most positive way possible), all in all they just put together their own very unique Sound. They are one of this Bands were every song can sound completely different then the next, but still uniquely Crimson Muddle.


Crimson Muddle was long in the making, Hellebore first started to work on the Idea of this Band back in 2003, after a little detour with Deadchovsky she gave Crimson Muddle more of a shape in 2008. It took a bit longer and playing around with the Band Members till the Band settled and then consisted of Hellebore, Annie Dog and Abesada. These three Girls and their various instruments (keyboard, violin, xylophone and bass, to just mention a few) soon got a cult following in and outside of Paris and all over Europe soon after. Some of their early tracks were released on samplers and they put out one EP on Zorch Factory Records. And with this we finally come to the point of this post…

I highly recommend everybody to give this EP a listen, even if it’s only for their amazing cover of Joy Division’s Closer. This EP gives a general overview about the Band and how they worked many different styles into their Music. But you will not be able to fully experience Crimson Muddle as long as you haven’t seen them live. This is where their Music really goes to another level.
Their first Album is due to come out this Month (Manic Depression Records), so if you like the EP go and get the Album as soon as it is out.


+Favorite track'A MEANS TO AN END'+

Get the EP here!