Post Punk in Italy

My offering for you today is a series of fantastic comps compiled by a very good friend of mine for us here at Nightmares on Wax, where their prime focus is mostly on many key elemental bands of the Italian punk, post punk, dark wave and goth scenes. The first part of this series showcase some of the more cult bands of the Italian Post punk scene and of coarse some delightful obscurities thrown in for good measure

Without getting too much into various historical facts and other tediums, the Italian post punk scene mostly started making a bigger headway around 1979, with many of the first eminent bands appearing in Bologna and Pordenone. When finally the musical scene came into full force, Florence then became  the capital of the Italian post punk and wave movement and produced cult bands such as Diaframma and Litfiba in which I'll explain a little bit more about these two bands below.

                                                                   
Diaframma

Is probably one of the most notable and famous Italian bands of this era. With an initial start in '79 under the strong and constant direction of Federico Fiumani, the one constant member of Diaframma. They had various vocalist changes over their career as a band but first started out with Nicola Vannini as frontman. Which during this time drew in a bit of a cult following becoming known as something of an 'Italian Joy Division'. Then switched over to Nick Vannini as the new frontman, giving Diaframma even more of a darker sound and presence. In 1984 for the album Siberia yet another new front man (Miro Sassolini) would take over changing yet again the entire presence of the band, but this time around changing from being a bi-lingual lyrical band to just their pure Italian roots...thus beginning the real era of Diaframma. Siberia is probably considered one of the best Italian post punk albums and a fundamental for the whole Italian rock movement because from this particular album  numerous Italian bands would state as a key inspiration.

                                                                          
 Litfiba

Starting out in the earlier part of the 80's, Litfiba was equally important and responsible for bringing the Italian language to post punk music just as Diaframma was. They also are considered one of the most famous Italian bands in Europe and toured quite frequently throughout various parts of the continent. Their style is a very traditional type of post-punk with synthpop elements which is probably presented best in their 'Luna La Preda' 7''. They also would occasionally explore more experimental realms with such songs as 'Eneide di Krypton'. Nearing the end of the 80's though they still were together producing music but changed to more of an alternative rock and pop rock band.

                                                               
  Underground Life

During the latter part of the 70's various other cult bands were beginning to form in Italy, especially one worth mentioning from Monza, a city which was not too far from Milan called Underground Life. In '79 they released their first 7"  'Noncurance / Black Out' which managed to make it's way into the Rough Trade store front, being displayed and sold as 'Italian punk rock '. 

Their style and sound changed quite often during their time together as a band,  in which they experimented quite often with different elements of post punk, synthpop, minimal wave and new wave and incorporated each bit together into very stark and bleak ballads
....' punk rock ' indeed.

                                                                     
 Dirty Actions  

One of the first post punk bands from Genova that like so many other great bands, only lasted a very short period.Their sound is utterly infectious and does get you moving, especially on such tracks as 'Bandana Boys'... filled with moveable dub beats, twangy guitars and chaotic synth melodies.

                                                                       
 Gaznevada

Originally from Bologna, they formed sometime in '77making them probably one of the first real post punk bands in Italy. Don't quote me on that one though. Their sound was a mix of elementary post punk and no wave weirdness, which resulted in a frenetic and dirty sounding post punk. 

Later on they would become more of an Italo Disco group and just broke the initial band name to Gaz Nevada.

So enjoy the comp below and let us know what you think ..

Italian Post Punk Compilation vol 1.

Dark Tales - 1984
Dirty Actions - Bandana Boys
Gaznevada - Blue Tv Set
Dissolutio Humani Generis - Psico
Definitive Gaze - The Wire Blaze
Diskanto - Trafficanti
Vox Rei - Fear
Litfiba - La preda
Neurox - Raving Night
Pale Tv - Night Toys
Polaroid - Vita Immaginaria
After Budapest - In The Firedance
Marte in Ariete - Ultimi fuochi
Underground Life -Glass House
Spleen - Searchin' For Love
Diaframma - Siberia
Viridanse - Justine
Mickeranno - Da un'altra parte
Panjandrum - A Grey Landing On a Country

Fuck Your Dreams, This Is Heaven soundtrack featuring: Niki Mono plus members of Minimal Compact & Tuxedomoon

This is the original soundtrack from a video-film by Wonder Product, and a film which I have yet to see but was a must when I saw the contents. The soundtrack is filled with covers of Syd Barrett, The Yardbirds, Velvet Underground, Jefferson Airplane and Patti Smith, all done by members of Minimal Compact, Tuxedomoon and the very underrated Niki Mono. They manage to dissect these classics, drain them and turned these songs into strange and beautiful corpses. It may not be the best material from Tuxedomoon or Minimal Compact, but it's certainly quite fascinating just the same and possibly one of the best soundtracks I have heard in years. It's a must for fans of Minimal Compact and Tuxedomoon.

Fuck Your Dreams This Is Heaven original Soundtrack (1986)

Minimal Compact - Still I'm Sad
Niki Mono & Nikolas Klau - Flaming
Peter Principle - No Man's Land
Niki Mono & Minimal Compact - Marathon
Minimal Compact - Late Night
Nikolas Klau, Steven Brown, Peter Principle - Venus in Furs
Niki Mono & Berry Sakharof - Dancing Barefoot
Steven Brown - Coming Back To Me
Bruce Geduldig & Peter Principle - Ocean

Navastrau - Vergess Mir Nit 7" (1980) US

Navastrau were a duo from Chicago consisting of Rick Gallo(former member of The Cunts) and vocalist Gretchen Witte; who were also part of the Disturbing Records crew, one of the first punk labels in Chicago. The band was known for their post punk minimal sound and their reluctance to perform live. On August 4th, 1981 they finally decided to do a show at Exit, they billed it as "their first and only" before playing New York, the gig at the Exit sold out.
J. von Damen, one of the writers for The Coolest Retard liked their debut single so much he sent a copy of it to Ralf Hutter of Kraftwerk. Who was impressed by the single, but when seeing them was 'underwhelmed' by their live performance. Navastrau also came out with 1 more single in 1981 where a relatively unknown at the time Al Jourgensen would play bass for a few of the tracks.
The thing I really like about this single is that each song slightly differs in style, varying from minimal synth wave to NDW to erratic post punk funk with a blaring sax. While all accompanied by male and female vocals both in German and in English, but what stood out the most was the track 'Looking from an Airplane'. Thanks again to Jason Hall for providing the rip and the artwork.

Navastrau - Vergess Mir Nit 7" (1980)

A1. Vergess Mir Nit
A2. Navastrau Theme
B1. Looking From An Airplane
B2. Continental Welcome

The Justice League of America - Cupid In Reverse (1990) UK

Their 2nd release off Plastic Head Records (same label as Every New Dead Ghost ) this album is loaded with heavy guitar riffs thunderous bass, tribal drumming and less annoying samples then their 1st release Blackout. over all pretty kickass. Will appeal to those who like Killing Joke, Uk Decay and Theatre of Hate

JLA were:

Bass - James Connor
Guitar - David Bessel
Programmed By - David Bessel
Vocals - Phillip Yeadon

The Justice League of America - Cupid In Reverse (1990)

		Does Anybody Know Any Jokes?
		Curse
		Learn The Rules
		Too Many Movies
		Unleash The Censor
		Cut It Off
		Candidate
		Change Your Mind
		Gun
		Don't Bother Me Now **apologies the bit rate isn't the best*

Mettle - Mettle (1982) Canada

Mettle - Mettle EP 1982

Not to much info could really be found, but Mettle was considered by some to be one of the first bands in Ontario to front the electro/minimal scene in the city and also were a support act for OMD. I really wouldn't go as far as labeling Mettle as minimal wave to me their sound is much more in the new wave/post punk vein. Many thanks to Jason Hall for sharing this 12"

ticket from the gig @ Centennial Hall, London, Ontario,
Tuesday March 9, 1982
(scan courtesy My life in Concert Blog )

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.

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*

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

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

The Past Seven Days - Raindance 7" (1981)

The Past Seven Days were a sheffield band on the 4AD label, but unfortunately left 4AD and signed to DinDisc. Dispite switching labels this 4AD release was sadly the only thing that was ever put out by them.

'Raindance' is simply 6 mins of tranquil, melodic beauty.

+Favorite track 'RAINDANCE' full 7" link below+


The Past Seven Days-Raindance 7" (1981 ) 4AD

side A
Raindance
side B
So Many Others

* This track can also be found on The Natures Mortes compilation put out by 4AD
the whole comp. can be found here

Laughing House - Democracy EP (UK) 1987

I decided to dig this next posting out for Antonio and of coarse do a well over due write up and give this band some well deserved exposure. For the longest time this band always remained a bit of a mystery to me, no info could be found, or even any of their material could be located. The only thing I had was one track thrown on a mixed tape for me ( remember the days when we use to all exchange the 'mixed tape' ) And to my misfortune..a few years went past before I even gave the tape a listen..there was a few interesting tracks on there but one stood out and impressed me greatly 'walking on my own' from Laughing House. By this time of coarse I lost contact with this friend and couldn't find out more about Laughing House. Well years later thanks to the Information superhighway I sent the singer a message..and got more then I would ever expect. Freddie and Rob the two brothers in Laughing House ending up being such lovely gentlemen and mailed me a copy of the 12" Democracy ep .

Laughing House are from Coventry and formed sometime in '84 by the two brothers Freddie (vocals/guitar) and Rob (bass) and shortly gained a really great drummer, Steve. And for 5 years played a slew of gigs around the midlands, recorded an ep and a 9 track cassette put out by a local label, Sonar in '87. They ended up grabbing the attention of a few major labels but unfortunately nothing came out of it and Freddie left in '89, shortly after Laughing House decided to call it quits. Recently after 20 years, the guys got back together and played a gig on November 4th, 2009 at the Spencer Club in Coventry.

So now I provide for you all with their only offical release Democracy that was 'Created solely for the cure of all weaknesses of men. They positively guarantee it to cure all forms of nervous debility, impotency spermatorrhea, night emissions, shrunken parts, nervousness, forgetfulness, confusion of ideas, lame back, languor dyspepsia, rhuematism, kidney and bladder complaint, and the many evils resulting from secret habits in youth or passionate excesses in maturer years. They guarantee this stereophonic recording to enlarge shrunken or undeveloped organs, or no pay !

Will appeal to those who like Comsat Angels, early U2, The Scars, and Killing Joke

Democracy Ep (1987)

On Sonar Records

+Tracks listing+

side A
Wasted
Take The Mask Away
Side B
Decline and Fall
Walking On My Own






There are still copies of this EP floating around .. Sonar Records has a few left in Stock.

Afterimage - Fade In 12" ep (USA)

AfterImage came out during the blooming LA underground music scene sometime in 1980. They haunted local clubs such as the Whisky, The Hong Kong Café, Club 88 and the Brave Dog, playing with the likes of Suburban Lawns, Savage Republic, and Middle Class. In 1981 they released one 7" single and a 12" ep Fade In, a very powerful debut EP containing the usual moody post punk formula of 'thunderous rhythum, threatening bass, and haunting vocals'.

AfterImage were :
vocals and sax: Daniel Voznick (aka Alec Tension)
guitar and keyboards: A Produce
bass: Rich Evac
drums: Holland DeNuzzio



+Favorite track'SATELLITE OF LOVE' full album link below+

AfterImage- Fade In 12" ep 1981 released on * Contagion Records*

Tracklisting*
Side A
Surf Generator/Part Of The Threat
Relapse
Soundtrack
Side B
Afterimage
Satellite of Love
No Dreams

Zorch Factory Records – Label - France

To shake up the usual content I decided to write something about a concept that is very dear to my heart, Net Labels. And the most interesting one, in my opinion, is Zorch Factory Records.

It was founded by Manu/Zorch how was involved in Projects and Bands like Camp Z, Sleeping Children, Zorch Factor and The Vertigo Smile. But besides being a platform to promote his own stuff, he opened it up for other Projects and bands to. The Label features bands from a lot of different genres, some more and some less prominent.

The Thing that I appreciate and respect the most about this Label is the fact that they publicize the music under the creative commons license. This 'basically' means that it’s free to download the music from the homepage.
(See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ for more information)

The reason for my love for little projects like this is based on my whole (maybe naive) concept that music is art, and that art should be accessible for everyone. This (mostly) young and struggling Bands can use a platform like Zorch Factory Records to get their work out in the open, to make a name for them self. Being an idealist, when it comes to that, I just have to respect any band that provides their music for free.

But to get back to the actual Label, you will find work from artists like:

Joy/Disaster
Camp Z
The Red Crayon Aristocrat Club
Acid Bats
The Cementary Girlz
Crimson Muddle
General Decay
Los Carniceros Del Norte
Monozid
Droserae
T.S.O.L.
and many more…

I highly recommend this Site for anybody that is interested in given new Bands a chance. There is a whole bunch of great stuff to discover there.

And if for nothing else, you should at least go there to check out the Crimson Muddle EP. (Expect a whole article about this wonderful Band very soon.)

http://www.zorchfactoryrecords.com/

Nichts 81-83 Germany (Reunited 2009)

Nichts

Nichts was one of this German Bands that came up just when this awful NDW (Neue deutsche Welle) was picking up momentum. Thanks to the fact that it was created by two Members of the legendary Punk Band KFC it was far from this Euro-Trash that floated around the Record-Stores around this time. Nichts may have borrowed a few things from what was going on in the music scene in Germany back then, but kept it’s Punk flavor.

Their first Demo Tape “Made in Eile” was picked up by the local Record-label “Schallmauer-Records”. It became a surprise success. After some ridicules controversy about releasing a single over CBS Records, they released their second album “Tango 2000” in 1982. The song “Tango 2000” became a huge hit, and is what the Band is most remembered for. This second album is still fun, but at least feels a lot closer to the dreaded NDW then their first one. After the release the base and the guitar player decided to leave the Band. In 1983 the Album “Aus dem Jenseits” was released, played by a new lineup.

In my opinion the very first Album/Demo Tape is still the best, it carries the strong punk vibe that seemed like a leftover from the KFC days.

If you are interested in German music that was sold under the Flag of NDW but in reality was a beast of it’s own, you should really give it at least a try.





01 Radio
02 Eingeschlossen
03 Hallo Kartoffelsalat
04 10 Bier zuviel
05 Allein zuhaus
06 Scheisse
07 Wer du bist
08 Made in Eile
09 Nichts

DOWNLOAD

In 2009 they reunited with a new lineup (yet again) and are playing gigs again. Hopefully with the same rough chaotic force they were famous for when they started in 1981.

MODERN ENGLISH- 1st & 2nd PEEL SESSIONS (UK)

No intro is needed for these 4AD label pioneers. Here are some small but great offering from John Peel.

1st and 2nd Peel sessions

1st Peel Session:

1. Some One Calling


2. Being Peeled


3. Face of Wood

2nd Peel Session

1. Sixteen Days


2. Mesh and Lace


3. a Viable Commercial

Here is the complete BBC radio recording which has a few extra tracks not on the peel sessions release.

SIAM (Israel)

One of the best things to come out of Tel-Aviv during the Israeli new wave scene. Very unique wall of sound complete with echoey guitars, synths and electric violins. At times brings to mind U2, Simple Minds and Killing joke during their ' Brighter Than a Thousand Suns ' period. Many, Many Thanks to Hanoch for introducing me to various bands from Israel and most of all SIAM a few years ago, I can never get tired of them. Below is a compilation of their complete discography stuff taken from their live 12" Saiam from '86, War and Piece And Inbetween LP '89, and some unreleased material.

SIAM-COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY

+Tracks Listing +
01. Siam-Instrumental
02. Intro/You
03. Evening Falls
04. In The Realm Of...
05. Changing(Live)
06. Don't Want To Understand
07. You Are Siam
08. Choices
09. Private Jokes
10. B.R.O. Theme
11. When Love Gets Out Of Hand
12. The Outsider
13. Hard Time
14. I Believe
15. Siam(Instrumental 2)
16. In The Realm(7even Remix)

LEGION UK - HELL SPITS BLOOD (UK)

It was a bit difficult to really find any info at all on this unknown UK band, but what I do know is that they started back around 1981 and went through a couple line up changes with a few different female singers and a different Chris on Bass. Then in '85, Steve moved from guitar to take over vocals and Paul took over Guitar, Chris on Bass and Azzy on Drums, with a new lineup in order they decided to make a few recordings. Which are now made available on this compilation called Hell Spits Blood, that has various recorded material from 1986 thru 1987.
Legion's sound is post punk driven with references to The Chameleons and the boy-band appeal of Flesh For Lulu, but loaded with tons of energy and attitude. Give them a listen and join the league of loyal LEGIONAIRES !

+favorite track'Twist The Knife'full album link below+

HELL SPITS BLOOD- 1986-1987

1. HELL SPITS BLOOD
2. SEEDS OF LOVE
3. INNOCENCE
4. TWIST THE KNIFE
5. SEX ATTACK
6. HELL SPITS BLOOD (REMIX)
7. TASTE OF EVIL
8. WASTED SIN
9. SEEDS OF LOVE (REMIX)
   

Deception Bay - My Color Flag (1991) USA

Deception Bay is definitely one of those bands where you tell yourself..."damn why didn't I discover them sooner"!?. This has to be one of my favorite bands/albums that have come across my path within the past year. Many thanks to DJ Delecti who was eager to play for me some freshly new acquired goods in his apartment one drunken evening. Thus was presented to me 'My Color Flag'. The first Track 'fortune days' immediately sucks you in with thunderous drums, basslines,distorted guitars and atonal vocals and the rest of the album never falling short. Dark, guitar oriented post punk that references Savage Republic and Joy Division.

This was there 3rd and final release off of Independent Project records known to have release such bands as Savage Republic, Kommunity FK, Red Temple Spirits, For Against, and Autumnfair.

A raw and subtly powerful album, sure to not disappoint!

My Color Flag -(2001) on Independent Project Records (limited press 2,000)

Fortune Days
All My Future
Fence and Flag
On My Side
Where Am I Now
The Place I’m Going
It’ll Be My Day
Getting Scared

There is also a Myspace page www.myspace.com/deceptionbays