A PRIVATE VIEW - s/t 12" (1987)

We like to have an eclectic mix of styles on this blog and for this post, Vinyl Obscurity reverts to the indie rock scene from the mid-late 80’s. Chock full of talent, there were a myriad of artists pumping out modern indie rock during this time period….A PRIVATE VIEW seemed to have slipped through the floor boards amidst the frenzy… They were formed in the early 80’s but didn’t produced this excellent 2 song twelve inch until 1987 on Del-Tona records out of Oakland, CA. As their MySpace page describes, they started out as a duo with a crude keyboard and ended up producing a minimal new wave instrumental as their first output.

Although they had local radio play(The Quake), were produced by music veteran Tony Berg, managed by a radio station executive…. and even opened up for Roxy Music on their giant Avalon Tour, the mainstream success seemed to evade this talented foursome. Their music has presented a challenge to track down..this is the only piece we have been able to find…The 12” has two songs of clean distinctive alternative modern rock (there are two very short skips at the beginning of each song due to an imperfection in the vinyl)…. You can hear more of their tunes on the below MySpace page….

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OEDIPUS SCREAM - The Mental Purpose LP (1988)

Gothic themes are the order of the day for what seems to be the only output from this unknown North Eastern band of three. The album was privately pressed on Dresser Records out of Rochester, NY….Dresser Records was noteworthy for putting out alternative post punk bands that flew way below the radar....This trio definitely were followers and fans of Peter Murphy and Bauhaus as the influences clearly shine through on most of their compositions…That’s a good thing though….They strive to create their own gothic sounds and arrangements and positively succeed at formulating an overall dark flair that will resonate with the medieval fan in you…..venture below for a sampling of songs…

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DOLPHINS IN DISGUISE – s/t EP (1984)

An unknown, scarce and seemingly mysterious four song 7” EP that vocally sounds like it came out of the United Kingdom, but we can’t be sure due to the very non descript nature of the cover and associated contents.…It was privately pressed on Zeus City Records….First impressions are definitely indie pop oriented…The EP starts out with a mid tempo indie pop wave track that has great dreary atmospherics to complement the overall arrangement. It then picks up with “Twenty Miles Away” which adds a more dominant synth involvement that make us feel better. It ends with more gloom and doom and finishes with an instrumental number.

For the pure obscurity checklist, this definitely checks the box. We can’t remember where it was found, but it was many years back since Vinyl Obscurity stopped buying 7” singles about 4 years ago....I think we will start buying again... …For those of you who appreciate the unknown indie pop and the post punk influences, you should endeavor to take a listen…We have presented you with the two best songs below:::

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THE PROCESSION - Haunted By Memories LP (1987)

A recent find for Vinyl Obscurity while digging through the record bins at a local record store is this mysterious solo 12 song LP from what we believe was a Washington DC based artist. It was privately pressed through the now defunct record label Flaming Disk, which was also out of the nation’s capital. Although there is no mention of instruments played, there is definitely some great keyboard synth and light indie guitar work throughout…

There is mixture of styles on display - from alternative to minimal synth …Many of the songs teeter on the alternative side with the ever present keyboards supporting the arrangement.... A couple of instrumental tracks are thrown in for good measure, one being a great minimal synth workout – “Inertia”…The best songs are “The Time I Got Hit” and “Alice Roosevelt’s House”… which are perfect blends of alternative and minimal wave sounds….This artist definitely keeps it minimally simple and provides interesting vocals to keep the listener’s attention in check.….We've plucked out some of the stand out tracks below:::

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DOWN TO EARTH – Interference 7” (1981)

Even know this synth duo’s single was produced on a major label – Island Records London, which takes it out of the private press arena, we believe it still fits squarely into the obscurity classification….Given the high pedigree of a major record label behind them, it was only appropriate that this futuristic looking trio had a seasoned producer at the helm…The prolific and very talented Martin Rushent had the production duties on these rather catchy minimal synth wave tunes….

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RICHARD TERMINI PROJECT – Dangerous Games LP (1983)

Richard Termini was a solo electronic artist/composer that produced his synthesizer wizardry out of Brooklyn, NY. He was very adept with the synth toys and other electronic music devices such as the TR8O8 Rhythm Computer. His band at the time consisted of a female vocalist and a guitar player, who plays on 4 tracks. His album is scarce due to the limited private pressing production numbers.

Side I of the album starts off with an almost radio friendly synth wave track “Dangerous Games” and then jolts you into a synthetic frenzy with “Touch Touch Touch”….then transfers you to a synth rock female number with “Television Generation”….Just when you are catching your breath from this stunning start, it ramps up again with more female synth wave tracks…Side II continues the same themes..”Modern Science” is a fast emotive female laced synth tune and “When I See You” is yet another commendable synth wave number….

In the years after this album was produced, Richard strengthened his reputation as an expert keyboardist and would go on to work with such mainstream acts as Cyndi Lauper and The Fixx…. He also produced synth/keyboard music for various film scores……Richard runs the show on this lone LP and we must say…does a masterful job….Please take a listen below:::

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GAMES TO AVOID – Neckspots 7” (1982)

Obscure UK new wave synth outfit with a credible vocalist, some decent saxophone work, rather quirky song titles and funky cover artwork….They pull it all together in two above par songs below:::

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GREY PAVILION – s/t EP (1983)

A scarce 4 song EP from private press label Pink Shoe Production out of Los Angeles, CA….This is intoxicating minimal wave which possesses an ethereal female vocal that dances over mid tempo and up tempo synth compositions. The group consisted of three core members who were augmented by guest musicians for this only production... The proper elements are in place here - Delicacy, simplicity and minimalism...we like all of them....

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LIVING LINKS – Gathering The Forces LP (1985)

We have here a very interesting and obscure album by an alternative new wave indie group from Baton Rouge, LA. Many of the songs deal with a war/battle theme, and are delivered in a cool peculiar manner. The title song has an almost undulating bass line throughout the song with simple guitar and synth arrangements. And check out the song “For The Paramecium” which is about some freaky water protozo--it has a load of interesting lyrics that are funny and off the wall... There are a variety of influences at work here…and it’s all good stuff...not widely known…different…..the way we like it.

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NEVER SAY NEVER – The Rains EP (1985)

Never Say Never was a sextet that was from the Southern California indie scene in the early-mid 80’s. This only EP was produced by Bruce Kaphan who had just started in the production business. This was his 4th project. He had previously worked with the punk alternative band FARMERS… Once established, he would go on to work with such artists as Jellyfish, AMG and REM….All of the songs on this six track EP have a great incorporation of guitars and synths with the addition of a decent vocalist at the helm....we have provided samples below>>>

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HYPNO-GOGO – Flashing 7” (1984)

Should have …could have… would have….but no….record company executives didn’t like the after effect we guess and sent them packing….Not bad stuff if you’re looking for the next White China or any other melodic new wave indie group during the time...…what happened?...we would like to find out...

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INSANITY – s/t EP + Emotion Ocean EP + Singles (1984-1987)

Insanity was a 3 person indie synth band that formed in Athens, GA back in the early 80’s. Their music ranges from pleasing minimal wave on tracks “Some Other Day” + “Another World” ….to up-tempo indie new wave on “Time Never Stands Still” + “Sisterspam”….to alternative rock on “Wet Camel”….to interesting minimal synth experimentation on “Emergency”. Both of their EP’s are quite scarce and their cover arts are done in a non-descript format…..The band produced their last songs via the Emotion Ocean EP in 1987....We found an informative myspace page that has additional band info, some early video shots and more...We have given you the link below... We also provided some of the songs in the download...

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DENIZZ AND ME – Bite Me 7” (1984)

It sounds like this French guy composed and produced these two tracks in about 2.5 hours in his spare bedroom…It’s DIY minimal synth, but we like DIY, don’t we??......Give him just a bit of attention below>>>


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SINDY AND THE ACTION MEN – Steven Phone Home 7” (1983)

This is female fronted new wave with an art rock twist…They are quirky numbers with cool sound effects on the song “Steven Phone Home”…check it out below:::

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TOUCH SENSITIVE – Don’t Cry EP (1988)

We switch over to the United Kingdom for another uncelebrated new wave group that we believe only produced this lone four song EP. It was produced by Colin Thurston, who worked with indie groups but also with such notables as Human League, Duran Duran, Talk Talk and Kajagoogoo …. The music is well produced appealing indie new wave….Don’t know whatever happened to this group of five…. Maybe someone out there can fill us all in....

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21 SUMMERS – s/t LP (1986)

MTV basement tapes show…remember? One of the many great things MTV did back in their early-mid 80’s heyday of pure unadulterated music video entertainment was to highlight up and coming indie bands who just needed a little exposure and $$$ to get on their feet… The band 21 Summers from Illinois got their chance and won with a rather quirky video, but it was their music that stood out….They ended up getting a record deal in Europe and then disappeared….The vinyl was produced in limited quantities and is rather elusive. The music is catchy tuneful new wave pop rock with an unmistakable indie edge…We have listed a song below and a link to a recent website that was stood up with lots of great information, download links, press and videos……we hope you enjoy...

LISTEN TO “I’m The One” HERE:::






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BROKEN SILENCE – Nightstalking 7” (1984)

Dark and gloomy new wave synth from this creepy looking duo out of the great maple leaf country of Canada…





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THE KEEP – Not So Wonderful 7” (1985)

Gloomy post punk synth new wave sounds from this Irish duo in the mid 80’s..We dug this out of an old stash of 7" singles that we bought many years ago...We are slowly going through them to pick out the better items and will be posting in the coming months...

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AGE 1 & 2 - Singles / Demos (198?)

A neglected – overlooked - ignored Australian new wave synth band that never got that elusive chance and exposture to make a proper album...Information on this unknown band seems to be non-existent, thus a short but pointed review is in store here.....We applaud them for trying and making the effort…...As usual, your judgement awaits below - - - -

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FACE OF CONCERN – s/t EP (1986)

Face of Concern started honing their musical craft around the Atlanta, GA area in the early 80’s. They eventually caught the attention of Press Records, which was a fantastic indie label out of Atlanta. They hunkered down and produced the sterling male led-female backed single “Next Time (let’s do it right)” and subsequently started gaining regional notoriety with gigs at local club venues and positive radio airplay….They produced this 4 song S/T EP which saw them at their creative peak…They were active up until 1993….First class indie new wave rock….You be the judge below:

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A METHOD OF DANSE – Generic White 12” (1987)

You look at the front cover and it definitely generates some interest…You turn it over and you realize that this actually could be quite appealing….You place it on the turntable and……you’re hit with this icy melancholic minimal synth electro onslaught….There are two versions of the title song, both being good on their own merits, but we prefer the more straight forwardness shorter “Airwave Version”. Even the B side "Strange Quotes" can hold it's own and will take you for a nice minimalistic journey...This seems to be exceedingly rare these days and when it comes up for sale, it shoots real high....A superlative 12” by this obscure Pennsylvania based band.

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STEREO-TYPES - Sounds And Noise Is LP (1986)

It is a private press 11 song album out of Madison, Wisconsin. Side 1 starts off with a bang on the futuristic new wave synth rock of “Instant Annihilation”. Side 1 continues on and breaks into steady first-rate new wave guitar tunes galore. The 2nd side is more of the same ear pleasing guitar oriented new wave high-tempo arrangements. We even get some pretty cool album artwork…This can be had for cheap prices and still sealed too! At the time of this posting, there are two sealed copies for under $7.00 on our favorite online auction site….We would recommend buying it for the lead off track alone….

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BOYS FROM THE EAST - Singles (1986-1988)

Similar to the previous post for A NEW PERSONALITY, this band only produced a limited run of a few private press singles. We believe 5 songs in total were officially completed and released. They were from the United Kingdom and had a shimmering new wave pop sound in places and post punk leanings in other places....One of many great talents that came out of the UK indie scene in the mid 80's....A rich breeding ground for greatness in these alternative music genres....

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A NEW PERSONALITY - Singles (1982 - 1984)

This Temple Terrace / Tampa, Florida wave band plays superlative harmonic new wave that will have you floating in the clouds. They also have post punk leanings in their earlier singles. Unfortunately there was a very limited run of a few single releases, so finding their stuff can be quite challenging... For more detailed information on the band, sound samples and streaming music, please visit below:::

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FICTIONS - s/t LP (1980)

Power pop rock Canadian style is what is found on this 11 song album. Side One is up-tempo formulaic power pop starting off with the upbeat "Won't Wash Away"....Moving on you can hear a clear definite Cars influence on the song “Shuffle”… Side Two is more edgy and employs more guitar rock….Power pop was still very much in play in the early 80’s and you can hear it’s influence on many of today’s pop artists…This foursome fit nicely into the power pop party. We find this to be readily available in the marketplace for meager means...which is great for the vinyl junkies...like us...

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TWILIGHT MATINEE - Life At The Movies EP (1988)

Twilight Matinee was an alternative group idea formulated by two of the members in New York City and then officially formed upon their landing in Southern, CA in 1986. Their sound is guitar and synthesizer driven which fit right in with the alternative rock landscape of the late 80’s. They were very strong with lyric and melody content….The band would go on to coin their sound as “New Edge Rock"…..After completing this self released melodic EP on their own record label, they hit the road to promote it in the Los Angeles area and attempted to get signed to a major label….Although the record was well received by various college radio stations, they couldn’t find that elusive major label deal….. They even made a video for their leadoff single “An Everlasting Kiss”….underrated and under loved by the music establishment of the day…..


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THE FOUR ONES - s/t EP (1985)

The Four Ones were a forgotten underground alternative band out of the New York Tri-State area. This quartet plays excellent up-tempo indie modern rock….Razor sharp guitars take center stage with vigorous assaults throughout the 4 songs. The sound is similar in places to the great Scottish underground act – APB.

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