SUDETEN CRECHE – Kindergarten EP (1983)

The final post of the month is the 2nd release from this well heeled minimal synth wave group. There’s a good amount of info about the band on Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudeten_Creche. This release was produced on the now defunct Illuminated Records label, which focused on more industrial electronic artists throughout the early-mid 80’s…And even more info can be found on their website - sudetencreche.com...Out of print pressing.

Side A
kindergarten
dance – instrumental version

Side B
dance
asylums in beirut

DOWNLOAD ME

FOREVER 19 – Come As You Were Born LP (198?)

Here’s an East Coast band that looks to be out of the Boston area in the mid 80s, but there is little to no information to be found on them. Their very obscure album via Autograph Records has exceptional strong synth lines and unique vocal treatments. All 10 songs are consistently solid, but a few standout from the pack – “Questions” - with its sheer driving intensity and the exceedingly infectious synth workout of “Beside You”….If there is info out there, please do contact..thanks…

Side One
Wings of decay
In your eyes
See me now
The hero
Watch the skies go red

Side Two
Questions
Beside you
Place in your heart
Pictures
sleep

DOWNLOAD ME

THE RADIO – Active EP (1983)

Switching gears on this obscure post, here we have a female fronted alternative guitar driven indie band from Germany. If you like female vocals, guitar licking and stabbing and that early 80’s stripped down sound, this one should suit your needs. This EP should be easy to locate for the vinyl collectors and you get a bonus - - the vinyl is a very cool bright red color and is transparent!....enjoy….

Side One
let’s make love
stop to worry
money

Side Two
friendship
in the need of inspiration
i had a dream

DOWNLOAD ME

WHEN KIDS ARE ALONE – Forever Till Never 7” (1985)

An augment to my last When Kids Are Alone post, this was one of the singles that was produced when the band signed to the short lived indie Taboo Records label. You get more of the same new wave from their Severe EP with a bit more production value and tempo. Finding a picture sleeve can be challenging for this 7"....good hunting..

Side A
forever till never

Side B
every other odd

DOWNLOAD ME

STRANGER TO STRANGER – The Child In Me EP (1985)

Here’s a local group for me that were popular in the Washington, DC and surrounding metro areas back in the mid to late 80’s. They had some success playing various alternative oriented concert venues up and down the Eastern seaboard, but most notably had their roots in place at the 9:30 Club in DC. They also found rotation on the now defunct local alternative station 99.1FM…Their music has influences ranging from early Jesus & Mary Chain to Echo And The Bunnymen. Their discography is quite extensive with five EPs and two LPs. Stranger To Stranger’s first LP “Casting Shadows” can be found at http://funderglass.blogspot.com/2008/10/stranger-to-stranger-casting-shadows.html... Worth seeking out…

Side A
the child in me
one world
give it everything you can

Side B
the child in me – extended mix
courageous cat

DOWNLOAD ME

!ACK-ACK! – Another Face 7” (1985)

Here’s the last of 3 posts for the weekend…Many more obscurities in the pipeline…This one is an obscure indie single out of Champaign, IL (Office Records) with a well balanced mix of synth and guitar textures. The band consisted of four members and other than an interesting picture sleeve, there’s not much to be found about them.

Side A
Another face

Side B
Look the other way

DOWNLOAD ME

REFUSE TO BLEED – Self Titled EP (1989)

Here’s an unknown alternative indie band from the United Kingdom who were influenced by such bands as The Cult and Fields Of The Nephilim. There’s a dark atmosphere to the songs with slight goth undertones. I can’t find a shred of information on them, so if anyone has some.. Please do contact. Interesting and worth a listen…

Side A
do you feel
pain

Side B
alcoholics
nobody’s free

DOWNLOAD ME

THIS FEAR – Darkness Shapes Imagination EP (1985)

A requested repost. This was a Canadian band of five members who hailed from the city of Edmonton. They play a Goth influenced 5 song set that has just the right amount of gloominess as a backdrop. The violin is used exquisitely in some of the songs…The lead vocalist has a commanding voice and really carries this band’s dark and gloomy wave mantra.

Side One
soldier of this fashion (extended)
lights of capitals
look along the edge

Side Two
haunting me
dreaming of a nation

DOWNLOAD ME

DOLCE VITA – Self Titled EP (1984)

Another full re-post in store here…This was an American indie foursome who signed to the great Brain Eater record label out of New York. They were one of the first acts to do so back in the early 80’s. All the key successful elements are present for an underground indie new wave release –good vocalist, creative arrangements, competent guitars, perfect keyboard touches…. All four songs hold up very well on their own merit. This indie nugget should be easily attainable for the vinyl collectors…there is no better medium…

Side One
Beginning all over
Looking away

Side Two
Break down these walls
Never let go now

DOWNLOAD ME

A DAY IN PARIS – Prey LP (1988)

Two years after Canadians A Day In Paris released their fantastic synth wave debut EP – Rhymes On Vinyl, the band released their lone full length called Prey. I believe this was the extent of their official releases. The music moves in an edge driven direction with a more prominent role for the guitars and drumming, but the synths still find their way into the picture on all songs. The band maintains a nicely balanced formula with guitars and synths. This much scarcer second release holds up well with a finer production detail and a more diverse set of songs. At times it reminds me of the great fellow Canadian band – Images Of Vogue. Any fan of that band’s later material needs to check this one out…

Side 1
the hill
under
goodbye yesterday
prey

Side 2
too tired
child’s cry
love torture
why?

DOWNLOAD ME

And their first EP-Rhymes On Vinyl can be found via the excellent bx59cppw blogspot. DOWNLOAD ME

QUARKS - Three Quarks Four... EP (1983)

Here’s a minimal synth gem...which tends to be very scarce and will usually command high dollars when made available…I believe it’s well worth the investment if you collect such rare wax….Punchy electronics, new wave vocals and simplistic arrangements are the calling card for this NYC band. You even get a female background vocal on the last song, which I find is a nice creative touch to the minimalism. The band consisted of three members that you see on the front jacket…Overall, an impressive self produced set for the minimal synth fans, followers and collectors…

Side A
c by your love
walking journey

Side B
senseless preoccupation
another fantasy

DOWNLOAD ME

NEO BOYS – Crumbling Myths LP (1982)

I’m going to change it up a bit for this post and present a rare all female indie band with a stripped down minimalistic delivery. The band was from Portland , Oregon and stayed within the underground scenes. If you search Discogs, it states the style is Punk, which is off base…So don’t be put off…If you enjoy indie guitar pop with a female vocal and the ever pleasing minimalist approach, try this one on for size – It’s only about an 18 minute affair…out of print independent pressing via Joe Records…

Side 1
poor mans jungle
time keeps time
cheap labor
in disguise

Side 2
dirty white lies
hands down
nothing to fear

DOWNLOAD ME

ASHAWN – Say Hello EP (1985)

Ashawn was an obscure American new wave trio in the mid 80’s. They played a pop oriented new wave sound with guitars, light drumming and synths via an Emulator II. This lone EP was self produced by band leader Ashawn. It can get a little light weight at times like on the song “hello!”… This one seems to be pretty scarce. It does have a short untitled song at the end of side 2 that I would have liked to hear more of…An out of print pressing via Aurora Records, Inc.

Side 1
in your eyes
ask me

Side 2
hello!
what to say
untitled

DOWNLOAD ME