MOROCCOS – 3D Sound 7” (1982)

For the last post of August, I present an art pop band who were based out of Philadelphia, PA. This private press 7” vinyl has quirky new wave and power pop tendencies in its delivery. The first song is an enthusiastic power pop wave tune that has an addictive female vocal. The second song moves more into the synth arena with cool sound effects and experimental leanings. I’m not sure if this is their only single, but they did contribute a song to the V/A Comp T.M.I. 015….Out of print pressing via Mogambo Music.

September will start with a minimal synth rarity from France…

SIDE A
3D sound (just a slight skip in the first few seconds..excuse it)

SIDE AA
soul safari

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KISSED AIR – Kawaraya EP (1983)

On tap is an early 80’s Irish post punk outfit with a short lived discography which included two 7” singles from 1982 and this four song extended player 12”. On this last outing, Kissed Air take on a slightly experimental approach to their post punk backbone formula…think a post punk styled Shriekback…All four songs have a distinct individuality with interesting arrangements, sound effects, vocal treatments…



Both of their 7” singles can be found at The Viable Commercial blog, which gives a detailed description of their style and sound.
GO HERE FOR Kissed Air 7”s
For the vinyl collectors out there, this is worth the minimal investment...Thoroughly entertaining…

SIDE ONE
kawaraya
everything

SIDE TWO
kick kick
stripped and marked

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ARTIPHAX – Uncovered EP (1985)

While hurricane Irene bears down on Washington, DC and the mid Atlantic - here’s a top drawer new wave synth obscurity from a band of five hailing out of Southern California. Out of print private pressing via Altar Ego Records and Tapes.

Side I
voluntary captive
constant change

Side II
castles
mystery eyes
place in my heart

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SOME DETERGENTS – Moderne Problem 7” (1982)

Here’s a rather rare 7” obscurity out of the United Kingdom. Minimal electronic arrangements with a mid tempo subdued vocal treatment is what one finds on this indie vinyl. The band consisted of a duo – Russell and Shaw - there is no further information given on the jacket….I found this to be quite a pleasant surprise given the relaxed atmospheric characteristics that it exudes..It will grow on you after repeated listening…A very private and out of print pressing via Clean Records, UK.

a detailed band history can be found here

SIDE A
colours

SIDE B
moderne problem
wake up

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LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE – Self Titled LP (1989)

Life Without Principle was a three piece indie band out of the Northeastern United States. They blended new wave influences and indie alternative rock into a successful overall harmonious sound, with fiery guitars, decent helpings of keyboards and inventive percussion arrangements. “Don’t Cry For Me Now” is a standout synth wave number. Out of print pressing via Intrepid Records.

SIDE A
i hear you singing
find yourself inside
much too much
let’s go there anyway

SIDE B
don’t cry for me now
business as usual
no going home
you can’t hide from love

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YOUNG MODERNS – Body Won’t Obey 7” (1982)

Engaging power pop wave from a Southern, CA band of five, who are definitely having some fun with these cranking melodious songs. Self produced out of print pressing.

SIDE A
body won’t obey

SIDE B
she’s a (disposable girl)

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THE PERSISTANT GODS – Come Into The Ash Garden EP (1982)

Here’s an interesting little 7” release by a United Kingdom based foursome from the early 80’s. This sole release brims with a minimalistic indie wave garage feel underlined by a psychedelic influence. You also get some nice synth sounds here as well. A worthy 17 minute vinyl obscurity…Out of print private pressing via Alternative Music, UK.

SIDE ONE
the ash garden
the fair

SIDE TWO
art diamonds
genetic engineering

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ALL ORDINARIES – Safety As A Science LP (1988)

This full length album from a Sydney, Australia band is very much unknown as I could not find a shred of information about it. It is a self produced album which provides ample doses of quirky new wave rhythms. It slides in and out of basic experimentation with tangents into gloomy territories and scattered synth sounds. Check out the song “Parrot-Fashion” for quite an entertaining high intense listen. Overall, this obscurity is a very consistent listen that has variety from song to song. It’s an out of press private pressing via Indexed Records, Australia. The land from down under continues to impress...

SIDE ONE
place on the plate
amazonia
laughter attends the kill
parrot-fashion
children are the rouge

SIDE TWO
open season
mothers glass
malu silo
unrest

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VHF – One Chance EP (1986)

VHF was a Pennsylvania based indie band consisting of four members. The band was formed at a local state college in the early 80’s. One Chance was the band’s only release, but before and after this release they were very active in the regional concert scene, playing all around the Northeastern seaboard. A highlight of their career was being an opening act on a Tubes tour, which took them to 32 cities in 18 states. The standout track is “Video” with a radio friendly guitar enhanced new wave sound. After further listening, I find all four songs are quite accessible on their own merits. Out of print private pressing via Straight Face Records, Newark, Delaware.

SIDE ONE
one chance
harmonium

SIDE TWO
video
in time

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THE GENE SYNDROME – Delicious LP (1988)

I recently found this vinyl during a local record crate digging session. Upon purchase, I had a feeling this would be a good release. The Gene Syndrome was a female fronted post punk band from Croydon, a South London town. Stellar post punk vibes with a talented female vocalist and well executed guitar rhythms…Their music reminds me of another top notch female led UK based post punk outfit, Fatal Charm. This looks to be their only full length effort. More information and an early 7” single can be found at the Phoenix Hairpins blog HERE

Some information on this particular release from the band’s website -
“The 1987 sessions were released in the form of a debut album "Delicious" - a ten track journey into psychopathic paranoia, masochism, witches and general unpleasant stuff. The press prodded it wondering whether or not it would bite and Radio One risked their reputation by spinning two tracks regularly - "Jezebel's Camera" and "Royal Voodoo", the latter becoming the band's third and most successful release.”

Out of print private pressing via Gene Records, UK.

SIDE 1
jezebel’s camera
paper dolls
bride in the lake
paint a shadow
myriorama

SIDE 2
legion
country of gold
and she’s following
deliciously sick
royal vudu

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COMMUNAL DROP – Fanatics 12" (1985)

So I decided to grab a couple of 12”s from a pile of “waiting to be played” vinyl…The first one up is a post punk guitar laden single by an obscure United Kingdom group. I found this to be a pleasant surprise with really infectious guitar work throughout high BPM songs. The long version of Fanatics is the standout, something you would hear at the local underground club. This looks to be their sole release….Private out of print pressing via Screaming Red Music, UK….

Side A
fanatics (long version)

Side B
fanatics
guilt

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UROPA LULA – Fell Upon A Jewel 12" (1983)

The second single is an up-tempo dance friendly effort by another United Kingdom outfit called Uropa Lula. They comprised of five members. This is the second and final single release by the group. Production assistance handled by the talented Phil Thornalley of The Cure fame. This one looks to be readily available at cheap prices in the online marketplace…

Side A
fell upon a jewel

Side B
she appears to vanish

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DARK LIKE A RESTAURANT – Sight/Take Another Drag 7" (1981)

As a regular client of the online auction juggernaut known as Ebay, I’m consistently amazed at some of the auction action and prices realized on rare records. One such item is this posted 7” which after a spirited bidding frenzy…sold for a whopping $750.00. What’s interesting is that given the high scarcity level there have been 3 other copies auctioned off in the last 3 months, all going for around $200.00.

Anyway, this dark minimal rarity out of Texas was originally posted via the excellent Return To The East blog back in the beginning of 2010. So…for those who missed it and for those who would like to hear what is bringing big bucks in the minimal synth collector world…here you have it…

Side A
sight

Side B
take another drag

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THE FINGERS – Fingers On The Radio EP (1980)

The Fingers were an American power pop band that were in existence from the late 70’s to early 80’s. There are four tracks of melodic inspired power pop on this extended player. I believe this is their one and only formal release and it seems to be a quite an obscurity. If there is more info to be heard, please reach out. Lead vocalist Joey Harris would go on to join the Beat Farmers in the mid 80’s. This is an out of print private pressing via Smart Fun Records, Coronado, CA.

Side A
too young
new girl

Side B
blow me away
kathy come back

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