THE STAFF – Out Of Bounds LP (1981)

The Staff is fronted by a very energetic female led vocalist by the name of Mary Ella, who is pictured on the front jacket. The Staff comprised of six members and came out of France…. This Out Of Bounds album provides fast paced electro new wave arrangements with some songs having edgy guitar riffs and a more intense vocal treatment. This is quite a fun listening experience in its totality, especially if you gravitate to the female new wave fronted bands….I believe they produced a video for “Goody Goody Bye Bye”, but I can’t find it…This vinyl should be available in the marketplace for modest prices. Out of print pressing.

A1 City Business
A2 Secrets
A3 Shut Up Tango
A4 Indian Summer Road
A5 We Are The Kids
A6 Goody Goody Bye Bye

B1 Tcha Tcha China
B2 Tv Fan
B3 The Judge
B4 Paris Mixed Up
B5 Oregon

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AMERICAN TABOO – Ritual Breakdown 12” (1983)

American Taboo was an experimental new wave independent trio from the Chicago area. “Ritual Beakdown” starts things off and is the standout. It has an ominous theme throughout its synthesized psychedelic melodies. The other two tracks venture more into experimental territory and utilize the Saxophone to great effect…Both B side songs feed into each other, so there’s a quick break to separate them. Out of print private pressing via Forbidden Records.

SIDE A
ritual breakdown

SIDE B
60 cycles
anonymous

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LIPSTICK STAINS – Get Stained EP (1982)

Here’s an outgoing female fronted foursome who punch out four energetic power pop songs with a slight punkish feel. The group was based in Atlanta, GA. Side I “Sweet and Innocent” is the standout with competent guitar riffing, melancholic arrangements and good tempo variations. It’s a rather long song coming in at whopping 8+ minutes, but it keeps things interesting throughout...Their tight arrangements and raw enthusiasm on Side II’s 3 songs are consistently good and provide just enough edge…Cool album jacket artwork as well for the vinyl hunters out there…Out of print private pressing via Stainsville Productions.

SIDE I
sweet and innocent

SIDE II
meltdown
see me through
get stained

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PRISONERS OF BEAT – Bored On Monday 12” (198?)

Obscure female fronted synth wave with some catchy melodies. The standout would be the AA side “This Is Love”…Out of print private pressing…die cut cover…

SIDE A
bored on monday

SIDE AA
this is love

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REZISTANCE – The Art Of Love EP (1983)

Rezistance was an indie new wave band based out of Belgium in the early 80’s. This foursome started out as a touring band and in 1982 decided to make a single called “Dance On/Get Off”…The following year this extended player was made. In the summer of 1983 they toured with Luna Twist during some music festivals held in Europe. The Art Of Love EP starts off with a quite catchy synth wave number called “Heavenly”…On Side Two the standout is the male and female vocal turns of “Ground Zero” …There’s some pops during the beginning of “Fear” that can’t be removed..sorry…This one can be found for moderate prices in the marketplace. Highly recommended for obscure danceable synth wave music fans….Out of print private pressing via Parsley.



SIDE ONE
heavenly
whatcha gonna do?

SIDE TWO
fear
ground zero
dance on

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THRILLING WONDER STORIES – Two Way Video 7” (1983)

Here’s an obscure United Kingdom synth pop single. Out of print private pressing via Made In Space Records, UK.

SIDE A
two way video
SIDE B
two way video (computer mix)

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THE HOWL – A Handshake And A Kiss LP (1987)

The Howl’s music is a gloomy, ponderous hybrid of post punk, alternative and gothic rock. They incorporate some excellent doses of coarse guitar work with static drum beats that fit quite well with the overall somber soundscapes that materialize throughout the album… The Howl were label mates with Oedius Scream, who were another outstanding obscure gothic rock darkwave band, but Oedius had been heavily influenced by Bauhaus. This looks to be The Howl’s only full length output…Highly recommended for the vinyl enthusiasts…. Out of print private pressing via Dresser Records, Rochester, New York.



SIDE A
disconnect
a handshake and a kiss
marble walls
abduction

SIDE B
red on red
i love you hate
give your heart to me
judgement day

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SPANGS – Who Invited You Anyway 7” (1981)

An obscure United Kingdom new wave group who looked the part and produced a couple of singles, this being the second one. I personally prefer the B side “Duo Tones”…It’s got a catchy little synth melody in between the vocal chorus. Out of print pressing.

SIDE A
who invited you anyway

SIDE B
duo tones

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VICIOUS FISH – Self Titled EP (1982)

Vicious Fish were a female led post punk band out of Southern, CA. This extended player is consistently engaging all the way through each of the six songs….The dance rock new wave influenced “Foreign Cities” and “Put Something There” are very much lively songs. The rest of the record is full of additional danceable beats and searing guitar arrangements with a tough-girl stance courtesy of Shari Saba. While listening to this record, it conjures up a sound similar to the great Romeo Void. Vicious Fish were definitely influenced by the Romeo Void playbook of post punk wave…Out of print private pressing via Half-Eaten Records.

SIDE ONE
foreign cities
are we still dancing?
ideas in disguise

SIDE TWO
into the night
not fade away
put something there

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