Monthly Archives: April 2009

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 04-28-09

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Last night’s show set a new standard in “uber-obscure.” It left the chat room participants scratching their heads all night long. Ed was kind enough to throw us a Simple Minds no-brainer, but the rest – absolutely, mind-numbingly obscure – just the way we love our 80’s music!

 

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “scorchingly hot” 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

 

CFRC-FM Playlist April 28, 2009

 

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

ED-FM ~ Retrospect

80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and paste this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/

Join us in the Chat Room during the show – either click the link on the right menu under the Rave and Roll graphic, or here.

 

  1. The Coconuts – Don’t Take My Coconuts
  2. The Diodes – Photographs From Mars
  3.  Psychedelic Furs – Dumb Waiter
  4. Teardrop Explodes – Ha, Ha, I’m Drowning
  5. The Primitives – Shadow
  6. Big In Japan – Cindy And The Barbie Dolls
  7. The Mood – Don’t Stop (12” single)
  8. Arkitex – First World Calling
  9. Monsoon – Wings Of Dawn
  10. Johnny Analog – Shaddup
  11. Poem Electronic – The Echoes Fade
  12. Benjamin Russell – Miracle
  13. Promise – Hollywood
  14. Department S – Is Vic There?
  15. Simple Minds – Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel
  16. Alternative Radio – First Night (long version)
  17. Chris and Cosey – October Love Song
  18. Captain Sensible – The Russians Are Coming
  19. Front 242 – Digital Tension Dementia
  20. Click Click – Whirlpool
  21. Yello – The Race (12”)

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Fingerprintz/ The Silencers

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silencersIn 1979, Scottish vocalist Jimme O’Neill and guitarist Cha Burns met and formed a post-punk/new wave band called Fingerprintz. Under this moniker, they released three albums: The Very Dab (1979), Distinguishing Marks (1980), and Beat Noir (1981). Fingerprintz disbanded in 1985.

 

Eventually O’Neill and Burns were playing music together again, along with drummer Martin Hanlin and bass player Joseph Donnelly. They called themselves The Silencers and, in 1986, they began to tour Europe and the United Kingdom. Their first three demo singles “Painted Moon”, “I See Red” and “I Can’t Cry” earned them a recording contract with RCA Records and their first Silencers album called A Letter from St.Paul. “Painted Moon” became a well-received radio hit in the UK. As a result, the band recorded a second album in 1988 silencers2called A Blues for Buddha back home in Scotland.

 

The band’s third album Dance To The Holy Man (1991) produced a mega-hit in Europe called “Bullet Proof Heart,”a personal favorite of mine. Curiously, this song was also a Fingerprintz recording from the album Distinguishing Marks recorded eleven years previously. Both versions of “Bullet Proof Heart” have O’Neill’s unmistakable singing style, but markedly different instrumentation. Many times, the band’s name is misidentified/interchanged based on the version that is being played.

 

The Silencers have continued to record through the 90’s and beyond, changing styles to keep up with changing music tastes. There have also been personnel shifts along the way. O’Neill remains on vocals/guitar. Unfortunately, Burns passed away in 2007 from lung cancer at the age of 50.

 

“Wet Job” (Fingerprintz) via YouTube user goti1963:

 

“Bullet Proof Heart” (Fingerprintz) via DailyMotion user fery1:

 

“Bullet Proof Heart” (The Silencers) via YouTube User matts68:

 

“Painted Moon” (The Silencers) via YouTube user matts68:

 

 

Early Discography

 

Fingerprintz (Purchase Here): 

 

fingerprintz-the-very-dabThe Very Dab (1979)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fingerprintz-distinguishing-marksDistinguishing Marks (1980)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fingerprintz-beat-noirBeat Noir (1981)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Silencers (Purchase Here):

 

silencers-st-paulA Letter From St. Paul (1986)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

silencers_-_blues_for_buddah_A Blues For Buddha (1988)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

silencers-dance-to-the-holy-manDance To The Holy Man (1991)

 

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 04-21-09

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Last night we premiered the chat room for Ed-FM’s show. Just click the Chat Room link on the right (under the Rave and Roll graphic) during Ed’s Tuesday night show and join in the discussion about the great tunes he is spinning. Or, talk about whatever floats your boat. Ed entertained us with the best of obscure 80’s New Wave and Post-punk music, with a small dab of metal thrown into the mix. It was the fastest two hours that even Sir Isaac Newton himself could not have explained.

 

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “too hot to touch” 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

 

CFRC-FM Playlist April 21, 2009

 

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

ED-FM ~ Retrospect

80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and paste this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/

Join us in the Chat Room during the show – either click the link on the right menu under the Rave and Roll graphic, or here.

 

  1. Waterboys – The Pan Within J
  2. English Beat – Mirror In The Bathroom (Reggae Dub Mix)
  3. Courage of Lassie – Hiroshima
  4. Kid Creole And The Coconuts – Endicott (extended dance mix)
  5. Digette – Fred From Jupiter
  6. Men Without Hats – I Got The Message
  7. Nina Hagen – African Reggae
  8. Bongos – Numbers With Wings
  9. Espionage – The Sound Of Breaking Hearts (12” mix)
  10. Depeche Mode – Just Can’t Get Enough
  11. The Wankers – Wankers Away
  12. Pukka Orchestra – Weekend (Come Alive)
  13. The Glove – Punish Me With Kisses
  14. Thomas Dolby – Europa And The Pirate Twins
  15. Yello – Si Senor the Hairy Grill
  16. Yeah Yeah Noh – Blood Soup (Peel Sessions)
  17. Shriekback – Fish Below The Ice
  18. The Creatures – Manchild
  19. The Voice – Lime
  20. Talk Talk – Why Is It So Hard
  21. The Box – Inside My Heart
  22. Way Of The West – Drum (social mix)

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ The Chameleons

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chameleons1The Chameleons (aka The Chameleons UK) – and in particular Mark Burgess – created a host of incredible post-punk music during the 80’s and beyond. Burgess stormed that period with an immeasurable talent for songwriting that evoked (and still does) an array of deeply felt emotions and clear visuals. Poetic imagery laced with drama-infused vocals completes a very poignant picture with each and every song.

 

The Chameleons formed in Middleton, England in 1981. The original band was comprised of singer chameleons2and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever. From my perspective, the band used what was to become known as “shoe-gaze” guitar  (fuzzy, distorted hooks) a good 10-15 years before that sound took hold as a specific genre. It complimented the moodiness of each song, whether happy or sad, in a particularly successful fashion

 

Their best-known single, Swamp Thing, is a mesmerizing blend of jangle guitar interspersed with thrumming bass and provocative lyrics. Widespread release of Swamp Thing earned the Chameleons a very loyal and devoted following, but not anything of the magnitude that this band deserved. One very dark song in particular haunts me in a way that is difficult to describe: Soul In Isolation. It became my mantra during a very dark period in my life and feels like an old friend each time I play it. That song hosted my innermost fears and deepest secrets, much like a best friend in time of need.

 

Burgess and company continue to tour and play timeless, meaningful music. Give them a visit on their website: http://www.thechameleons.com/ (Author’s note – the website seems to be down at the time of this writing – I’m hoping this is just a temporary occurrence). If you’ve never had the pleasure of hearing The Chameleons in action, treat yourself. If it has been a while since you’ve listened, take the time to get reacquainted. This is a vitally important band with a lot to say in a manner that will hook you in.

 

“Soul In Isolation” via YouTube user LefthandOfDarkness:

 

“Up The Down Escalator” via YouTube user martind1000:

 

“Monkeyland” via YouTube user martind1000:

 

Purchase The Chameleons chameleons3

 

Discography (via Wikipedia):

  • 1983 Script of the Bridge (Statik; issued 1984 on MCA in the US; reissued 2008 as 25th Anniversary 2CD edition)
  • 1985 What Does Anything Mean? Basically (Statik)
  • 1986 Strange Times (Geffen)
  • 2000 Strip (Paradiso)
  • 2001 Why Call It Anything? (Artful)
  • 2002 This Never Ending Now (Paradiso)

 

Compilations (via Wikipedia):

  • 1986 The Fan and the Bellows (Hybrid)
  • 1990 John Peel Sessions (Strange Fruit)
  • 1992 Here Today…Gone Tomorrow (Imaginary)
  • 1993 The Radio 1 Evening Show Sessions (Nighttracks)
  • 1993 Dali’s Picture/Live in Berlin (Imaginary)
  • 1994 Northern Songs (Bone Idol)
  • 1997 Return of the Roughnecks: The Best of the Chameleons (2CD) (Dead Dead Good)

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 04-14-09

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What a hawt, hawt, hawt show last night! Ed-FM found his groove from the first request fulfilled, “We Can Walk” by Plastercene Replicas, to a mind-numbing heavy metal smoker by Icicle Works, of all groups. Remember “Whisper To A Scream?” Well, “Shit Creek” made my ears bleed – it was a shocker to hear that number by New Wavers that took a wrong turn somewhere along the music roadmap of the 80’s. So much obscure music – so little time!

 

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his nuclear hot 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

 

CFRC-FM Playlist April 14, 2009

 

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

ED-FM ~ Retrospect

80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and past this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/

 

  1. Plastercene Replicas – We Can Walk
  2. The Colourfield – The Colourfield
  3. Romeo Void – Six Days Plus One
  4. Magic Dragon – Objet Du Desire
  5. Tears For Fears – Mad World
  6. Sons Of The Desert – Best Things
  7. Savage Progress – My Soul Unwraps Tonight (Ext)
  8. Gazebo – I Like Chopin (12” Mega Mix)
  9. Comsat Angels – Lost Continent (Demo)
  10. Perfect World – Vacation In Black
  11. The Icicle Works – Shit Creek
  12. Sons Of Freedom – Super Cool Wagon (12” Mix)
  13. Casino Music – Fait Le Proton
  14. Stan Ridgway – The Big Heat
  15. New Musik – They All Run After The Carving Knife
  16. Colourbox – Fast Dump
  17. The Slow Children – Unplugging The Vacuum
  18. Tear Garden – Ophelia
  19. The Cassandra Complex – Pick Up
  20. Seeing Red – Ice (7” Mix)

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Cabaret Voltaire

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(Note: This post is late in observance of Easter)

Known for its ability to successfully combine dance, techno, avant garde and dada-influenced performance art, the group Cabaret Voltaire, until fairly recently, remained one of the best kept secrets from my 80’s music store of knowledge. I started hearing them played on David Marsden’s show from 94.9 The Rock Thursday and Friday nights about a year ago. Since then, the group has definitely captured my attention.

 

Cabaret Voltaire formed in Sheffield, England, initially composed of Stephen Mallinder, Richard H. Kirk and cabaret-voltaire4Chris Watson. The name came from a nightclub in Zurich, Switzerland whose music heavily influenced the group. Although their earliest performances were dada-influenced performance art, Cabaret Voltaire later developed into one of the most prolific and important groups to blend pop with dance music, techno, dub house and experimental electronic music. (Wiki)

 

In 1978, Cabaret Voltaire signed to Rough Trade Records and released several critically acclaimed experimental singles and Eps, including Extended Play, “Nag Nag Nag” and “Three Mantras.” They also went on top release the albums The Voice of America in 1980, and Red Mecca in 1981.

 

In 1983, the band took a decidedly mainstream turn with the album The Crackdown coming in at #31 in the UK charts. In 1984, the Cabaret Voltaire unleashed the singles “Sensoria” and “James Brown” from the album Micro Phonies. Code debuted in 1987, followed by the house-influenced Groovy, Laidback & Nasty in 1990. The last Cabaret Voltaire release to feature Mallinder singing was the single, “Colours” in 1990. After that, a series of Cabaret Voltaire instrumental tracks were released in 1993 and 1994.

 

“Ghostalk” Via YouTube user electrigger:

 

 

“Crackdown” via YouTube user neckro23:

 

“Sensoria” via YouTube user vicoland:

 

 

Discography (Purchase Here) cabaret-voltaire1

  • Mix-Up (October 1979)
  • The Voice of America (July 1980)
  • Red Mecca (August 1981) 
  • 2×45 (May 1982)
  • The Crackdown (August 1983)
  • Johnny Yesno (November 1983)
  • Micro Phonies (November 1984)
  • Drinking Gasoline (August 1985)
  • The Covenant, The Sword, and the Arm of the Lord (October 1985)
  • Code (October 1987)
  • Groovy, Laidback and Nasty (June 1990)
  • Body and Soul (March 1991)
  • Plasticity (October 1992)
  • International Language (June 1993)
  • The Conversation (July 1994)

 

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 04-07-09

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How great to hear Ed-FM back live on the airwaves after his absence last week! Ed made it up to his listeners by providing a scorching set that included the likes of Clan of Xymox, Eva Everything, Hilary, and A Split Second. He also dedicated Altered Image’s “Happy Birthday” to soccerfan and gave shout-outs to him, Ralphd, and me. A fabulous time was had by all. My only complaint is that the two-hour set flew by. Why doesn’t a day at work move that fast?

 

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “cooking with gas” 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

 

CFRC-FM Playlist April 07, 2009

 

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

ED-FM ~ Retrospect

80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and past this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/

 

  1. M+M – Black Stations White Stations
  2. Clan Of Xymox – Obsession
  3. Altered Images – Happy Birthday J
  4. Bill Nelson – He And Sleep Were Brothers
  5. Spoons – Symmetry
  6. Art Of Noise (feat. Max Headroom) – Paranoimia (12” Single)
  7. Eva Everything – Afraid To Have Fun
  8. Boys Brigade – Saigon
  9. A Split Second – On Command
  10. Hilary – Drop Your Pants
  11. The Hawaiian Pups – The Infinite
  12. Heaven 17 – Temptation
  13. Flash And The Pan – Down Among The Dead Men
  14. Lightning Seeds – Pure
  15. Cult Hero – I’m A Cult Hero (partial)
  16. Simple Minds – The American (12” Single)
  17. Sandro Carlos Camerin – London Derriere
  18. Siouxsie And the Banshees – The Killing Jar (Lepidopteristic Mix)
  19. Barbie And The Kens – (I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone
  20. The Box – My Dreams Of You
  21. Psyche – Uncivilized
  22. Torch Song – Don’t Look Now

 

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ The Sound

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the-sound-1The Sound was a remarkable band with a message, perfectly delivered with a driven and purposeful style. The original lineup of The Sound consisted of Adrian Borland (vocals, guitar), Graham Bailey (bass), Mike Dudley (drums) and Benita “Bi” Marshall (keyboards, saxophone, clarinet). In 1979, the band produced their first album called Jeopardy, which garnered critical success.

Their second album, From the Lions Mouth, also received accolades from the music industry, but did not bring the band commercial success. Korova, The Sound’s record label at the time, pressured Borland and company to create something more commercially appealing. Basically, the band’s response was to tell the record company to go stuff it, and instead they recorded All Fall Down, an album with a decidedly non-mainstream bent.

In 1981, The Sound toured with contemporaries (and also underrated) Comsat Angels. Further extensive touring brought The Sound their greatest success in the Netherlands, and also their most devoted following. They performed the single “Sense Of Purpose” on the TV show Old Grey Whistle Test, and also made a couple of stops in the US.

After All Fall Down, The Sound parted company with Korova and sought out another record label. In 1984, they signed the-soundwith Statik, an independent outfit. In 1985, The Sound released an EP, Shock of Daylight, and an album Heads and Hearts. Also that year, Borland began to show signs of mental illness thought to be brought on by the stresses he and the band had suffered. While touring in Spain in 1987, The Sound had to cancel several appearances when Borland had a complete breakdown. In early 1988, the band made the difficult decision to split up.

For about a decade after the break-up, Borland somehow maintained a solo career. Never really cured of his depression, he committed suicide on April 26th, 1999, by throwing himself under a train at Wimbledon station.

Further supporting my conclusion that this band was criminally underrated are these quotes from voices in the music industry:

“The Sound were tragically overlooked in their time and have remained unjustly neglected since.”  ~  Sun Records Music Store

“It’s hard to understand why this London quartet never found commercial success. At their best, the Sound’s excellent neo-pop bears favorable comparison to the Psychedelic Furs and Echo & the Bunnymen.”  ~ Trouser Press

“The Sound? Just one of the finest bands of the 1980s.” ~ Jack Rabid of Big Takeover magazine

 

“I Can’t Escape Myself” via YouTube user godisatan:

 

 

“Sense of Purpose”via YouTube user petsounds19:

 

“The Unwritten Law” via YouTube user mozportugal:

 

Albums

 

the-sound-propagandaPropaganda (1979, Reissued by Renascent) – Available for Purchase

 

 

 

 

 

the-sound-in-the-hothouseIn The Hothouse (live 1985, Reissued by Renascent) – Available for Purchase

 

 

 

 

 

the-sound-jeopardyJeopardy (Korova, 1980) – Out of Print

 

 

the-sound-from-the-lions-mouth

From the Lions Mouth (Korova, 1981) Out of Print

 

 

the-sound-all-fall-downAll Fall Down (Warner Bros. [WEA], 1982) Available as Import

 

 

the-sound-heads-and-heartsHeads and Hearts (Statik, 1985) Out of Print

 

 

the-sound-thunder-upThunder Up (PIAS, 1987) Available as Import

80’s Music Rules ~ Groundhog Day for Retrospect at CFRC-FM ~ 03-31-09

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Ed-FM had to take care of some business last night, so the Retrospect show that aired was a replay of March 17, 2009. Many thanks to soccerfan for setting the record straight on the order of the songs played (Japan and Killing Joke’s order was inverted on the original playlist). Here is the updated list with the correction made.
 

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his uber-obscure 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

 

CFRC-FM Playlist March 17, 2009/ March 31, 2009

 

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

ED-FM ~ Retrospect

80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and past this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/

 

  1. The Pogues – Dirty Old Town
  2. Cottage Industry – The Crucial Moment
  3. David Bowie – Heroes/Helden (English/German)  J
  4. Yello – Moon On Ice
  5. Nash The Slash – 1984 (extended dance mix)
  6. Martha And The Muffins – DanseParc
  7. The Smiths – Still Ill
  8. Visage – Moon Over Moscow (extended mix)
  9. The Nails – Hotel For Women
  10. Magazine – My Tulpa
  11. Strange Advance – Worlds Away (12 inch)
  12. Lotus Eaters – It Hurts
  13. Violent Femmes – Jesus Walked On The Water
  14. The Spoons – South American Vacation
  15. Killing Joke – Insanity (insane mix)
  16. Japan – Adolescent Sex
  17. Maurice and the Cliches – Soft Core
  18. Simple Minds – Chelsea Girl
  19. Chameleons – Up The Down Escalator
  20. The Smiths – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
  21. The Box – L’Affaire Dumoutiere (Italian version)
  22. Two People – Mouth Of An Angel