Last Man In Europe – ... A Certain Bridge [7''] (1981, Cocteau Records)

Last Man In Europe were a UK Post-Punk band from the early 1980's. They released one 7" single, 'A Certain Bridge' (1981) and then changed their name to The Last Man in Europe Corporation and released an album in 1982 ('Songs From The Ark').

 

 The raw rhythm box chug and the swooping synth fading up recalled nothing so much as the sound of 1981 on an indie budget. The rhythm loop was a close cousin to the one in The Nails “88 Lines About 44 Women.” Eventually guitar, synths, and drums came to an agreement and the groove percolated along for a few minutes without much change. The vocals on the “A Certain Bridge” had a whiff of Positive Noise in his declamatory insolence. Only two bars of a portentous descending guitar figure that marked the [brief] bridge provided any variance here. The inconclusive song lasted almost six minutes to little change in tension, though to its credit, it seemed only 4:30 long. 

 

“T.V Addict” had a similar reliance on a programmed rhythm but the guitar and bass were much more prominent here; resulting in a sound that felt a little closer to early Bauhaus without putting their boot in. The song was presumably the sequel to The Normal’s “T.V. OD.” The final track, “Complications” featured a lurching beat that was front and center; dominating the guitar and synths. But it was the perkiest song here. The berserk and tasteless synth solo at the song’s surprising coda felt like a conscious attempt at some Enoesque thrills ca. Roxy Music. But that outburst showed, finally, some signs of life with Last Man In Europe. Their reliance on canned rhythms lent their songs a sort of plodding dullness that this one finally rose above to put the boot in. 

 

On the whole, the band’s debut single was typical of its time, but with not much in the way of dynamics in their arrangement; synth freakout solo at the end of the record aside. [SOURCE: POST-PUNK MONK]

 

 

Label: Cocteau Records – COQ 2 

Format: Vinyl, 7"

Country: UK 

Released: 1981 

Style: Alternative Rock, Synth-pop, New Wave, Post-Punk, Minimal Wave

 

Tracklist:

A A Certain Bridge 

B1 T.V. Addict 

B2 Complications 

 

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Karma – The Joke's On You [Cass] (1983, Not On Label)

Obscure Neo Prog band, formed in 1982 and playing around the Hertfordshire area, Karma would propably remained in obscurity if it wasn't the presence of later Porcupine Tree mastermind Steven Wilson on the line-up (guitars/voice),which also included keyboardist Tom Dussek, drummer Mark Gordon and bassist Pete Rowe. These 16-year old teenagers released a cassette entitled 'The Joke's On You' in 1983.

 
Surprisingly for a bunch of kids, the album contains interesting compositions, typical example of the early-80's underground Neo Progressive movement. It is even a greater surprise that Steven Wilson's guitar remains on the background with keyboardist Tom Dussek being the driving force on each track. The overall style is close to early Galahad and Quasar, synth-dominated powerful progressive rock with symphonic traces, flashy synth soloing and some good guitar solos.Wilson's voice is rather amateur, what more reasonable for a kid about 16 years old trying to sing like a grown man. The production is very raw with a mediocre mix, but the keyboard work really shines through. 

A couple of tracks (''Nine Cats'' and ''Small Fish'') appeared later on the first Porcupine Tree works in totally different sounding and shorter versions. 'The Joke's On You' on the other hand contains all the good elements of the British New Progressive Rock wave, especially if you like the raw underground recordings of the age. Recommended but very hard to find. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

 

Label: Not On Label (Karma Self-released) – KM01 

Format: Cassette, Stereo 

Country: UK 

Released: Oct 1983 

Style: Prog Rock, Neo-Prog

 

Tracklist:

A1 Intruder D'Or 3:50 

A2 Tigers In The Rain 7:50 

A3 Small Fish 4:55 

B Nine Cats 15:20 

 

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Junji Hirose + Yoshihide Otomo – Silanganan Ingay [LP] (1989, Tanga-Tanga)

 

It is a strange sensation reviewing the debut album of an already familiar artist. You recognize methods and sounds that are commonplace in the discography but not in the context of album. How do you react to that? The debut record of Otomo Yoshihide sets a clear standard for his off-kilter vinyl sample-based noise productions. Many of the bits and bobs used throughout this collaboration have been expanded on, cut up or reconfigured later in his career.

 
With 広瀬淳二 [Junji Hirose] manning the more analog noise producers,' Silanganan Ingay', meaning 'far east noise' in Tagalog, becomes a childlike exploration of sound experimentation. Nothing has a clear concept, everything is very immediate, evidenced by the fact that there were no edits, no overdubs and that everything was recorded live. This also gives the record a very peaks-and-valleys quality; the high points are very distinguishable from the low points. 

 
With toy music boxes over screeching guitars, turntables over saxophone, a James Brown record having a crazy BDSM-based love affair with pins, needles, a saw and an autoharp, there is no shortage of entertainment, though. Again, if anything, this debut says something about the raw talent of both men in their chose auditory field. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

 

Label: Tanga-Tanga – R-001 

Format: Vinyl, LP 

Country: Japan 

Released: 1989 

Style: Noise, Experimental, Free Improvisation, Turntable Music

 

Tracklist:

A1 Noise From Far East 3:11 

A2 The Time To Live And The Time To Die 2:40 

A3 1.2.3.4. 1:22 

A4 6 And 14 Wave 5:25 

A5 Black And Blue 4:01 

A6 Green Bicycle 2:33 

A7 Intolerable Fellow 1:30 

B1 Short Tune 0:24 

B2 Mob? 3:55 

B3 For T.T. 1:53 

B4 Crying Sky 1:51 

B5 #7 1:15 

B6 Jalan 5:54 

B7 Don't Be Late! 1:41 

B8 Rip 3:25 

 

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Inzekt – Elektrische Heilwärme [LP] (1991, Schimpfluch)

Inzekt is the noise project of Peter Schmucki, member also of the techno project Tek Jam & Inzekt with Teddy Huber. As Inzekt he released the cassette 'Inkretion' in 1990, and the LP 'Elektrische Heilwärme' (1991), both on the Schimpfluch imprint, a label from Switzerland run by Rudolf Eber (Rudolf Eb.er). 

Label: Schimpfluch – SH 22 

Format: Vinyl, LP 

Country: Switzerland 

Released: 1991 

Style: Musique Concrète, Noise, Experimental 

 

Tracklist:

A Inzektrecording 91 01 04 

B Inzektrecording 91 01 04 

 

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Holger Hiller – Holger Hiller [7''] (1980, Warning Records)

 

Electronic experimentalist Holger Hiller departed from the band Palais Schaumburg in the early '80s and embarked on a solo career. 1983's 'Ein Bündel Fäulnis In Der Grube' established his basic approach of combining keyboard lines with assorted odd sounds, and tense, clattering percussion. 1986's 'Oben im Eck' featured Hiller exploiting new sampling technology to its fullest behind a band including vocalists Billy McKenzie and Kaori Kano, and keyboardist Izumi Kobayashi. After laying low for quite some time, save occasional mixing and editing work for artists like Depeche Mode, Hiller returned with a vengeance in the mid-'90s, issuing 'Little Present' in 1993 and following it with the 'Demixed' collection. A self-titled release followed in fall 2000. This single from 1980 is also sometimes referred to as 'Herzmuskel; an excellent electronic experimental pop recommended for fans of Tuxedomoon and Renaldo & the Loaf type stuff; favorite, "R In S/W", almost a perfect closing track [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC] 

 

Label: Warning Records – wr 004, Warning Records – WR-004 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM 

Country: Germany 

Released: Jun 1980 

Style: Synth-pop, Experimental, Neue Deutsche Welle, Minimal Wave, Minimal Synth

 

Tracklist:

A1 Ich Kann Nicht Mehr Warten 

A2 Ein Ganz Normaler Kuss 

A3 Dingdonggefühl 

B1 Herzmuskel 

B2 R In S/W 

 

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Geile Tiere – Geile Tiere [LP] (1981, GeeBeeDee)

Geile Tiere was a band formed by artists Luciano Castelli and Wolfgang Ludwig Cihlarz aka Salomé. Both were protagonists of the neo-expressionist, young, anti-capitalist, anti-institutional and punk-influenced art scene of the late 1970s and 1980s in divided Berlin. They were painters, musicians and performers, came together through the Berlin designer Claudia Skoda and initially appeared together as performers. They eventually founded the band Geile Tiere and often performed at Dschungel, one of the legendary Berlin punk clubs of the time alongside SO36 and others. As part of the gay scene (Cihlarz was part of the Homosexual Action West Berlin (HAW)), they repeatedly used bodily motifs for their images and performances and created provocative, transgressive, drastic and shocking works. 

 

This is indeed a very experimental electro album from those good old days. Lots of analog synth sounds, sound collages, electric chirping and only partially comprehensible lyrics. German avant-garde from the time of the Cold War. Absolutely on the edge of good taste and yet still interesting. “Place des Alpes” is still danceable even today and is definitely an insider tip for any avant-garde art party. Recommended also “Liebst Du Mich?”. A very record record for impressing your oh-so-“arty” friends. [SOURCE: Forschungsplattform – Künstlerpublikationen]

 

 

Label: GeeBeeDee – GBD 0022 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: Germany 

Released: 1981 

Style: Minimal, Experimental, Minimal Wave, Neue Deutsche Walle, Experimental Rock

 

Tracklist:

A1 Rosa / Hellblau 5:50 

A2 Ich Bin Ein Huhn 1:58 

A3 Place Des Alpes 5:15 

A4 Liebst Du Mich? 5:10 

A5 Supergeil 5:06 

B1 Plastic 3:53 

B2 Ausbildung 3:04 

B3 Interview 3:47 

B4 Kein Gefühl 5:34 

B5 Just In Case 3:33 

B6 Love You (Live) 2:47 

 

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The Fast – The Fast For Sale [LP] (1980, Recca Records)

The Fast was an American glam / punk band formed in New York City in the mid 1970s by brothers Paul Zone, Miki Zone, and Mandy Zone. In 1975, The Fast was an integral / influential part of the Max's Kansas City / CBGB scene alongside Blondie and the Ramones, with their blend of power pop and garage punk. As the New York punk rock scene was in its infancy, The Fast were a headline act at Max's Kansas City and CBGB in New York City. 

 

The Fast's first single, "Boys Will Be Boys" (CBS Records) was released in 1976 and was produced by Peter Crowley. The Fast's sound and style was developed with 1960s mod pop elements and the use of synthesizers just before the instrument became a staple of the new wave genre. Their second single "It's Like Love" (Ram Records) was released in 1977 and produced by Richard Gottehrer (Blondie / Go-Go's / Strangeloves / Raveonettes). "It's Like Love" was a blending of electronic synth sounds and bubblegum pop. The B-side was "Kids Just Wanna Dance". 

 
In 1978 / 1979, The Fast toured the United States. Ric Ocasek brought them on a stadium tour with The Cars. Ocasek produced half of their first LP 'The Fast For Sale' (Recca Records), which was released in 1980. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]

 

 

Label: Recca Records – RR2000 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: US 

Released: 1980 

Style: Punk, Indie Rock, Glam 

 

Tracklist:

A1 Kids Just Wanna Dance 

A2 Sizzler 

A3 Coney Island Chaos 

A4 Love Me Like A Locomotive 

A5 It's Like Love 

A6 Boys Will Be Boys 

B1 These Boots Are Made For Walkin' 

B2 T-Shirt & Tight Jeans 

B3 B-Movies 

B4 Wet & Wild 

B5 Cars Crash 

 

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Evil Edna's Horror Toilet! – Too Much Gristle In The Blancmange [Cass] (1986, Not On Label)

This tape is the personal concept project of Jane Reaction (ex-Magic Mushroom Band) and her -then- boyfriend Joie Hinton (from Ozric Tentacles). On the recording, as musicians guested members of The Oroonies and The Ullulators, plus Gary "Moonboot" Masters and Kim Oz. Jane Reaction later on reinvented herself as Nana Obscuri. Somewhere between psychedelic dub minimal wave, Ozric Tentacles jam, Gong and some odd groove-funk outsider twee pop, etc., the vocals are sometiems too weak and instrumentation stereotypical. A bit uneven maybe, but lovely, and a rather consistent whole. Mostly it's also original anyway, and doesn't default too much on existing genres. Recommended: "Omné" and "Turkeys Dinner", maybe the longer piece "Floating In The Overflow" if you want a long jam à la aforementioned bands. Horribly under produced, but interesting mix of primitive 80s synthesizer, festival era spacerock, reggae, and even some good old fashioned new wave pop. Lot of cheap digital drums to endure that are awful, though not nearly as awful as that cassette cover. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

 

Label: Not On Label (Evil Edna's Horror Toilet! Self-Released) – EE1 †† 

Format: Cassette, Album

Country: UK 

Released: 1986 

Style: Reggae, Dub, Psychedelic Rock, Experimental, Space Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Minimal Wave

 

Tracklist:

SOD 1 

A1 Cistern Men 

A2 Warrior Dub 

A3 Mo-Ad 

A4 We Have A Mushroom Cloud 

A5 Ferbetha 

A6 Omné 

A7 Turkey Dinner 

Slide 2 

B1 Lend Me A Fiver 

B2 Floating In The Overflow 

B3 Mama Redstripe 

 

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Dog Faced Hermans – At The Ancienne Chocolaterie [Cass] (1991, Demon Radge Records)

Orchestral instruments, including viola, trumpet, and saxophone, were combined with such oddities as hippo tube and foghorn to create the ultra-loud post-punk sounds of the Dog Faced Hermans. Although the group disbanded in 1995, the members of Dog Faced Hermans remain active. Bass guitarist and steel drum player Colin McLean worked with Pere Ubu vocalist David Thomas before become a full-time sound engineer for The Ex. Guitar, hippo tube, and viola player Andy Ex went on work with The Ex, Kletka Red, Little Red Spiders, and The Magpie Dance Company. Nigerian-born vocalist and trumpet/bells player Marion Coutts relocated to London, where she played briefly with Spaceheads and works as a sculptor and lecturer. In addition to playing drums with Rhythm Activism, Wilf Plum has worked as a DJ in Amsterdam and had led his own group, Johnny Distance & the Web Riders. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC] 

 

 

Label: Demon Radge Records – none 

Format: Cassette, Album 

Country: Netherlands 

Released: 1991 

Style: Alternative Rock, Punk, Post-Punk, Art Punk

 

Tracklist:

A1 Suppressa 

A2 Ballad About Bhopal 

A3 From The Top Of The Mountain 

A4 Fortune 

B1 Astronaut 

B2 Waiting For Their Waters To Be Stirred 

B3 The Running Man 

B4 Body Strategic 

 

Notes:

All songs recorded live in Neuchatel, Switzerland in June 1991. 

 

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Cold War – Irrational [Cass] (1982, Rasquap Is Dead Tapes)

Cold War was a Post-Punk band formed in 1980 in Hornchurch (London) and disbanded in 1982. Members were Ian Smith (vocals, also in Seventh Séance), Paul Harding (guitar), Chris Knowles (bass), and Kev Bulmer (drums). After splitting, Paul Harding and Chris Knowles ended up together in Hagar The Womb and We Are Going To Eat You. Then both became successful Techno DJs and producers during the 1990's and 2000's. Cold War released one live cassette ('Live At The Autonomy Centre Wapping 18-10-81', two demo cassettes ('Cold War' and 'Irrational', both in 1982) and a 7" released entitled 'The Machinist' (1983, Namedrop).

 

 

Label: Rasquap Is Dead Tapes – rid 1 

Format: Cassette 

Country: UK 

Released: 1982 

Style: Punk, Post-Punk, Anarcho-Punk

 

Tracklist:

1 Irrational 

2 Opening Doors 

3 Life On A Wire 

4 Pride 

5 Brother Murder 

6 Confrontation 

 

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