The Colours – Dierdre Is An Artist [7''] (1980, See Saw Sound)

The Colours appeared in February 1980, recording and releasing the single “Dierdre is an Artist,” which was favourably reviewed in Melody Maker by Paolo Hewitt. The main members were singer, lyricist, and film technician Simon Matthews; multi-instrumentalist Brendan Beal; and, on synthesiser, Royal College of Art graduate Jean Elmes. After recording more demos with a drum machine in autumn 1980, Richard Strange booked them twice to close Cabaret Futura at the Latin Quarter on Wardour Street, where they performed alongside Kissing The Pink, Soft Cell, Blancmange, and Richard Jobson. In April 1981, they played at the Cabaret Futura night at Heaven. 

 

The Colours were unusual: they played their set live in darkness while a film was projected onto a huge screen behind them, showing brightly edited images of beauty contests, NATO training films, fashion shows, and current affairs documentaries. Paul Tickell, writing in Sounds, commented that “the spectacle of the film, with its bias towards the Cold War and the nuclear era of the 1950s, was intriguing.” A review in NME stated: “The Colours gave a passable impression of two rival radio stations competing for a single band; as the music gelled, they began to sound like a more chaotic version of Suicide.” 

 

Many gigs followed, including three headlining shows at the Rock Garden, which described them as “exponents of sound and film, and better at it than Pink Floyd.” However, failing to secure a record deal, The Colours disbanded at the end of 1981. After their demise, Brendan Beal released some of the earliest acid house singles and appeared on S’Express’s hit “Hey Music Lover.” Jean Elmes taught photography and visual arts at City and Islington College, and Simon Matthews published "Psychedelic Celluloid," a study of music in UK film and television.

 

 

Label: See Saw Sounds – SAW 1 

Format: Vinyl, 7", Single 

Country: UK 

Released: 1980 

Style: New Wave, Post-Punk 

 

Tracklist: 

A Dierdre Is An Artist 3:15 

B1 Over My Head 6:27 

B2 Facts Of Life 0:40 

 

DOWNLOAD HERE

Brilliant – Colours [12''] (1983, Risk Records, Rough Trade)

 

Brilliant was a Brit-funk pop group, active in the British 80s nu pop scene. Formed when Killing Joke's Youth left his group and along with Ben Watkins (later, Juno Reactor) and Jimmy Cauty (later one half of The KLF) they started the group, releasing singles from 1982 to 1984. The first line up was completed with Marcus Myers and Guy Pratt, later in Icehouse. In their first four years of existence, they hosted a roster of over 30 musicians. The final line-up found them as a trio with June Montana on vocals, later a one-hit wonder dance diva with whom they released their sole album with a Stock, Aitken & Waterman production. Among their hits were James Brown's "It's A Man's World" and the 1963 hit for Skeeter Davis, "The End Of The World". 

 

Label: Risk Records – RTT 105, Rough Trade – RTT 105 

Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Single 

Country: UK 

Released: 1983 

Style: Synth-pop, Funk 

 

Tracklist: 

A Colours 5:13 

B Colours (Monster Mix) 6:08 

 

Other Versions: 

'Colours' (12") - Nuevos Medios, Rough Trade [41089 M, 41 089] (Spain, 1984)

 

DOWNLOAD HERE

Another Cinema – Midnight Blue Oceans [12''] (1985, Altered States)

After the dissolution of 1919 in 1984, former members Mark Tighe, Iean Tilleard, Steven Madden, joined drummer Stefan Khacheturian and became Another Cinema, taken under the wing of Red Rhino founder Tony Kostrzewa, this time releasing their single 'Phase One' (1984), and 'Midnight Blue Oceans' under the Altered States banner. They disbanded by 1986. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA] 

 

 

Label: Altered States – AST 002 

Format: Vinyl, 12", Single 

Country: UK 

Released: 1985 

Style: Alternative Rock, New Wave 

 

Tracklist: 

A Midnight Blue Oceans (12 Inch Mix) 4:22 

B Electric Dream States 4:40 

 

Notes: 

"Phase Two" 

 

Other Versions: 

'Midnight Blue Oceans' (7", 45 RPM, Single) - Altered States (AS 002) - UK, 1985 

 

DOWNLOAD HERE

2 Timers – Living For The Week End [7''] (1979, 2 Timer Records)

2 Timers were an American new wave rock group who formed in New York in late 1977. By early 1978 the group had relocated to London, England. The line-up in March 1978 was: John Warnick (vocals), George Fury (bass), Johnny Jones (rhythm guitar), Audie Willert (lead guitar) and Jim Morrison (drums, former member of Tuff Darts). Notably, their 'Now That I've Lost My Baby' single was produced by ex-Gong member Mike Howlett (OMD, Sting, Revillos, etc.), and that's probably why it also sounds very British and of it's era. They self released a second single, 'Living For The Week End' in 1979, but that was it for these guys. 

 

Label: 2 Timer Records – none 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single 

Country: US 

Released: 1979 

Style: Power Pop, Punk 

 

Tracklist: 

A Living For The Week End 3:23 

B The Good Die Young 2:10 

 

DOWNLOAD HERE

DJ Doc Scott – The N.H.S EP [12''] (1991, Absolute 2 Records)

 

 

Scott McIlroy (born 1971, Coventry, England), better known as Doc Scott or Nasty Habits, is a British drum and bass DJ and producer. He originally started to DJ at clubs and raves such as Amnesia House and The Eclipse in 1989/1990, before appearing all over the country and in the mid 1990s played at the seminal Metalheadz at the Blue Note nights. Goldie has called him "The King of the Rollers". His first track was 'The N.H.S. EP' released on Simon 'Bassline' Smith's label Absolute 2. From it, "Surgery (Midnite Mix)" is the one if you like frenetic, dark, and sinister dance music, more techno than hardcore. Belgian influences with a big nod to the early Warp and Network sound, all with the 4/4 plus breakbeat twist that 1991 UK producers gave us.

 

From there, he would record classics on labels such as Reinforced Records and Metalheadz, such as "Here Come The Drumz / Dark Angel", "Deranged", "VIP Drumz/Unofficial Ghost", and "Shadow Boxing" (released on his own 31 Records label). Between 2014 and 2018, he hosted the Future Beats show on London's Origin FM. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]

 

 

Label: Absolute 2 Records – ABS 001 DJ 

Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP 

Country: UK 

Released: 1991 

Style: Breakbeat Hardcore, Techno, Belgian Techno, Detroit Techno

 

Tracklist: 

A1 Surgery (Ordinary Mix) 5:26 

A2 Surgery (Midday Mix) 5:29 

AA1 Surgery (Midnite Mix) 5:36 

AA2 Nite Nurse 4:57 

 

Notes:  

"Surgery" samples both Second Phase's "Mentasm" and 808 State's "Pacific". 

"Nite Nurse" samples: 

Organs from Crystal Waters - "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" 

Vocal from Doug Lazy - "Let It Roll" 

 

DOWNLOAD HERE

Various – Bands That Could Be God [LP] (1984, Conflict Records, Radiobeat Records)

This is not an out-and-out masterpiece of an early Eighties Boston / coastal New England region compilation, but it has enough goodies on it to make it worthwhile. And, equally important, the collection itself makes for another key puzzle piece in the stitched-together panorama of the time and place. The Throbbing Lobster compilations would be an example of another.

 

In 1984, this was probably a big opportunity for most of the artists listed, as none of the groups except Sorry, Salem 66 and The Flies had released their own recordings to date. Most of the bands then achieved their breakthrough just under two years later. In this respect, therefore, it is an album with almost groundbreaking qualities. The recording quality is also very reminiscent of lo-fi at times. However, if you like this kind of thing, you'll be very well served here. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

 

Label: Conflict Records – CON 001, Radiobeat Records – RB 003 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation 

Country: US 

Released: 1984 

Style: Alternative Rock, Punk, Avantgarde, Hardcore Punk, Post-Punk, Emocore

 

Tracklist: 

A1 Busted Statues – Blue Cheer 3:32 

A2 Moving Targets – Changing Your Mind 2:40 

A3 Deep Wound – Time To Stand 1:42 

A4 Sorry – My Word 1:25 

A5 The Outpatients – Light Blue 1:48 

A6 Moving Targets – Waiting For The End 1:37 

A7 The Outpatients – Fight 2:09 

A8 Beanbag – Harassment 2:10 

A9 Christmas – 100 Million Flowers 3:40 

B1 Christmas – My Little Book Of Lies 2:03 

B2 Salem 66 – Sleep On Flowers 4:07 

B3 Moving Targets – Selfish 1:51 

B4 The Flies – The Plunge 1:54 

B5 Busted Statues – Nautical 3:57 

B6 Deep Wound – You're False 0:39 

B7 Beanbag – Cat's Pajamas 4:06 

B8 Sorry – One More Step 1:34 

 

Notes:  

Recorded throughout 1983 @ Radiobeat Studios, Boston except tracks A9 & B1 recorded @ Downtown Recorders and tracks B2 & B4 recorded @ Baker St. Studio. 

Mastered in January 1984 @ K-Disc, Hollywood. 

Includes a single-page, double-sided 8.5"x11" info sheet. Some copies additionally include individual pages for all the bands, with the exception of Deep Wound, stapled together with the info sheet to form a 10-page booklet. 

"The Conflict Compilation". 

 

DOWNLOAD HERE

Wally Shoup, Davey Williams, Doug Carroll, LaDonna Smith – Close Calls In Texas [Cass] (1984, Cassette Documents)

'Close Calls in Texas' (1984) is an album exploring different sounds and voices, guitars, violoncello, accordion, saxophone, balloon sound, farts, drums, frog sounds and more, all of this changing throughout the album. This variety is mainly for the A side of the album; B side is mainly saxophone and accordion. Overall a good experiment. 

 

Wally Shoup (1944-2024) was an American jazz alto saxophonist, painter, and author. Based in Seattle, Washington since 1985, Shoup was a mainstay of that city's improvised music scene. Seattle Metropolitan named him one of the 50 most influential musicians in that city's history. LaDonna Smith is an improvisor, composer, and artist in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a violinist, violist, vocalist and musical impresario pioneering the field of free improvisation in America. Best known for her improvisation work on violin and viola and her collaborative work with avant-garde guitarist Davey Williams (1952-2019).  Doug Carroll is a Bay Area electric cellist who has studied with Stockhausen, Lou Harrison and Braxton. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC] 

 

Label: Cassette Documents – CD 2 

Format: Cassette, Album, C60 

Country: US 

Released: 1984 

Style: Free Improvisation 

 

Tracklist: 

A Close Calls In Texas 

B Close Calls In Texas 

 

Credits: 

Alto Saxophone – Wally Shoup 

Cello, Electronics – Doug Carroll 

Guitar – Davey Williams 

Viola, Violin, Percussion – LaDonna Smith 

 

Notes: 

Recorded on 16 July 1973 

 

DOWNLOAD HERE

The Zippers – He's A Rebel / You're So Strange [7''] (1977, Back Door Man Records)

The Zippers were a Los Angeles-based punk/pop band from the late 1970s and early 1980s formed by Lou Cammarata (guitar, vocals, and member in the 60's and 70's of the soul bands Nicky C & The Chateaux and CRYSTAL), Danielle Faye (bass, vocals, also a member of Venus & The Razorblades), Bob Willingham (guitar, vocals) and Bill Willett (drums, vocals, also in The Imperial Dogs). They debuted in 1977 with the 7" single 'He's A Rebel / You're So Strange' on the Californian label Back Door Man Records. The A-side is a nice and punchy new wave cover penned by Gene Pitney and originally recorded by The Crystals in 1962. The B-side is too moody and epic but might appeal to anyone interested in hearing a very early example of neo-psychedelia. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

 

Label: Back Door Man Records – 5002 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single 

Country: US 

Released: 1977 

Style: Punk, Garage Rock, Power Pop, New Wave 

 

Tracklist: 

A He's A Rebel 2:38 

B You're So Strange 2:45 

 

DOWNLOAD HERE

The Young Ones – Rock 'n' Roll Radio [7''] (1978, Virgin)

 

The Young Ones (aka The Reputations) was a power pop/new wave group from London, England active in the late 70s (preceding the famous TV show of the same same). They are best known today both for the 1978 single "Rock n Roll Radio" released by Virgin as well as the fact that band keyboardist Wix Wickens went on to join Paul McCartney's solo band. [SOURCE: LAST.FM]

 

 

Label: Virgin – VS 205 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM 

Country: UK 

Released: 1978 

Style: New Wave, Power Pop 

 

Tracklist: 

A Rock 'n' Roll Radio 2:45 

B Little Bit Of Loving 3:31 

 

Other Versions: 

'Rock 'N' Roll Radio' (7", 45 RPM, Single) Virgin [11 957 AT] (Germany, 1978)

 

DOWNLOAD HERE

Wash Your Brains – Krähen Röhren - Röhren Krähen [LP+Cass] (1988, Schimpfluch)

Wash Your Brains is another project by Rudolf Eb.er (real name Rudolf Ebner). Rudolf Eb.er’s rites and artefacts are portals to the traumatic expanses and abysses of human existence. Regarded as psychopomp or art-brut shamanist, his trail of work leads deep down to -and through- the nethermost regions of the human psyche.

Rudolf Eb.er’s research de-occults the psychic body through psycho-physical tests and trainings. He employs and combines abreactive and cleansing actionism with sonic rituals, psychoactive acoustics and close-up field recordings of nature and decay, generating audio-environments into which he plants grotesque psycho-magic rituals and tantric exercises that trigger a nondual, higher awareness.

Rudolf Eb.er aka Runzelstirn & Gurgelstøck founded the Schimpfluch extreme and outsider artist collective in Zürich in 1987. Schimpfluch exponents are highly regarded for their unique and obscure aural and visual work; their confrontational, physically demanding performances and shock treatments remove the boundaries of the body and open up accesses to the collective unconscious. Rudolf Eb.er lives and works in Japan.

 

Label: Schimpfluch – SH 01 

Format: Vinyl, LP + Cassette, C20. All Media, Limited Edition 

Country: Switzerland 

Released: 1988 

Style: Noise, Experimental, Sound Collage 

 

Tracklist: 

LP-A Wash Your Brains – Das Schuldgeständis Des Trööt (Jekröt Desto Quqg) 

LP-B Wash Your Brains – Die Stammellaute Des Kn K Knarr (Jegans Desto Schnatt) 

Tape-C Wash Your Brains – Stürm In Your Wund 

Tape-D 4 Schizoide Musikanten – Würm In Your Schlund 

 

Notes: 

Limited edition of 150 copies. Packaged in 9" by 12" jacket with A4 insert. The cassette is wrapped in plastic and comes in a zip lock bag with sawdust and four cards. 

 

The cover says: "a limited edition of suggestive records 1". There is a small slip of paper with the cassette that says: "stürm in your wund besteht ausschliesslich aus mechanisch-akustisch manipulierter stimme" ["stürm in your wund consists exclusively of mechanically and acoustically manipulated voice"]. 

 

DOWNLOAD HERE