Folk Devils ‎– Goodnight Irony [LP] (1987, Situation Two)

Folk Devils were a 1980s post-punk ensemble born of the Notting Hill, West London music scene. Founding member Ian Lowery had previously been the original singer in late 1970s punk rock band The Wall and then signed to Killing Joke's Malicious Damage label as leader of the group Ski Patrol. The sound was a bastardised blend of punk, blues, and amphetamine fuelled angst with the music often walking a fine line between a patchwork of brilliant musicianship and violence. The political and ideological canvass for Folk Devils was the miners strike, Thatcher's Britain, mass unemployment and the flooding of Britain's streets with heroin and despair. Having recorded the 'Beautiful Monster E.P.' in 1985 with 'punk' producer and IRS stalwart Richard Mazda and the 1986 'Fire and Chrome' EP which was well received throughout Europe, chemicals and chaos finally caused the band to disintegrate as their first and only album 'Goodnight Irony' was released by Situation Two. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA] 

Label: Situation Two ‎– SIT UP 19 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Compilation 

Country: UK 

Released: 1987 

Style: Post-Punk

Tracklist:

A1 Hank Turns Blue 2:49 

A2 English Disease 2:56 

A3 Where The Buffalo Roam 2:45 

A4 Beautiful Monster 4:39 

A5 Wail 3:03 

A6 Nice People 1:44 

A7 Albino 5:35 

B1 Brian Jones' Bastard Son 3:49 

B2 It Drags On 4:22 

B3 Evil Eye 7:21 

B4 Art Ghetto 2:52 

B5 Chewing The Flesh 2:36 

Notes:

"This album contains the entire recorded output of the first incarnation of the Folk Devils" 

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Ekatarina Velika ‎– Ekatarina Velika [LP] (1985, ZKP RTVL)

The golden rule should be, if you want a review, just listen to EKV itself. Impressions are of subjective matter and regarding their talent, originality or creative absolutism, EKV remains an institution respectfully and deservedly reaching out far beyond their state (of art). A deserved masterpiece, this is not the group's crucial album alone. After an equally impressive start as Katarina II a few years earlier, 'Ekatarina Velika' was a fresh new start. The opening track "Oči Boje Meda" ("The Eyes Of Honey") makes it for a spooky start. Massimo Savić (then of Dorian Gray, here appearing as guest vocalist) speaks out in a bizarre voodoo-esque fashion, providing with a pattern that helps shaping up the song which at the same time is a fascinating, wild, creepy and surreal story told, kicking off hard with lush keyboard and stabbing rhythm section. "Zaboravi Ovaj Grad" ("Forget About This City") is a stunning 80s urban postcard showcasing an emotional struggle between resentment and sense of belonging. "Tattoo" lyrically expresses masochistic escapism. "Hodaj" ("Walk!") is a simple, yet powerful existentialist song. The word "Walk" actually appears during the song -EKV combined English throughout the album on several occasions, including the mentioned song "Zaboravi" (a line saying "Freeze Frame!") and the closing epic "I've Always Loved You" which makes it a beautiful dramatic finale, rescued from a lost noir film. Quiet and introspective "Ruke" ("Hands") juxtaposes shades of grey melody with oriental touches. "Modro i Zeleno" ("Blue and Green") is remarkable of its romanticism -the lyrics radiate with warmth and sensuality as opposed to the merciless passing of time. The playful "To Sam Ja" ("It Is Me") is screaming with energy and passion. "Olovne Godine" ("Lead Years") despite other dramatic and attention-striking material, is the hardest piece on the record. Not specifically for its slow arrangement but more for the fact it leaves the album at unrest -giving way to the final, and brilliant "I've Always Loved You". The problem surrounding EKV in general is, they frequently expressed passion through self-destruction and dejection. It is just frustratingly unbelievable people so young created the music that was too mature to handle. [SOURCE: DISCOGS] 

Label: ZKP RTVL ‎– LD 1257 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: Yugoslavia, Serbia 

Released: 1985 

Style: New Wave, Goth Rock, Post-Punk

Tracklist:

A1 Oči Boje Meda 3:36 

A2 Zaboravi Ovaj Grad 3:00 

A3 Tatoo 2:48 

A4 Hodaj 4:06 

A5 Ruke 3:10 

B1 Modro I Zeleno 4:00 

B2 To Sam Ja 4:00 

B3 Olovne Godine 3:48 

B4 I've Always Loved You 5:15 

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Demonios Tus Ojos ‎– Demonios Tus Ojos [CD] (1996, Gasa)

Demonios Tus Ojos had a short but intense life that left an album of the same name released by Gasa in 1988, which captured the complex personality of the group combining echoes of urban rock, blues, free and noise. The tear in Javier Corcobado's voice and texts, the precision madness of the tandem composed by the Colis brothers and the thrust and distortion of Javier Almendral meant one of the biggest, intense and emotive short circuits of modern popular music in Spain. The album was re-released in 1996. [SOURCE: GRUPOS NACIONALES NUEVA OLA 80] 

Label: Gasa ‎– 0630156002 

Format: CD, Album, Reissue 

Country: Spain 

Released: 1996 

Style: Avantgarde, Experimental, Post-Punk, No Wave

Tracklist:

1 Corazón Roto En 2.000 Pedazos 

2 Adiós Al Pantano Rojo 

3 Bar Turbulento 

4 Demonios Tus Ojos 

5 Tu Voz En La Carretera 

6 Bicho Salvaje 

7 Los Huesos Del Amor 

8 El Beso De La Muerte 

9 Esperando Al Último Metro 

10 Piano De Fiebres 

11 Colt Antimonio 

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The Chesterfields ‎– Crocodile Tears [LP] (1988, Household)

The Chesterfields were so archetypal first-wave indie: lazy but bold pink/pastel album cover; nasally and fairyish male vocalist; band made of mid 20 somethings whose fashion sense is entirely derived from The Smiths' 1985 photo shoots; snarky lyrics about lost love and depressive navel-grazing; guitar jangling so treble and frantic that it'll give you thunderclap headaches; random horns; a song titled "Besotted"...

Aesthetics and timeliness aside, however, the actual music here just kinda fun while it's playing, but none of the themes or hooks cling after repeated listens outside a couple standout tracks. Namely the first two tracks and "Besotted." "Alison Wait" is an immediate ear worm, and the latter is a mellower number with a solid chorus. "Lunchtime For The Wild Youth" is the obvious winner here though. It's got a fantastic melody, an anxiously energetic chord progression and some bonus slide action in its bridge, and one of the most memorable and defining lyrical quips from the entire C86 scene: "instead of peace and revolution we've got AIDs and Whitney Houston". [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC] 

Label: Household ‎– HOLD 4LP 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: UK 

Released: 1988 

Style: Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, C86, Indie Pop

Tracklist:

A1 Lunchtime For The Wild Youth 

A2 Alison Wait 

A3 When It All Comes Down 

A4 Hopes For Lauren Or Joseph 

A5 Get Some Religion 

B1 Let It Go 

B2 Twintown 

B3 Goodbye Goodbye 

B4 Besotted 

B5 Blame 

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Black September – Rainbow Kiss [12''] (1986, Lost Moment Records)

Black September was a new wave and indie rock band formed in 1984 in Kingston upon Hull (Yorkshire) and disbanded in 1988. Members were bassist Paul Kneeshaw, drummer Colin Holgate, guitarist Nick Wilson and vocalist Ian Hunter. They only released the 12” ‘Rainbow Kiss’ on the Lost Moment Records label. The album was recorded at Fairview Recording Studio, based in Willerby, Kingston upon Hull. Fairview Studio has been making professional recordings for over 50 years, founded in 1965 by pioneering local musician and recording enthusiast Keith Herd. In this studio bands and artists such Red Guitars, Toy Dolls, The Housemartins, The Farm, Def Leppard, Be Bop Deluxe, Bill Nelson, Uriah Heep or Fudge Tunnel have recorded. Singer Ian Hunter went on later to Rich Rags, a sleaze rock band from Hull. 

Label: Lost Moment Records ‎– LM12 036 

Format: Vinyl, 12" 

Country: UK 

Released: 1986 

Style: New Wave, Indie Rock 

Tracklist:

A Rainbow Kiss 

B David 

Notes:

Recorded 8-9 Dec 85 at Fairview Studios 

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Afraid Of Mice ‎– Afraid Of Mice [LP] (1981, Charisma)

At once, starting with the very first chords, one is impressed with the sheer power of Afraid of Mice album. “I’ll give you rock ‘n’ roll, I’ll play my part for you, I’ll give you everything, I’ll break my heart for you” –begins the album opener “Popstar” which has absolutely nothing pop about it. And every song on the album is lush and done with an incredible panache and throughout their whole opus Afraid of Mice show enviable variety of their music. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC] 

Label: Charisma ‎– CAS 1155 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: UK, Scandinavia, Netherlands, France

Released: 1981 

Style: New Wave, Post-Punk, Neo-Psychedelia, Glam Rock, Art Rock

Tracklist:

A1 Popstar 

A2 Fool Of Myself 

A3 Video Queen 

A4 I'm On Fire 

A5 Intercontinental 

A6 The Important Man 

B1 Taking It Easy 

B2 Bad News 

B3 Politicians 

B4 After Eight 

B5 I'm Not A Fighter 

B6 I Will Wait 

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→ ↑ → / Man & Machine ‎– Pop Art / The Bath [7''] (1979, Crystal Ballroom Records)

→ ↑ → (pronounced as three clicks, often written incorrectly as "Tsk Tsk Tsk" or "Tch Tch Tch") was an Australian music, art and performance group, best known for their experimental music. They formed in Melbourne in 1977 and were led by Philip Brophy. The group performed music, produced artwork, films, videos, live theatre, multi-media, and wrote literature. 

Ex members of Adelaide band Parachute (Bob Kretschmer, Graeme Perry and Rick Grossman) joined forces with Eric Gradman (ex Bleeding Hearts) and Mick Holmes to form Man and Machine in 1978. Their first single was 'Crime Of Passion' released on the Missing Link label in 1979 followed by 'The Bath' in the same year. They gigged at The Crystal Ballroom in St.Kilda, best known for its association of Melbourne's post-punk movement. After just two years they called it a day in 1980. [SOURCE: HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FROM 1960 UNTIL 2010] 

Label: Crystal Ballroom Records ‎– MLC 102 

Format: Vinyl, 7", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition 

Country: Australia 

Released: 15 Dec 1979 

Style: New Wave, Art Rock, Classic Rock 

Tracklist:

A – → ↑ → Pop Art 

B – Man & Machine The Bath 

Notes:

Limited edition of 800. → ↑ → deliver "An instrumental in the tradition of the mythical hit single." according to official Australian Innocent label 1981 catalogue. 

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Various ‎– The Snoopies Album: The Last Remains Of A Richmond Venue [LP] (1981, 1,000 Only Records)

Snoopies was an alternative music venue in Richmond (London) that was the centre of its own little post punk scene and closed its doors in 1981. As a celebration of the venue, the promoter gave the wonderfully named Ralph.E.Boy unrestricted access to the demo tapes of bands that had played there. Ralph picked 15 of the best tracks for a compilation album, and privately pressed 1000 copies on to vinyl. 

Bands range from relatively unknown (Rich & Famous, People Upstairs, Babybabybabybaby, Snatch 22, Sister Sister, M.L.R., The Crew) to some with recorded stuff (The Mag 7, The Trudy, Tronics, Plain Characters, Thirteen At Midnight, Scissor Fits) and a couple of bands that had a bit of success (The Europeans and Cardiacs). 

The Europeans were a new wave group formed in 1981 and disbanded in 1985. They released three albums, none of which achieved much in terms of chart position. In 1989, their former keyboard player and co-lead vocalist Steve Hogarth joined Marillion as lead vocalist. 

Formed in England 1977, Cardiacs originated in the group Cardiac Arrest, before entering the stage as Cardiacs in 1981. They began the label Alphabet to release their own material, after a couple of releases the label name was changed to The Alphabet Business Concern. They are best known for their unique style of music (termed "Pronk" by many) which contains elements of Progressive Rock, Punk and Psychedelic Rock.

Label: 1,000 Only Records ‎– RSB1 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition 

Country: UK 

Released: 1981 

Style: Alternative Rock, New Wave, Punk, Experimental, Post-Punk

Tracklist:

A1 – Rich & Famous Machine Gun 

A2 – The Mag 7 Rosalind Jones's Umbrella 

A3 – Tronics I'm A Diver 

A4 – The People Upstairs Whips Leather & Other Animals 

A5 – Plain Characters I Am A. 

A6 – The Trudy The Trudy 

A7 – Thirteen At Midnight Follow Yourself 

A8 – Babybabybabybaby Supernatural 

B1 – Snatch 22 Be Like You 

B2 – Sister Sister The Blackmen Dance 

B3 – Scissor Fits Radio Teeth 

B4 – M.L.R. The Recked Rectors Of Og 

B5 – The Crew Songs Like These 

B6 – The Europeans Drink Pink Zinc! 

B7 – Cardiacs Is This The Life? 

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Zircon & The Burning Brains ‎– «Cortex!» [CD] (1999, Ultimate Transmissions)

Leicester, UK based experimental industrial and Dada avant-garde trio Zircon & The Burning Brains was established in 1981 as a sideline to Holy Atheist, a collaborative project of Alan and Steve Freeman with others. The unusual group name is a dedication to both Frank Zappa and Tangerine Dream's "Electronic Meditation". For most of the time, ZBB were an experimental trio comprising the Freeman brothers (from Alto Stratus) and Nigel Harris. Zircon was the equipment, originally an old ITT cassette recorder rewired as a feedback device, and The Burning Brains were the human performers. Instrumentation included motors, tin cans, pots and pans, a Sinclair Spectrum computer, various cassette machines, tape loops, and (later on) synthesizers, etc. [SOURCE: DISCOGS] 

Label: Ultimate Transmissions ‎– UTCD 001 

Format: CD, Album, Reissue 

Country: UK 

Released: 09 Nov 1999 

Style: Industrial, Experimental 

Tracklist:

1 Imaginé 5:16 

2 Midnight Plus Midnight Plus One 22:00 

3 Velvet Light Trap 22:55 

4 Out Of The Ashes 18:24 

Notes:

Track 1 originates from the cassette compilation "A Cage Went In Search Of A Bird" (Dark Star DIS 1-2). Recorded "live as you hear it" 17 October 1984. 

Tracks 2 & 3 make up the original release of «Cortex!» (Auricle AMC 006). Recorded at Tachyon Studio, Leicester October/November 1984. 

Track 4 comes from the cassette "Out Of The Ashes" (Auricle AMC 022). Recorded at Tachyon Studio, Leicester October 1984 and April 1986. Mixed in Spring 1987. 

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Yximalloo ‎– The Worst Of 1982 [CD] (1994, Sakura wrechords)

Yximalloo is Naofumi Ishimaru alone, but he drafts a loose ensemble of players, including the core of Shigeo Ootake and Takashi Korgo as collaborator-executors. All of his releases are on his own label. Ishimaru works like a Japanese Jandek without the angst, like the Boredoms minus the bombast. Spiritual kin to early artpunk and especially the LAFMS, he revels in mock-ethnic music and nonsense. Lo-fi, sweet and primitive, he uses ancient drum machines, hand percussion, and electronic droplet noises, sometimes set to melodies gathered from some imaginary South Sea island where the traditional instrument is seemingly an old '80s synth. Handclaps and chanting abound, but Yximalloo has also been painted as a Japanese Half Japanese -Jad Fair himself has collaborated with Ishimaru. [SOURCE: YXIMALLOO] 

Label: Sakura wrechords ‎– C-05 

Format: CD, Compilation 

Country: Japan 

Released: 1994 

Style: Experimental, Tribal, Industrial, Minimal, Noise, Synth-pop, Avant-Folk, Tape Music, Freak Folk

Tracklist:

1 A Fire #12 2:58 

2 A Bird 1:49 

3 A-E-A-E #1 2:15 

4 A Water #8 3:41 

5 Offer Incense Sticks #6 2:29 

6 WA-MATSURI #10 1:47 

7 Moon Loop #1 1:02 

8 A Ghost 1:46 

9 A Horse #9 1:26 

10 A Wood #7 1:59 

11 Offer Incense Sticks #9 3:11 

12 A Dance 1:04 

13 Ton-Ten-Kan 3:13 

14 A Fish 0:45 

15 Dead Soldier With Red Lipstick 4:03 

16 O'Rhythm 2:34 

17 A Horse #8 1:36 

18 Fish Loop 2:14 

19 A Fire #4 0:45 

20 A-E-A-E #3 2:09 

21 A Grass 2:09 

22 A Moon 0:33 

23 Jet 0:54 

24 TI-TZU #2 5:45 

25 Not So Easy #10 1:10 

26 Moon Loop #6 + #7 + #8 1:55 

27 WA-MATSURI #8 4:18 

28 A Fire #6 1:02 

29 A Horse #7 1:34 

30 Reggae Kills The Weird Music In Jamaica #6 4:06 

31 A Water #9 3:22 

32 Plague 4:43 

Notes:

Recorded in 1982 

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