I remember 1982 as being a pretty horrible era for music. Everywhere you went it was dreary synth pop and over-privileged new romantics. I was keeping my head down at the time, building oscillators and playing around with homemade electronic music. So it was that I failed to notice the emergence of Shriekback to join the new wave of funk bands such as A Certain Ratio and 23 Skidoo. They would go on to be more commercially successful than either, but I'm still partial to their earlier, more primitive recordings. Here's an early single, [...]
This reoccurring series focuses on a bands sphere of influences and what influences those bands might have had in the past...repeat. Kind of a down the rabbit-hole and seeing it where it takes me. This is by no means meant to be complete, just a musical exploration of sorts. Contributions and further input are greatly appreciated to keep the discussion going in the comments. So I was going through my normal music sites checking out new and old finds among the blog world when i tripped onto Shriekback on WavesatNight.com . Old school, [...]
Shriekback is not an easy band to classify. They borrowed heavily from funk but had a very different agenda; their music (in their later years) was more suited for contemplation than for parties. They combined synthesizers and drum machines with throbbing bass lines and unorthodox vocals to evoke a blurred primordial world. The first Shriekback release was the six-song EP Tench, which appeared on the iconic English label 'Y Records' in 1982. It was followed in 1983 by the LP Care, also on 'Y', which featured the quasi-hit "Lined Up," the song that put Shriekback on the map for [...]
With labels like Wierd and Captured Tracks trotting out bands like Xeno & Oaklander and The Soft Moon, that early '80s synthpop sound is back in a major way. Which also means the original bands are back in a more-or-less major way too. Even ones you didn't know were back...well, they are! Here's five to prove it. The Human League - Credo [...]
It's the underlying element that lifts a track up to a monster groove. It's the spine of the song. It can be deep and dark, or it can be grinning right along with you. It's the slap bassline. 1. Move On (Mutant Dance Move) - Fashion A B-Side from one of the 80's best forgotten dark New Wave albums, Fabrique by Fashion . Actually an instrumental/alternate version of the single 'Move On', I absolutely adore this track. Once it hits 2:34 things start to get fun. [...]
Bush Tetras and Lizzy Mercier Descloux were both part of the burgeoning early 80's New York No Wave/Punk-Funk scene. As the No Wave scene kind of imploded on itself, more and more bands were emerging from the wreck with the same style and sensibilities, but making the sort of shit you could dance to. They resisted the pull of disco at the time, and held strong to minimalist punk beats. 'Too Many Creeps', Melbournians may notice, was the inspiration for the night of the same name last year. MP3: Bush Tetras - Too [...]
Shriekback - Accretions (1982)
Sian Alice Group Interlude 07'35 Don Cherry Brown Rice Sebastien Tellier La Ritournelle (Turzi Remix) Subway Harmonia Gang Gang Dance First Communion The Pop Group We Are Time GoGoGo Airheart Trap (Pop Group cover) [...]
Is it hyperbole if it's said with sincerity? Even a cursory listen to the work of Gang of Four reveals two very simple truths. This band who released their first album in 1979 made music that has been an influence on an amazing number of bands and some (like Bloc Party) owe their careers to the their innovative style. Despite his modesty, bass player Dave Allen was part of one of the great rhythm sections of all-time. Coupled with Drummer Hugo Burnham, they were not only talented musicians but had the ability to write music that showed those talents without [...]
So, the 80's series continues. I swear I will never ever get weary of this music. It brings me back to some very good times and is responsible for my musical upbringing. The 80's will always rule in my book! This mix represents bands that were formed (born) in the year 1982. As I have said before, this is not a comprehensive list - I have probably missed a bunch of other good bands. But, this is what I dug up via my research into the subject matter. And, a couple of other bands that [...]
Time for another Song Of The Day. I was going to include a track off the new Passion Pit album because Ive been digging that recently, but its just too sugary and I know I'll just be completely sick of it in two weeks time, like MGMT. So on with the time tested goodness. In the burgeoning UK music scene in the early 80's, Shriekback never quite got the credit they deserved. Consisting of members of Gang Of Four and XTC should have been a recipe for success enough. This tune comes from an early [...]
Shriekback. Yes we did. And that there is the video for Nemesis from our album Oil & Gold.
I recorded this a few nights ago. The mixing is shaky at points, but the idea was just to record a session despite it's flaws. There are a few really solid and ambitious transitions in my opinion. I'm starting to realize that I try to stay in the mix too long. 45 seconds is really difficult if you're not playing techno, which I generally don't play. So from now on, here's your's truly pledging to start acting more like a hip-hop DJ and keeping the transitions to 8 bars. Bedroom Mix #1 - January 7 [...]
The Infinite (1987) 01 lined up --->LISTEN/DOWNLOAD 02 clear trails 03 accretions 04 sway 05 madness into method 06 my spine (is the bassline) 07 mothloop 08 sexthinkone 09 evaporation 10 a kind of fascination 11 working on the ground Evolution (1988) 01 nemesis 02 fish below the ice (12 inch) 03 hand on my heart (12 inch) 04 new home 05 despite dance weed 06 midnight maps 07 mercy dash
Manta Ray Even more new music on the first hour of this week's Pampelmoose edition of the New Music Hour on Portland's 94.7FM includes Portland band The Standard plus new music from School Of Seven Bells, yet another Radiohead Reckoner remix and TV On The Radio. I'm on air with resident DJ Squid every Tuesday and [...]
I remember it was at the annual school fête. I would have been eight years old. A hand-lettered sign promised fortunes told, and so I went into the tent. I sat down at the table, across from my bluff Class 2 teacher, Mrs Feitosa. She wore a turban and a purple cape, while I was Julius Caesar, draped in a sheet. Everyone dressed up for the fête, and I had been deeply impressed by our lessons that year about the Romans. I recall it being a hot, Brazilian day. Mrs Feitosa [...]
Shriekback is not an easy band to classify. They borrowed heavily from funk but had a very different agenda; their music was more suited for contemplation than for parties. They combined synthesizers and drum machines with throbbing bass lines and unorthodox vocals to evoke a primordial world where the line between human and animal was blurred. The title of their fourth album, Big Night Music, might be the most succinct summation of their work: Shriekback's music was always an appropriate soundtrack for life in the dark, but with the emphasis on the possibilities rather than the dangers. Though often haunting, [...]
It's my mom's birthday. Everyone say Happy Birthday! See, I am nice to some people. Band Of The Hand Okay, this is a cavalcade of weird so hang on tightly. And I also have a surprisingly large amount of stuff to say about this movie. But at least this time the music is actually pretty good. Band Of The Hand came out in 1986 and was produced by Michael Mann. As you may know Michael Mann is an Academy-Award nominated Director who brought us such [...]
It's a beautiful spring day up here on Mt. Misery. Even though I still have a little ways to go before I reach full functionality again, it's time I put aside the emo-rbidity of the past couple of weeks and carpe the diem . Besides, I can think no better way to facilitate the healing process than with some fresh air and some infectious grooves. The windows have been opened and the playlist has been finalized, arbitrary standards of quality be damned. Catch you on the dance floor, cats and kittens -- this [...]
Doklands
Goldkicks
Quarterlifeparty
Waves at Night
Sound Bites
le musicassette
The Dumbing of America
Songs in Space
Pampelmoose
RanchO RelaxO
The Mood Indicator 2.0
pogo a go-go
Hallway Of Memories
The Lost Turntable
Armagideon Time
Stream: Neil Young and Crazy Horse – Americana
