Weimar Gesang- THE REST!

After some insight on some rare and otherwise unreleased Weimar Gesang material, I am pleased to offer the last of their uncovered gems, once and for all! Thanks a ton to all who have uploaded some of the harder-to-find material and offered extra information on the band.

Included in the zip file below are three releases. The first two are respective sides of a 1983 demo cassette, the A-side being early demos of familiar tracks and the B-side featuring a rare live set from the band's early incarnation, recorded in October of 1983. This release predates the previously uploaded Our Silent Growth cassette. The third and final release attached is a 1987 rough mix of what was to be the fourth WG record, never officially released and given to the band's closest friends just before they split up. Very rare materials, all three, and thanks to allelimo for encoding them!

Otherwise, here's the nitty gritty:

Weimar Gesang- Demo 1983 (Cassette side A)
1. Frail Moments
2. Along The Walls
3. Locked In My Castle
4. Refusing
5. Show Me
6. Motionless Dance
7. Incomprehension

Weimar Gesang- Live 1983 (Cassette side B)
1. Motionless Dance
2. Refusing
3. Locked In My Castle
4. Torn Souls
5. One Sweet Night

Weimar Gesang- It is a Crime
1. It is a Crime
2. Place to Be (Nick Drake cover)

*download them here*

Thanks again to all who have contributed to the Weimer Gesang posts! Should you have missed them, their remaining discography can be downloaded from these back pages by clicking here and here.

Days of Sorrow- 12'' Discography

To celebrate our upcoming independence day, well...here's something straight from the heart of Germany. In short, this is the complete discography of minimal wave/post-punk band Days of Sorrow.

According to sleeve information, the band featured a four piece lineup for their first 12'', changing drummers and expanding to a five piece for the second, which followed two years later. Not much else is known about the band outside of their origins, and their records fetch incredibly impressive prices, so let's get straight to the nitty gritty, shall we? Here's the information for their two 12'' releases, zipped up for your minimal electronic pleasure.



Days of Sorrow- Remembering the Days 12'' (1984, Tollhaus Records)
1. Wild World
2. War
3. Travel
4. Don't Leave Me Drowning



Days of Sorrow- A Thousand Faces 12'' (1986, Rough Trade Germany)
1. Wild World
2. A Thousand Faces (Night-Time)
3. Mysterious Eyes

*download both here*

There also exists a 1986-released 7'' for Wild World, but I'm gathering it's simply the A Thousand Faces recordings of both "Wild World" and "Mysterious Eyes," minus the eponymous 12'' track. I reckon the zip otherwise contains their complete discography. Enjoy!

Weimar Gesang- Supplemental Materials

Thanks to two generous and anonymous donations, I'm pleased to upload the remaining tracks in Weimar Gesang's discography, including tracks from a split cassette with Plastic Trash.

I've unzipped, tagged, and reuploaded the files from the original Rapidshare files to keep everything together and circumvent Rapidshare's waiting period. As an added bonus, I've included the live bootleg, entitled . Even in it's low-quality, it may serve interesting to fans and otherwise completists.

Without any further ado, here's the final batch of Weimar Gesang tracks!



Weimar Gesang- Our Silent Growth Cassette (1984)
1. Frail Moments
2. Torn Souls
3. The Play
4. Show Me
5. Motionless Dance
6. Frail Moments (Second View)



Weimar Gesang- VM Due Cassette (year unknown)
1. Our Silent Growth
2. Remaining Years
3. Gesang The Dragging
4. Light-Tight Place

Weimar Gesang- Live at Back Out, Roma 12.04.1985
1. Deceit
2. Melt Your Sight
3. Held Inside
4. Chantal's Secret
5. Like in a Mirror
6. Worn Out Prayer
7. Du Bist/Light-Tight Place

*download all three releases here!*


More goodies to come in the near future, but thanks again to my anonymous benefactor for helping to complete the discography!

Weimar Gesang- 12'' Discography

Though a few demo cassettes and live material are circling around in rather incomplete and poor quality, here's the official recorded output of Italian darkwave/minimal synth band Weimar Gesang, which amounts to three 12'' releases. There are also a handful of compilation appearances alongside the live/demo cassettes, but I've been unsuccessful in tracking them down.

Not a lot of information about the band to be found otherwise. The band consisted of four members: Donato Santarcangeli, Fabio Magistrali, Giuseppe Tonolini, and Paolo Mauri, a few of which went on to play in various other Italian bands over the years. If anyone has some concrete info about these fantastically gloomy fellows, feel free to contribute below.

That all said, here's the information for there three 12'' releases.



Weimar Gesang- Even Stone Pales 12'' (1984)
1. Held Inside
2. Annual Ring
3. Chantal's Secret
4. Held Inside Again



Weimar Gesang- The Colours Of Ice (1985)
1. Deceit
2. Like In A Mirror
3. Melt Your Sight
4. One Promise Less
5. Torn Envelope



Weimar Gesang- No Given Path 12'' (1986)
1. Du Bist
2. The Secret Us
3. Light - Tight Place
4. When The Moon Splits The Gloom
5. Worn Out Prayer
6. Mother Of Nothing

*download it here*

EDIT: A comrade over at the Krupnik blog has featured the Afterglow compilation, which features three further Weimar Gesang traxx, none of which appear on these 12 inches! Click here to nab it.

Otherwise, as previously mentioned, I do have a really shoddy live recording from 1985 kicking around. I can't really recommend it, but if anyone's dying to hear it, shout below and I'll upload it separately.

Bolero Lava- Inevitable 12'' (+Bonus Materials)

Here's another generous donated post from Jeff/Uberbelly, who was involved in this particular band during their later incarnation. Otherwise, the band in question is Vancouver based Bolero Lava, who began life as an all-female post-punk band. Their sound reminds me personally of a cross between 4AD's Colourbox and The Au Pairs, with both a soulful croon and a funky post-punk edge to them.

The original lineup of the band lasted through 1983-1988, releasing the Inevitable 12'' in 1984. Original members Barbara Bernath and Laurel Thackeray departed in 1988, replaced briefly by Andy Graffiti and Linda McRae. Jeff Sawatsky (our gracious donator, also involved with Voice and Sarah McLachlan) and Sherri Leigh replaced Andy and Linda, and Mallory Temple was the final member of Bolero Lava's lineup, replacing Leigh after her short stint. The band officially called it quits in 1991.

Uploaded below, we have three separate releases. Firstly, we have Bolero Lava's original 12'' record, released on Mo-Da-Mu records in 1984. The second 12'' below was a one off-single recorded in by guitarist Phaedra Struss, featuring contributions by Adrian Sherwood, Jah Wobble, David Harrow, and Bolero Lava bandmate Vanessa Richards. Last but not least, we have a rather impressive stack of Bolero Lava demos, recorded between the years of 1988-1991, with the various lineup changes in tow.

For more information and images from the Inevitable 12'', check out the Discogs.com listing I just submitted. Otherwise, let's get to the information, shall we?



Bolero Lava- Inevitable 12'' (1984)
1. Inevitable
2. Click of the Clock



Phaedra- Jesus Lives in Vegas 12'' (1990)
1. Jesus Lives in Vegas
2. Telephone Operator [Buzzcocks cover]



Bolero Lava- Demos
1. Swim to Me
2. A Road and a Car
3. Easy
4. My Old Friend
5. News For You
6. Prey
7. Protection

*download it here*

Otherwise, thanks again to Jeff for the fantastic rips, photos, scans, and donations! For more information on the band and some previewed tracks, click below for their Myspace page.

Bolero Lava on Myspace

Lustans Lakejer- Uppdrag i Genève LP

Lustans Lakejer (aka Lustavision and Vanity Fair) were a Swedish new wave band originally formed in 1978 with a punk informed approach, not unlike the likes of Magazine and Ultravox. The band issued several 7 and 12'' singles and a debut record before releasing today's download, Uppdrag i Genève in 1981. At that point, the synthesizer became a main component of the band's sound.

After a handful of following releases and lineup shifts, the band split in 1986. Reissues of the band's catalog, expanded with bonus tracks and expanded booklets, followed. The band reunited in 1999 for a festival appearance. Another record followed and the band is currently active as both a recording and touring entity to date.

The CD reissue of Uppdrag i Genève is available for purchase via http://www.hotstuff.se/, for a pretty reasonable price. The record includes five extra bonus tracks, including a 7'' and live tracks. Since the record is still available for those willing to import it, I've only uploaded the main program for listening purposes. Give it a spin, and if you dig it, be sure to pick up the CD. Here's the info:



Lustans Lakejer- Uppdrag i Genève LP
1. Rendez-Vous I Rio
2. En Lång Natts Färd Mot Dag
3. Sista Tangon I Paris
4. Segerens Sötma
5. Stilla Nätter
6. Man Lever Bara Två Gånger
7. Män Av Skugga
8. Unga Moderna
9. Öppna Städer
10. Paradisets Portar

*download it here*

For more information about Lustans Lakejer, check out the band's official myspace page, run by singer Johan Kinde.

Lustans Lakejer on Myspace

Further Reflections

Oh, the hell with it. To those who read my recent rant on the wonderful world of blogging, and all the annoyances that come with it, I am glad to be providing a valuable service to those willing and eager to enjoy it. Therefore, I think it might be best to continue this blog and continue to drudge through the anonymous attacks, snobbery, and floods of EPK emails (which haven't ceased, mind you). These sort of things just make me despair, and it's hard to continue to be enthusiastic in light of some of these comments, on and off list.

To clarify: 433 RPM (owner of the otherwise fantastic No Longer Forgotten Music blog, though the straw that broke the camel's back below, is not the main reason for the previous rant. I still feel strongly against blogger entitlement and the inevitable repetition that comes with the territory. However, I will offer no apologies if something, without prior knowledge, is reposted. It's a big blog world out there, and there's no time to dig through everyone else's archives to see what has or hasn't been posted. It is important for both readers and bloggers to understand that we (bloggers ourselves), DO NOT own the copyright to music they post (which I'm aware opens me up to any criticism from anti-blogging factions), and otherwise, I have made efforts in the past to point in the proper direction should I be aware of an existing post on the subject. I try to offer a unique perspective on anything I post, digging up any found information, videos, and interesting tidbits wherever available, adding to the experience and appreciation.

So in short, Systems of Romance will most likely continue, so long as my personal interest in this kind of music does. I will do my best to keep up the efforts and post music not easily found both on and offline, in hopes that willing ears will continue to experience and support these very rare treats. I will, on the suggestions of several friends, be starting an 8tracks account for previewing purposes. In the meanwhile however, here's an explosion of cute:

Störung- The Art of Combining Cassette

Astute fans of minimal wave should already be familiar with Störung, a duo from the Netherlands who released one classic full length record in 1982 (get it here on Mutant Sounds). Their sound combines some of the most striking minimal electronics with dirty guitars, bass, and alternating male and female vocals.

The band formed in 1981, and during their lifespan released both the This is Future LP and the respective Dreadful Dance 7''. Though a recent archival release by Minimal Wave Records (currently available for a meager $8.50!) appeared two years ago, the band had only these releases under their belt, but still had several unrecorded tracks in their repertoire. An unofficial cassette was released by their label, Combinator, in 1983. The bootleg featured several Störung staples alongside a series of unreleased tracks, recorded during one of the band's live sets. These are the only known versions of some of these tracks, and though the quality is a bit warm due to the nature of the release, it still holds up as an additional piece of the Störung puzzle.

Without any further ado, here's the information for the release:



Störung- The Art of Combining Cassette
1. Empire SX
2. Nooduitgang 2
3. Modern Fetch
4. Drums Keep Thundering
5. Europe Calls
6. Radio Lines
7. Onweer
8. This Is Future
9. Siberia
10. Don't Want To Know
11. Warschau Pact

*download it here*

Note: Also posted on the No Longer Forgotten Music blog. Check out his impressive backlogs!

As a further supplement, here's a video for a live performance of "Warschau Pact," recorded in 1983.

Iko- '83 LP/CD-R Bootleg

I see this one was one hosted on 7'' From the Underground but has since expired. Otherwise, here's the entire discography of Canadian minimal synth outfit Iko. The band released one LP and one 12'' record, both in 1982, before disbanding.

This particular CD-R bootleg features two extra tracks not originally pressed on the LP, though one of the tracks made its way onto the Tribute to Some Bizzare series. Otherwise, there's little info available outside of what Peter has dug up, so click there to read the proper credits, and otherwise, here's the tracklisting and artwork:



Iko- '83 LP/CD-R
1. Elevator
2. Gonadotropic Synthesis
3. Subway 49
4. Communication Off
5. Approach On Tokyo
6. Digital Delight
7. Model Type A
8. Radio Active Mist
9. Military Service
10. Surrender To The Dream

*download it here*

Supposedly, there are only 500 or so LP copies of this record kicking around, so if you spy it, pick it up posthaste! Otherwise, I have a few more donations from a few weeks back to upload, so stay tuned for more posts over the next few days!

League of Nations- Discography

For the second post for today, I'm pleased to offer the full discography of California based minimal synth band League Of Nations, who released just one LP and 12'' on Glaze Records.

League of Nations were a two piece consisting of Laurie Jean on drums and programming and David Sinfield on piano, synth, and voice. The pair had also released one 7'' in 1981 under David Sinfield's full name. Otherwise, here's the information for their discography.



League of Nations- Music For the New Depression LP (1984)
1. Illuminous
2. Overlord
3. Index Of Motion
4. Fade
5. Systematic Eyes
6. For A Moment

League of Nations- Fade 12'' (1983)
1. Fade (12'' version)
2. Thin Ice Wall

*download it here*

I've caught wind of a few various, but unofficial reissues of the full length record. There also seems to be a myspace page, linked here.

Voice- Anno Di Voce 12'' (+Bonus Tracks)

Apologies for the disappearance, ladies and gents, been off the radar for most of last week. To make up for it, here's a generous donation from a contributing member, which collects rare tracks and one 12'' by Canadian synthpop act Voice. There's little information to be found about the band (as it tends to be in matters like this), but otherwise, Voice featured contributions from Dwayne Goettel, who would join Skinny Puppy soon after their demise in 1986. Goettel also played keyboards in likeminded act Psyche, who would open for Skinny Puppy's earlier incarnations.

Otherwise, seven tracks can be found in the file below. Four hail from the band's 1985 Anno Di Voce 12'', released on Switch Records. The other three hail from an 1983 cassette release. An alternate version of "Lime" exists on this release, but the other two tracks are exclusive. The lineup on the cassette release was Malcolm Swann, Dwayne Goettel, Sherri Iwaschuk, and Jeff Sawatzky. Jeff would depart before the recording of the 12'' single.

Without any further ado, here's the info!



Voice- Anno Di Voce 12''
1. Lime
2. Business As Usual In Beirut
3. Wake Up Dreaming
4. I Am the Walrus [Beatles cover]

Bonus Tracks:
1. Holiday
2. Lime [Alt.]
3. Smile

*download it here*

Jeff has also been kind enough to include two bootlegs recorded in 1983 with the original lineup. The info:

Voice- Live @ Primetime
1. Awake
2. Birthright
3. Smiling
4. Broken Chains
5. Lime
6. Mellow Yellow
7. Holiday
8. Dangerous

*download it here*

Voice- Primetime Again
1. Awake
2. Birthright
3. Dangerous
4. Holiday 1
5. Holiday 2
6. Kaleidoscope

*download it here*

Thanks again to Jeff for all the information and donations!

Das Ding- Highly Sophisticated Technological Achievement Cassette

Here's a rare cassette release by a band from the Netherlands called Das Ding, one of many in a line of fantastic European minimal synth bands. Not a ton of information to be gathered about these guys, but the cassette is one of three releases, their first appearing in 1982 and the final in 1985. Not sure when this one hails from, but if anyone in the peanut gallery knows, feel free to chime in. Otherwise, here's the information proper:



Das Ding- Highly Sophisticated Technological Achievement Cassette
1. Oradour Sur Glane
2. Sad But True
3. Parental Malpractice
4. H.S.T.A.
5. Jazz
6. Reassurance Ritual

*download it here*

Stay tuned next week for a slew of donated materials!

November Group- NG89 Cassette

Meanwhile, thanks to a generous donation and a quick home conversion this morning, I am pleased to offer the final piece in November Group's discography, the oft-coveted NG89 Cassette, released only in this format in 1989, shortly before the group disbanded.

I was only able to take a photo of the tape's cover before leaving this morning, but I will add further images over the next day or so. In the interim, here's the information for this last piece of the November Group puzzle!



November Group- NG89 Cassette
1. Ahoy Ivan
2. Hardtimes
3. This is Not Heaven

*download it here*

Otherwise, for the remainder of this fantastic band's discography, click here!

Doppler Effect- Hard At Work 12''

Here's the first of two short posts for the day. Uploaded below, we have the lone 12'' by minimal wave/synthpop band Doppler Effect. As there were two bands who went by this name as early as the 1980s, there's little information to be found on this particular act, but I do believe they're a four/five piece American band, at the very least. Otherwise, this particular 12'' features three hi-energy wave tracks, essential for any aspiring DJ. The final track on the 12'', "Four Day Romance" has been compiled and included among several classic minimal wave gems. Meanwhile, the band seems to have contributed two stand-alone tracks on the 1984 compilation Hit the Floor but the jury's still out about the origin of these tracks.

If anyone has any further information about this band or the above noted release, feel free to drop a note. Otherwise, here's the information for this particular 12'', released in 1988.



Doppler Effect- Hard At Work 12''
1. Hard At Work
2. I Don't Wanna Be Your Man
3. Four Day Romance

*download it here*

Airstrip 1- Full Discography

Thanks to all the great donations as of late! There's some good stuff kicking around in comments lately, some of which I'll be re-zipping up over the next week or so, but in the meanwhile, here's a generous email donation from Craig, containing a vast majority of UK post-punk band Airstrip 1's material. Little info is available on these guys, though they did change their name from Airstrip 1 to Airstrip One (I know, not much difference) over the course of their short existence on Polydor Records. According to discogs, the uploaded collection contains a majority of their 12'' vinyl releases, but is missing a few rare promo-only remixes. Here's what's contained below:





(cassette images by Craig)

Airstrip 1- Collection
1. Nothing is Forever
2. Fiction
3. Vodka Cola
4. New Messiah
5. Nothing is Forever (Remix)
6. Longer to Live
7. English Guns
8. Crime
9. Social Fools (Extended Version)
10. All Fall Down
11. Satellite (12'' Remix)

*download it here*

The first four tracks hail from a very rare cassette, released, to my understanding, with a xerox sleeve and DIY hand-written label. Meanwhile, the rest of the tracks hail from 12'' releases. Tracks 6-8 hail from the Longer to Live 12'', released in 1981, while tracks 10 and 11 hail from the Satellite 12''. Track 9 is plucked from the respective 12''. Aside from the Longer to Live 12'', the other 12'' tracks hail from 1982.

What's missing: "Satellite" (7'', if there is a difference between the two) and various promo-only remixes of "Social Fools," but this looks to be the lot. If anyone has these remixes, feel free to drop a note below!

Craig has been kind enough to upload the two missing Airstrip 1 promo remixes of Social Fools, so here they are via Mediafire! A million thanks to Craig for the donations!

Housekeeping

Just a brief bit here to address something. I have removed my email address from the side bars and profiles due to an overwhelming amount of inappropriate emails from band managers and promoters. In short, I am all for discovering and promoting new music, but the amount of emails coming in promoting music that is in no way appropriate for this blog has been overwhelming and downright annoying.

I used to try giving each a whirl, and it's not that the majority of them are bad (though some are), it's just not what this blog is meant for. Any new artist I promote on these pages is at my own discretion and at my own discovery, and are truly new artists I believe in 100%. So if you see this, please think twice about sending an email with an EPK, myspace profile, links, or lengthy review poaching, because chances are, it will end up in the digital trash box.

To those eager to send a more appropriate email about bands in question, requests, and the sort, I apologise for cutting off the most direct form of communication, but should you need to be in touch, please leave comments in the blog and I will get back to you posthaste.

Kisses,
~FT

PS- Stay tuned over the next day or two for some rare Airstrip 1 material!

Turning Shrines- Cinnibar & Porcelain LP

Sorry for the burp in the system. Not quite ready to close the doors here just yet, despite the one post takedown. I understand the reasons behind it, and many thanks to the bands who have been cordial and asked to have their links removed graciously. I've always been more than happy to comply, especially with reissues becoming more and more commonplace. The sad truth remains, there's still a slew of out-of-print wave and post-punk music that's sadly been forgotten, save the efforts of passionate fans, so let's try to keep that focus running here for as long as possible.

That said, today's post features a rather curious experimental gem. After hearing one tune by Turning Shrines, I found it difficult to track down any further material from the band. I was lucky enough to find the band's one full length record, 1988's Cinnabar & Porcelain, in a local record bin, so I snapped it up and ripped it. The band is essentially the brainchild of Boston musician Fred Giannelli, who was involved in various incarnations of Psychic TV, among several pioneering techno acts throughout the nineties. Turning Shrines lone 12'' and album were released on Temple Records, the independent label run by Genesis P-Orridge as an outlet for a decade's worth of PTV material.

Meanwhile, Cinnibar & Porcelain is a curious effort. The first side is made up of experimental song fragments, few of which run over 2 minutes long. The second side of the LP is a 23 minute long eponymous track, composed of several similar sound experiments held together by a thread. There's a bit of confusion between both the record's sleeve, the discogs listing (which my record completely contradicts), and the music itself, so I've done my best to stick to the sleeve's tracklist, though there is still a few minutes worth of uncataloged music on the rip below. Every note is still in place, however, so if anyone has any proper information as to the names and identities of the handful of fragments, feel free to share. Otherwise, here's the information for this fantastic experimental LP:



Turning Shrines- Cinnibar & Porcelain LP
1. Are You Experienced?
2. Wonderful Gift
3. Mystification
4. 23 Stillings St
5. Iron Nights
6. The Process
7. Cinnabar & Porcelain

*download it here*

I'm not sure if the link is still good, but there's a more informative post on Turning Shrines and Giannelli on Small Room Reverb blog. Also, take a peek at Gianelli's wikipedia page for more information on his various other projects!

Stay tuned for more from Systems of Romance, including a few rare Airstrip 1 donations!