Category Archives: Uncategorized

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/Bands ~ The Bolshoi

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My motto is, “Never enough Goth.” Continuing from last week’s Clan of Xymox post comes another 80s Goth/post-punk band, The Bolshoi.

Short-lived, but definitely memorable, The Bolshoi formed in Bath, UK in 1984. The original founding members were Trevor Tanner (vocals, guitar), Jan Kalicki (drums), and Nick Chown (bass). Their music was basically eclectic in nature, but definitely leaned toward Goth. The moody, pensive vocals and accompanying music were reminiscent of Bauhaus.

In 1985, the band relocated to London and added Paul Clark on keyboards. A couple of albums, and a switch to a more mainstream sound brought the band a broader touring schedule. But problems with the label found the band with a completed album that was never released. That signaled the end of The Bolshoi; gone from the 80′s music scene way too fast, but leaving some fabulous music behind.

If you listen to nothing else, be sure to check out “A Way.” It’s sure to tickle the Goth fancy of any serious 80s music fan.

Purchase The Bolshoi music here.

The Bolshoi official website.

“A Way” via YouTube user photosensitivity:
:

“A Way – extended mix” via YouTube user billpaxxton:

“Happy Boy” via YouTube user AngryJezebel:

“By the River” via YouTube user a1jungle:

“Sunday Morning” via YouTube user mtatini:

Discography

Giants (1985)
Friends (1986)
Lindy’s Party (1987)
Country Life (1988, unreleased)

Marsbar Playlist ~ 12-18-2010

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December 18, 2010

David Marsden on the Rock.FM every Saturday and Sunday night from 7 p.m. until midnight.

The mood was certainly very festive in the Marsbar Theater this evening. Everyone is anticipating the wonderful Christmas Eve show that David will have this coming Friday night (December 24) from 7 pm until Midnight. It’s a Marsbar Theater tradition. And, you wouldn’t want to miss Happy Pants – trust me.
Meanwhile, join us once again tomorrow (Sunday) night from 7 pm until midnight as you have your ears calibrated in anticipation of the best upcoming Christmas show on the planet. 

 ~ MissParker ~

54-40 – Radio Luv Song
Adrian Belew – Big Electric Cat
Big Supreme – Don’t Walk
Bob Geldof – This Is The World Calling
Boomtown Rats – Windchill Factor Minus Zero
Chalk Circle – April Fool
Champion – Resistance (Skool)
Chilly Gonzales – Bittersuite
Clash – Guns Of Brixton
Cliks – Complicated
Concrete Blonde – Mexican Moon
David Bowie – Station To Station
Depeche Mode – Everything Counts
Depeche Mode – Precious
Econoline Crush – All That You Are
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes – Home
Elbow – The Fix
Electric Six – Radio Gaga
Eric Clapton – Layla (Unplugged)
Fiat Lux – Blue Emotion
Frank Zappa – Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow
Gary Numan – Cars
Hunter Valentine – Van City
Japan – Rhodesia
Jona Lewie – Louise (We Get It Right)
Killing Joke – Requiem
Kinks – Permanent Waves
Lee Michaels – Heighty Hi
Long John Baldry – Walk Me Out In The Morning Dew
Madness – One Step Beyond
Moev – Yeah, Whatever
Muse – Uprising
Perry Farrell’s Satellite Party – Wish Upon A Dog Star
Pete Wylie – Sinful
Powder Blues Band – Boppin’ With The Blues
Psychedelic Furs – Heartbreak Beat
Pukka Orchestra – Might As Well Be on Mars
Pukka Orchestra – Rubber Girl
Roger Waters – Sunset Strip
Rough Trade – Crimes Of Passion
Simply Red – Jericho
Sisters Of Mercy – Temple Of Love
Slave To The SQUAREwave – London Baby
Spoons – Romantic Traffic
Spoons – Ciao
Stranglers – Nice ‘N’ Sleazy
Stray Cats – Rock This Town
Tenpole Tudor – Swords Of A Thousand Men
Thompson Twins – Lies
Tin Star Orphans – Men With Guns
Ultravox – Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
Wall Of Voodoo – Mexican Radio
Wombats – Let’s Dance To Joy Division
Yello – Lost Again

For previous David Marsden lists starting from 2003, visit RalphD’s blog “Marsbar Theater.” Ralph is the creator and original caretaker of the lists.

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/Bands ~ Peter Schilling

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There’s amazingly little information about this gifted and highly versatile artist. Peter Schilling is a synthpop musician from Stuttgart, Germany. His songs tended to feature extraterrestrial and science-fiction themes.

When many 80′s New Wave artists were trying to emulate the wildly popular David Bowie, Schilling actually took one of Bowie’s most well-known characters and crafted an international hit, “Major Tom (Coming Home).” He originally recorded the song in German, but when he rerecorded it in English, it soared in the charts throughout the world. This ethereal and timeless song still thrills first-time listeners as they discover it on YouTube, or hear one of the more successful covers rendered by a group called Shiny Toy Gun.

After releasing several albums over the next few years, some recorded in both German and then again in English, Schilling decided to take a break from entertainment. He returned in the late 90′s with a short-lived side project called “Space Pilots.” then struck back out on his own. Schilling remains a popular act in Europe and continues to record and release music to this day.

Peter Schilling official website.

Purchase Peter Schilling music here.

“The Different Story” via YouTube user tsoyki1:

“Ich Vermisse Dich” via YouTube user PrettyBlueFairy:

“Major Tom (Coming Home)” via YouTube user xgirlonthewallx:

“Where You Are I Am” via YouTube user TerminalShockRecords:

Early Discography

Fehler Im System (1982)
Error in the System (1984)
120 Grad (1984)
Things to Come (1985)
The Different Story (1989)
Geheime Macht (1993)
Major Tom (1996)

Marsbar Playlist ~ 10-03-2010

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October 3, 2010

David Marsden on the Rock.FM every Saturday and Sunday night from 7 p.m. until midnight.

A huge thank you to JerusalemSlim for the big assist compiling the list from 10 pm until midnight. As you can see, it was a superlative night of music, to be sure.

Be sure to join us this weekend when David Marsden shoves a couple of tunes into our ears.

 ~ MissParker ~

Barclay James Harvest – She Said (Live)
Be Bop Deluxe – Panic In The World
Boomtown Rats – Windchill Factor Minus Zero
Brendan Canning – Love Is New
Brian Eno/John Cale – Spinning Away
Bryan Ferry – Knocking On Heaven’s Door
Carole Pope – Dream 6
Champion Heartache – Things I Left Behind
Crosby, Stills & Nash – Wooden Ships
David Bowie – Kooks
David Clayton Thomas – People Get Ready
Dee Long – Good Night Universe
Dillinger – Cocaine In My Brain
Elbow – An Audience With The Pope
Elvis Costello – Watching The Detectives
Extras – Circular Impression
Fiat Lux – Blue Emotion
Genesis – Carpet Crawlers 1999
Gentleman Reg – Rewind
Grateful Dead – Friend Of The Devil
Gwen Stefani – Early Winter
Hayseed Dixie – Sweet Home Alabama
Ian Dury & The Blockheads – Clever Trevor
Interview – St. Jean Wires
Jam – The Eton Rifles
Jerry Lee Lewis – Boogie Woogie Country Man
Joe Cocker – You Can Leave Your Hat On
Joe Jackson – Look Sharp!
John Cooper Clarke – Beasley Street
Jools Holland – Temple Bar
Kinks – Come Dancing
Leonard Cohen – There Is A War (Live)
Leslie Spit Treeo – In Your Eyes
Lloyd Cole & The Commotions – Brand New Friend
Long John Baldry – Mr. Rubin
Marillion – Angelina
Moist – Silver
Nightwish – Sleeping Sun
Paul Hyde – Maddest Of The Mad
Paul Young – Every Time You Go Away
Peter Murphy – Indigo Eyes
Pink Floyd – Have A Cigar
Pukka Orchestra – Rubber Girl
Pursuit Of Happiness – I’m An Adult Now
Raised By Swans – Violet Light
Rheostatics – Who Is That Man And Why Is He Laughing?
Richard Wright – Night of a Thousand Furry Toys
Sam Roberts – Brother Down
Scissor Sisters – Mary
Scissor Sisters – Return To Oz
Silencers – Wild Mountain Thyme
Slave To The SQUAREwave – New York’s A Go-Go
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel – (Make Me Smile) Come Up And See Me
Stranglers – Nice ‘N’ Sleazy
Tin Star Orphans – Men With Guns
Wall Of Voodoo – Ring Of Fire

For previous David Marsden lists starting from 2003, visit RalphD’s blog “Marsbar Theater.” Ralph is the creator and original caretaker of the lists.

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 05-18-10

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It was a tough day in the real world today. So glad for the chance to escape to Retrospect and let Ed-FM spin some fabulous obscure tunes. From the first note, I knew things were going to get better…and did they ever. If you haven’t yet, you need to join us on Tuesday nights to treat your ears and cleanse your soul of whatever ails you. Dr. Ed-FM has just the medicine you need.

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “vinyl rules, plastic drools” 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/Post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

CFRC-FM Playlist May 18, 2010

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario
ED-FM ~ Retrospect
80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck
If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and paste this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/
Join us in the Chat Room during the show – either click the link on the right menu under the Rave and Roll graphic, or here.
To listen to any shows that you may have missed, go to the CFRC website and look up the archives under the “Programming” drop-down menu. You can enjoy Ed’s previous shows in one-hour increments.

1. Box – Crying Out Loud For Love
2. Boys Brigade – Mannequin
3. Fall – Bombast
4. Data Bank-A – Once
5. Room 9 – Angels Sing
6. Rational Youth – Latin Lovers
7. Yello – Koladi-Ola
8. Extras – Hip Hop Hip Hip
9. Coconuts – Don’t Take My Cocnuts
10. Industry – Communication
11. CCCP – American Soviet
12. Blue Peter – Where Is My Angel
13. Thinkman – Best Adventures
14. Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
15. Monks – I Can Do Anything You Like
16. Henry Badowski – My Face
17. Norman Iceberg – Be My Human (12 inch)
18. Wide Boy Awake – Slang Teacher
19. Alternative Radio – Valley Of The Evergreen
20. Eva Everything – Piece Of Cake
21. Section 25 – Looking From A Hilltop (mega mix)
22. Abecedarians – Soil
23. English Beat – Mirror In The Bathroom (dub mix)

80′s Music Rules ~ Angelic 80′s Voices ~ Part Two

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In August 2009, I featured five of what I considered “angelic voices” from the 80′s – Morten Harket, Bryan Ferry, Iva Davies, David Sylvian, and Freddie Mercury. Continuing that theme, I would like to add five more singers to that list, with a slight twist.

This list is purely subjective, 100% male, and comprised of singers that I feel should be showcased for their power, range, and creativity. One singer is not from the 80′s era, but encompasses all that made David Bowie and Iva Davies outstanding 80′s vocalists, and whose music is definitely retro. Let’s start with him.

Colin Troy – I have previously featured his group, Slave To The SQUAREwave, along with manager and keyboardist, Rob Stuart. Colin’s voice has incredible range. Bowie-esque and emotive, Colin far surpasses Bowie in style and technique. S2TSW, as a whole, is a formidable contemporary group, and Colin’s voice catapults them out of the park and into the stratosphere.

“Sinners of Saint Avenue” via YouTube user Sparksmusic:

Peter Murphy – Known for his work with 80′s goth band Bauhaus, Peter Murphy struck out on his own and established himself as an extraordinary vocalist. Love Hysteria is a solid collection of Peter Murphy songs and a great primer for those not familiar with his music. When work is overwhelming, Murphy is a favorite iPod selection to take me away from harsh reality and into more bearable surroundings.

“Indigo Eyes” via YouTube user sweating fretboards:

Rude Van Steenes – Frontman for the criminally underrated and heartbreakingly short-lived Canadian band Vis-A-Vis, Rude’s voice is a strong and compelling instrument. Both of my fave Djs, David Marsden and Ed-FM have done their best to keep this important sound alive on the airways. Check out the very few Vis-A-Vis offerings on YouTube and you, too, will fall under Rude’s spell.

“Shadow Play” via YouTube user RudeVanSteenes:

Darryl Kromm – Lead singer for another criminally underrated Canadian band, Strange Advance, Kromm provides vocals that are soothing, lush, and a treat for your ears. In addition to a backing band that nails every Strange Advance song we were lucky to hear, Kromm’s voice set an 80′s standard that most heavily-rotated singers could only aspire to.

“Worlds Away” via YouTube user mysweeteventhorizon:

Paul Humphrey – Blue Peter is one of my all-time favorite criminally underrated Canadian bands. Humphrey gave (and still gives) a first-rate performance somewhat reminiscent of David Byrne on steroids. As with all the bands and artists that never received the recognition they were due, it makes me wonder what Byrne had that Humphrey did not. In my mind, the answer is, “Nothing.”

“Don’t Walk Past” via YouTube user johnmcboston:

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Front Line Assembly

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Bill Leeb (keyboards, vocals) formed the Canadian underground “band” Front Line Assembly around 1985 out of Vancouver BC, Canada. For a few months, Leeb’s attention was split with another band called Skinny Puppy, before finally turning his full attention to cultivating FLA.

FLA’s music is described as electro-industrial, decidedly cutting edge for a fledgling band in 1985. The synthesizers that were a vital part of the New Wave era were starting to turn a bit more serious and brooding mid-to-end of the 80′s decade. Even Gary Numan, considered by many to be the Godfather of Electronica, switched gears to create music that was moody and contemplative. New Wave’s popularity was showing signs of waning, while industrial, goth, dream pop, house, grunge, and shoegaze began to take hold.

Leeb recorded and produced a demo tape titled Nerve War in 1986. Only 50-100 copies of Front Line Assembly’s official debut were made and distributed. Shortly after, Rhys Fulber (keyboards, percussion) joined ranks with Leeb and together they produced a second full-length demo, Total Terror.

In 1987, Front Line Assembly debuted its first official album, The Initial Command. Michael Balch (keyboards) joined the duo about this time. As FLA’s popularity and name recognition grew, the trio ended up releasing State of Mind outside of Canada to a worldwide audience.

The three members continued their collaboration which culminated into releasing two EPs Corrosion and Disorder. These two compilations were later combined into a full album, Convergence.

The next album, Gashed Senses And Crossfire, netted a single “Digital Tension Dementia” which fueled the band’s underground popularity. Ed-FM played this song during this weeks’ Retrospect show from CFRC-FM, catching my attention and leading to this feature. About this time in the band’s evolution, Balch left Front Line Assembly to join Ministry.

Front Line Assembly has weathered many line-up changes over the years, and currently continues to record and perform live. I have listed only those titles in their discography released through 1991 because this blog focuses on 80′s music. For a full listing of their catalog and to find out shat FLA si up to today, check out Wikipedia and the Front Line Assembly MySpace site. If you prefer your 80′s electronica edgy, serious, and accompanied by a dollop of angst, FLA is definitely worth your time to discover.

“Digital Tension Dementia” via YouTube user djoscafox:

“Nerve War” via YouTube user Akira625:

“Total Terror” via YouTube user Akira625:

“Provision” via YouTube user MetalKael:

80′s Discography

1986: Nerve War
1986: Total Terror
1987: The Initial Command
1988: State of Mind
1988: Corrosion
1988: Disorder
1988: Convergence
1989: Gashed Senses and Crossfire
1990: Caustic Grip

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 12-22-09

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Ed was out of the gate in a major rocking frenzy. Yello started the night on track with a scorcher called “Si Senor The Hairy Grill.” Then, Ed played a tune I never would have guessed in a million years was by Icicle Works. Called “Shit Creek,” it melted the paint off my walls – definitely a far cry from “Whisper To A Scream.” And what can I say about the acoustic version of Gary Numan’s “Jo The Waiter” – my heart was beating so fast with love, I thought I’d have to call 911.

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “betcha never heard this one” 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

CFRC-FM Playlist December 22, 2009

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario
ED-FM ~ Retrospect
80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck
If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and paste this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/
Join us in the Chat Room during the show – either click the link on the right menu under the Rave and Roll graphic, or here.
To listen to any shows that you may have missed, go to the CFRC website and look up the archives under the “Programming” drop-down menu. You can enjoy Ed’s previous shows in one-hour increments.

  1. Yello – Si Senor The Hairy Grill
  2. Icicle Works – Shit Creek
  3. Psyche – Eternal
  4. Gary Numan – Jo The Waiter
  5. Rough Trade – Deka Dance
  6. Victims of Pleasure – Jack and Jill
  7. Blue Peter – Don’t Walk Past (12 inch)
  8. Courage Of Lassie – Hiroshima
  9. Das Cabinet – The Cabinet
  10. Promise – Hollywood
  11. Neon Judgement – Kid Shylene
  12. Boulevard Noir – Images Of Concrete Toys
  13. Eurythmics – English Summer
  14. Trees – 11 AM
  15. Men Without Hats – Security (10-inch single)
  16. Eva Everything – No Pleasure (12 inch dance mix)
  17. The Coconuts – Don’t Take My Coconuts
  18. Josie Cotton – Johnny Are You Queer?
  19. Captain Sensible – The Russians Are Coming
  20. Sexbeat – Sexbeat
  21. Section 25 – Looking From A Hilltop (megamix)
  22. Hawaiian Pups – Baby Judy
  23. Cottage Industry – Crucial Moment
  24. Dalek I Love You – Heaven Was Bought for Me

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands – The Neon Judgement

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The Neon Judgement is a post-punk duo from Leuven, Belgium that formed in 1981. Founding members were Dirk Da Davo (Dirk Timmermans) and TB Frank (Frank Vloeberghs). This duo produced music that was equal parts post-punk, New Wave, and goth/industrial. Ed-FM played a selection called “Tomorrow In The Papers” this past Tuesday night, and it instantly piqued my interest.

The unique fusion of styles sounds more like the recipe for a nightmare rather than artistic brilliance. But, The Neon Judgement pulls it off flawlessly, producing a sound that successfully crosses genres and sounds a lot bigger than that coming from a duo. Post-punk, New Wave and goth/industrial happen to be favorite music genres of mine, as evidenced by the many 80′s artists I have featured in this blog. Listening to The Neon Judgement satisfies all of those aural cravings wrapped up into one convenient package.

I think you’ll reach the same conclusion. It is definitely worth taking the time to listen to and be enthralled by The Neon Judgement.

“Tomorrow In The Papers” via YouTube user csabex:

“The Fashion Party” via YouTube user cornupedo:

 “1313” via YouTube user AntiMusick:

“TV Treated” via YouTube user infectodo:

Buy The Neon Judgement music here.

1980′s Discography

Mbih! (1983)

The Neon Judgement ’81-’84 (1984)

Mafu Cage (1986)

The First
Judgements
(1987)

Horny As Hell (1988)

Blood And Thunder (1989)

General Pain and Major Disease (1989)

The Insult (1990)

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Eye Eye (Canada)

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eye eyeEye Eye is yet another criminally overlooked band from Canada. Because it was so short-lived and only produced two LPs, there is precious little information on this amazingly talented group. Interestingly enough, I found a fact-filled blurb on Answers.com.

The band began life in 1984 as a duo comprised of Andy Ryan (guitars) and Mark Caporal (drums). One bassist/singer pair came and went before bassist Tom Lewis, singer Bill Wood, and keyboardist Don Quon joined. To me, Eye Eye embodies the best of 80′s New Wave. Somewhere nestled between the sounds of Eight Seconds and Vis-A-Vis, this extraordinary band deserved more widespread success and recognition than it ultimately received.

Eye Eye was, unfortunately, not immune to the trials that so many other uber-talented 80′s bands encountered. The insurmountable turmoil created by personnel changes and probable creative differences led to a two-year lapse between their only two LP releases. That amount of time absent from a fickle music scene proved to be their demise. By 1988, the members of Eye Eye scattered to pursue other interests, and more tragically, Mark Caporal died in an air crash in 1990.

YouTube user mybasshas7strings has a treasure trove of original Eye Eye videos. There are only four in existence, but he has made them available for our viewing pleasure, and I have taken the liberty of linking them here.

“Out On A Limb” via YouTube user mybasshas7strings:

“Endless Night” via YouTube user mybasshas7strings:

“My Sensation” via YouTube user mybasshas7strings:

“X-Ray Eyes” via YouTube user mybasshas7strings:

More information on the band can be found at this Eye Eye fan’s Myspace page.  Good luck finding affordable copies of their music, long out of print and as rare as hen’s teeth. My own search has proven fruitless. What a shame that no record companies have stepped up to the plate to reissue these obscure-yet-priceless collections.

Discography

EE_1Just In Time To Be Late (1986)

 

EE_2Common Ground (1988)