Monthly Archives: June 2010

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Cassandra Complex

by

2

Cassandra Complex began as an avant-garde act when Rodney Orpheus met Paul Dillon in Leeds. Andy Booth, who was a journalist that interviewed the band, later joined their ranks.

Cassandra Complex music can be described as being 80’s Goth with a smattering of industrial thrown in for fun. I have a huge soft spot for Goth/industrial, my ears perking up whenever David Marsden or Ed-FM feature the genre. Moody, heavy, and extremely expressive, Cassandra Complex definitely has what it takes to do justice to the style.

The band released their first single, the appropriately titled “March”, in March 1985. When Dillon subsequently left, the band recruited John Marchini, with Jez Willis and Keith Langley providing back-up. The newly reformed Cassandra Complex released a live cassette and was signed to the local label Rouska.

In 1988, Marchini and Booth left, leaving Orpheus to recruit a new line-up for 1989’s Satan, Bugs Bunny, and Me album. Hamburg guitarist Volker Zacharias joined a year later, and remains to this day. Over the years, more personnel changes ensued, but the band currently continues to tour, with another album due to be released this year.

Cassandra Complex music can be found here.

Official Cassandra Complex website.

Rodney Orpheus website.

One Millionth Happy Customer via YouTube user Shams79:

“March” via YouTube user rodneyorpheus:

“Defcon 1” via Youtube user Waver80:

“Power” via YouTube user Dexbam:

Discography

Grenade (1986)
Theomania (1988)
Satan, Bugs Bunny, and me … (1989)
Cyberpunx (1990)
The War Against Sleep (1991)
Sex & Death (1993)
Wetware (2000)

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 06-08-10

by

0

Ed was on the outer fringe of obscure tonight. The tunes were hot and rare – made to order just like barbecue on a sultry summer night. If you haven’t taken the plunge yet, you need to plan on joining us from 8-10 p.m. eastern on Tuesday nights. If you’re jonesing for something rare and out of the ordinary, this is the place to be.

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “lick the car and dust the dog” 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 June 8, 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.

Martha & The Muffins feat. Jocelyn & Daniel Lanois – This Is The Ice Age 
Cannon Heath Down – Having Dreams
Yaz – Goodbye Seventies
Men Without Hats – O Sole Mio
Tear Garden – Valium
Cure – A Forest (extended)
Chris & Cosey – Stolen Kisses
Teardrop Explodes – Ha Ha I’m Drowning
Spoons – Walk The Plank
Neon Judgement – Wish I Could
Propaganda – Dr. Mabuse
Breeding Ground – Reunion (12 inch)
Intimate Strangers – Let Go
Human League – Open Your Heart
Teenage Head – Something On My Mind
Pete Wylie – Sinful (tribal mix)
Box – Live On TV
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Two Tribes (annihilation mix)
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Telegraph (extended)
Polyrock – Love Song
Monsoon – Ever So Lonely

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Flesh For Lulu

by

1

Flesh for Lulu formed in Brixton, London, UK, in 1982. Their music is described as being an Alternative rock/Gothic band. Personally, I consider it more solidly New Wave with a hint of Goth.

Nick Marsh (vocals and guitar), James Mitchell (drums), Rocco (originally from Wasted Youth, guitar and vocals), and Glen Bishop (bass) formed the original line-up of the band. After signing to Polydor Records in 1983, bassist Glen Bishop left to join Under Two Flags, and was replaced by Kevin Mills (formerly of Specimen).

Their first album, Flesh for Lulu, eluded commercial success. They followed it up with Blue Sisters Swing (1985), recorded for their new label, Hybrid. The album cover featured two nuns kissing, which led to the album being banned in the U.S. and Europe. I find that astounding based on the content of other album covers that were sold and promoted prominently featuring t&a, among other “naughty” bits.

Flesh for Lulu didn’t let that stop them. They joined yet another label, Statik Records, and released Big Fun City later the same year.

“I Go Crazy” (from Long Live the New Flesh — 1987) is the song for which the band is most noted. It was featured in the movie Some Kind of Wonderful and as a result enjoyed limited airplay on American college rock radio stations. Flesh for Lulu took advantage of this notoriety and toured the U.S. It paid off; their 1989 LP release, Decline and Fall, charted in the top 15 of the Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 1990, they cracked the U.S. nut with a single “Time and Space” which landed solidly in the top 10 of the Modern Rock chart. Unfortunately, Flesh for Lulu seems to have run out of steam at that point, and called it quits.

This is a band that’s definitely worth listening to and adding to your 80’s music collection. I was delighted to hear some very solid tunes beyond their commercial success, “I Go Crazy.” Flesh for Lulu was far from the unfair label of “one-hit wonders,” working hard throughout the decade and creating music that should have given them the sales and credibility that they deserved.

Buy Flesh For Lulu music here.

Vist the official band site.

“I Go Crazy” via YouTube user LadyStardust06:

 

“Postcards From Paradise” via YouTube user torontokads:

“Restless” via YouTube user HeliosHelleborine:

“Subterraneans” via YouTube user hanman1:

“Time and Space” via YouTube user bahnscott:

80’s Discography

Flesh for Lulu (1984, Polydor)
Blue Sisters Swing (1985, Hybrid)
Big Fun City (1985, Statik)
Long Live the New Flesh (1987, Beggars Banquet)
Plastic Fantastic (1989, Beggars Banquet)

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 06-01-10

by

0

Once again, Ed provided us with the perfect music for a hot, sultry night. Not only were the tunes high-temp, there was a bit of island salsa thrown in for fun. Then, if you weren’t already revved up, Ed threw in Yello’s “The Race.” I don’t care how cranky or out-of-sorts you might be. By the end of two hours of Retrospect, you will be refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated.

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “the music is always freshly obscure around here” 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 June 1, 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.      The The – Uncertain Smile  
2.      Passions – I’m In Love With A German Film Star
3.      Rough Trade – Deca-Dance
4.      Cannon Heath Down – Bone Of Contention
5.      Kid Creole & The Coconuts – Annie, I’m Not Your Daddy
6.      Cassandra Complex – One Millionth Happy Customer
7.      Yello – The Race (12 inch)
8.      Camper Van Beethoven – Abundance
9.      Vital Sines – Rhythm Dark
10. Glove – Mouth To Mouth
11. Yeah Yeah Noh – Superimposed Man
12. Taxi Girl – Cherchez Le Garcon
13. Robbie Rox – Let’s Get Dirty
14. Damned – Edward the Bear
15. Captain Sensible – Brenda Part I
16. Captain Sensible – Brenda  Part II
17. BB Gabor – Metropolitan Life
18. Rational Youth – Cite Phosphore (extended)
19. Ministry – Work For Love (extended)
20. Waterboys – Whole Of The Moon
21. Fad Gadget – Collapsing New People