Turning Shrines- Face of Another 12''

Phew, sorry for the delay folks. Life's been a whirlwind.

To make up for my absence, I've since acquired and ripped the first Turning Shrines 12'' record, released in 1985 on Psychic TV's Temple Records. These four tracks are a bit more catchy than the full length EP I posted a few entries back, but are no less enjoyable, through and through. Click here for the release and more info on Turning Shrines, but otherwise, here's the scoop on this particular gem.



Turning Shrines- Face of Another 12''
1. Face Of Another
2. 1/4 Circle Black
3. Dirt Test
4. Waking Up In The Dirt

*download link removed by request*

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!

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 link removed by request*

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!

November Group- Discography

This particular band hails from Boston and mixes coldwave guitars with minimal electronics, shifting gears into more of a synthpop/italo-inspired dance act over the years. Primarily a two piece based around Kearney Kirby and Ann Prim (expanding to a four piece over time), November Group was once known as Wunderkind, but changed their name to reflect a group of German expressionist artists before their first release in 1982.

The band released several 12'' and 7'' recordings, and I've tracked them all down for your listening pleasure. Wikipedia seems to list an untitled cassette release with a handful of tracks, but I can't seem to find any information about it one way or the other. Should this tape actually exist, and should any astute readers have it handy, feel free to send it our way. Otherwise, here's their entire vinyl output for yr perusal:



November Group- November Group 12'' (1982)
1. Shake It Off
2. Flatland
3. Pictures Of The Homeland
4. We Dance
5. The Popular Front



November Group- Persistent Memories 12'' (1983)
1. Put Your Back To It
2. I Live Alone
3. Night Architecture
4. Heart Of A Champion



November Group- Work That Dream 12'' (1985)
1. Volker/Work That Dream
2. Put Your Back To It (Remix)
3. The Promise
4. Arrows Up To Heaven
5. Careful (A Life Is A Fragile Thing)

November Group- Work That Dream 7'' (1985)
1. Work That Dream (Extended Mix)
2. Work That Dream (Instrumental)

*download all four releases here*

November Group- Discography

This particular band hails from Boston and mixes coldwave guitars with minimal electronics, shifting gears into more of a synthpop/italo-inspired dance act over the years. Primarily a two piece based around Kearney Kirby and Ann Prim (expanding to a four piece over time), November Group was once known as Wunderkind, but changed their name to reflect a group of German expressionist artists before their first release in 1982.

The band released several 12'' and 7'' recordings, and I've tracked them all down for your listening pleasure. Wikipedia seems to list an untitled cassette release with a handful of tracks, but I can't seem to find any information about it one way or the other. Should this tape actually exist, and should any astute readers have it handy, feel free to send it our way. Otherwise, here's their entire vinyl output for yr perusal:



November Group- November Group 12'' (1982)
1. Shake It Off
2. Flatland
3. Pictures Of The Homeland
4. We Dance
5. The Popular Front



November Group- Persistent Memories 12'' (1983)
1. Put Your Back To It
2. I Live Alone
3. Night Architecture
4. Heart Of A Champion



November Group- Work That Dream 12'' (1985)
1. Volker/Work That Dream
2. Put Your Back To It (Remix)
3. The Promise
4. Arrows Up To Heaven
5. Careful (A Life Is A Fragile Thing)

November Group- Work That Dream 7'' (1985)
1. Work That Dream (Extended Mix)
2. Work That Dream (Instrumental)

*download all four releases here*

Sleep Chamber- Babylon 12''

Fulfilling a quick request for another classic Sleep Chamber release. I have a donation post to follow tomorrow, but first, a quick blurb about this particular record:

I've already covered Sleep Chamber in a previous entry (though the link is still dead for this one- I still beg your patience, ladies and gentlemen), so peek over there for a few tidbits of info on the collective. Otherwise, I've uploaded Sleep Chamber's 1986 Babylon 12'' single for your listening pleasure. This particular release features vocals by both John Zewizz and one Mariea Foster. Otherwise, here's the roll:



Sleep Chamber- Babylon 12''
1. Her Second Skin
2. Babes Ov Babylon
3. Dreams While Drowning
4. Babylon Babes

*download it here*

Sleep Chamber- Babylon 12''

Fulfilling a quick request for another classic Sleep Chamber release. I have a donation post to follow tomorrow, but first, a quick blurb about this particular record:

I've already covered Sleep Chamber in a previous entry (though the link is still dead for this one- I still beg your patience, ladies and gentlemen), so peek over there for a few tidbits of info on the collective. Otherwise, I've uploaded Sleep Chamber's 1986 Babylon 12'' single for your listening pleasure. This particular release features vocals by both John Zewizz and one Mariea Foster. Otherwise, here's the roll:



Sleep Chamber- Babylon 12''
1. Her Second Skin
2. Babes Ov Babylon
3. Dreams While Drowning
4. Babylon Babes

*download it here*

Sleep Chamber- Musik For Mannequins Cass.

Sleep Chamber are an early 80s industrial collective consisting solely of John Zewizz and an otherwise revolving door lineup. The outfit formed in 1980 in Boston and was experimental in nature, yet as time passed the outfit shifted in styles several times over.

The late 80s saw a more EBM/synthpop direction, while Sleep Chamber began creating dark ambient music into the nineties, shifting between those two styles for the remainder of the decade. The band dropped from most radars in the new millennium as Zewiss' personal troubles caused the project to self destruct, and it's unclear whether Zewiss plans to record after a hiatus. However, a few collections of unreleased material has appeared and rumors hint at new material in 2008.

I've uploaded what seems to be Sleep Chamber's third cassette release, entitled Musik For Mannequins, a more experimental/musique concrete release from 1984. Without any further ado, here's the information:



Sleep Chamber- Musik For Mannequins Cassette
1. Victmm
2. Jungle Disease
3. The Lantern
4. A Distant Cry
5. Conversations In Between Walls
6. Left Side Of The Tomb
7. Twenty Three
8. The Last Fantasy
9. Rite To Death

*download it here*

This fan-run myspace page comes complete with a brief interview with John Zewiss, an interesting read for more information about the band's whereabouts and future plans. Click below to take a peek:

Sleep Chamber on myspace

Jeff and Jane Hudson- 'No Clubs' 7''

Today's band has been through several different stylistic changes and the main members have been involved in a slew of projects throughout the years.

In their first incarnation, a pair of musicians from Boston named Jeff and Jane Hudson formed the Rentals in 1977, a art-punk band who shared similar bills with the likes of the Clash, the B-52s, and James Chance & the Contortions. After relocating to NYC, the band released a full length record on Beggar's Banquet and subsequently split. After a brief tenure as the Manhattan Project, playing opening slots for no-wave terrors Suicide, the pair split off and recorded together as simply Jeff and Jane Hudson.

The band employed a TR-808 drum machine and took up synth pop, releasing two records in two years and a series of 7'' singles that explored synthetic territory with a bit of the old art-punk aesthetic. They shared stages with Ministry, Public Image Ltd., and Duran Duran. The duo split in '85 to pursue separate projects, and only reunited in 1995 under the same name as a psychedelic act. As far as is determined, the duo still play together under this style, and have re-recorded older tracks and Rentals songs alongside their newer material.

Today's tracks are from their synth-era, and I've uploaded one of their 7'' singles as well as one of their more well known tracks for your listening pleasure. Also linked below is a recording of the Rentals song 'Elephants,' taken from Jeff and Jane's official site. Without any further delay:

Jeff and Jane Hudson- 'No Clubs' 7''
1. download Jeff and Jane Hudson- 'No Clubs'
2. download Jeff and Jane Hudson- 'Dreams'

other tracks of interest:
download Jeff and Jane Hudson- 'Los Alamos'
download The Rentals- 'Elephants'

other links include:
the official Jeff and Jane Hudson website (includes purchasing information)
Jane's page
Jeff's page