Krisma- Cathode Mamma/Nothing to Do With the Dog LPs

I have a pretty huge backlog of things I've been meaning to post, so I'm going to chip away at them over the next few days, so bear with me, folks! To kick things off, I've had several requests to post some more tracks by Chrisma/Krisma, so here's my two favorite LPs from this Italian synthpop outfit. Contained within this zip file are 1980's Cathode Mamma (the band's debut after switching from a 'Ch' to a 'K') and 1983's Nothing to Do With the Dog (aka Fido on some releases), their third LP. There are still three more out there, but these two should keep you satiated for now! Here's the info:



Krisma- Cathode Mamma LP (1980)
1. Cathode Mamma (Neue Version)
2. Many Kisses
3. Peggy Guggenheim
4. Rrock
5. Rien Ne Va Plus
6. Cathode Mamma
7. Telegram
8. White Knife
9. Last Chance to See Man



Krisma- Nothing To Do With the Dog LP (1983)
1. Nothing To Do With the Dog
2. I'm Not In Love (10cc cover)
3. I Must Know Your Name
4. Girls Drumming
5. Eye to Eye
6. Boys Drumming
7. Carefully
8. Find a Friend
9. Heroes of the Sea
10. Everybody Drumming

*download both LPs here*

For your viewing pleasure, here's the official video for "Nothing To Do With the Dog," one of the band's biggest singles and an international breakthrough at the time.

Chrisma- Discography

Here's one of two posts lined up to get you through the weekend. First, we have what I believe to be the complete discography of Italian band Chrisma, a synthpunk outfit active in the late 1970s. The band combined a Marlene Dietrich kind of vibe with krautrock, Chrome-esque guitar lines, disco rhythms, and primitive synthesizers for a futuristic and incredibly eclectic sound. Very ahead of their time, as far as I'm concerned, especially when you hear the drastic jump in styles between the first 7'' and the debut LP.

The band takes its name from combining the first names of members Christina Moser and Maurizio Arcieri. Their earliest recordings were made in Vangelis' home studio, which more than likely explains their futuristic sound. There's even a rumor kicking around that Vangelis himself performed on Chinese Restaurant, but he is not listed in the album credits.

While the band was formed in Italy, they sang the majority of their songs in English, which helped earn the band a few fans stateside. You can still hear "Black Silk Stockings" (IMO, the band's best track) in various clubs to date. In 1980, the band changed their name to Krisma and took a more synthpop turn, releasing five LPs and a slew of singles. Perhaps I'll cover them someday in the future, but otherwise, here's the full Chrisma output- two LPs and two 7'' records. I didn't include a few of the other 7''s, as the band would double up on album cuts for b-sides. Here's the rundown:



Chrisma- Amore 7'' (1976)
1. Amore
2. Sweet Baby Sue



Chrisma- Chinese Restaurant LP (1977)
1. Thank You
2. Black Silk Stocking
3. Lola
4. C-Rock
5. What For
6. Wanderlust
7. Lycee
8. Mandoia
9. Thank You



Chrisma- U 12'' (1977)
1. U Part I
2. U Part II



Chrisma- Hibernation LP (1979)
1. Calling
2. Aurora B.
3. Rush '79
4. Hibernated Nazi
5. Gott Gott Electron
6. We R.
7. So You Don't
8. Lover
9. Vera Platz

*download all four here*

In case you're not sold on downloading this discography, peep a performance of "Black Silk Stocking/Lola" here, complete with a latter day interview with the band, for those fluent in Italian. Awesome.

Voice Farm- The World We Live In LP

Fulfilling a quick Saturday morning request for Voice Farm's The World We Live In LP, as the band was previously featured on the Oh Harry, You're Such a Drag! compilation. As a quick aside, I've also posted a Radio Free Europe LP a ways back, for whomever asked.

Anyway, Voice Farm were primarily a two piece (but occasionally three or four piece) synthpunk band from San Francisco. Formed in 1981, the band earned a decent cult following over the years, eventually landing a spot opening up for Depeche Mode on their World Violation tour in 1990. They eventually split in 1995, but released four records before their demise. This first one, 1982's The World We Live In, is significantly different than their last few, as the band persued a more pop-oriented sound in their latter-days, where as this debut is closer to the manic energy of synthpunk and the rampant electronic pulse of minimal synth. Curiously, the band would not release a follow up for another five years.

Here's the info for their debut record.



Voice Farm- The World We Live In LP
1. A.M. City
2. Lost Adults
3. Beatnik
4. Davy's Big Battle
5. Mama Made Me Do It
6. Sally Go Round The Roses
7. Double Garage
8. Follow Me Home
9. Voyeur
10. Cheeno
11. Over And Over

*download it here*

Voice Farm- The World We Live In LP

Fulfilling a quick Saturday morning request for Voice Farm's The World We Live In LP, as the band was previously featured on the Oh Harry, You're Such a Drag! compilation. As a quick aside, I've also posted a Radio Free Europe LP a ways back, for whomever asked.

Anyway, Voice Farm were primarily a two piece (but occasionally three or four piece) synthpunk band from San Francisco. Formed in 1981, the band earned a decent cult following over the years, eventually landing a spot opening up for Depeche Mode on their World Violation tour in 1990. They eventually split in 1995, but released four records before their demise. This first one, 1982's The World We Live In, is significantly different than their last few, as the band persued a more pop-oriented sound in their latter-days, where as this debut is closer to the manic energy of synthpunk and the rampant electronic pulse of minimal synth. Curiously, the band would not release a follow up for another five years.

Here's the info for their debut record.



Voice Farm- The World We Live In LP
1. A.M. City
2. Lost Adults
3. Beatnik
4. Davy's Big Battle
5. Mama Made Me Do It
6. Sally Go Round The Roses
7. Double Garage
8. Follow Me Home
9. Voyeur
10. Cheeno
11. Over And Over

*download it here*

Oh Harry, You're Such a Drag!- compilation

A bit of a request for today, ladies and gentlemen, as I've uploaded a rather stellar mix of early synthpunk/new/minimal wave tunes. I can't take credit for creating it, as this mix was originally constructed by Miss Amy Sammartino, a friend of mine from California. It's both a great introduction to the wonderful synth-based rock world, offering a few choice cuts spanning the late seventies/early eighties. The name derives from the 1966 satircal comedy Lord Love a Duck, the dialogue which is sampled on one of this mixes' best tracks.

Some of these artists have been featured on these back pages (mostly in earlier days), while others are both favorites old and new, so be sure to give this mix a spin and let me know what you dig. I have full records by most bands on the mix, so I'd be happy to upload a few for curious parties. Here's the tracklisting, without any further ado:

1. People Like You- Nervous Gender
2. Uncircumsized Twin- Plastic Idols
3. Appeal to Them- Tone Set
4. Elevate (7'' Version)- Voice Farm
5. Alien Day- Radio Free Europe
6. Hold That Coed- Dow Jones and the Industrials
7. The Beat Goes On- The Screamers
8. Integrating Circuits- Standing Waves
9. The Politics of Ecstasy- Body Falling Downstairs
10. The Things That You Do- Bob
11. Breakout- Drinking Electricity
12. Microbes- Mekanik Commando
13. Out of Order- The Skinnies
14. Happy Funeral- Kitchen and the Plastic Spoons
15. G-Stalt- Scientific Americans
16. Lawnchairs (Remix)- Our Daughter's Wedding
17. Be A Zombie- Los Reactors
18. Shopping- Pink Section
19. 49 Second Romance (Disco Mix)- P1/E
20. Forever- Los Microwaves
21. We Need More Power- Geza X
22. Avorton- Edith Nylon
23. Nuclear Tofu- Amoebas in Chaos
24. Digital Stimulation- Units
25. Cardboard Lamb- Crash Course In Science
26. Chango- Devo

*download it here*

Oh Harry, You're Such a Drag!- compilation

A bit of a request for today, ladies and gentlemen, as I've uploaded a rather stellar mix of early synthpunk/new/minimal wave tunes. I can't take credit for creating it, as this mix was originally constructed by Miss Amy Sammartino, a friend of mine from California. It's both a great introduction to the wonderful synth-based rock world, offering a few choice cuts spanning the late seventies/early eighties. The name derives from the 1966 satircal comedy Lord Love a Duck, the dialogue which is sampled on one of this mixes' best tracks.

Some of these artists have been featured on these back pages (mostly in earlier days), while others are both favorites old and new, so be sure to give this mix a spin and let me know what you dig. I have full records by most bands on the mix, so I'd be happy to upload a few for curious parties. Here's the tracklisting, without any further ado:

1. People Like You- Nervous Gender
2. Uncircumsized Twin- Plastic Idols
3. Appeal to Them- Tone Set
4. Elevate (7'' Version)- Voice Farm
5. Alien Day- Radio Free Europe
6. Hold That Coed- Dow Jones and the Industrials
7. The Beat Goes On- The Screamers
8. Integrating Circuits- Standing Waves
9. The Politics of Ecstasy- Body Falling Downstairs
10. The Things That You Do- Bob
11. Breakout- Drinking Electricity
12. Microbes- Mekanik Commando
13. Out of Order- The Skinnies
14. Happy Funeral- Kitchen and the Plastic Spoons
15. G-Stalt- Scientific Americans
16. Lawnchairs (Remix)- Our Daughter's Wedding
17. Be A Zombie- Los Reactors
18. Shopping- Pink Section
19. 49 Second Romance (Disco Mix)- P1/E
20. Forever- Los Microwaves
21. We Need More Power- Geza X
22. Avorton- Edith Nylon
23. Nuclear Tofu- Amoebas in Chaos
24. Digital Stimulation- Units
25. Cardboard Lamb- Crash Course In Science
26. Chango- Devo

*download it here*

Units- Digital Stimulation LP

I originally touched on San Francisco synthpunk legends Units back in July 2006, so let's flesh that post out a little bit with their lone full length release, 1980's Digital Stimulation, which features a rerecorded version of 'Warm Moving Bodies.' The original version can be nabbed from the 2006 overview post, alongside a more detailed profile of the band. Otherwise, here's the info proper:



1. High Pressure Days
2. Digital Stimulation
3. Warm Moving Bodies
4. Go
5. Mission
6. Cannibals
7. Bugboy
8. Tight Fit
9. Passion Or Patterns
10. Town By The River
11. Cowboy

*download it here*

Units- Digital Stimulation LP

I originally touched on San Francisco synthpunk legends Units back in July 2006, so let's flesh that post out a little bit with their lone full length release, 1980's Digital Stimulation, which features a rerecorded version of 'Warm Moving Bodies.' The original version can be nabbed from the 2006 overview post, alongside a more detailed profile of the band. Otherwise, here's the info proper:



1. High Pressure Days
2. Digital Stimulation
3. Warm Moving Bodies
4. Go
5. Mission
6. Cannibals
7. Bugboy
8. Tight Fit
9. Passion Or Patterns
10. Town By The River
11. Cowboy

*download it here*

Family Fodder- Monkey Banana Kitchen LP

Here's a fun little gem for you folks today... Below lies the first album by Family Fodder, an idiosyncratic London-based synth band active from 1979-1983 (though they officially formed in 1975). The four piece act consisted of Media Fodder and her three brothers Tod, Rod, and God, obviously a clever lot of pseudonyms, as their discogs.com page reveals a sizeable lot of collaborative members, far more than four, with Alig Pearce being the only consistant member.

Family Fodder released two full lengths and several quirky 7'' singles to a sizable cult following. Their fellowship with experimental post-punk act This Heat also helped bring the band to a bit of underground prominence.

Their music was generally playful, a hint of dub and reggae mixed with absurd, blissful pop, with synthpunk and sometimes experimental instrumentation. Most of the lyrics were also sung in French, courtesy of original vocalist Dominique Levillain, a combination rumored to be of some significant influence over Stereolab. Over the years, the band reformed several times over, recording and releasing sporadically since their initial demise in 1983. A handful of greatest hits collections have also appeared over the years, attempting to collect the band's initial singles and best moments.

I've uploaded their first proper LP, 1980's Monkey Banana Kitchen, which features 'Savior Faire,' an infectious little tune I can't get enough of these days. Here's the details and download information for the LP:



Family Fodder- Monkey Banana Kitchen LP
1. Darling
2. Symbols
3. Savoir Faire
4. Cold Wars
5. Monkey
6. Wrong
7. Organ Grinder
8. Love Song
9. Bass Adds Bass
10. Philosophy
11. Cerf Volant
12. Banana

*download it here*

The only in-print Family Fodder disc seems to be one of the more recent compilations, a 42 track anthology that seems to include several of the band's hits, including alternate versions and more recent recordings. A definite must-have for fans of the band! Here's a link to purchase the collection, entitled More Great Hits!

purchase More Great Hits! via amazon.com:

Seems to be a myspace page available as well...Is it official? I can't tell you at the moment due to work-related securities, but take a peek and decide for yourselves:

Family Fodder on myspace.com

7'' grab bag no. 2

Sorry for the delay here, folks...but to make up for it, here's another one of those 7'' grab bag posts, in which i've zipped up four singles for your listening pleasure, including one request from an Australian chum. Here's the information and a quick blurb about each 7''.



SPK- No More 7'' (1979)
1. No More
2. Contact
3. Germanik

This is the very first release by Australian industrial collective SPK, and certainly one of their most primitive and direct. This one was a limited run of 200 copies, and the a-side has yet to appear on a proper CD release, though both 'Contact' and 'Germanik' are featured on their Auto-Da-Fé LP.



Metal Urbain- Panik 7'' (1977)
1. Panik
2. Lady Coca Cola

One of the very first synthpunk bands...French origins. This is their first 7'' single, but most of their earlier work has since been collected on the Anarchy In Paris compilation.



Lars Falk- TV Eye 7'' (1985)
1. TV Eye
2. Doors

Lars Falk is one of the ex-contributing members of Swedish coldwave act Twice a Man, who's previously featured here. Though it shares the name with the Stooges classic, the a-side is an original number.



Where's Lisse?- Talk Takes Too Long 7'' (1981)
1. Talk Takes Too Long
2. You Stole My Gun

There's something charming about this otherwise rickety and rough record from this British four piece. This is one of two releases (they followed this with an equally scarce 12'' single), and is chock full of early post-punk energy. EDIT: cover scan provied by Rudeboy Noah! Thanks a ton!

*download all four here*

Radio Free Europe- Laughoncue LP

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you today with Radio Free Europe's lone LP, Laughoncue. Though a synthpunk/minimal wave band in theory, this US-based act has more in common with the strange art-experimentations of Bene Gesserit or Throbbing Gristle than say, The Screamers or Units, but all the same, this record is an interesting and captivating release.

Little is known about the band, as their discography begins with a few 7'' singles in 1979, and ends with this record, released in 1980. If anyone has any further information about the band, feel free to pass it on!

Details:


Radio Free Europe- Laughoncue LP
1. Shock Corridor
2. It Likes You
3. Suggested Re-entry
4. Occupation of France
5. Fulda Gap
6. Adada
7. Falling Million Years
8. Whore of Babylon
9. A Couple Screams
10. Time between Seconds
11. Heart of the Matter

*download it here*

KaS Product- 'Try Out' LP

KaS Product were a French coldwave duo, formed in 1980 by French musician Spatsz on electronics and American jazz singer and instrumentalist Mona Soyoc on vocal duties, piano, and guitar. The band formed in 1980, released a series of singles and four seminal electronic/coldwave records, and split neatly in 1990, though some uncertain sources credit the band as reactivating in 2005 to spearhead a handful of early reissues. Other scattered sources claim Rowland S. Howard of Birthday Party and These Immortal Souls fame occasionally collaborated with the band in a live setting.

KaS Product's sound is more tense, abrasive, and synth-driven than their contemporaries (see past few posts), partially due to Spatsz's interest in classic analog synthetics and abrasive textures, the tension in their music seemingly a result of his working stint in a psychiatric ward. Meanwhile, a trickle of Mona's jazz upbringing creeps into the band's style, creating a rather unique hybrid of sharp melodies and icy electronics.

Though all four of their records make for solid listening, I've uploaded their debut album, 1982's Try Out.

Details:


KaS Product- Try Out LP
1. One of the Kind
2. Man of Time
3. No Shame
4. Countdown
5. Never Come Back
6. Underground Movie
7. So Young But So Cold
8. Digging in a Hole
9. Sober
10. Breakloose
11. Pussy X

*download it here*

...to watch the video for 'Never Come Back,' click below:



Here's a handful of links for your browsing pleasure, both their main web page and a link to purchase reissues of band's first two records from Forced Exposure:

KaS Product dot com
purchase Try Out and Bypass reissues

Happy holidays, ladies and gentlemen! See you folks in a week's time.

Duchess Says- 'Noviçiat Mère-Perruche' EP

Happy Monday, ladies and gents... Today's post features a recent favorite EP by mutant synthpunk act Duchess Says, a French-Candian outfit featuring a full lineup of guitars, drums, synths, and intensely driving female vocals.

Formed in 2003, Duchess says have released a lone EP, winning over fans with their catchy tracks and otherwise eccentricity, marrying their abrasive dancefloor sound with hyperactive stage performances and theatrics, including readings from the Pamphlet of Budgerigars, an alternate religious text created by members of the band, who claim to serve in the Church of Budgerigars. According to scattered interviews and reviews, he church primarily celebrates the consumption of beer, numerology, and the band itself.

I've uploaded the band's 2005 EP, Noviçiat Mère-Perruche. Four tracks long, and featuring a cover of (previously uploaded) Six Finger Satellite's 'Rabies', it's a shame it's so short, since it leaves you wanting more.

Details:


Duchess Says- Noviçiat Mère-Perruche EP
1. In Serial
2. Cut Up
3. Rabies (Babies Got The)
4. Black Flag

*download it here*

and for your viewing pleasure, here's a live clip of the band performing 'Black Flag,' the final (and my favorite) track from Noviçiat Mère-Perruche.



Though it seems as if their initial EP is out of print, the band has made a remix single for 'Black Flag' available only on vinyl. Click below for a link to snap one up for yourself...

'Black Flag' single on Summer Lovers Unlimited
Duchess Says on myspace

Adult.

Today's band is Adult., a currently active synthpunk/wave unit hailing from Detroit, Michigan. Consisting of married couple Adam Lee Miller and Nicola Kuperus, their sound blends female vocals and harsh electronics. Since their inception, Adult. has helped bring dance and synthpunk back to prominence under the guise of a budding electroclash movement.

The two-piece outfit formed in 1998 under the name Plasma Co., and has since independently released four full-length records, one EP, and a series of 12'' singles under their proper name. The band has since grown notorious for their captivating live performances and a slew of altered remixes of their contemporaries and influences.

For your listening pleasure, I've uploaded a duo of tracks. The first, 'Shake Your Head' is featured on their second record, 2003's Anxiety Always while the second is a remix/reworking of avant-garde act Tuxedomoon's 'No Tears.'

download Adult.- 'Shake Your Head'
download Tuxedomoon- 'No Tears (Adult. Remix)

Here's a live video of the band performing 'Bad Ideas' in 2005. The track appears on their third record, 2005's Gimme Trouble.



For more on Adult., including discography, photos, live dates, and purchase links, please visit these links:

Official Site
Myspace Page
Adult. on Amazon.com

Tone Set

Today's band is a synthpunk classic, an ephemeral act who released little, but recorded a string of stellar tracks throughout their tenure.

Upon the demise of similar synthpunk unit Dow Jones and The Industrials, guitarist and vocalist Greg Horn would relocate to Arizona and kick off a band called Tone Set along with fellow coworker Galen Herod. The two piece band would record a series of tracks which would compromise the 1982 cassette Cal's Ranch. Their sound was a minimal blend of synthpunk, mostly relying on tape loops, various keyboards, and vocal samples; some tracks cold and others a bit more lighthearted.

After a few compilation appearances, the band would shift in a more vocal direction for their 1983 record Calibrate, both members splitting vocal duties. Despite a bit of underground buzz for their single 'Life Is Busy,' Tone Set would split up soon after as both Greg and Galen would go their separate ways, each releasing a series of solo records over the next decade.

The following two tracks come from their two releases. The first, 'Life Is Busy' is the lead-off single from 1983's Calibrate and the second, a previous recording of 'What Good's a Hit Song' from 1982's Cal's Ranch cassette.

download Tone Set- 'Life is Busy'
download Tone Set- 'What Good's a Hit Song'

No videos or links today, ladies and gentlemen- for I'm almost positive their work is out of print and their video for 'Life is Busy' is long-lost. If anyone does have said links, feel free to drop them below!

Our Daughter's Wedding

Our Daughter's Wedding were a quirky, New York City based wave outfit comparible to the likes of Devo and Suicide. The band formed in the wake of the initial New York punk movement in 1977, taking their name from a section of greeting cards found in shops.

By the time they would begin recording and releasing material, the original straightforward rock lineup would soon add synthesizers to the mix and slim down to a trio. Though they employed the techniques seen in a variety of new wave and synth acts, the band would stay more true to their punk upbrining, keeping their songs punchy and energetic and playing all of their instruments live without the aid of sequencers.

Their first single, 'Nightlife' was released in 1980 and failed to make any impact whatsoever, though their second attempt, 'Lawnchairs' made a splash in the college circuit. Alongside a few more 7'' singles, the band would cut an EP and a full length record, 1982's Moving Windows, but would soon split in 1983 without any further drive or mainstream success.

I've plucked two tracks for your listening pleasure. The first is a remix of their underground hit 'Lawnchairs' and the second is the opening track from the Digital Cowboy EP, released in 1981.

download Our Daughter's Wedding- 'Lawnchairs (Remix)'
download Our Daughter's Wedding- 'Target For Life'

Here's a live video of Our Daughter's Wedding performing their first single 'Nightlife' in NYC:



Though several collections of the band's material have been pressed to cd, they remain currently out of print. For more information about the band however, please visit these handy-dandy links.

Discogs.com
Myspace Page

Severed Heads

Hailing from Australia, today's band Severed Heads relied early on tape loops and abrasive synthesizers, and over the course of several years perfected their noise-based craft into a blend of experimentation and pop music.

The band formed in Sydney in 1979 under the name Mr. and Ms. No Smoking Sign and changed their name to Severed Heads as they began recording their expansive discography. With their unique stage shows and noise-laced yet catchy tracks, the band developed a rather large following and by 1984, they embarked upon a rather large world tour backed by their single 'Dead Eyes Opened.'

Unlike most bands featured on these pages, Severed Heads are still alive and kicking, having gone through several record deals and lineup changes (Tom Ellard remaining the only original member to date) since their conception and peak. The band would disappear from the music industry in late 1999, but continues to release underground and independent recordings and live collections on a semi-regular basis. Their most recent work includes a soundtrack to a DVD film entitled The Illustrated Family Doctor in 2005.

I've uploaded two of my favorite Severed Heads tracks from their earlier days... The first, 'Triangle Tangle Tango' is a favorite of mine to spin, featured on 1989's Rotund For Success. The second track, 'We Have Come to Bless This House' is featured on their classic 1985 record City Slab Horror.

download Severed Heads- 'Triangle Tangle Tango'
download Severed Heads- 'We Have Come to Bless This House'

As for their biggest single, here's the official video for 'Dead Eyes Opened' for your viewing pleasure:



Severed Heads official website- for more information, hilarious commentary by Tom Ellard, purchase links, and more.

Testcard F

Today's band, Testcard F, has so little recorded output that I almost considered tossing it all at you, but that would take all the fun out of hunting it down and savoring it, wouldn't it?

In fact, there's not only just two singles and a John Peel recording available, there's very little information to be found about this British band, aside from a few bits and bobs:

The band formed in 1981, and reconstructed and built their own synthesizers. Unlike some synth-punk and minimal wave acts of the time, this band near-completely utilized electronic instruments, drum machines, and backing tapes; the only organic instrumentation appearing in the form of trash cans, coat racks, and other assorted debris. Oftentimes, their live performances would be slagged viciously by heckling attendees, anxious for guitars. One particular gig in their hometown of Norwich ended in a small riot.

The band split immediately on the brink of success after winning a Norwich battle of the bands and recording their two singles and Peel Session in 1984.

I've uploaded their b-sides, both tracks which I enjoy more than their respective flip. The first, 'Unfamiliar Room' is a particular favorite of mine, featured on the Bandwagon Tango 7'' and the second the b-side of the Third Stroke 7''. If anyone is anxious for the remaining a-sides and Peel recordings, drop a line and I'll happily upload the rest.

download Testcard F- 'Unfamiliar Room'
download Testcard F- 'If Only it Wasn't'

...and sadly, I have no photos, youtube clips, or homepages for you today, and naturally since their material is so far out of print, if you manage to come in cahoots with either of these vinyl singles, snap them up in a heartbeat!

Sixteens

Today's band, Sixteens, has managed to gain a fair amount of worldwide notoriety over the past few years of relentless touring and recording.

The outfit, consisting of duo Kristen Louise and Verve Pauli (with the occasional collaborator or guest) birthed from San Francisco and is now based in the heart of Berlin. Both Kristen and Verve share vocal duties and instrumentation both live and on record.

Their sound combines a variety of aesthetics, from the cold, pulsing art-madness of Suicide, the dark wave and deathrock of the Skeletal Family, and a slew of minimal wave acts, many of which have been featured on this page in the past.

The band has released a handful of previous albums and series of split 7'' with acts such as Hungry Eye Records' the Vanishing before signing to the label proper, releasing both the Fendi EP in 2006 and the full length Into the Goldwave of Future Non Rip-off just this year. For your listening pleasure, I've uploaded a track from Into the Goldwave of Future Non Rip-off as well as a track featured on the 2003 Witches of the West compilation.

download Sixteens- 'Aphrodite'
download Sixteens- 'This Knife'

and for your visual enjoyment, here's a youtube video of the band performing 'A Lesson in Letting Go' live in San Francisco in 2005:



For photos, purchasing information, and all other info on Sixteens, please visit these local haunts:

Official Sixteens homepage
Sixteens on Hungry Eye Records

Units

Formed in San Francisco in 1978, today's band Units are among the very first of the synthpunk era, releasing a self-titled single in 1978. Pioneers through and through, the band abandoned the ferocity of the guitar and carried the harsh rhythms and fury of punk with a slew of synthesizers.

The band, featuring a revolving door lineup of musicians over the course of six years, managed to release a handful of singles and EPs, and one critically acclaimed album entitled Digital Stimulation. The band's momentum and passion secured opening slots for the likes of Sparks, Ultravox, Gary Numan, Dead Kennedys, Psychedelic Furs, and Soft Cell over their tenure, and their live performances often contained a variety of backdrops and film projections, adding a touch of performance art to their craft.

The band peaked with Billboard Dance Chart success with 'The Right Man,' an early MTv video for 'A Girl Like You,' and the band signed to Epic/CBS records, but were unable to keep it together, splitting after two failed attempts to record new material under the label. The two shelved recordings have yet to surface, though a compilation of Units material is slated to be released later this year.

Here's a trifecta of tracks from Units. The first, 'Digital Stimulation,' is featured on their 1980 record of the same name. The following two tracks hail from an early 7'' recording.

download Units- 'Digital Stimulation'
download Units- 'Warm Moving Bodies'
download Units- 'iNight'

I'm unable to embed the video for 'A Girl Like You' due to restraints on the only uploaded YouTube file, but if you're interested watching this silly, silly video, click here:

watch 'A Girl Like You' on YouTube.

Units material is rather hard to track down, aside form the occasional LP or single spotting. If you see any, snap it up! Otherwise, for a more full discography and other information on the band, here's a link for their site on synthpunk.org.

Units page