Friday, May 27, 2016

Anne Clark- performing Sleeper in Metropolis live, 1984

Anne Clark's first two records are perfect, melancholic masterpieces.
'The Sitting Room' ('82) and 'Changing Places' ('83) are simple spoken words over synth sequences. 'Sleeper in Metropolis' would definitely be in my top 50 songs of all time.
Here's Anne performing it live, in 1984

R.I.P Marlene Marder

R.I.P Marelene Marder, guitarist and sole constant of Swiss punk band Kleenex/LilLiput.
One of my favourite bands from that era. The best call and responses of all time lie in these simple yet distinct punk gems. Thank you to Kill Rock Stars for putting out the 2 disc retrospect of the band, back in '93.



Wednesday, May 4, 2016

THE VANISHING- LOVESICK

I lived in San Francisco in 2002, and sporadicly till 2006. This was a period that produced some of the best bands in the U.S at the time, and it all took place here and in Oakland, pre tech takeover.
The Coachwhips, Erase Errata, Deerhoof, Oxbow, Tussle, Hella, Numbers, The Vanishing etc played shows in people's basements, dive bars, parks and the many great venues that were around back then.
The Vanishing were my favourite.
I got to see them play regularly.
I was in the right place, at the right time. Bay area 2002.

LENA PLATONOS- Bloody Shadows From Afar

One of my favourite releases/ re-issues from last year was Lena Platonos' 'Gallop' LP, released by the excellent label Dark Entries label.
Lena, a pianist and composer, was one of the pioneers in the electronic music scene in Greece during the 1980's.
'Gallop' is essentially a spoken word record foregrounded to the sound of synths and 808 rhythms.
Recommended