B.F.G. - Blue - CD (1990), U.K.

B.F.G. What does it stand for? I have no idea and they're definitely not related to the automotive tire brand. What I can tell you is they were an overlooked band during the crowded Manchester music scene during the 80's. B.F.G. was formed from the remains of Factory Records band Lavolta Lakota and discovered by Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter "Hooky" Hook. He helped the band out by letting them support New Order during their 1986 summer tour. During that year B.F.G. released their first 12 inch single Paris, which immediately sold out in a week!
The members of the band included many such as B. J. Williams (vocals), Mike Lambert (bass), Mike Simmi (drums and guitar), Acky (guitar), El Thomas (Samples), ex Chameleon Andy Clegg (keyboards and synths), Paul Batheran (guitar) and Steve Craig (vocals).
B.F.G.'s sound was originally filled with intense shrieking guitars, a throbbing bass line and lead by a low baritone voice (B. J. Williams). Comparisons were made to Joy Division at first, but when they released their EP Western Sky, their sound suddenly shifted towards sounding more like the Sisters of Mercy. By the time they released their first LP Fathoms (1988), they evolved into New Wave pop music.
For this post, I'll be presenting their second LP Blue (1990). B.F.G.'s Blue album sees them changing their music direction once again and this time they sound like an industrial/EBM band. The music isn't as intense as it was before and some of the beats are so-so, but there are some songs on here that would be great to play on any club dance floor!

Details:

B.F.G. - Blue - LP - CD (1990), U.K.

1. Love Grind
2. Anonymous
3. Switch
4. Gun Law
5. Myth Club
6. Eastern Eye
7. Brain Cage
8. Pulse
9. Monkey Block

Review

More Information:
Official Myspace
Attica Records
Discography

The Lavender Faction - Four Riffs For Joe - Maxi Single (1991), U.K.

I have a complete disdain for the train wrecks people keep listening to lately such as Ke$ha (how do you pronounce that!?), Justin Bieber and among others.
I don't mean to stomp on people's listening habits, I just think some of them need to go out and explore outside of familiar territory and embrace unknown sounds out there that exist outside of the typical mainstream outlets.
It brings me great relief to see there's been a resurgence of some good shoegaze / psychedelic rock bands for a few years now such as Ceremony, The Daysleepers and Ringo Deathstarr. I'm hopeful this new interest in the genre will bring in more listeners now than it did in the past.
The Lavender Faction (I like the name!) was a band who came from the U.K. in the late 80's or early 90's. They're undoubtedly from the shoegaze scene but got lost in between the likes of more popular groups such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and Ride. I think it might've been the low production quality of their recordings or maybe they were just poorly managed. Whatever the reason was, The Lavender Faction are worth a listen.
Finding any information for this group was very difficult as it usually is the case with these obscure bands. The only information I was able to find was their limited discography (In My Mind, Ride and Four Riffs For Joe) and the members (Geoff Suggett - vocals and guitar, Tony Pickering - vocals and guitar, Mark Patterson - bass and Andy Lee - drums) involved.
The material I'll be presenting here is from Four Riffs For Joe, released in 1991 by Lust Recordings. Four Riffs For Joe is a mix of indie rock with tinges of shoegaze. I think these guys could've gone further with developing their sound and making it noisier than what it currently was, but after the release of this maxi single the group disappeared.

Details:

The Lavender Faction - Four Riffs For Joe - Maxi Single (1991), U.K.

Side A
1. Crawl Down
2. Total Change

Side B
3. Haze
4. Was It You

Review

More Information:
Discography

Otras Voces - Soledad - EP (1989), Spain

Sorry for the long delay everyone! I've been very occupied lately with getting myself settled in my new area of residence and getting my belongings arranged (there are some things left I still need to unbox and organize!). I haven't forgotten about this little music blog and do not plan on letting it slide into oblivion. There's still too much to share and write about!
I'm very enthusiastic to introduce another great Spanish band and feel strongly against letting another gem slip past by English speaking audiences. I'm hoping I'll be able to change that!
Hailing from Manresa, Spain is a band named Otras Voces (Other Voices). The band members were Speedy (voice and guitar), Toni Holgado (bass), Joan Prat (drums) and Ricard Pradeli (guitar). The sound produced by this band is very reminiscent of other bands before them such as Joy Division, The Cure and The Chameleons. Obvious influences aside, they are more listenable and less somber sounding than Décima Víctima and less aggressive sounding than most other groups in the Spanish Siniestro scene at the time. Soledad (Solitude) is a very good EP and has been on my listening rotation as of late. Before the group dissolved, they recorded their first full length LP titled El Canto del Cisne (The Swan Song), but unfortunately it was never released. All that remains is this EP.

Details:

Otras Voces - Soledad - EP (1989), Spain

Lado A (Side A)
1. Flores Negras
2. Hombre Vulgar

Lado B (Side B)
3. Soledad
4. Silencio de Dolor

Review

More Information:
Unofficial Myspace