Presence - Inside - CD (1993), U.K.

The next oddity for this month is another band from the U.K., called Presence. After Laurance "Lol" Tolhurst departed acrimoniously from The Cure in 1989, he went on to form this very short lived act with former Fools Dance vocalist, Gary Biddles and bassist, Michael Dempsey, who was also formerly of The Cure. Other members included Chris Youdell (keyboards) and Alan Burgess (drums). Rob Steen (guitar) and Roberto Soave would later join to replace Dempsey on bass to complete the line-up.
Free from the reigns of control of Robert Smith, Lol was able to meld his own sound. For those who are curious, Presence in some ways sounds how The Cure would've sounded if they evolved into an alternative rock band, but with the traditional dream-pop sound still intact. Don't believe me? The tracks taken from their album Inside, such as Act Of Faith, Pause and Missing are very good stark examples. This also makes a good argument for Cure fans to critique on Lol's influence or lack of influence (whichever you believe) while he was with The Cure.
Before anyone took notice of their brief existence, Presence released a very modest discography, which only included three singles and one critically acclaimed (but commercially unsuccessful) full length album. Nearing the end of this post, I'd like to point out the album I'm presenting here, was originally released in 1992 in the U.K. first (obviously) and then released in the U.S. a year later with two additional exclusive tracks (what a surprise!). Unfortunately, by the time the album was released in the states, the band had already split.

Details:

Presence - Inside - CD (1993), U.K.

1. Never
2. Fragments
3. Act Of Faith
4. On Ocean Hill
5. Revolve
6. Highest Peak
7. Pause
8. Raindown
9. Missing
10. In Wonder
11. All I See
12. Inside

Review

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Caifanes - Caifanes (Edición Especial) - CD (1993), Mexico

Hopping around to the next country to launch the first month of the new year, here's a group who are credited for being one of the most critical in helping make the Rock en Español (Spanish Rock) movement to go mainstream in Latin America during the late 80's and early 90's. Caifanes, formed in Mexico City, Mexico in 1987, included Saúl Hernández (vocals/guitar), Sabo Romo (bass guitar), Alfonso André (drums) and Diego Herrera (keyboards and saxophone).
Their self-titled debut album, also known as Mátenme Porque Me Muero (Kill Me, Because I'm Dying), which I'll be presenting, was originally released in 1988 on vinyl record and then re-released in 1993 on CD as a "Special Edition" package with two extra tracks. These two tracks are actually the singles La Negra Tomasa (The Black Girl Tomasa) and Perdí Mi Ojo de Venado (I've Lost My Deer Eye) released in 1989.
Truthfully, I think the addition of these songs ruin the overall atmosphere of the album, especially La Negra Tomasa, which is actually a cover of a fiercely popular cumbia song (I shamefully admit dancing to when I was young). Trying to mix a tropical dance song into a post-punk/new wave album is not something anyone should EVER attempt. My guess as to why they included it was so the label could capitalize on the major success the band was having at the time and including that particular song into the mix would generate more sales to a wider audience on an otherwise "dark" album.
Fans of The Cure, The Essence and the like, will love this album, despite the band's strong insistence in claiming they were more influenced by prog-rockers, King Crimson. Nevertheless, The Cure reference is very hard to ignore.

Details:

Caifanes - Caifanes (Edición Especial) - CD (1993), Mexico

1. Mátenme Porque Me Muero
2. Te Estoy Mirando
3. La Negra Tomasa
4. Cuéntame Tu Vida
5. ¿Será Por Eso?
6. Viento
7. Nunca Me Voy a Transformar en Ti
8. Perdí Mi Ojo de Venado
9. Amanece
10. La Bestia Humana
11. Nada

Review

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Biography
Discography

The High - The Best Of The High - Compilation - CD (1997), U.K.

Another month comes and goes, but not without an update! Now that the weather is starting to cool off a bit in September, I have another band to share!

Sometime around the late 80's, Steve Diggle from Buzzcocks F.O.C. (Flag Of Convenience) decided to go back and reform the venerable pop-punk group Buzzcocks with Pete Shelly. The remaining members of F.O.C. which included Andy Couzens (guitar), Simon Davies (bass) and Chris Goodwin (drums) decided to reform a new group, but before doing so they had to recruit a vocalist. After a round of rehearsals for a lead singer, the group settled on John Matthews (formerly of Turning Blue) and christened themselves as The High.

In less than five years, the band signed on to a record label (London Records), released a few singles and two LPs (Somewhere Soon in 1990 and Hype in 1992) before calling it quits in 1993. Although their time together was short-lived, their music remains under appreciated to this day. Perhaps their trouble with success had something to do with the unfair comparison of The Stone Roses, the media quickly losing interest in the Madchester scene or people finally started sobering up on ecstasy. Whichever the case may be, The High deserve more recognition. The most notable aspect in The High's history, is they were one of the last bands who collaborated with renowned producer Martin Hannett before his death in 1991.

I'll admit The High do sound a bit like The Stone Roses, but the differences end there. They have an infectious jangly guitar sound I'm very fond of along with atmospherics and a bit of melancholy to round out their sound.

Here's their best of released in 1997, which for some odd reason is not really considered a cumulation of all their best work. Someone at their record label lazily put together their first LP with a single and called it "Best of", while ignoring their other releases and Hannett produced work (they even used the cover from the second LP!). For first time listeners this will have to suffice, but it's not a bad introduction to the band!

Details:

The High - The Best Of The High - Compilation - CD (1997), U.K.

1. Box Set Go

2. Take Your Time

3. This Is My World

4. Rather Be Marsanne

5. So I Can See

6. A Minor Turn

7. Dreams Of Dinesh

8. Up & Down

9. P.W.A.

10. Somewhere Soon

11. More

Review

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Discography

Fan Site

Blueshift Signal - Seven Natural Scenes - CD (1994), U.S.A.

With the current and ongoing worldwide explosion of shoegaze and dream-pop revival bands, here is one that shouldn't be left behind in the past. Blueshift Signal from Warwick, Rhode Island is a band that should've received a lot of recognition during the 90's along the likes of Slowdive, Lush and Pale Saints, yet for some unknown reason they didn't.

Formerly known as Grace Mansion, Blueshift Signal came together in 1993 with members Ron Kuba (guitar and vocals), his brother Mike (drums and keyboards), David Carpenter (drums and keyboards / not to be confused with the famous horror movie director!) and Kip (bass). After the departure of their bassist, Jay Bouchard would later fill in and help record Blueshift Signal's first album Seven Natural Scenes (1994). A few years since the release of their first album, the group began to diminish until only two members remained (Ron and Jay). During this brief period, they recorded songs for their EP titled Surround. Before Blueshift Signal finally called it quits in 1997, they were joined by John Orsi (drums) and released their last EP, Waterside.

Lush, ethereal and dream-like soundscapes are words which spring to mind when listening to Seven Natural Scenes. For those of you who are into this type of music, this is one album that will not disappoint and will make you comeback for repeated listenings!

Details:

Blueshift Signal - Seven Natural Scenes - LP - CD (1994), U.S.A.

1. Seven Natural Scenes

2. Acquiescence

3. Absolution

4. Between The Night & The Day

5. Beneath The Meadow

6. Highland Cathedrals

7. Oceans

8. Hehaka Olowan (For Mindy)

9. Flicker & Fade

10. The Secret Garden

Review

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Discography

Official Myspace

The Smashing Pumpkins - Live At The Cabaret Metro - CD-R (1988), U.S.A.

For today's post, I have an unexpected and pleasant surprise for everyone. Coming from Chicago, IL "The City by the Lake" The Smashing Pumpkins! They are a very well known grunge/metal/prog rock band in the music world of course, but I won't post anything here that everyone has already heard. Instead, I'll stick to the original intent of this blog and share a very rare side of the band.
Led by the megalomaniacal Billy Corgan (voice and guitar), James Iha (backing vocals and guitar), D'arcy Wretsky (bass) and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums and percussion) the Smashing Pumpkins were a group that was just starting out in the late eighties and still just years away from making it big with their grunge hit album Siamese Dream.
The live bootleg I'm about to present, was taped on October 5, 1988 at the Cabaret Metro and was distributed (in limited quantities on CD-R) at what was supposed to be the last performance of the band on December 2, 2000. Upon listening to the live performance, you'll notice the band exhibits a late post-punk sound with touches of dream-pop and neo-psychedelia (minus the nauseating whiney singing from Corgan!). They would've fit in nicely alongside bands such as Abecedarians and For Against!

Details:

The Smashing Pumpkins - Live At The Cabaret Metro - CD-R (1988), U.S.A.

1. There It Goes
2. She
3. My Eternity
4. Under Your Spell
5. Bleed
6. Spite Face
7. Nothing And Everything

Review

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Official Website
Band History

This Scarlet Train - Fimbria - Mini LP (1987), U.K.

What do you get when you combine echoey guitars, lush melodies and atmospheric singing? This Scarlet Train! Fimbria was a short but sweet very little known mini album released by Nightshift Records back in 1987. This album is perfect for introducing people who are curious about getting into the shoegaze and dream-pop genre without being overwhelming.
The three piece from Scotland were Stuart Nelson (bass guitar and voice), Robert Polson (guitar and keyboards) and Steven Docherty (drums). It's amazing how a small group of just 3 people can produce such a glorious sound! Soon after the album was released, the members split and went their separate ways never to be heard from ever again.

Details:

This Scarlet Train - Fimbria - Mini LP (1987), U.K.

Side 1:
1. Picture Frame
2. Autumnhood
3. Candice


Side 2:
4. Kistvaen
5. Still Rain
6. Lilyhaze

Review

More Information:
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Discography

Breathless - Between Happiness And Heartache - LP (1991), U.K.

Melancholic, atmospheric, romantic, ... Breathless is all of these and so much more. This is one of those great discoveries that somehow go unnoticed for many years and make you wonder why you didn't find out about them sooner.
Formed somewhere in the U.K. (London?) in the early 80's, the group comprised of Dominic Appleton (vocals and keyboards), Gary Mundy (guitars and additional voices) and Ari Neufeld (bass and acoustic guitar). Former members included Tristram Latimer-Sayer (drums) and Martyn Watts (drums and percussion).
Between Happiness And Heartache has the perfect blend of shimmery bluesy style sounding guitars, bittersweet lyrics and dream-pop goodness. I've listened to this album countless times and never tire of it each listening session. It is also one of those albums to listen to for those times whenever you feel really down and out. Before moving on to the music, it is worth mentioning that Dominic Appleton was a guest musician with 4AD super group This Mortal Coil.

Details:

Breathless - Between Happiness And Heartache - LP (1991), U.K.

Side 1:
1. I Never Know Where You Are
2. Over And Over
3. Wave After Wave
4. You Can Call It Yours

Side 2:
5. All That Matters Now
6. Clearer Than Daylight
7. Flowers Die
8. Help Me Get Over It

Review

More Information:
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Tenor Vossa Records

Room Nine - Voices ... Of A Summers Day - LP (1987), U.S.A.

Here is a discovery coming from Seattle, the most unlikely place to find a band of this kind. Whenever I listen or read about Seattle and music in the same sentence, I get instant visions of the early 90's grunge scene. Everyone wearing flannel and ripped blue denim while listening to Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Oh the memories!

Formed in 1980, Room Nine's band members consisted of Ron Rudzitis (vocals and guitar), Scott Boggan (vocals and bass) and Shawn Allen (he replaced Scott Vanderpool on drums). They didn't release an album until finally in 1987 with Voices ... Of A Summers Day.

Room Nine can be easily confused as another throwaway 80's indie jangle pop band, but upon further listening sessions you'll notice the music combines intricate elements of post-punk and subdued neo-psychedelia with some catchy dream-pop melodies. It is a very interesting album with standout tracks such as 1000 Years, Mirage and Seas Without A Shore. What a nice debut album! Sadly, Voices ... Of A Summers Day and the song Angels Sing (featured in Doctor Death's Volume I: Cette Enfant me Fia Mourir) are the only recorded material they ever released. Fans of The Wild Flowers, The Icicle Works and The Waterboys should give this album a try!

Details:

Room Nine - Voices ... Of A Summers Day - LP (1987), U.S.A.

Side 1:

1. Circus Floor

2. Revolving Door

3. Don't Look Back

4. Red Dog

Side 2:

5. 1000 Years

7. Mirage

8. Seas Without A Shore

9. White Summer

Review

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Discography