Ministry - With Sympathy - CD (1983), U.S.A.

The end of October is upon us and to get into the spirit of Halloween (sort of), here is Ministry's first album, With Sympathy. Before Ministry turned into an Industrial/Heavy Metal band, they once performed synth pop music, similar to Fresh Color, The Human League and Another Day. Hard to imagine, but it's true!
Conceived in 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, the early incarnation of the band consisted of Alain "Al" Jourgensen (vocals/guitar) and Stephen George (drums). Upon reading a bit of history about this album, it brought me great fascination to find out that front man Al Jourgensen really hated this album and went so far as disowning it! It seems that doesn't seem to be the case anymore, since the official Ministry website actually lists the album in the discography page, whereas before it was mysteriously absent. Perhaps Al had a change of heart? Another interesting aspect about this album, was the involvement of former Psychedelic Furs drummer Vince Ely, along with Ian Taylor (Romeo Void, The Cars,...) in the production department.
I find it intriguing and sometimes find myself wondering what it'd been like if Al had kept churning out this sound for years. As a matter of fact, I'll unabashedly state, With Sympathy is my favorite Ministry album! I never tire of listening to Effigy (I'm Not An), Revenge and Say You're Sorry. The pulsating fat synth bass lines, drum beats and Al's smooth whiney vocals really draw me in. I'd say the only song in the album that really fails to catch my attention is the idiosyncratic sounding What He Say. Although, your mileage may vary. Enjoy!

Details:

Ministry - With Sympathy - CD (1983), U.S.A.

1. Effigy (I'm Not An)
2. Revenge
3. I Wanted To Tell Her
4. Work For Love
5. Here We Go
6. What He Say
7. Say You're Sorry
8. Should Have Known Better
9. She's Got A Cause

Review

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Discography

Eyes Of God - The Dance Singles - Single (1985), U.S.A.

As I stated in my previous post, here's the next and possibly the last release Eyes Of God recorded in their brief stint in the independent San Francisco New Wave scene of the 80's. I'm disappointed to write to my amusement, this 12 inch single, is nothing more than an elaborate scheme conceived by their record label to fool the listener and quickly cash-in before anyone realized.
There are no "dance singles" or remixes of any sort to be found here, since all the songs were just ripped-off from their untitled release and stealthily packaged in a proper sleeve cover. The "Dub Mix" version of Sin Twist is EXACTLY the same as the one found in the EP release! It makes me wonder, if the members were aware of this nonsense and retaliated against their label by withdrawing in protest. With no concrete answers set forth by any of the band members or anyone else involved, we can only speculate the possibilities. Who knows? It could just have been an unforeseen mishap by the record label and the actual "dance singles" are probably hidden away in an old abandoned warehouse or someone's muddled closet waiting to be rediscovered.
Now that I'm exhausted from my spouting, here's the release. Remember, be sure to not pay any attention to the appended titles and just enjoy the music!

Details:

Eyes Of God - The Dance Singles - Single (1985), U.S.A.

This Side:
1. East Of Eden (Extended)

Over:
2. Garden Of Sin (Seductive Mix)
3. Sin Twist (Dub Mix)

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Eyes Of God - Eyes Of God - EP (1984), U.S.A.

I'm happy to see spring is finally here, although the gloomy winter weather hasn't quite dispersed completely, I thought this was a good occasion for me to exhibit this particular band. Eyes Of God, from San Francisco, California, released only a scant few recordings during the mid 80's on the now non-existant Conceptual Communications / Conceptual Records label.
Eyes Of God were not only notable for their dark, wicked and seductive sound, but also how they intentionally (or unintentionally) try to appear enigmatic. They've done a good job thus far, since there's no information in the internet regarding what roles each member played, except what I could find on the back cover sleeve. The members were: Jennifer Hall (who obviously did vocals), Lew Karchin, Lawrence Doyle and John Scampoli. An extra individual, Roberto Oliveira did additional percussion work for the band, but who was the main percussionist?
One of the peculiar aspects of this band I have a penchant for were Jennifer Hall's sultry Siouxsie Sioux-like vocals, shallow bass lines and sinister saxophone sounds.
This self-titled album you'll be listening to shortly, is the second (or first?) release from Eyes Of God and was readily available back in 1984. There is another 12 inch release, which can be found on Goutroy's exceptional blog, A Viable Commercial. One more release exists out there and I'm excited to say that I have it and will be posting it shortly. Stay tuned!

Details:

Eyes Of God - Eyes Of God - EP (1984), U.S.A.

This Side:
1. Love Letters
2. Secret Life

Over:
3. Sin Twist
4. Cruel Party

Review

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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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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

More Information:
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Band History

Urban Verbs - Early Damage - LP (1981), U.S.A.

To start off the new year I have a very unknown group called Urban Verbs, hailing from Washington D.C., the murder capital of the world (during the late 80's and early 90's) and home to bands such as Minor Threat and Fugazi. Urban Verbs formed in the late 70's and were the first band from D.C. to play at the now defunct CBGB in New York City.
Members of the group were Roddy Frantz (vocals), Robin Rose (synths), Robert Goldstein (guitar), Danny Frankel (drums and percussion) and Linda France (bass).
It's a shame that Warner Bros. didn't take too kindly with the album Early Damage (1981). Spooky sounding synths, ray gun sound effects, brooding guitars, tribal drumming and droning vocals weren't marketable material to those knuckleheads. The family connection with Talking Heads (Roddy Frantz is the brother of TH's drummer Chris Frantz) didn't help either, thus the band disintegrated.

Details:

Urban Verbs - Early Damage - LP (1981), U.S.A.

Side 1:
1. When The Dance Is Over
2. Jar My Blood
3. Acceleration
4. Early Damage
5. Promise

Side 2:
6. For Your Eyes Only
7. Business And The Rational Mind
8. In The Heat
9. Terminal Bar

Review

More Information:
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Discography

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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Band History

Discography