Tuesday, August 28, 2007

MURDER THE DISTURBED - Genetic Disruption (7" EP 1979)

If you haven’t already taken note, you should know that my favorite bands are usually those that fall somewhere between the lines – whether too abrasive to be goth, too avant-garde to be punk, or just too “too” to be classified at all – these are the bands that peak my interest and motivate me to share my findings by way of this here blog. With my primary focus being postpunk, I try to select projects that allow me to indulge my fascination with all things… let me see… how did that Christian woman from Wife Swap say it? Ahhhhh yes... darrrrrrk-sided. *lifts an evil eyebrow*

So,what does that have to do with
Murder The Disturbed, you ask? Well, aside from the band’s barbaric name and dreary tunes… a whole lot. Indirectly speaking anyway. Here’s a little trivia for you… Murder The Disturbed were signed to the short-lived, London-based Small Wonder Records. This is the very same label that released the debut singles, and in effect launched the careers, of some of indie music’s most legendary acts – a list that includes genre-defining artists such as Bauhaus, The Cure, and Crass, as well as lesser known artists like Patrik Fitzgerald, Cravats, Demon Preacher, and Poison Girls. Interesting enough?

Stylistically, Murder The Disturbed fit in quite well on Small Wonder’s roster. 1979’s
Genetic Disruption is as worthy a debut as anychalked full of moody minimalistic postpunk, it has a sound so primitive you might be tricked into thinking that the band were actually some obscure krautrock sensation dowsed in proto-punk voodoo. Good stuffs.

MURDER THE DISTURBED - Genetic Disruption (7" EP 1979)

  1. DNA
  2. Walking Corpses
  3. The Ultimate System

DOT #15

Also... there's a compilation available from Cherry Red featuring the track Walking Corpses. (You'll need to scroll down a bit to find it.)


Sunday, August 12, 2007

THE FREEZE – In Colour (EP 1979)

Many of us know Gordon Sharp as the man (or woman?) behind the nightmarishly atmospheric band Cindytalk. Many of us also know him for his sublime vocal performance on This Mortal Coil’s masterful debut LP “It’ll End In Tears.” But, what many of us do not know is that shortly before these two stunning achievements Gordon fronted another band, a band fixed in UK’s booming punk movement, with a reputation for being refreshingly unpredictable and cleverly daring, this band was four-piece unit called The Freeze.


The Freeze formed in 1976 and init
ially consisted of Gordon Sharp (vocals), David Clancy (guitar), Keith Grant (bass), and Graeme Radin (drums). (Later line-ups would see the addition of a guitarist/saxophonist/clarinetist Tony Wallis, alternate drummer/keyboardist Neil Braidwood and alternate bassist Mike Moran.) The band was active from 1976 to 1982, gigging continuously throughout their homeland of Scotland, and supporting a wide range of acts, from the likes of Sham 69 to Echo & The Bunnymen. On stage they were quite the lively bunch - with an unusually diverse spectrum of sound, glam-punk gender-bending theatrics, and a knack for random song improvisation - it was a package that often left onlookers enthusiastically scratching their heads in astonishment.

The group had two official releases – 1979’s debut 7-inch EP In Colour,
and 1980’s 7-inch single Celebration, both of which were self-financed on their own A1 label. And although The Freeze would prove that they undoubtedly had both the musical talent and vision needed to propel their name into the greater new wave market, it was their eclectic and unpredictable nature that ultimately barred them from capturing proper label interest. Not to say their wasn't any interested… John Peel noticed the band and in late 1980 invited them to do their first BBC radio session, followed by another session in 1981, both of which have yet to see any official release. By 1982 Gordon had become increasingly dissatisfied with the confines of the band’s musical format, wishing to instead give focus to more experimental song structures, a desire which eventually lead him to forge a new union with fellow core-member David Clancy, move to London and change the band’s name to Cindytalk.

“mostly, i loved being in the freeze. everybody pulled their weight and we all complimented each other. i preferred the classic line-up of course (clancy, grant, radin, sharp) but neil braidwood and mike moran were excellent too. personally i'd have been happier if we'd collectively been a bit more into the edgier punk and post punk music of the time, ultimately that was what forced me to rip it up and start again with cindytalk BUT i loved the freeze and have no real regrets with it all. including walking away from duran duran, well, especially that...” –Gordon Sharp

So here it is, two parts prickly pop punk and one part foreboding postpunk, The Freeze’s crucial debut 3-track EP In Colour. Upon pressing play we are immediately thrust into the youthful power rocker “Paranoia”, which, with its aggressive yet rhythmic framework and snotty vocals, bares a certain resemblance to material by politic punksters like Cult Maniax. This is followed up by “For JPS” which has a similar style and pace, albeit more playful, with stop n’ go progression and an arsenal of bouncy guitar chords to lighten the mood. The third and final track “Pychodalek Nightmares” is my favorite of the bunch. At nearly 6 minutes long, reverberating guitar sizzles to life as Gordon reasons with paranoid illusions in a New Romantic vocal style while distant cries of a lone violin serenade the mood into a deep, peaceful freeze.

THE FREEZE – In Colour (EP 1979)

  1. Paranoia
  2. For JPS
  3. Psychodalek Nightmares

DOT #14

Unfortunately, I've been unable to find a copy of the band's second release. Any hands?

Friday, August 10, 2007

Update

*wipes himself clean of dirt and debris*

So... I've finally climbed free of the deep, dark orifice that swallowed me up a couple months back. Surprised? Admit it... you thought I was a total and complete flake! You believed that I had more ambition than integrity; and you were well on your way to lumping my blog in with dead blogs past. Well, I'm here to say, stop being so damn pessimistic you pessimist you! I have more for you. And you'll like it I promise. So in the great words of Annie Warbucks, tomorrow, tomorrow... I love you tomorrow... it's only a day away!
(i think i just slobbered on myself.)

Oh, and for those who requested, I've updated all my links! *smiles with big tEEth*