Lo-fi Synthpop 4

Step Chant Unit - Painting Pictures (1985)

Finally, a new post. This 12" is pretty pop for this blog, but visits us all the way from New Zealand, so the least I can do is give it a fair shake. Step Chant Unit were a pop/wave group featuring Zed Brookes (bass, vocals), Neville Sergent (drums, percussion), Sue Toms (keyboards) and a succession of guitarists, including Brian Brighting, Mark Wilson and Roy Forlong. The band was active from 1983-1987, releasing this record and a cassette called "I.C. Dream" in '83, which I do not have to share, unfortunately. The title track spent some time in the NZ charts, and reminds me a bit of The Psychedelic Furs. The b-side contains a slightly darker track and a pretty nice spaced-out/filtered mix of Painting Pictures. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Painting Pictures

B1 - The Game

B2 - Painting Pictures (Alternative Mix)

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Lo-fi Synthpop 3

Nowhere To Run Festival '16!

My friends Jean, Andi, and Jose Luis are organizing a post-punk festival in NYC in August, featuring an incredible line up of artists from various times and places. Highly recommend attending if you are able!

Facebook event page with further info and links

Flyer:

Low Fun - The New Dictator (1983)

I've had today's post laying around for a bit, but due to the interest of an Italian buddy it's now ripped for your listening pleasure! The cover was enough to sell me on this Canadian obscurity, but it's one of those rewarding times where the tunes hold up nicely. 

To my knowledge, Low Fun were a duo from Victoria BC (Canada) headed by James Ross, perhaps better known as the former bassist of the band The Keys. James teamed up with songwriter Geoff Botting to create this 2 track single which sadly managed to slip under the radar - but you know me, I can't be having that! 

The title track is instantly catchy and probably should have found its way onto a movie soundtrack or something. The b-side is reminiscent of an early OMD style ballad, with just enough driving beat to keep you grooving throughout. Without further ado, enjoy!

Track List:

A - The New Dictator

B - Words We Left Behind

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Glass Lady - Glass Lady (1985)

Here's a serious favorite plucked from obscurity, at long last. It took a few years, but I finally tracked this baby down. Freshly ripped by yours truly and passed over to my partner in crime, Frankie who you all know and love from the illustrious SOR blog, still going strong! He will be cross-posting this for added exposure, and for the story of how we first heard about this little gem.

We'd gotten together at a Martial Canterel show on a cold night in NYC, and Sean (MC) told us he had some tracks we needed to hear on tape. So we hopped in his ride and he played a collection of obscurities compiled by a friend and fellow collector in Germany. It didn't take long before our eyes lit up, and the hunt began. Frankie was able to track down one of the favorites we'd heard, which you can check out here. Both had eluded us until recently, which just goes to show it's often a matter of time and persistence.

The sound on this should be a lot better than the low quality rip we'd circulated before. I ripped it direct and Frankie EQ'd it perfectly, I'd say. Please do enjoy this quirky slice of New Wave history! Stay tuned for more.

Track List:

A - Glass Lady
B - Glass Lady (Dub)

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