Archive for Peroxide

Figures on a Beach: No Stars

Based out of Detroit, Figures on a Beach made their first mark on the new wave with their independent debut EP Swimming, which became a Detroit favorite and underground radio staple. It quickly caught the attention of dance mix master Ivan Ivan (responsible for discovering synthpop sweethearts Book of Love and scoring a club hit with "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight"), who helped them in advancing their sound as well as getting signed to Sire Records along side the likes of Depeche Mode and Erasure.

Figures on a Beach are most notable for their track "No Stars" from their debut album Standing on Ceremony (also their debut record on Sire) in 1987. With vocals that slightly resemble Bryan Ferry and Bunnymen-esque guitars, Figures on a Beach had their five minutes with this track before becoming a victim to 90's grunge (ick!) and calling it a day in 1991.

Standing on Ceremony was recently released in CD format, making Figures on a Beach's material available for the first time digitally.

official website
Figures on a Beach on Amazon

The Assembly: Never Never

If you are into New Wave in any way, shape or form, chances are the name Vince Clarke is very familiar to you. You knew him on Depeche Mode's Speak & Spell. You knew him from two Yaz (or Yazoo) records. You certainly knew him as a partner in crime for Andy Bell in Erasure. But did you know him in the Assembly?

The Assembly were a short-lived project started by Clarke with producer Eric Radcliffe, following closely after the split of Yaz in 1983. Their original idea was to have a new singer on every track but only ended up releasing one single entitled "Never Never." The singer chosen for the track was Feargal Sharkey of the Undertones - quite a departure from the sound of that band and an unlikely match for Clarke, but somehow it worked. The result was a little piece of magic which still remains a perfect (synth)pop song, similar to that of Yaz's "Only You."

"It never happens to me, maybe that's the way my life was meant to be..." Now, what new waver can't relate to that?!

Vicious Pink: Cccan’t You See…

Although only a band for five short years, the dynamic duo of singer Josephine Warden and keyboardist Brian Moss formed Vicious Pink (originally Vicious Pink Phenomenon) in 1981 and got their start as backing vocalists for Marc Almond and Dave Ball's Soft Cell. With two new wave godfathers to guide them, the influence of Soft Cell's provocative, sexualized lyrics and dance beats were apparent in Vicious Pink's music. Through the course of their career, they earned three club hits rather than making any commercial impact.

The band made their biggest splash with the release of their third single "Cccan't You See..." Yes, stutter when you say it - it's necessary. Legend has it that Vicious Pink were actually the first band to coin the word "techno" in 1982 when describing their music to the press. Maybe not techno by today's standards, but certainly modern electro. Listen to anyone from Ladytron and Goldfrapp and tell me you can't hear the influence these pretty in pink things had on them.

There are several versions of the song. The original 12" version of the song is the most common (and certainly most addicting), though there is at 7" version that varies slightly. A year after the original was released, the song was remixed to have a French vocal, which was recently re-released in a limited pressing on vinyl. Vicious Pink have yet to release an official CD though their MySpace states a retrospective is currently in the works.

Oh. Don't be fooled by the opening sample to the song either.  Your shuffle didn't accidently turn on "This Corrosion" by the Sisters of Mercy. Now go bust out those poppers and shake a tailfeather!

Tin Tin: Kiss Me

Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy began his music career when he met bassist John Taylor. Along with keyboardist Nick Rhodes, the three pretty boys formed our favorite New Romantics, Duran Duran. Duffy served as the original vocalist of the band before Mr. Le Bon became their famous face. He eventually went on to leave the band and sign his own deal as Tin Tin in 1980, before Duran Duran even scored their first hit.

Tin Tin is remembered for his dance club favorite "Kiss Me." The memorable chorus ("Kiss me with your mouth / Your love is better than wine / But wine is all I have / Will your love ever be mine?") is taken from the book Song of Songs. One does have to wonder though- What else exactly would you kiss Tin Tin with?

There are two versions of the song - the original released in 1982 and then again in 1985 (featured on the album The Ups and Downs) with a new mix and added samples. Presented here is the edited version of the original from 82, though it may be worth your time to track down the 7 minute 12" version of the song as well... more dancing & smooching than you can handle! Let's work it, c'mon...

Book of Love: Witchcraft

Kafé kasita, non kafela... once upon a time in clubland, Mr. Al Jourgensen of Ministry crafted a fan favorite dubbed "Everyday is Halloween," an anthem dedicated to the creatures of the night. Although a lasting classic, he wasn't the only one to cater that obviously to those who loved to dress in magic black.

For the more darkly inclined, there once lived a sugary sweet synthpop outlet from Philadelphia called Book of Love - a band that somehow seemed to fit in perfectly between the likes of Ministry and Bauhaus on the dancefloor. Though perhaps best known for three hits "Boy," "I Touch Roses," and "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls," the band released four studio albums in total - their second entitled Lullaby featuring the single "Witchcraft."

Beginning with handclaps and bursting into a thumping beat, vocal delivery is key in this track, sung or perhaps rapped by all three female members of Book of Love posing as the six witches of the song - Enchantra, Endora, Tabitha, Esmerelda, Clara and Hagatha. Still with me? "Witchcraft" is performed as though they are the little gothic girls next door, crafting a potion to capture the one they love. With enough knowing winks to pop culture witchery (Angelique, Barnabas & Josette of the Dark Shadows fame as well as the all too clever "Bewitched" sample) and nursery rhymes to keep you humming for days, it also keeps you wondering what some of these ingredients really are. "Witchcraft" serves as the perfect track for any Halloween party... or for those who need to get all those daily interpretive dance moves out of their system.

official website
Lullaby on Amazon

For extra toil & troubles, try to dig up the 12" extended version of the song... even more beats, spells & witches to entrance you. Medusa even makes an appearance... what more can one mere mortal do? Stew & brew...

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