The Venetians - Chinese I's

Now here is an awesome gem of a band. Released in 1983, 'Chines I's' was their first release.
The Venetians owe their roots to Rik Swinn. A talented, English songwriter and singer who arrived in Australia in 1982 to find fortune and fame. He probably didn't guess it would come at first in the form of this vaguely anti-Asian synthpop/ new wave showstopper.
David Skeet covered the guitar work whilst Matthew Hughes provided melodic keyboard notes. Peter Watson took up bass duties and Tim Powles handled drums. Together they were The Venetians and they were ready to conquer the world...
Unfortunately they only managed to achieve a few B-list hits and an Australian top 10 with 'So Much For Love'. They could have been so much more if they had had some good backing from a producer. It's criminal... unbelievable that these guys were shafted.

It is undeniable that this is a very intelligent release despite the album cover looking like some leaflet for a brothel. Both 'Chinese I's' and its B-side 'Sound On Sound' were released with music videos and charted at #63 and #85 respectively on  the Australian charts despite the fact that both deserved to do better.

Here is the music video for 'Chinese I's'  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Rkzbwe2e4)

Well it's atypical of an Aussie music video. They all had a similar feel but the song itself is very intellectual and reminds me slightly of The Fixx. It definitely has a hard synthpop foundation with Hughes giving us some very catchy melodies whilst Swinn delivers urgent vocals from a phone booth. Meanwhile, the others prepare for dramatic head turns and closing curtains and running men in raincoats. Yes, yes all very 80's.

What I particularly love about the video is how Swinn seems to have actully tried to make himself look Asian or at least a little like the lead singer of Alphaville. In fact I enjoy the video the more I watch it. Check his dance at about 3:05. PURE GOLD! And what's more, when Swinn starts it doesn't stop and all the others start dancing.

Anyway back to the song, 'Chinese I's' is a pure underrated classic. A little diamond in the sand that fell hrough the cracks. It could well have been a hit in the UK methinks, and even the US with its dire warning of communist Chinese spies watching everyone. McCarthy could have usd this in his anti-red campaign to great effect.

The video for 'Sound On Sound' follows, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNKXl-0oulU)

Haha. First time I watched it the whole way through and what a great piece of work. Way better than a lo of the multi-million dollar Hollywood projects being churned out today. Swinn provs he has enthusiasm here. Again, The Fixx come to mind as Cy Curnin also had a real devotion t enthusiastic facial expressions and cryptic hand signals. This video has everything. Chain link fences. Blind folded singers. The most unenthusiastic tap dancer ever. It's all here. Plus there's a part where Swinn gets tangled in what looks like huge ammounts of that film that came in cassete tapes. That stuff used to come out on me all the time! This was like my worst nightmare! And what the hell is the thing at 0:54???

No doubt about it, 'Sound On Sound' matches up to the A-side well with nice guitar work throughout that soehow manages to seem ahead of its time. I don't think this song even has a definitive meaning. Swinn complains about stuff he doesn't like in society then goes into repeating "sound on sound" for no particular reason. Now, I think the idea of that is quite annoying. Ever litened to two radio stations at the same time? I rest my case.

Well I've run out of steam now. I'll come back the The Venetians at some point because these guys put out a lot more awesomeness but that's all I got.

Here's a link to something else...

'Chinese I's (Extended Mix)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HikoTxnJQQc)'Chinese)

And the lyrics

'Chinese I's'

Across the border come the international spies
Selling secrets
Giving alibis
The turned up raincoats and telephone calls
Secret meetings in government halls
How many lives
Are now in danger?
How many children will be left in the end?
Your mother tells you
Don't talk to strangers
So who are enemies and
Who are friends?

Here come the minute men
So lock away your lives
Here come the minute men
The ones with Chinese eyes

There is no conscience, It's all in the game
It's not like movies
It's money not fame
Information
Is what they need
If you don't give out they'll make you bleed
A sighing wind is blowing east to west
I hear the government are making arrests
I hear the clicks on the telephone line
Hello big brother, are you in my mind?

Here come the minute men
So lock away your lives
Here come the minute men
The ones with Chinese eyes

Secrets
(Chinese eyes)
They're wanna mock you
(The Chinese eyes)

Foreign agents
Transmit their messages
Like they wanted to do
The cloak and dagger
Unleashes anger
Bringing tears to my eyes
A science-fiction
Waits under cover
High in a cloud in the sky
They'll take your picture
They wanna mock you
They've got the best that money can buy

Here come the minute men
So lock away your lives
Here come the minute men
The ones with Chinese eyes
Here come the minute men
So lock away your lives
Here come the minute men
The ones who've got the Chinese eyes

They wanna mock you
(The Chinese eyes)
(Oh, oh, oh)
There are no secrets
(Oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh)
There are no secrets
(Oh, oh, oh)
(From Chinese eyes)
(Oh, oh, oh)
They wanna mock you
(Oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh)
(Chinese eyes)
(Oh, oh, oh)
They wanna mock you
(Oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh)
They take your picture
(Oh, oh, oh)

'Sound On Sound'

(Hello)
(Hello)

What does it take to be inspired?
Watching T.V. just dulls my brain
Out of a job and into the fire
There's only one thing, can keep me sane

(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Dance along to the boogie beat
(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Sound on sound

I don't like the things I read in the papers
Plenty of loss and not much gain
Looks like we're in for nasty weather
There's nowhere to run and ease the pain
Hey

(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Dance along to the boogie beat
(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Sound on sound

All over the world, there's too much attention
Political games are so absurd
The song is a mask for communication
A voice is crying to be heard

(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Dance along to the boogie beat
(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Sound on sound
(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Dance along to the boogie beat
(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Sound on sound

Crying to be heard

(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Dance along to the boogie beat
(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Sound on sound
(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Dance along to the boogie beat
(Sound on sound)
Clapping hands and tapping feet
(Sound on sound)
Sound on sound
(Sound on sound)

Anger Into Passion - Common Bond

Several bands don't have a listing on Discogs.com. One such band is Christian rock/new wave outfit, Common Bond. Through my aimless browsing of Youtube I stumbled upon a song called 'Tarry' and was really taken by it. I mean, I didn't know what the guy was saying half the time but he had this kind of nice shrillness and power to his voice which really worked. Upon some research I dug up Common Bond.
Formed in 1987 somewhere in the US, Common Bond was one of the few Christian rock bands with heavy new wave influences during the era.
They released only two records, and their second, 'Anger Into Passion' is a pretty decent effort. Now, my experience in the Christian rock scene is limited to some stuff by 'Jars Of Clay' and I honestly don't have a problem with Christian themed songs. Some are really good.
Common Bond was made up of Steve Durham on guitar, Chuck Cummings on drums and Kenny Samuels on bass and lead vocals. I shit you not when I say that Kenny bears a striking resemblance to a certain Simpsons character.

Three songs stand out for me here. The first and favorite is 'Tarry'. Such a good, catchy song. The guitar makes its mark with a catchy series of slaps between verse lines. It's simple and underlying during the chorus but works and the drums fit nicely. Kenny's vocals are very up to par. The thing about Christian rock bands is they actually care about what they're singing like terrorists care about homemade explosive devices. You can tell that he feels a lot of passion about what he's singing here. I must also hold my hands up and say that it took six listens before I realized I had no idea what the word 'tarry' means. It actually means to delay, if you're interested so I'm guessing this song has a lot to do with Kenny's dismay at the faults he sees in himself and how he wants to correct them maybe with the help of a girl but also that God knows all and everything they do will be known to him.
The next track, 'See The World' has more of the same, including a clapping sound evident in 'Tarry'. It also features a punchy bassline and Kenny this time telling us about how he wants to convince others about how strong his faith is and he hates when others try to bring him down, especially with the way they view the world.
The last 'Walls Of Doubt' is a slower, shorter affair with some vivid imagery and an obvious message that is Kenny encourages a person to embrace God and break down the walls of doubt that hold them back.
These are just some cool tracks that you can obtain just to say you do own some Christian rock and have another genre on your Ipod.
As for Common Bond and Kenny Samuels, well I'd hate to even imagine how difficult that haircut was to maintain.

Here is a link to the songs on youtube
'Tarry'
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuA4dng534Q)
'See The World'
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2p4GpRPW6I)
'Walls Of Doubt'
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UVTUH7puG8)
and the lyrics are below
"Tarry"

Oh, when the night it calls my name
And day feels like a game
And passion, just a word that I know
That I use from day to day

And I will tarry
And we will carry everything to God in prayer
And I will tarry
And we will carry everything to God in prayer

And when my words, they seem to be marked
By profit and gain
While looking through the dimmer glass
I try to wipe away the haze

But I will tarry
And we will carry everything to God in prayer
I will tarry
We will carry everything to God in prayer

Hold on
Tighter
Never let me go

And when I hate myself one more time
You love me again
While looking through a dimmer glass
You wipe away the haze

And I will tarry
And we will carry everything to God in prayer
And I will tarry
And we will carry everything to God in prayer, yeah, yeah
Woah, oh, oh
Woah, oh, oh
Woah, oh, oh, woah, oh, oh
Woah, oh, oh
Woah, oh, oh
Woah, oh, oh, woah, oh, oh
Woah, oh, oh
Woah, oh, oh
Woah

"See The World"

Always asking people
Do you know the one?
But they just smirk and stare at me
As my heart falls down
To the sullen floor
And my faith begins to falter

Oh, oh
Go

My parents said
(This is the real world, boy)
You’ve got to use your common sense
As my heart falls down
To its deepest depths
And my tears begin to fall

And I'm crying
I see the world through your eyes
I’m crying
I see the world
And I'm crying
I see the world through your eyes
I’m crying
Whoa, whoa
Yeah, yeah

Some people take me for
Some self-righteous fool
Now you know I’m not like that
Some people take me for
Some T.V. preacher’s tool
Now you know I’m not like that
I’m not like that

And I’m crying
I see the world through your eyes
I’m crying
I see the world
And I’m crying
I see the world through your eyes
I’m crying
I see the world

The tears that I cry
They’re not mine, no, they’re yours
The tears that I cry
They’re not mine, no, they’re yours, Lord, they’re yours, Lord, they’re yours, Lord, they’re yours,
Lord
They’re yours, whoa
Tears are falling down
These tears are falling down
These tears are falling down
These tears are falling down
Tears are falling down
Tears are falling down

"Walls Of Doubt"

Hey, when I look in you eyes I know what you’re thinking
It’s just like the sixties to me
You paint it all black

It’s alright
Run if you want to
But I see you coming through
Another wall of doubt

You hear the voice in your heart
You get that longing
It goes far beyond all the words
The vain arguments

It’s okay
Long for your lover
You’ll find he’s standing out
Beyond your walls of doubt

Love
Love puts to rest
All of the questions
Love
Find it and see
The doubts will go fading away

All of the hours of the day
There’s something strange growing
The seed of laughter and light
The way down inside

It’s alright
You can let go now
Love is a master’s plough
Crash down the walls of doubt
Love is the master’s hand
Crash down the walls of doubt
Love is a master’s plough
Beyond the walls of doubt
Love is the master’s hand
Crash down the walls of doubt
Love is the master's plough
Crash down the walls of doubt
Love is the master's plough
Crash down the walls of doubt

Nightstalking - Broken Silence

A neat find from the Vinyl Obscurity blog and one of my favorites. Here's the link to the entry where I found it.

(http://vinylobscurity.blogspot.com/2010/08/broken-silence-nightstalking-7-1984.html)

Broken Silence, according to this source were formed somewhere in Canada, featuring Edward Kay on lead vocals and Jim Lysowycz on guitars, synthesizer, etc. though both shared duties.
Nightstalking was released in 1984 and was apparently very underground although these guys probably had a small following in the Canadian dark wave scene. Just look at them!
What happened? God knows. There was probably in-family murder involved but I wouldn't be surprised if these two can be seen lurking in an alley somewhere in Ontario.
'Nightstalking' is a cool, gloomy dark wave tune that flows along like a zombie anthem with simplistic, dark synthesizer notes and Kay's brooding vocals. It definitely has a dark theme and a music video would probably just be Kay singing cut in with clips from 'Night Of The Living Dead'.
The B-side, 'Through The Glass' is a real treat too and could be better than the A-side with it's lighter, more mainstream new wave tone, faster synth and cool lyrics. With this one, I'm getting a vibe of people's submission to higher powers, religion, government, etc. At least 72% of 80's songs have this topic, I swear.

 

Well it's cool. Shame these guys didn't do more. I heard there was another single but I have yet to find a trace of it. Anyone who has any information, come forward now! I want to hear more!
Here are links to good quality postings of these two tracks
'Nightstalking'
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QZHZFeb_p8)'Through The Glass'
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61c6KfV714c)
And the lyrics.

"Nightstalking"

Nightstalking
(Nightstalking)
Nightstalking
Nightstalking
Through the shadows
Through the dark
Thoughts aren't concentrated
Nightstalking
Burning past the footsteps
Jerry-rig a home
Voices in the distance
On the midnight run

(Feeling nothing, feeling everything)
(Night unfolding, flowing endlessly)

(Driven by desire)
Fire in the night
Trying to save the stronger
Nightstalking
Indistinct visions
Past the headlight where
Step into twilights
Fade a disappear

(Feeling nothing, feeling everything)
(Night unfolding, flowing endlessly)

(Nightstalking)

Into the darkness
I can't tell you where
Past all explanation
Nightstalking
Closing in on something
Vivid and remote
Something implosion
Reaching overload

(Feeling nothing, feeling everything)
(Night unfolding, flowing endlessly)

Nightstalking
(Nightstalking)
Nightstalking
(Nightstalking)
Nightstalking
Nightstalking
Nightstalking
Nightstalking

"Through The Glass"

(Think)
(Move)

I can't stop it
Look in through the glass
I can't touch it
Look in through the glass
No love relation
Just beyond your grasp
I can't catch it
You've got to move so fast
The power
The intensity
So affecting
You can feel the heat
The rhythm
Of the big machine
Domination
Under the wheel

Sensations
So outside, outside
Estrangements
On the other side

The signal
Just coming out of synch
The big lie
And the double think
Shades of meaning
Hard to understand
They can self-spin
Another sleight of hand

Sensations
So outside, outside
Estrangements
On the other side

(Other side)

Sensations
So outside, outside
Estrangements
On the other side

Can't stop it
Look in through the glass
Can't touch it
Look in through glass
No love relation
Just beyond your grasp
Can't catch it
You've got to move so fast
Submission
To a far sighting
Subversion
Of your humility
Hidden bondage
Extended energy
Falling movement
Like homeography

Sensations
So outside, outside
Estrangements
On the other side
Sensations
So outside, outside
Estrangements
On the other side

Cyberpunk - Billy Idol

What is no doubt going to be a longer entry than the previous goes to British punk god Billy Idol's slated album 'Cyberpunk'. Well from what I gather it was slated. Mainly because people felt it left Billy's usual style which is why even if you're not a fan of his work, you should give this one a listen as in all fairness, it is something different.
What is also interesting is that the album managed to piss off a whole sub-culture of people who study the novel genre of cyberpunk and disapproved of the use of the name 'cyberpunk' as the title of Billy's album.

Now, I am a Billy Idol fan and I'm proud to say it. The man has produced some EXCELLENT music and what's more, he did have a drug problem but sorted it out unlike some modern artists I know about. The guy went to rehab and is still making music today. He will forever be The King Of Punk in my eyes. Totally Undisputed.

Anyway, 'Cyberpunk' hit the shelves in 1993 but remember that's okay for this blog since Idol was raking in his serious fame during the 80's. It amazes me how this album went unappreciated. 

It contains four very good tracks! And I wouldn't want to make this sound insulting but Billy Idol's previous stuff, 'Dancing With Myself', 'Rebel Yell', great songs and all and I will cover them at some point but they weren't exactly intellectual, moody affairs. 

'Cyberpunk' had some deep thought put into it which I really like. The lyrics are nice and meanigful most of the time and I like to think from what I've been told that Idol came up with them on his own.

The music video for the track 'Shock To The System' is right here.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx2fZU5USus)

Man, and you thought 'Dancing With Myself' was enough to screw up any small child watching. 

Just look at this thing! Billy gets trashed in the future LA metropolis by some cops and suddenly is resurrected as a technological monster from hell to help with a revolution!!!

His attitude is still as badass as ten years ago. He gives it his all and makes me love the track like something hardcore.

The other ones I like are 'Neuromancer' which has a really nice, dark tone with Billy telling us how he is The Neuromancer. Can't say I disagree as Billy describes a hellish life in a post-apocalyptic future.

Another is 'Concrete Kingdom'. Beautiful tribal synth music and the echo effect at the start is breathtaking. That sounds corny but seriously, this track rules. I really like the steel forging clangs that sound during the build up to the chorus too. Very cool. I'm not sure what this song's about but I'd guess maybe a future where technology and man-made things rule all and we lose touch with emotions, values or some other junk. Nice message.

The fourth track that I only recently managed to hear (and like) is 'Then The Night Comes'. 

This one's maybe more like Billy's earlier work. Punchy guitar slaps, an awesome chorus and lyrics that are really out there such as "Here she comes, all wild, so horny. My Sony eyed Medusa" 

I'm thinking that means the TV brand 'Sony' but who knows? 

This one's probably about sex. In fact, sex dominates Billy's catalogue quite a lot.

Just a badass and underrated release from The King Of Punk (Always capitalize that one). One that deserves a bit more attention and an apology from thousands of science-fiction fans.

Here are the good quality versions of the songs mentioned above

'Shock To The System'

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m8InLP2whA)

'Neuromancer'

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAovmuh4JpU)

'Concrete Kingdom'

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIpz3Y9NSrc&feature=related)

'Then The Night Comes'

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugg13q6MOao)

and the lyrics are right here.

"Shock To The System"

Woah yeah
Yooow

It was a night
Oh, what a night
LA, burning bright
Oh, what a night
I said yeah, come on
You make my world stand still
Ahh riot, rape, race and revolution, ah yeah
Here come the fire, and my world burns still

Say yeah
Well, you can
Rock this land, baby
Yooow

But like a shock to the system
It feel good, well alright
But like a shock to the system
I said yeah
Ain't it irie

It was a night
Hell of a night
LA, it really was
Oh, what a riot
I said yeah, come on
You make my life feel real
Oh, fear police and civil corruption, oh yeah
Is there a man who would be king?
And the world stood still

Ah yeah, loud
You can
Rock this land, baby
Yeahhh

But like a shock
(Shock)
To the system
It feel good, well alright
But like a shock
(Shock)
To the system
I said yeah
Come on baby
Shock to the system
It feel good, well alright
Like a shock
(Shock)
To the system
I say yeah, I say yeah, I say yeah
Come on baby

Yooow

Yeah
Well you can
Rock this land, baby
Yooow

But like a shock
(Shock)
To the system
It feel good, well alright
But like a shock
(Shock)
To the system
I say yeah
Ain't it irie
Shock to the system
It feel good, well alright
Like a shock
(Shock)
To the system
I say yeah, I say yeah, I say yeah
Come on baby
Shock to the
Shock to the
Shock to the system
Loud, I gotta
Shock to the
Shock to the
Shock to the system
Yeah, I gotta
Shock to the
Shock to the
Shock to the system
Yeah, that's a
Shock to the
Shock to the
Shock
(Shock)
To the system
(Got to shock)
You could be king
(Shock the system)
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, yeah
Or
(Shock)
I could be king
(Shock the system)
Yeah, well
(We got to shock)
You could be king
(Shock, or)
I could be king
Well, I gotta
You could be king
(Rock the system)
Say it louder
The world still burns

"Neuromancer"

(Age of destruction)
(Age of oblivion)
(Age of destruction)
(Age of oblivion)
Discovered love in the
Rancid days of ruin
My body's sweatin' toxins
Of my own demise
Only from space, can you see
How much earth is burning
Smokin' out the innocence
Inside the child
It's the age of destruction
In a world of corruption
It's the age of destruction
And they hand us oblivion
Neuromancer
And I'm trancing
I'm the neuromancer
And I'm trancing
Man wallows
In his insatiable greed
More is the answer that sweats
From desperate palms
Turn on the lies, the secrets
Of our desolation
Or be smothered
By the red hot core
It's the age of destruction
In a world of corruption
It's the age of destruction
And they hand us oblivion
The neuromancer
And I'm trancing
I'm the neuromancer
And I'm trancing
I'm the neuromancer
And I'm trancing
Trancing
Trancing
And I'm trancing
Denied love
In the age of ruin
Suicide toxins
Of my own demise
In cyberspace
You know how much
The Earth ain't learning
Smoking out the man
Inside the child
Yeah
It's the age of destruction
In a world of corruption
It's the age of destruction
And they hand us oblivion
Neuromancer
And I'm trancing
I'm the neuromancer
Trancing
Neuromancer
(Age of destruction)
Trancing
(Age of oblivion)
Neuromancer
(Age of destruction)
Trancing
(Age of oblivion)
Neuromancer
(Age of destruction)
Trancing
(Age of oblivion)
Neuromancer
 
 "Concrete Kingdom"

I hear cries tonight
I hear cries tonight
Ain't no love
Ain't no life
I hear cries tonight
I hear cries tonight
I hear cries tonight
I hear, I hear
I hear cries tonight
I hear cries tonight
I hear cries tonight
I hear cries
Like all of the best, we've been taken
Like all of the lost, we've been had
Pray God, kingdom come, deliver us
Amen
All life, is it lost, have they won?
Ain't no love in a concrete kingdom
Ain't much light
Ain't no life in a concrete kingdom
I hear cries tonight
Ain't no love
Ain't no life
Ain't no right
What's for my son?
When all of the good, have been taken
When all of the lost, have gone
Ravaged, then raped, annihilation
Amen
All life, is it lost, have they won?
Ain't no love in a concrete kingdom
Ain't much light
Ain't no life in a concrete kingdom
I hear cries tonight
Ain't no love
Ain't no life
Ain't no right
Ain't much love in a concrete kingdom
Ain't much life
What's for my son?
I
I wanna know why
I wanna know why
We're shrinking from the sun
I said now I
I wanna know why
I wanna know why
There's poison, everyone
There ain't no love in a concrete kingdom
Ain't much light
Ain't no life in a concrete kingdom
I hear cries tonight
(I hear, I hear)
Ain't no love
Ain't no life
Ain't no right
(Ain't no right)
Ain't much love in a concrete kingdom
Ain't much light
Ain't no life
In a concrete kingdom
Ain't no light
Ain't no light
Ain't no right
Ain't no right
What's for my son?

"Then The Night Comes"

In this world
Of wild illusion
My room cold
As the grave
Yes, she knows
I never pull my shade
Is it a fear
A fear of madness?
Or some strange
Alchemy?
Is it a fear
Of fear itself?
I think I'll get deranged

Then the night comes
I'm gonna be free
(Never enough, then the night comes)
Then the night comes
I'm gonna be me
(Never enough, then the night comes)

Never enough
Haunts my psyche
Never enough
Forever
Never enough
As I begin to shroooom
Ah
Here she comes
All wild. so horny
My sony eyed
Medusa
She's acting strange
Insane
Oh, yeah, we're gonna get deranged

When the night comes
She's gonna be free
(Never enough, then the night comes)
Yeah, then the night comes
I'm gonna be me
(Never enough, then the night comes)
Oh, then the night comes
Baby make me
(Never enough, then the night comes)
If the devil comes
He gonna tangle with me
(Never enough, then the night comes)

I take some GHB
I feel love, joy and wonderful ringing music
Ha, ha, ha, ha
Oooh
Now, I just got to be me

We're here now
Embrace this madness
We're here now
For sorcery
We're here now
There is no sadness
So take this town and bring it down

When the night comes
I'm gonna be free
(Never enough, then the night comes)
Then the night comes
I'm gonna be me
(Never enough, then the night comes)
Yeah
Then the night comes
Yeah
Then she comes
(Never enough, then the night comes)
Ha, ha, ha
Mmm baby
I'm gonna be free
(Never enough, then the night comes)
Yeah, yeah
Then the night comes
Wooo
Then the night comes
Ha, ha
Come on
Wooo
Then the night comes
Come on, yeah
Then the night comes
(Never enough, then the night comes)
Then the night comes
(Never enough)
Mmm, then the night comes
(Never enough, then the night comes)
Alright, then the night comes
(Never enough)
Yeeeah
(Never enough, then the night comes)
We're alright
(Never enough)
When the night comes
(Never enough, then the night comes)
(Never enough)
(Never enough, then the night comes)
(Never enough)
(Never enough, then the night comes)
(Never enough)
(Never enough, then the night comes)

Bitter Heart - Seona Dancing

Okay, first post right after the introduction. Let's get right to it. Seona Dancing.
Formed in 1982 by two students in their final year of college in London, Seona Dancing was a new romantic duo who by all accounts were pretty damn cool. A misty eyed Ricky Gervais provided vocals with David Bowie inspiration and Bill Macrae worked synthesizer, piano... whatever.
When I think about it, Macrae kind of looks like an extra from Pokemon with that gravity defying haircut. It's also strange to think that that's an overhead shot and the two are standing way, way too close together to achieve it.
Anyway I'm thinking 'Bitter Heart' was their second released single in 1983 after 'More To Lose' which I'll cover at a later date. It peaked at #79 in the UK and stayed in the top 100 for three weeks but garnered zero attention.
Here is a link to the very poorly posted music video
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXhSqmfRTfY)
The Wikipedia synopsis of this strange and cheap video is "A girl in a wedding dress who was about to get married has just had her husband leave her, after which she becomes angry and destroys most of the objects in the room".......
That... pretty much sums things up actually.
Ricky sings very well it must be said and the lyrics are good, the chorus being a catchy one I can't get out of my head. Macrae hammers pipes in the background yet somehow manages to also man his synthesizer which is evident throughout and is played with gusto as Ricky tells us about how he's going to end the angered cries and twisted joys that rage in a bitter heart. Basically, the relationship sucks so he's letting it go and he doesn't care what you think.
The B-side 'Tell Her' is not a song I enjoy in all honesty but this one is a keeper. It's a nice and sadly overlooked tune by a man who later went on to win several awards and gain national fame as a comedian with a great sense of humor.

Personally, I love it and it's sad that after no chart success, these two split up after only two singles. I think Macrae runs a record shop at current but I like to think he gets his piano out now and again and remembers when times were good and he was occasionally crowded by Pokemon fans.

Here is a link to a good quality version of 'Bitter Heart'

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Tw8CDB3u8)

and the lyrics are below.

"Bitter Heart"

You're losing out, now
You scowl and shout
Irrational accusations as I turn my head
Your threats and trials
My carven smiles
Revolts you in your torturous insecurities

With pleasured last goodbyes, I break the noise and we silently fly apart
I'll end the angered cries and the twisted joys that rage in a bitter heart

Go on, hit me, do
I won't hit you
You'd love that too much, 'cause it means that they'd all hear
Tell them you're free and
Tell lies of me
I'm out of range now so there's nothing more to fear

With pleasured last goodbyes, I break the noise and we silently fly apart
I'll end the angered cries and the twisted joys that rage in a bitter heart

With pleasured last goodbyes, I break the noise and we silently fly apart
I'll end the angered cries and the twisted joys that rage in a bitter heart

Introduction

Welcome person who has too much time on their hands.
Well you'd have to to be, reading this but who cares. You're still cool because this is a very special blog.
The reason you're here is because you love the 1980s music scene. No matter how many boring rap videos your friends show you they can't compare with Simon Le Bon hunting through the swamp in 'Hungry Like The Wolf'. The fact is you're not weird. You're in fact one of the lucky few who is tuned in with what music actually sounds like and you are enlightened enough to know that Justin Beiber just cannot compete with somebody like Nik Kershaw.
Trust me, I know what I'm talking about here. Being a teenager who loves the New Wave and synthpop scene that was prevalent during the 1980s I know that it can feel musically isolating sometimes but there are a network of us out there who enjoy this amazing stuff. And if you're reading this and you're somebody who lived through the 80s, then more power to you and I invite you to follow along and discover some things you maybe haven't heard before. That is the purpose of this blog. To document albums, singles and the songs they have that I like both mainstream and sadistically obscure. I'll also cover music beyond the 80's that has spawned from the work done at that time on the odd occasion including modern tracks by 80's artists and tidbits from the modern synthpop and futurepop scenes.
This blog itself was heavily inspired by two other blogs which I recommend you check out
http://vinylobscurity.blogspot.com/ - A true treasure trove of obscure music, and the tracks I like, I myself will post on
http://www.rare80s.com/ - Quality if fleeting site with some comedy and down-loadable tracks
I'll try to include all the information I deem necessary when I post links to videos that are important, links to good quality listening opportunities, the lyrics (some painstakingly listened to and written by me), images ect...
So enjoy. Look around. I aim to post at least once a week and maybe more. Obviously some posts will be short and some long. I hope to give whoever follows some new music to get their hands on in an easy to digest format. Please comment if you like a post at all. I'll provide answers to questions as soon as I can.

Yours sincerely
22ndWave