Friday, July 28, 2006

ALTERED IMAGES - Discography


Members:
Clare Grogan, Jim McIven, Johnny McElhone, Tich Anderson, Tony McDaid



Country:
Scottland
City:
Glasgow
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Synth-pop


















HAPPY BIRTHDAY (1981)

Tracklist:


01 Intro Happy Birthday (0:44)
02 Love and Kisses (2:18)
03 Real Toys (3:21)
04 Idols (2:37)
05 Legionaire (3:29)
06 Faithless (3:48)
07 Beckoning Strings (3:05)
08 Happy Birthday (3:00)
09 Midnight (3:39)
10 A Days Wait (4:19)
11 Leave Me Alone (4:07)
12 Insects (3:26)
13 Outro Happy Birthday (0:44)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27663549/altered_images-happy_birthday_81.rar.html

"Although the title track (which became a large UK hit single) was produced by Martin Rushent, the majority of Altered Images' first album was produced by the Glasgow band's original mentor, Siouxsie and the Banshees bassist Steve Severin. The songs are an intriguingly odd lot somewhere between Joy Division and the Archies: rooted in post-punk, bass-driven jaggedness, while somehow managing to be light, perky and engaging. Severin, who also produced the band's debut single, "Dead Pop Stars" (unfortunately not included here), gives the young band a sound at times just a little too reminiscent of his own group. However, the unforgettable baby-talk voice of singer Claire Grogan keeps Altered Images from ever sounding anything less than unique."

Q (8/95, p.136) - 3 Stars - Good - "...HAPPY BIRTHDAY is wiry, sparse and still charming today. Grogan's voice is faintly daft but nice, sounding alternately like a stroppy and giggly teenager, while the songs...have the icy, studied cool of a band who'd spent their youth studying magazines about how to be hip on Top Of The Pops." Uncut (3/04, p.112) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[S]cratchy, angular Joy Division-influenced gloom-rock enlivened by the squeaky vocals and effervescent presence of Clare Grogan..."




















PINKY BLUE...Plus (Extra Tracks) (1982)

Tracklist:


01 Pinky Blue
02 See Those Eyes
03 Forgotten
04 Little Brown Head
05 See You Later
06 Song Sung Blue
07 Funny Funny Me
08 Think That It Might
09 I Could Be Happy [12 Inch Dance Mix]
10 Jump Jump
11 Goodnight And I Wish
12 I Could Be Happy [7 Inch Version] (Bonus Track)
13 Insects (Bonus Track)
14 Disco Pop Stars (Bonus Track)
15 Happy New Year - Real Toys [New Version] (Bonus Track)
16 See Those Eyes [12 Inch Dance Mix] (Bonus Track)
17 How About That Then (I Missed My Train) (Bonus Track)
18 Pinky Blue [12 Inch Dance Mix] (Bonus Track)
19 Jump Jump - Think That It Might (Segued Mix) (Bonus Track)

Link to download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/if00tw

Product Description
2004 reissue of the Scottish new waver's 1982 sophomore album includes eight bonus tracks (most of which appear on CD for the first time), 'I Could Be Happy' (7 Inch Version), 'Insects', 'Disco Pop Stars', 'Happy New Year Real Toys' (New Version), 'See Those Eyes' (12 Inch Dance Mix), 'How About Then (I Missed My Train)', 'Pinky Blue' (12 Inch Dance Mix), & 'Jump Jump-Think That I Might' (Segued 12 Inch Dance Mix). Edsel.

"'Pinky Blue' in my view, is the best Altered Images album, not only that, but one of the best pop albums I've heard. The album seems to be able to mix power pop tunes with Clare Grogan best singing performance to form a more mature pop sound. I would like to state from the start that the cover of Neil Diamond's 'Song Sung Blue' is a mistake, but apart from that one track, each song seems to be a single within it self, each one you can find something exciting about. The two songs I will pick out are 'Forgotten', which features a wonderful energetic verse, which then breaks in to a chorus which seems to be a battle between Clares singing and the backing music. The other song 'Think that it might', possible Clares greatest vocal on the album, a superb dreamy landscape of a song. 'Pinky Blue' was produced by Martin Rushent, and only by Martin Rushent, which makes this the only constant Altered Images album, if only 'Bite' and 'Happy Birthday' was produced by him, or at least could they have been produced by an alone producer. And last but not least harmless lyrics, hoo-ray.
(http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/3689/altered.html)




















BITE...Plus (Extra Tracks) (1983)

Tracklist:


01 Bring Me Closer
02 Another Lost Look
03 Love to Stay
04 Now That You're Here
05 Don't Talk to Me About Love
06 Stand So Quiet
07 Change of Heart
08 Thinking About You
09 Surprise Me [*]
10 I Don't Want to Know [*]
11 Last Goodbye [*]
12 Bring Me Closer [Dance Mix][*]
13 Don't Talk to Me About Love [Extended Version][*]
14 Love to Stay [Dance Mix][*]

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27672598/bite_plus.rar.html























REFLECTED IMAGES -The Best Of (1996)

Tracklist:


01 Happy Birthday
02 Dead Pop Stars

03 Happy Birthday
04 Love And Kisses
05 Real Toys
06 I Could Be Happy
07 See Those Eyes
08 Pinky Blue

09 Forgotten
10 See You Later
11 Don't Talk To Me About Love
12 Bring Me Closer
13 Love To Stay
14 Change Of Heart
15 Thinking About You
16 Happy Birthday (12" mix)
17 Don't Talk To Me About Love (12" mix)
18 Love To Stay (12" mix)
19 Bring Me Closer (12" mix)
20 Last Goodbye (Don't Talk To Me About Love)
21 Happy Birthday

Link to download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/dewwsx

"Wow, Clare Grogan - What more can I say. Who didn't fall in Love with her when she sang 'Happy Birthday' on Top of The Pops in 1981. This LP charts the bands career from this time through to the more sophisticated latter years. The band, for me, started off brilliantly and after their amazing debut album never really managed to capture the same magic. It was great listening to the first single 'Dead Pop Stars' again after hearing it on John Peel's show all those years ago. It still sounds as fresh and vibrant now as it did then. This really is a good complilation but it would have been nice to have had 'A days Wait' and 'Beckoning Strings' included. Altered Images really were a great band that were underated. Oh Clare!"





















PEEL SESSIONS:

07/10/1980

LINE UP
Clare Grogan (Vocals)
Caesar (Guitar)
Tony Mcdaid (Guitar)
Johnny Mcelhone (Bass)
Michael 'tich' Anderson (Drums)

TRACKLIST
Dead Pop Stars
Insects
Beckoning Strings
Legionnaire



02/03/1981

LINE UP
Clare Grogan (Vocals)
Caesar (Guitar)
Tony Mcdaid (Guitar)
Johnny Mcelhone (Bass)
Michael 'tich' Anderson (Drums)


TRACKLIST
A Day's Wait
Idols
Midnight
Jeepster


04/09/1981

LINE UP
Clare Grogan (Vocals)
Tony Mcdaid (Guitar)
Johnny Mcelhone (Bass)
Michael 'tich' Anderson (Drums)
The Allneds (Backing Vocals (4))

TRACKLIST
Think That It Might
Pinky Blue
Little Brown Head
Song Sung Blue

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27697797/altered_images_-_peel_sessions.rar.html
















LIVE 17.10.1981 BBC Radio

Tracklist:

01 Intro
02 A Day's Wait
03 Sentimental
04 Real Toys
05 I Think That It Might
06 Love & Kisses
07 Legionnaire
08 Insects
09 Happy Birthday
10 Pinky Blue



Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27784495/altered_images_1981-10-17_bbc_radio_1.rar.html


Biography:
Formed in 1979, this Scottish pop ensemble featured Clare Grogan (b. 17 March 1962, Glasgow, Scotland; vocals), Johnny McElhone (b. 21 April 1963; bass), Tony McDaid (guitar), and Michael "Tich" Anderson (drums). Even before their recorded debut, Grogan found herself cast in a film, Gregory's Girl, by director Bill Forsyth. In 1980, Altered Images toured with Siouxsie And The Banshees and subsequently employed the services of their bass player, Steve Severin, as producer. Another champion of their work was the influential UK disc jockey John Peel. Their BBC radio sessions resulted in the offer of a major recording contract by Epic Records, and two unsuccessful singles followed - the early 80s indie classic "Dead Pop Stars" and "A Day's Wait". With the addition of guitarist Jim McInven, the band completed their debut, Happy Birthday, in 1981. The infectious title track, produced by Martin Rushent, soared to number 2 in the UK charts, establishing the elfin Grogan as a punkish Shirley Temple. "I Could Be Happy" and "See Those Eyes' were also hits, but the band's second album, Pinky Blue, was not well received by the critics. With 1983"s Bite, Grogan took on a more sophisticated, adult image, lost Anderson and McInven, gained Stephen Lironi (guitar, drums) and found new producers Tony Visconti and Mike Chapman. The experiment brought another Top 10 hit, "Don't Talk To Me About Love".
Following a brief tour with the addition of David Wilde (drums) and Jim Prime (keyboards), Altered Images disbanded. Grogan pursued an acting career (notably in television sitcom Red Dwarf, and more recently on MTV and EastEnders), recorded an unreleased solo album Love Bomb, and later reappeared fronting a new band, Universal Love School. Meanwhile, guitarist Johnny McElhone moved on to Hipsway and Texas. Over 15 years later, in November 2002, Grogan revived the Altered Images name to take part in the 1980s nostalgia tour, Here And Now.

Discography:
Happy Birthday (Epic 1981)
Pinky Blue (Epic 1982)
Bite (Epic 1983)


More info:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/3689/ home page of Clare Grogan

http://www.sukeplow.demon.co.uk/altered/altered.htm fan site

http://www.darkneon.com/copy/interviews/alteredimages.html an interview

Thursday, July 27, 2006

RED FLAG


"This is emotional darkwave music, at times melancholy, and at times energetic. These guys are simply unique, independent to a fault, and you never know what to expect from them next. "


Real Name:
Chris Reynolds (keyb.,synth.) & Mark Reynolds (singer)

Country:
USA
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Synth-pop


BROKEN HEART -mcd (1988)

Tracklist:

01 Broken Heart (extended)
02 Broken Heart (UK mix)
03 Re-Broken
04 Broken Heart (Radio edit)
05 Control

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27436417/broken_heart__mcd1988_.rar.html
























NAIVE ART (1989)

Tracklist:


01 If I Ever
02 Pretty in Pity
03 Russian Radio
04 Give Me Your Hand
05 All Roads Lead to You
06 Count to Three
07 Save Me Tonight
08 Broken Heart
09 I Don't Know Why
10 Rain
11 Für Michelle
12 Russian Radio (Razormaid Dub)
13 If I Ever (Extended Remix)
14 Broken Heart (Dub Remix)
15 Rain (Remix) (Hidden Track)

Link to download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/7fer35


"Probably the best -if not the only- band to come out of San Diego, CA, Red Flag's Naive Art has a very distinct machinery-techno like sound and it worked extremely well. The songs, both lyrically and musically, are quasi-reminiscent of Depeche Mode in that it is slightly melancholic and most songs are in the minor key. The techno-pop music is very upbeat and dancy, notwithstanding it's semi-"dark" nature and the hooks, though simple, are poignant and memorable. One of Naive Art's cons is that there isn't a whole lot of variation: Most of the tracks don't sound very distinct from each other, but still it's a cool album and brings a lot of late '80s nostalgia back to me."

"I am so glad this album is available as a reissue for those who missed it the first time around. Unlike many of the more recent synth bands that sound kind of amateur, the production quality of this album is on par with any major release. This album is like a cross between early 80's Depeche Mode and early Anything Box (a band that actually came later, but serves as a good comparison). More bubble-gum than Depeche Mode, but essential for any fan of dancey euro-synth style music (although Red Flag are American). My favorite song is actually the ballad "Rain" which to me is Red Flag's equivalent of the classic Depeche Mode ballad "Somebody"."


COUNT TO THREE -mcd (1989)

Tracklist:

01 Count To Three (power mix)
02 Give Me Your Hand - Count To Three (razormaid mix)
03 Count To Three (house mix)
04 Count To Three (house dub)
05 Count To Three (7 inch edit)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27359413/count_to_three__mcd1989_.rar.html



















NAIVE DANCE (1990)

Tracklist:


01 Broken Heart (UK remix)
02 Russian radio (Glasnost Club mix)
03 If I ever (1000 years mix)
04 Count to three (house mix)
05 Pretty in pity (painless mix)
06 Russian radio (razormaid mix)
07 I ever (razormaid mix)
08 Give me your hand (razormaid mix)
09 Count to three (razormaid remix)
10 Broken heart (razormaid dub)

Link to download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/y1cuvg


ALL ROADS LEAD TO YOU -ep (1990)

Tracklist:


01 After Hours mix
02 After Hours Radio mix
03 Heart Of Darkness mix
04 Heart Of Dubness
05 After Hours instrumental

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27354746/red_flag-all_roads_lead_to_you__mcd1989_.rar.html






























MACHINES -ep (1992)

Tracklist:

01 LP edit
02 Metal shop edit
03 Tony's edit
04 Metal shop extended
05 House of sprockets mix
06 Hammer & Sam mix
07 Rythmik vibrations
08 Tekno vibrations

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27412574/red_flag-_machines_.rar.html





















LIGHTHOUSE (1995)

Tracklist:

01 Inner Sea
02 Ambient Tier
03 Shame on the Moon
04 Cry Me a River
05 My Love
06 In My Dreams
07 Ruby Roses
08 Things We Say
09 The Lighthouse
10 Inner Sea Revisited
11 Cry Me a River Revisited

Link to download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/tqtdqw


"Wow, how can I describe this particular work of art? I have many Red Flag albums, however, this one seems to capture me the most. As many others have most likely described, this whole musical-vocal compilation practically takes you on a wonderous, smooth, mind relaxing and oceanesque joy ride. The Lighthouse has music and vocals that are timeless and much more mature, enjoyable, romantic, and sophisticated sounding than those you would find in your typical pop album. This has been one of my favorites of Red Flag for years. You'll appreciate this music most at the end of a hard working day as you are looking to sit down, breath in and out, and relax. Some of my favorites in the album are: Inner Sea, My Love (one of the most beautiful love songs I have ever heard), In My Dreams, Ruby Roses, The Lighthouse (an instrumental), and Inner Sea (Revisited - an instrumental version of the first song on the album). More of this style of music is hard to come by and would be a great thing... alas, I have been left wanting for more... There are many other great artists out there, but this album is definitely in a class all of its own."

"When I write this review, I have had all Red Flag albums from "Naive Art" to their latest "Who Are The Skulls?" I ave to say "The Lighthouse" still ranks on top of all RF releases. There's just something 'coolness' about this album. It's a blend of synthpop, new age, & ambient. The closest comparison would be ENIGMA's "MCMXC A.D." album minus the Gregorian chants.
This is not a dark synthpop album. No depressing 'dark-tone' here. I just love to put on this CD everytime I feel like relaxing after a long stressful day. Just close your eyes & you'll find the healing of the mind afterwards. Definitely 10 stars !!! Peace !!"























EP (1996)

Tracklist:


01 Ilumination
02 Deeper Shade of Blue
03 I Remember
04 Time
05 Illumintion (extended)
06 Deeper Shade of Blue (extended)
07 Remember (Extended)
08 Illumination (Something Mix)
09 I Remember (Amnesia)
10 Time

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27369826/red_flag_ep__1996_.rar.html


"red flag shows a maturity and more varied approach to music on this release. listening to their albums you notice that they continue to grow as artists while never losing what makes them special. very enjoyable!"
























CAVEAT EMPTOR (1998)

Tracklist:


01 Sundown
02 The Web
03 Hollo
04 Love Lacks Gravity
05 Clich
06 Digital Sunris
07 Nevermind HTT
08 Aliv
09 Collid
10 Minuet in E Minor
11 Laying Low
12 Anti-Gravity

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27338434/caveat_emptor__1998_.rar.html

"This albums is great. I truly love it, maybe not as much as "Naive Art", but it has a different mood to it. It is definatly not as dancable and as happy as "Naive Art" but it is very melodic and will put you on a state of TRANCE. Great songs like "Sundown", "Love Lacks Gravity", and "Nevermind Http" are very TRANCEY and MELODIC. Other songs like "The Web", "Hollow", "Cliche", and "Alive" will leave you mezmorized from their soft, and dark musical beauty and fantastic lyrics.FUTURE OF SYNTH-POP IN FULL AFFECT. Chris and Mark Reynolds deserve big recognition in today's music scene from their great contributions to synth-pop world. All songs are written, produced, and mixed by the two brothers under their own label, PLAN B records."




















THE CRYPT (2000)

Tracklist:

01 Curtains (3:49)
02 I See You (3:21)
03 King Of Everything (2:59)
04 The Thought Of You (4:10)
05 Rejection (2:49)
06 Heaven In Medias Res (4:21)
07 For The Dark (4:36)
08 L.O.V.E. (3:46)
09 Tortured Daisy (4:47)
10 Goodbye (4:05)
11 Sanctum Sanctorium (2:11)


Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27364498/crypt.rar.html

"I am not a huge fan of synth-pop, but these guys have a hold on me for some reason; on The Crypt they have put out a series of catchy tunes, a pretty (and pretty strong) 41 minutes of music. Red Flag is somewhere between the existentialism of "Click Click" (a fairly obscure band these days) and the sappiness of Depeche Mode. I would recommend this music to fans of either of those two bands; clubbers who are into EBM might even enjoy the tame sound of The Crypt. What i appreciate most about Red Flag is their DIY (do it yourself) philosophy, which often entails eccentric packaging of the CD.
Let me clear one thing up right now: This CD can hardly be called "dark" music when one considers the dozens of truly dark electronically-based groups available to choose from (e.g., velvet acid christ, skinny puppy, hocico, wumpscut, cruxshadows, kevorkian death cycle, android lust, dismantled, xorcist, in strict confidence, cenobita, etc.)"

"I have two other Red Flag CDs: "Naive Art" and "Caveat Emptor", and this one is definitely my favourite!!! It is darker than the other two, but I think it is more interesting musically than their earlier CDs. I would highly recommend this cd, and if you only plan to buy one Red Flag CD, then this should be the one!"

















THE EAGLE AND CHILD (2000)

Tracklist:

01 The Eagle and child
02 Disarray
03 Take Care Love
04 She's My Girl
05 Time
06 In My Arms Again
07 The Game
08 Synthpopalooza
09 Illumination
10 Deeper Shade of Blue
11 Disarray Alpha Remix

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27345352/red_flag_-_the_eagle_and_child.rar.html

"This album leaves me breathless. It is just AWESOME! The music is very beautiful and inspiring. I just love the song "Take care love". I can just listen to that song over and over again. The lead vocals are so beautiful and the music very enigmatic and inspiring, one of Red Flag's best compositions. This is an album to have if you are a Red Flag fan."

"This is the last album by the band before moving towards dark/gothic synth. It is a very good album and I really like it.I enjoy most of the songs in this album. The lyrics are great as always and the music is fantastic (true synth-pop). The Reynolds Brothers have never let me down yet. The vocals are like the previous albums and Chris does a great job with it. Songs like "Disarray", "Synthpopalooza", "Illumination", "Take Care Love", "She's My Girl","Time",and "Deper Shade of Blue" are great to listen and dance to. Other songs like "The Game", and "In My Arms Again" are romantic and slow. Definate must have for all fans."
















FEAR OF A RED PLANET (2001)

Tracklist:

01 I Am The Wind (4:14)
02 Live Fast Die Pretty (4:37)
03 On The Highway (4:08)
04 So Lie With Me (3:45)
05 I Love You To Death (4:28)
06 Cause And Consequence (6:15)
07 Spiders Waltz (4:45)
08 Lullaby For A Restless Girl (4:41)
09 Mathematics Of Tears (7:51)
10 Destiny (Ode To Luscombe Close) (4:17)
11 Fear Of A Red Planet (6:12)
12 Coda Concerto (7:01)

Link to download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/25nnbg

"There is nothing to fear in listening to this album. Be sure that the material contained in this album is the very best so far from this Depeche Mode inspired duo. I have been a steady fan of this group since they came out with their debut album Naive Art in 1988. I am familiar with all of the albums that Red Flag has put out and this one is by far their best work. Fear of a Red Planet has some very beautiful music and the two members of the group make use of some very unique instrumentation that will send chills of inspiration down your back. This is probably the third best Depeche Mode sound a like group after the German group Camouflage. If you are familiar with Depeche Mode's Some Great Reward album and Camouflage's Voices and Images, Fear of a Red Planet offers the same high quality electronic gloom and musical enigma. If you liked those albums, then you will defintiely enjoy this one."


















CODEBREAKER T133 (2002)

Tracklist:


01 Eternal Flame
02 Shadow Warrior
03 Unbreakable
04 Never Leave
05 Reign Down on Me
06 Hard Times for Dreamers
07 Electromachine
08 Made for Love
09 Fallen Angel
10 Burning Man
11 Talk About the Future
12 Codebreaker T133

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27352479/codebreaker_t133__2002_.rar.html




















THE BITTER END (2002)

Tracklist:


01 A Life Worth Living (6:24)
02 The Pyramid Song (4:20)
03 Metropolis Kiss (6:06)
04 One Plus One (4:55)
05 Nobody's Perfect (5:04)
06 Toy Piano (3:46)
07 Barbed Wire Cuts (4:22)
08 The Map Of Her Heart (8:07)
09 Thin Air (4:41)
10 Wind And Sea (6:54)
11 The Bitter End (4:09)

Link to download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/42fg50





















WHO ARE THE SKULLS ? (2002)

Tracklist:


01 Nevermind http: (Cosmicity Remix)
02 Cause and Consequence (Information Society Remix)
03 On the Highway (Cause and Effect Remix)
04 I Don't Know Why (Shades of Grey Remix)
05 Russian Radio (Scribe Machine Remix)
06 Take Care Love (Wave in Head Remix)
07 Destiny (B.C. Remix)
08 Control (Craig DeGraff and L. Barron Remix)
09 On the Highway (Somegirl Remix)
10 Heaven in Medias Res (Voytech & the Vis Remix)
11 Things We Say (NewVember Remix)
12 Lullaby for a Restless Girl (ROOM 1202 and Aaron Messmer Remix)
13 If I Ever (Provision Remix)
14 If I Ever (B.C. Remix)
15 In My Arms Again (Scribe Machine Remix)
16 Remember to Forget (Tragically Hip Mix
)

Link to download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/tiaej7

"This is a great collection of remixes done by other bands and hand-picked by Red Flag.There are a couple of "bonuses" on this album - one of the songs is a rare b-side from their first single (the remix is actually better in my opinion than the original) and another is a song that will appear on a yet to be released album with different words."

"I purchased this C.D. a few months ago, and I love it. Tracks 5 (Russian Radio, remixed by Scribe Machine) and 14 (If I Ever, remixed by B.C.) really stand out. There is a lot of talent on this disc. All of the remixes were excellent. Long live Synthpop!"
















UNRELEASED (2003)

Tracklist:

01 Beautiful
02 Move On
03 In My Arms Again (Sm remix)
04 Dark Side Of The Sun
05 On The Highway (Mojave mix)
06 Rescue (Extended mix)
07 Forgiving Sea
08 Dark Side Of The Sun (Shadowles mix)
09 In My Arms Again(Voytech & Vis mix)
10 Rescue (Instrumental mix)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/27416257/red_flag-unreleased.rar.html


Biography:

Red Flag was a synthpop duo founded in 1984 in San Diego by brothers Chris Reynolds and Mark Reynolds (vocals), born natives of Liverpool, England.
Brothers Mark and Chris Reynolds were born in Liverpool, England. Soon after their umbilical gleaning, their family headed to the U.S. and, after a few stops, settled in San Diego.
As teenagers, the brothers developed a love for the electronic dance sound best exemplified by the likes of Depeche Mode and OMD, and hit local stages under the name Shades of May.
In 1984 the duo scored an early coup when their song “Distant Memories” was included on 91X’s local music compilation, Local Heroes. More importantly, a few years later they were discovered at a Pacific Beach club date and signed a deal with Synthicide Records, an offshoot of Enigma Records (Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks). Re-christening themselves Red Flag, the duo scored a minor turntable hit in 1988 with their debut single, “Broken Heart.” But it was “Russian Radio,” released a few months later, that really scored, landing the band in the Top 10 of the Billboard charts.
They released their first album, Naïve Art, in 1989, which scored another Top 10 with the single, “If I Ever.” The duo were now huge favorites at dance clubs worldwide, and that same year MTV’s underground specialty show, 120 Minutes, added “Russian Radio” to its rotation. Already proven as a live act, the brothers toured extensively, moving to larger halls and opening for heroes of the day, from Devo to Thomas Dolby. They chatted it up with Dick Clark after they performed “Russian Radio” on his legendary hit-making TV show, American Bandstand. Sadly, in a tale all too common, Red Flag’s record label folded just as the band’s star was rising.
It would be three years (1992) before the duo released another album, Machines, on IRS Records. It managed to reach No. 44 on the Billboard charts, but the momentum was gone. In 1994, the band decided to go the DIY route, setting up their own label called Plan B. Since the label’s inception, Red Flag has been incredibly prolific, releasing 10 albums, 14 CD singles, two box sets and numerous compilation album appearances. Because of their lavish packaging, their releases have become bounty for collectors. Even recently, they’ve been asked to headline huge international dance events, timed to promote various releases. They took a European jaunt in 2000 to support The Crypt and were booked in Canada and Mexico while promoting The Bitter End (as well as shows in Lima, Peru, which the pair have described as a career highlight). Things were going very well for the band in 2003, with MTV recently using their music for the Road Rules series. They released a new album entitled Codebreaker T133 while 2002’s Who Are The Skulls (a compilation of remixes of their music) and an inspired take on Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” were still garnering attention. They undoubtedly would have continued their prolific pace, but as information was being gathered for this article, Mark Reynolds passed away. You often here the term “underrated” used for musicians, but in the case of Red Flag (and this is not posthumous ass-kissing) it really was true. Even many local music fanatics remain unaware of their San Diego connection. With 10 chart hits and a huge discography spanning a 20-year history, Red Flag remain one of the most successful dance acts to ever emerge from San Diego.
by Alan 'Scoops' Stevens

• Red Flag singer Mark Reynolds passed away earlier this month, on April 7. 2003

more info:
http://web.archive.org/web/20030419204133/http://www.redflag.org/ past official site

http://www.myspace.com/redflagfans official site

REPOSTED for HOLLIS

BARK PSYCHOSYS

Hex :

http://rapidshare.de/files/27466967/hex.rar.html

Indipendency :

http://rapidshare.de/files/27479815/indipendency.rar.html

Game Over :

http://www.sendspace.com/file/slyw79

Codename:Dustsucker :

http://rapidshare.de/files/27473393/codename.rar.html

Replay :

http://www.sendspace.com/file/8wfbv6

ENJOY!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

SYNTH & WAVE ESSENTIALS vol 2. (2005)

Label:ZYX
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Electro, Synth-pop, Industrial





















CD 1.

01 Wolfsheim -Kein Zurück (Memphis Extended Mix) (6:09)
02 T.O.Y. -Do Dreams Bleed (Memphis Mix) (5:21)
03 In Strict Confidence -Seven Lives (Club Mix Cut Edit) (6:42)
04 Sparks -More Than A Sex Machine (Album Version) (5:05)
05 Deine Lakaien -Where You Are (Memphis Mix) (5:22)
06 Neuroticfish -The Bomb (Single Edit) (3:45)
07 Assemblage 23 -Opened (Memphis Mix) (4:55)
08 Icon Of Coil -Existence In Progress (5:22)
09 NamNamBulu -Memories (Club Mix) (5:59)
10 Psyche -Unveiling The Secret (Memphis Mix) (5:54)
11 Les Anges De La Nuit -I Find Myself (4:48)
12 Mind.In.A.Box -Beyond The World (Remix) (4:59)
13 Apoptygma Berzerk -Unicorn (4:13)
14 Warforge -Rage (Memphis Mix) (4:02)
15 Distain! -Autumn Leaves (Memphis Mix) (5:39)


CD 2.

01 Melotron -Brüder (Memphis Mix) (6:46)
02 Rotersand -Electronic World (SITD Mix) (5:22)
03 Syrian -Enforcer (7:37)
04 :SITD: -Richtfest (Single Version) (6:15)
05 Suicide Commando -Face Of Death (FSK 18 Mix) (6:06)
06 Project Pitchfork -Timekiller (4:17)
07 Fixmer / McCarthy -Freefall (The Hacker Mix) (5:26)
08 Spetsnaz -That Perfect Body (2:51)
09 Front Line Assembly -Maniacal (5:17)
10 Hocico -Spirits Of Crime (6:01)
11 Skinny Puppy -Pro-Test (5:29)
12 Amduscia -Corpses Symphony (5:38)
13 :wumpscut: -Wreath Of Barbs (Memphis Mix) (6:02)
14 Combichrist -Sex Drogen Und Industri (LowTech Mix) (5:20)


Link to download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/6jid8a (with front and back covers)



REPOSTED for Rick

FALCO - Einzelhaft (1982)

http://rapidshare.de/files/27094658/falco.rar.html

BILLY WYMAN - Billy Wyman

http://rapidshare.de/files/27106992/bill_wyman.rar.html

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

NEONBABIES (Inga Humpe)

Country:
Germany
Genre:
Electronic, Rock
Style:
New wave (N.D.W),Minimal-Electronic, Gothic


Members:
Inga "di Lemma" Humpe (Vocal)
Nikolaus Polak (Guitar)
Conny Cool (Bass)
Reinhard Meermann (Sax)
Tony Nissl (Drums)
























NEONBABIES (1981)

Tracklist:

01 Profi
02 Krönung
03 Spass Muss Sein
04 Jumpin Jack Flash
05 Big Spender
06 Blaue Augen
07 Extro Und Intro
08 Depressiv
09 Ich Will Dich Nicht
10 Hawaii
11 Tango 11/80
12 Willst Du Mich Nicht
13 Auser Sich
14 Debut

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/26868943/neonbabies-_debut_1981.rar.html

























HARMLOS (1982)

Tracklist:

01 Alibi
02 Reise
03 Angelogen
04 Auser Sich
05 Carosello
06 Moderne Liebe
07 Triebteter
08 Roboter
09 Gemini
10 Aiaiaiaiai

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/26950712/neonbabies-harmlos.rar.html


























1983 (1983)

Tracklist:

01 Blondinen
02 Junge Manner
03 Horizont Ohne Ende
04 Matrosen
05 Regina
06 Hallo Fremder
07 Engel
08 Herzversagen
09 Fata Morgana
10 Eiskalter Engel '83

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/26872347/neonbabies_-_1983.rar.html



Biography:
Neonbabies formed in 1979 (Berlin) and was working as a hobby band for a long time.In the beginnig they tried to be in touch and run together with other arts (their first performance was in the gallery of the painter Conny Homeyer).Their surprisingly big succes resulted in the first Lp in 1981 and the second "Harmlos" in 1982.Their third (and last) Lp "1983" released during constantly tours.But Inga Humpe left the band to join in another band called DÖF in Wien (Austria) and the Neonbabies disbanded.Not only the unique voice of Inga Humpe and the interesting,well-thought-out lyrics,but the melodic, even so hip instrumentation made this band one of the best in N.D.W
The Humpe sisters are one of the most significant artists in the history of Neue Deutsche Welle and german musis scene.

Inga Humpe (born 1956) played in different bands -sometimes with her sister-and released solo albums too.After Neonbabies and Döf formed Humpe & Humpe with her sister and released 2 albums (1985-1986).Worked with Stephan Remmler and Marc Almond (Soft Cell) and relaeased her solo record (producer Trevorn Horn) in 1989. She "recluse" for a year to come back with her new -and very succesfull band 2Raumwohnung. And something else: created a new record label: "It Sounds"
Anette Humpe (born 1950) is a singerin and producer,- learnt to compose and to play the piano in the musical college of Köln-she was a member of Group Therapy,Pink Wave, the famous Ideal-vocal,keyb. (1980-1983) and DÖF (as song writer and producer). She produced the first album of Rio Reiser (1986) .1990 : released her solo album.Between 1991 and 2004 she worked with Udo Lindenberg and produced such bands as Die prinzen,Lucilectric and Etwas.Recently activ with the project Ich und Ich (their Cd released in 2005).


Discography:

Neonbabies LP (1981)
Harmlos LP (1982)
1983 LP (1983)


Next time : more from Inga & Anette Humpe (Ideal /DÖF /HUMPE & HUMPE /2RAUMWOHNUNG...)

RULES OF ROCK by guitarist Robert Strain 1) All sax players look the same 2) All drummers are mad, and are always late 3) All singers are vain and precious 4) All keyboard players are slightly eccentric - 'boffins' 5) All bass players are sensible (van driving, arranging gigs, doing the accounts) 6) All guitarists are handsome and brilliant - well, I would say that ;-) Actually, all guitarists just want to play guitar (we can't be bothered with all the other nonsense). Well, that and attend to all the women the singer rejects! :)