Archive for the ‘1983’ tag
Robot Rock du Jour: Mr. Flagio – Take a Chance (1983)
In case you were wondering, Mr. Flagio is a hairy-chested robot from space.
This song has everything one could ever ask of an Italo track. It is a perfect mix of robo space disco, electro and synth pop with a killer bass line, rock solid vocoder and a fantastic breakdown. An essential part of any Italo collection.
SCHEMATIC: Instrumental version…
Robot Rock du Jour: G.A.N.G. – KKK (1983)
I can actually feel my skin getting hot under the southern Italian sun. The gentle sound of waves crashing and the sand, warm beneath me.
This song is a warm italo breeze on a cool February day. Slow burning and soulful. This particular clip features the ORIGINAL two track reel-to-reel master, so the sound quality is pristine.
SCHEMATIC: 12″ versions and another track by G.A.N.G… Read the rest of this entry »
Robot Rock du Jour: Alexander Robotnick – Problèmes D’Amour (1983)
Close your eyes.
Picture Rusty Griswold at a topless disco in National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985). Do you hear that song playing in the background? How awesome is it??!! Well, this was the track.
Alexander Robotnick, aka Maurizio Dami, rewrote Italo by attaching a ground wire to Electro and letting the current rip. He also set the bar for performance names. This fellow is a legend who still exercises his servos and gives one hell of a live performance.
SCHEMATIC: Rare dub and live versions, an interview and a very special song…
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Robot Rock du Jour: Tik & Tok – The Tube (1982)
This is probably the last robot dance outfit I’m going to post for a while.
UK’s Tik & Tok were pretty far out there, looking more like Fischerspooner predecessors than robots. Luckily for them, their darker, more minimal synth tracks were way, WAY better than their robotic dance routines. The only place I’ve ever seen The Tube is on a 2004 Rephlex pressing that has all of Tik & Tok’s better (i.e. more minimal) tracks and sells for under $10!
SCHEMATIC: A couple more videos and some album artwork…
Read the rest of this entry »
Robot Rock du Jour: Fotostat – Fotostat (1983)
Machines that think they’re human pretending to be robots. I-R-O-N-Y. Love it. The track is decent, but nothing mind-bending.
SCHEMATIC: Fotostat strut their circuits to Kraftwerk, more vids, technics ad, 7″ tracks, album artwork and label scans…
Snort: Robot Dance Competition (1983)
Metal Mickey calling the shots in this UK dance competition from 1983. Peep those costumes! The red heads get my vote…
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Keyser Söze Alert: Decadance – On and On (Fears Keep On) (1983)
Dark, italo alchemy at its finest!
Although somewhat of a false alarm since Decadance members Franco Rago and Gigi Farina were also responsible for ‘Lectric Workers’ tasty italo-biscuit Robot is Systematic, this is the one and only Decadance experiment. The twisted lyrics are a perfect match for the track’s underground, synthy goodness.
SCHEMATIC: Album cover and record label scans…
Robot Rock du Jour: Deux – Decadence LP (2010)
Vive La Synth Baguette!!!
The life of an anachronist is no picnic: One’s soul (do robots have souls?) is spread across time like brie on pain chaud. Fortunately for those of us stuck surfing time-space, there is music this good to keep us afloat. Minimal Wave nails it again with another anthology repress, this time by French duo, Deux. Might as well double-up on the vinyl while you’re there buying Futurisk Player Piano LP to save on shipping. If you’re feeling flush, I would pick up the Medio Mutante EP, Inestable single, too.
SCHEMATIC: Not convinced?! Check out the full Deux posting HERE!!!
Robot Rock du Jour: Freeez – I.O.U. (1983)
This video somehow manages to aggregate nearly everything that was so boss about the early 1980s: 7″ records; boomboxes/ghettoblasters; BMX bikes; popping and locking; synthesizers; fashion; and even a healthy dose of naïve sexuality. If this song sounds like a cross between Afrika Bambaataa and New Order, that is because legend Arthur Baker produced it! Thanks to fellow nerdbot Tom in the UK for the heads up on this one.
SCHEMATIC: Acapella & Dub Versions…
Robot Rock du Jour: Zwischenfall – Flucht (1983)
Chew on this dark wave nugget for a while.
SCHEMATIC: Limited edition repress, original female vocal version and more videos…