inner nerd » 1985

Robot Rock du Jour: Severed Heads – Lamborghini/Petrol (1982/1985)

beaker — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:32:52 +0000

I’m HOOKED! Now this is some real Aussie nerdness! Nearly five minutes of minimal synth industrial perfection from legendary Sydney band Severed Heads. Disgustingly rare in its original wax format.

Lamborghini (Live at Metro TV, July 1982)

SCHEMATIC: Recording details and a later concert version…

There is some confusion regarding the actual name of this track: Is it Lamborghini or Petrol? My hunch is that Lamborghini is actually an early version of Petrol. The earliest example of Lamborghini is off the 1982 French compilation Entrave et Étouffement, whereas Petrol doesn’t show up until 1985 on a 7″.

There is a cut of Lamborghini on a compilation CD called Can’t Stop It! II (Australian Post-Punk 1979-84) that was published in 2007. This version, with female vocals is sort of a disappointment and the compilation is just OK, although that track from Centerfold is good, too. Might as well pick it up digitally because Severed Heads early recordings will cost you from $50 – $2,000!am (CD Version)

Lamborghini (Can’t Stop It! II) feat. female vocals

Petrol (Live at Rock Arena, 1986)

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Robot Rock du Jour: The Neon Judgement – The Fashion Party (1983)

beaker — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:43:19 +0000

If Robert De Niro were a robot and went on a rampage, this is the song that would be playing in the background. Hyperactive, aggro-nerd breakdance music at its finest. The Fashion Party is some hard-rocking Electronic Body Music from Belgium off the Cockerill-Sombre 12″. Love that post-punk guitar around 2:50!

SCHEMATICS: Videos for TV Treated and Tomorrow in the Papers…

TV Treated (1982)

Where NIN came from…

Tomorrow in the Papers (1985)

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Party Time: Saturday Robot Party @ The Idle Hour (Baltimore, MD)

beaker — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:52:53 +0000

VIGR is in the house. 4+ hour rare vinyl set. Need I say more? Hope to see you there! I’ll try to keep track of the setlist…

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Robot Rock du Jour: Deux – Paris / Orly (1985)

beaker — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:23:10 +0000

Hot Girls Singing Over Synths (HGSOS).

This French duo were really onto something with their minimal synths, stripped-down rhythm compositions and suitably cold female lyrics. This prime example of French minimal synth pop was no doubt influenced by their proximity to Germany as the cool synth-laden air traveled down from Les Alpes. Presented here is Paris / Orly the b-side from their Europe 7″ published in 1985 on André Records.

SCHEMATIC: Videos for Felicita and Game and Performance…

That French accent slays me…

Deux – Felicita (1983)

Deux – Game and Performance (1983)

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Robot Rock du Jour: Vocoder – Amor de Robot (1985)

beaker — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:51:40 +0000

Manchego munching synth-pop group Vocoder emerged from the silicon matrix in the mid-80s to release some quintessential nerd tracks, then disappeared forever back into the ether.

SCHEMATIC: Additional release info, high quality cover art and record scans…

Amor de Robot was the b-side of single Mindanao, released as both a 7″ and 12″ on Neon Danza, a short-lived sublabel of indie label DRO (Discos Radioactivos Organizado). DRO, which you may recognize, was launched in 1982 by Aviador Dro, an awesome minimal wave synth band from Madrid.

A

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