Xymox, later known as Clan of Xymox, was founded in Nijmegen, a city in the east of the Netherlands, in 1983 by Ronny Moorings (vocals, guitars, synthesizers) and Anka Wolbert (vocals, bass). Ronny saved up to buy a TEAC 144 4-track tape recorder and the duo relocated to Amsterdam in april of 1983. They began to record songs utilizing a Yamaha CS-15, Korg MS-10 and MS-20, a BOSS Dr. Rhythm DR-55, guitar and effects pedals. Layering drone-like tones of monophonic synthesizers over tape loops, rhythm tracks, guitar, and bass, they created a unique fusion of lush psychedelia and dark, angular atmospherics. The result was a 5-song ep, 'Subsequent Pleasures', was released in 1984 and limited to 500 vinyl copies.
It was a precursor to the darkwave sounds of their self-titled debut LP on 4AD Records, which was released the following year. At the time, Anka was designing silk-screened posters for a music venue called Oktopus. She based the sleeve design on a drawing she had done of Ronny lying in the grass that summer and used some cutouts and details of other photos. Today, the record is highly sought after by collectors. One song from the ep, "Muscoviet Musquito", was later re-recorded for the compilation album 'Lonely Is An Eyesore' released by 4AD in 1987. All jackets have been silk-screened with pink and grey paint, using the original plates Anka created in 1984. Each copy includes a fold-out pink newsprint poster with never before seen photos of the band, lyrics and liner notes by Anka and Ronny. See the colors and waves in this deluxe 30th anniversary edition of a classic piece of Dutch history.
Now out on Dark Entries.
