On this day, 48 ago, the Sex Pistols released their one and only official studio album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols’. It was released by Virgin Records on 28 October 1977. The album has influenced many bands and musicians, and the industry in general. In particular, the album's raw energy, and Johnny Rotten's sneering delivery and "half-singing", are often considered as game-changing. It is frequently listed as the most influential punk album, and one of the most important albums of all time.
By the time of its release, the Sex Pistols were controversial, having sworn on live TV, been fired from two record labels, and been banned from playing live in some parts of Britain. The album title added to that controversy, with some people finding the word "bollocks" offensive. Many record stores refused to carry it and some record charts refused to list its title, showing just a blank space instead.
Due in part to its notoriety, and in spite of many sales bans at major retailers, the album debuted at number one on the UK Album Charts. It achieved advance orders of 125,000 copies after a week of its release and went gold only a few weeks later, on 17 November. It remained a best-seller for over a year, spending 60 weeks in the top 25. The album has also been certified platinum by the RIAA. It has seen several reissues, the latest in 2017.
In 2006, it was chosen by Time magazine as one of the 100 greatest albums ever.
Never Mind The Bollocks - Here Are The Sex Pistols (UK edition 12 track LP)
A1. Holidays in the Sun 3:22
A2. Bodies 3:03
A3. No Feelings 2:53
A4. Liar 2:41
A5. God Save the Queen 3:20
A6. Problems 4:11
B1. Seventeen 2:02
B2. Anarchy in the U.K. 3:32
B3. Submission 4:12
B4. Pretty Vacant 3:18
B5. New York 3:07
B6. E.M.I.
Note: "Submission" was included with most, but not all, copies of the 11-track as a one-sided seven-inch single.
Today it is exactly 37 years since the Belgian Goth-fathers of the EBM (Electronic Body Music) released their fourth studio album Front By Front (PIAS / 28.10.1988). An album that came only one year after Official Version (1987) and with which these gentlemen managed to refine the EBM recipe almost to perfection. Front 242 was clearly on the roll and Front By Front contained, just as its predecessor, a lot of dance floor fillers and also classic tracks, like Until Death (Us Do Part), Circling Overland, Im Rhythmus Bleiben, Welcome to Paradise. And of course maybe one of their most famous and successful singles / songs until this day, Headhunter. Front By Front is therefore considered one of the best Electro / Industrial albums ever made, not only by fans but also by critics around the world. Headhunter's remarkable video, filmed and directed by the well-known Dutch director / home photographer of Depeche Mode, U2 and Joy Division, Anton Corbijn, received heavy rotation on MTV and other music channels of that time. Due to the remarkable presence of eggs in this video clip, the song soon acquired the nickname 'Egg Hunter'. Despite these seemingly successful releases, Front 242’s home label and distribution partner Red Rhino Europe went bankrupt the same year and was taken over by PIAS (Play It again Sam). After the release of Front By Front, it would be a 3 year long wait for the fans until the follow-up album Tyranny> For was released. In 1992, the Front By Front album was remastered and was put in a new jacket for the re-release on the American major label Sony / Epic.
On this day, exactly 36 years ago, Nitzer Ebb released ‘Control I’m Here’ (MUTE71). It was the first single taken from their second and upcoming studio album ‘Belief’ (STUMM 61- release date: 09.01.1989).
It reached position 100 in the UK Single Chart and position 14 the US Dance chart.
Control I’m Here (CD) - Tracklist
Control Im Here (Zero Option Mix)
Control Im Here (Instrumental Club Mix)
K.I.A.
Control Im Here (Hardcore Mix)
Control i'm Here - Lyrics
we close our eyes
close them in your dreams
close them in your home
i'm here to stay
i won't go away
you don't need me i'll slip away
you can there me i'm not to say
you'll hopin that i'll buy you
i'll slip into your open mouth
shut the door
control i'm here
Songwriters: McCarthy / Halford
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On this day, 45 ago (23 October 1980), UK industrial music pioneers Throbbing Gristle released simultaneously two 7” singles, Adrenalin/Distant Dreams (Part Two) and Subhuman/Something Came Over Me. They were both sold in camouflage printed plastic bags.
‘Adrenalin’ and‘ Distant Dreams' might well be some of Throbbing Gristle's more accessible songs but still feature weird tape loops and odd lyrics by Genesis P. Orridge’. So in the musical context of 1980, these songs were still a long way off from mainstream music.
Worth noting, the 7" version of "Distant Dreams (pt. II)" has a different mix comparing it to the one made available as bonus on later Grey Area CD editions of "Mission Of Dead Souls”.
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The Subhuman/Something Came Over Me single was everything but accessible for the mainstream music lovers with Subhuman being more of a soundscape of scraping metalics while Genesis screams and shouts his lyrics over them. However ‘Something Came Over Me’ definitely has the most pop/rock song elements and melodies, however they are countered by Genesis P. Orridge undisguised ode to a white sticky substance.
The artwork features the painting Apotheosis of War by Vasili Vasilyevich Vereshchagin on the front cover and a canal bridge underpass.
Both singles entered the UK indie charts peaking at 23rd (Subhuman/Something Came Over Me) and 26th (Adrenalin/Distant Dreams) (Part Two)) position.
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Subhuman/Something Came Over Me ( 7" IR 13)
A:Subhuman" – 2:53
B: Something Came Over Me" – 3:43
Adrenalin/Distant Dreams (Part Two) (7" - IR 15)
A: Adrenalin" – 3:59
B: Distant Dreams (Part Two)" – 5:30
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Dave Ball (1959–2025): Synthpop Visionary and One Half of Soft Cell Has Died
On this day XXXYEARSXXX years ago, the electronic music world lost one of its key architects. Dave Ball, sound alchemist, producer, and one half of the legendary duo Soft Cell, passed away on October 22, 2025, at the age of 66.
Ball, who “peacefully passed away in his sleep” at his London home, had been battling serious health issues in recent years. Yet he remained devoted to music until the end — a lifelong drive that carried him from the underground clubs of Leeds to the top of international charts.
Together with Marc Almond, Ball formed Soft Cell in the late 1970s — a project that merged the raw energy of punk with the synthetic melancholy of early electronics. Their version of “Tainted Love” shot to the top of the charts in 1981, becoming one of the most iconic synthpop songs of all time.
Ball was the architect behind that sound: minimalist yet powerful, emotional yet detached — the sound of neon, night, and alienation. After Soft Cell’s initial split, he teamed up with Richard Norris to form The Grid, scoring new success in the early ’90s with club hits like “Swamp Thing.” He also worked as a producer and remixer for artists such as Kylie Minogue, while continuing to explore side projects and collaborations.
A lesser-known but deeply influential chapter in Ball’s career was his collaboration with Strikt Tempo. Their 12-inch release — all cold basslines and hypnotic rhythm — became a cult classic in the underground, still revered by collectors and DJs of early electro and minimal wave.
In later years, Ball reunited once more with Almond. Together they completed Danceteria, Soft Cell’s forthcoming album — now standing as a poignant final statement of their enduring partnership.
Marc Almond wrote on social media: “He was a wonderfully brilliant musical genius… I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
Dave Ball leaves behind an indelible legacy. His sound — taut, dark, and unmistakably human — continues to resonate in every synth line that followed.
Dave Ball (1959–2025): Synthpop-visionair en helft van Soft Cell overleden
De elektronische muziekscene verliest een van haar sleutelfiguren: Dave Ball, klanktovenaar, producer en helft van het legendarische duo Soft Cell, is op 22 oktober 2025 overleden. Hij werd 66 jaar.
Ball, die “vreedzaam in zijn slaap” overleed in zijn Londense woning, had de laatste jaren af te rekenen met ernstige gezondheidsproblemen. Toch bleef hij tot het einde bezig met muziek – een levenslange drijfveer die hem van de undergroundclubs van Leeds naar de wereldwijde hitlijsten bracht.
Samen met Marc Almond vormde Ball eind jaren zeventig Soft Cell, een project dat de ruwe energie van de punk koppelde aan de kilte en romantiek van de synthesizer. Hun versie van “Tainted Love” katapulteerde hen in 1981 naar de top van de hitparades en werd een van de meest herkenbare synthpopklassiekers aller tijden.
Ball was de architect achter die klanken: minimalistisch maar krachtig, emotioneel maar afstandelijk — het geluid van neon, nacht en vervreemding. Na de eerste breuk van Soft Cell richtte hij samen met Richard Norris The Grid op, waarmee hij begin jaren negentig opnieuw succes kende dankzij tracks als “Swamp Thing”. Daarnaast werkte hij als producer en remixer voor artiesten als Kylie Minogue, en bleef hij actief in talloze zijprojecten.
Een minder bekend, maar bijzonder invloedrijk moment in zijn carrière was zijn samenwerking met Strikt Tempo. Hun 12-inch release, met zijn koele baslijnen en hypnotische ritmes, groeide uit tot een cultklassieker in de underground, een plaat die nog steeds opduikt in dj-sets van liefhebbers van vroege elektro en minimal wave.
In de laatste jaren herenigde Ball zich opnieuw met Almond. Samen werkten ze aan Danceteria, het nieuwe Soft Cell-album dat nu als een muzikaal testament voelt.
Marc Almond schreef op sociale media: “He was a wonderfully brilliant musical genius… I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
Dave Ball laat een onuitwisbare erfenis na. Zijn klanken — strak, donker en onmiskenbaar menselijk — blijven nagalmen in elke synthlijn die sindsdien werd gespeeld.
