On this day, 44 years ago, Siouxsie And The Banshees released the single 'Spellbound'. It was released on 22 May 1981 by record label Polydor as both 7" and 12" and was the first single from the band's fourth studio album, Juju.

The single peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart in 1981 and also reached 64th position on the U.S. National Disco Action Top 80 chart.

The 12" extended version of the song appeared for the first time again on the 2006 remastered version of Juju.

Spellbound (Lyrics)

From the cradle bars
Comes a beckoning voice
It sends you spinning
You have no choice
You hear a laughter
Cracking through the walls
It sends you spinning
You have no choice
You hear laughter
Cracking through the walls
It sends you spinning
You have no choice
Following the footsteps
Of a rag doll dance
We are entranced

Spellbound

Following the footsteps
Of a rag doll dance
We are entranced

Spellbound
Spellbound
Spellbound
Spellbound
Spellbound
Spellbound
Spellbound

And don't forget
When your elders forget
To say their prayers
Take them by the legs
And throw them down the stairs
When you think
Your toys have gone berserk
It's an illusion
You cannot shirk
You hear laughter
Cracking through the walls
It sends you spinning
You have no choice
Following the footsteps
Of a rag doll dance
We are entranced

Spellbound

Following the footsteps
Of a rag doll dance
We are entranced

Spellbound
Spellbound
Spellbound
Spellbound

Spellbound
Spellbound
Spellbound
Spellbound

Following the footsteps
Of a rag doll dance
We are entranced
Following the footsteps
Of a rag doll dance
We are entranced

Entranced, entranced
Entranced, entranced
Entranced, entranced

Songwriters: Steven Severin / Susan Janet Ballion / Peter Edward Clarke / John Alexander Mcgeoch

Spellbound 7"

A. Spellbound 3:19
B. Follow the Sun 2:49

Spellbound 12"

A. Spellbound (Extended) 4:40
B1. Follow the Sun 2:49
B2. Slap Dash Snap 3:42

DISCOGS

On this day, 35 years ago, British post-punk band Wire released their 7th studio album Manscape (15.05.1990). It was produced by David M.Allen (who, amongst others, produced various albums of The Cure and The Sisters Of Mercy's First Last And Always) and introduced even more the use of electronic instruments than on Wire's previous albums. Almost all bass and drums were sequenced and even-though Wire drummer Robert Gotobed co-composed all tracks on this album he didn’t join them on stage during the 1990 promotional tour.

Upon release the album was received with mixed feelings by music critics mainly because Wire pretty much abandonned the whole rock-band setup switching primarily to synthesizers but, according to some critics, lacked to put them to great use.
The original vinyl release has a significantly different running order and omits "Life in the Manscape", "Stampede" and "Children of Groceries".

Manscape UK Vinyl Version (STUMM 80)

1. "Patterns Of Behaviour"
2. "Goodbye Ploy"
3. "Morning Bell"
4. "Small Black Reptile"
5. "Torch It!"
6. "Other Moments"
7. "Sixth Sense"
8. "What Do You See? (Welcome)"
9. "Where's The Deputation?"
10. "You Hung Your Lights In The Trees / A Craftsman's Touch"

Manscape CD version (CDSTUMM 80)

1. "Life in the Manscape" – 3:28
2. "Stampede" – 4:35
3. "Patterns of Behaviour" – 4:33
4. "Other Moments" – 3:50
5. "Small Black Reptile" – 3:14
6. "Torch It!" – 7:31
7. "Morning Bell" – 4:22
8. "Where's the Deputation?" – 3:51
9. "What Do You See?" (Elvander, Gilbert, Gotobed, Lewis, Newman) – 6:47
10. "Goodbye Ploy" – 3:50
11. "Sixth Sense" – 4:19
12. "Children of Groceries" – 3:03
13. "You Hung Your Lights in the Trees/A Craftsman's Touch" – 10:03

All tracks written by Bruce Gilbert, Robert Gotobed, Graham Lewis and Colin Newman, except as indicated.

DISCOGS

Today it’s exactly 28 years since ago Nine Inch Nails released their The Perfect Drug (Versions) EP! It was released by Nothing Records/Interscope on 13 May 1997 and bears the NIN caltalog number HALO ELEVEN.

The title song was originally written for the David Lynch cult film Lost Highway (1996) and appeared for the first time in early 1997 on the soundtrack with the same name which was produced by Trent Reznor himself. The soundtrack album included original filmscores written by Trent Renzor, Barry Adams and Angelo Badalamenti, as well as songs by, amongst others, David Bowie, Marilyn Manson and Rammstein.

Musically the song was very influenced by the late 90s Drum and Bass hype and was most successful in Canada where it peaked at the 2nd position in the regular ‘Single Chart’ as well as in the RPM Rock/Alternative Chart. In the US the single peaked at 17th position on the Billboard Hot Single Sales.

Until today however, the song was never performed live by the band.

Later Trent Reznor would state in an interview on BBC1 radio that The Perfect Drug is one of his least favourite songs he ever produced.

Besides the single, The Perfect Drug - Versions EP featured remixes by Nine Inch Nails, Meat Beat Manifesto, Plug, Spacetime Continuum and The Orb. The original version of The Perfect Drug however was only included on non-US releases.

The music video for this single was directed by Mark Romanek and inspired by the illustrations of 20th century artist Edward Gory. Besides Trent himself, the video also features his bandmates Charlie Clouser, Danny Lohner and Chris Vrenna.

The Perfect Drug (Lyrics)

I got my head but my head is unraveling
Can't keep control can't keep track of where it's traveling
I got my heart but my heart's no good
You're the only one that's understood
I come along but I don't know where you're taking me
I shouldn't go but you're wrenching, dragging, shaking me
Turn off the sun pull the stars from the sky
The more I give to you the more I die
And I want you

You are the perfect drug
You make me hard when I'm all soft inside
I see the truth when I'm all stupid-eyed
The arrow goes straight through my heart
Without you everything just falls apart
My blood just wants to say hello to you
My soul is so afraid to realize
How very little there is left of me
And I want you

You are the perfect drug

(Take me with you)

Without you everything just falls apart
It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces

Songwriters: Charles Clouser / Chris Alan Vrenna / Daniel Patrick Lohner / Trent Reznor

"The Perfect Drug" Versions (CD-Single)

1. The Perfect Drug (Meat Beat Manifesto)	7:24
2. The Perfect Drug (Plug)	6:53
3. The Perfect Drug (Nine Inch Nails)	8:19
4. The Perfect Drug (Spacetime Continuum)	5:42
5. The Perfect Drug (The Orb)	6:12

DISCOGS

Today it’s been 38 years since Electronic Body Music ensemble NITZER EBB released their equal legendary debut album That Total Age (11 May 1987) on Mute Records. It was produced by Phil Harding. That Total Age was preceded by the singles Murderous (November 1986) and Let Your Body Learn (April 1987) while the third and final single to be taken from this album, Join in the Chant, followed in August the same year. The latter single would probably become one of the band's most known musical anthems and reached position 9 on the US Dance Charts of 1987.

That Total Age is considered to be one of the most important and influential Industrial / Electro / Electronic Body Music albums until this day.

The symbols on the cover of the album stand for "Force is Machine", "Visions of Order", and "Muscle and Hate".

That Total Age was released in many various versions like single 12” LP, double 12”, cassette album and CD.

That Total Age (LP) Mute Stumm 45 (UK)

1. "Fitness to Purpose" 5:00
2. "Warsaw Ghetto" 3:47
3. "Violent Playground" 3:46
4. "Murderous" 5:40
5. "Smear Body" 5:40
6. "Join in the Chant" 6:05
7. "Alarm" 3:41
8. "Let Your Body Learn" 2:48
9. "Let Beauty Loose" 2:24
10. "Into the Large Air" 4:13

That Total Age (CD) Mute Stumm 45

1. "Fitness to Purpose" 5:03
2. "Violent Playground" 3:49
3. "Murderous" 5:43
4. "Smear Body" 5:49
5. "Join in the Chant" 6:05
6. "Alarm" 3:41
7. "Let Your Body Learn" 2:48
8. "Let Beauty Loose" 2:24
9. "Into the Large Air" 4:13
10. "Join in the Chant" (Metal Mix) 5:16
11. "Fitness to Purpose" (Mix Two) 4:56
12. "Murderous" (Instrumental) 5:04

DISCOGS

45 years ago, producer/fan/friend Ric Ocasek (The Cars) brought SUICIDE: ALAN VEGA · MARTIN REV to ZE Records to record "The Second Album" (May 1980).

Suicide was always about life:

Nightlife decadence with “Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne”… “Mr. Ray” who was the arresting officer - Detective Inspector Ray - when Alan & Marty got caught up in a raid on The Clash & Suicide's hotel in Blackburn on that infamous Clash On Parole Tour (1978)… street drama in “Harlem” and a sweet sexy lady “Shadazz” that came from outta the skies.

During the recording January 1980 at Power Station Studios, NYC, Alan Vega and Martin Rev received a surprise visit by Bruce Springsteen. A quarter of a century later The Boss would cover “Dream Baby Dream”, the single Suicide recorded with Ric Ocasek a year prior to the album’s release.

Listen for yourself why SUICIDE: ALAN VEGA · MARTIN REV is no “Fast Money Music” and just as essential as its predecessor. “Dance”-Dance-Dance. All night long.

Martin Rev and Alan Vega of Suicide working with Ric Ocasek of The Cars on their second record at the Power Station in New York City on January 12th, 1980. (Photo by Ebet Roberts)

The 1999 re-issue on Blast First/Mute contains The Second Album plus 3 bonus tracks: “Super Subway Comedian” and the “Dream Baby Dream”/“Radiation” single. Also included is a bonus disc with The First Rehearsal Tapes, recorded by Suicide at Museum - Project for Living Artists, NYC 1975.

Martin Rev and Alan Vega - Suicide (Original tracklist)

Side A
01. Diamonds, Fur Coat, Chanpagne
02. Mr Ray (to howard t.)
03. Sweetheart
04. Fast Money Music
05. Touch Me

Side B
01. Harlem
02. Be Bop Kid
03. Las Vegas Man
04. Shadazz
05. Dance

DISCOGS

Facebook FAN Page

Facebook Group

Alan Vega and Martin Rev / Suicide performing 'Harlem' from their Second Album on 1 August 1980, at Dancetaria, New York City, US. Filmed by Pat Ivers and Emily Armstrong as part of their weekly Nightclubbing program. (https://www.gonightclubbing.com/)

Suicide - Mr. Ray (Fan video)

Suicide - Shadazz (Fan video)