"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring." —David Bowie
The talent that lay behind the monochrome eyes of David Bowie was not just his obvious gift for creating memorable songs, it was in fact his unique view of life and existence that separated him from us. Sometimes he did not always hit the intended mark, however when he did he rose above not only decipherable genres of music but art itself. This factor is omnipresent in his 1974, flamboyant and deadly Diamond Dogs (24 May 1974).
This post-apocalyptic nightmare, was Bowie’s breakaway album from the Spiders from Mars. It was essential that the Spiders imploded for Bowie to push forward into new areas, this was his cut and run from glam rock and his Ziggy Stardust foil, guitarist Mick Ronson. Though the album itself is a drastically different approach which had capitulated Bowie's previous work, his earlier characters of Aladdin Sane and Ziggy, though dead, still made their spectral prescience felt on moments of the album. The front cover picture of Bowie with his Ziggy-like haircut was one give away, the sci-fi subject still at the fore another, but the style had shifted dramatically as did the delivery.
Diamond Dogs is a fur covered Clockwork Orange style rampage through an abysmal futurescape of drugs, murder and sex. It drips with a steel tongued punk attitude, a proto-ambient dash of the new wave to come. The reuniting with Tony Visconti as producer was another plus in helping the albums rock conception and complicated structure, getting it to number one in the UK and the amassed critical praise that followed the album then and now.
From the unearthly opening-‘Future Legends' heralds the album as it launches with a terrifying howl. An ambient and ominous music flows in the background, Bowie's vocal in and out of phase as he talks you through the new Manhattan, now renamed Hunger City. With a macabre nursery rhyme of children's voices, monstrous sounds and finally crowd kicks in and a recording of a live audience screaming and Bowies shiver down spine opening line-"This Ain't Rock and Roll, This Is Genocide!".
Into the title track and the introduction of a new character-"Halloween Jack". With a Stones/Stooges sounding guitar, simple in its approach which makes it all the more enjoyable and relatable. "Diamond Dogs" does feature some of David Bowie's most remarkable songs, such at the infectious 'Rebel Rebel' containing his own memorable guitar lick.
Then there is the punk avant garde of ‘Sweet Thing’ and its midway segue-'Candidate' an act of brilliance in both style and lyrics. Remaining q fan favourite even today,the lyrics sang in a seedy swagger.The bisexual question compounded even more so here-"If you want it, boys, get it here thing 'Cause hope, boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing"
The middle section ‘Candidate’ features a strong example of Bowie’s attempts at a William S.Burroughs style cut and shut lyrics. Resulting in taking random lines and phrases and putting them into some order that makes sense, here to devastating effect as a distorted guitar leads the concerto;"I'm having so much fun with the poisonous people, Spreading rumors and lies and stories they made up, Some make you sing and some make you scream!”
The original conception of Diamond Dogs was designed to be a rock opera based on the George Orwell novel '1984'. Some of the obvious elements of which still exist on the latter half of the album in the songs 'Big Brother' and of course '1984'. The refusal by the widow of George Orwell-Sonia, to let the project take fruition does not in any way detract from the greatness of the album. Suffering in a way from the similar faith of The Who and Pete Townshend's breakdown triggering 'Lifehouse', a 48 track quadruple album, aborted for the more slimline and rock friendly 'Who's Next'. Bowie, in this case took it on the chin and thankfully continued to create the album.
The coke fueled assault, the music as an art form with a midas touch had came to fruition once again, another classic to add to canon of excellence David Bowie was building. More controversy via the cover this time instead of the subject matter. The album cover released as a gatefold image by Belgian painter Guy Peellaert, the front, Bowie-Ziggy like, resting whilst the back cover revealing that Bowie had the body of a dog, complete with a prominent penis. Some airbrushing rendering Bowie's canine groin smooth and blank. This risqué cover was quickly withdrawn, instantly becoming a collectors item.
The tour for the album, the most elaborate so far,a little over a million (nowadays) per set. With a stage itself a replica of 'Hunger City', along with the elaborate stage props. After two months of rehearsals, the tour kicked off in June 1974,running until August while the month was taken off. Bowie worked on his next skin shedding project, his plastic soul era.When the tour resumed the set was scrapped,the tour name changed to 'The Soul Tour', although the 'Diamond Dogs' era was over as quick as it started, the songs remained in his set, the idea and direction of his next project-Young Americans.
On this day, 34 years ago, Nitzer Ebb released their 3rd single ‘Let Your Body Learn’ (NEP3, 23 May 1986). Initially it was released only as a two track 12" single through their own label Power Of Voice Communications and it preceded their cult album to be, That Total Age on Mute Records (1987). 'Let Your Body Learn' was re-released by Mute Records (EU) and Geffen Records (US) in April 1987 with different track-lists and variating artwork.
Let Your Body Learn (Original 12” - 1986 NEP3 - tracklist)
A. Let Your Body Learn
B. Get Clean
Let Your Body Learn (Lyrics)
Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands
Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands
Meld in the music
The music of drums
Meld in the music
The music of drums
Choose the fast beat
Choose the hard line
Choose the fast beat
Choose the hard line
Try to show us one better
Not sick to the heart
Not calling with flesh
Suffer little children
Suffer little children
Suffer little children
Written in pain
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands
Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands
Hold onto rhythm
The music of drums
Hold onto rhythm
The music of drums
The pulse is alive
Making me sane
Let your body learn
Let your body build
Let your body learn
Let your body build
Suffer little children
Suffer little children
Suffer little children
The pulse is alive
Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Freedom from fear
Giving release
Freedom from fear
Giving release
Giving release
Giving your heart
Fast beating feet
Fast falling hands
Fast beating feet
Fast falling hands
Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands
Choose
Fast beat the feet (learn)
Choose
Fast beat the feet (learn)
Feel
Choose
Let your body learn
Let your body build
Let your body learn
Let your body build
Choose
Learn
Build
Choose
Learn
Build
Choose
Learn
Build
Choose
On this day, XXXYEARSXXX 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
Electro / EBM pioneers PORTION CONTROL strike hard with new album 'Head Buried'!
Portion Control, formed in 1979, pioneered the use of electronic instruments and sampling and clearly inspired bands as for instance Front 242. They have also been cited as an influence by Front Line Assembly, Skinny Puppy, Orbital and Nine Inch Nails.
Head Buried is Portion Control's first release since their 2012 album 'Pure Form' and is a digital only release that features "a clash of trademark malevolent pieces from transmissions along with the other clumsy, broken, distressed monotone slabs."
But there's even more good news! According to Portion Control headquarters.. "the next new full release is underway, machines rumbling".
More info and media on 'Head Buried' on the link below!
40 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
Suicide - Mr. Ray (Fan video)
Suicide - Shadazz (Fan video)
