On This Day, 43 ago, the Virgin Prunes released the single 'Moments and Mine (Despite Straight Lines)'
On this day, June 27, 1981, now 43 ago, the Irish post-punk band Virgin Prunes released their evocative 7" single "Moments and Mine (Despite Straight Lines)". This seminal release stands as a testament to the band’s avant-garde approach and their significant influence in the post-punk and gothic rock scenes of the early 1980s.
Virgin Prunes, formed in 1977 in Dublin, were renowned for their theatrical performances and boundary-pushing music. The band consisted of members Gavin Friday, Guggi, Dave-id Busaras, Dik Evans, Strongman, and Pod. Their music often explored themes of chaos, existentialism, and the human condition, blending abrasive sounds with performance art to create a unique and immersive experience.
The single "Moments and Mine/In the Greylight/War" encapsulates the band’s experimental essence. The three tracks each offer a distinct sonic and emotional experience, reflective of the band's ability to traverse a wide array of moods and styles. On the A-side, the title track "Moments and Mine", is a hauntingly beautiful piece that showcases the band’s ability to blend melodic elements with dark, brooding undertones. Gavin Friday’s emotive vocals, combined with the intricate guitar work and atmospheric production, create a song that is both melancholic and mesmerizing. On the B-side we discover "In the Greylight", whereon the Virgin Prunes dive deeper into their gothic influences, producing a track that is both eerie and ethereal. The use of sparse instrumentation and haunting soundscapes evokes a sense of otherworldliness, making it a standout piece in their discography. The second B-side track and thrird track on this 7" is "War", a stark and powerful commentary on conflict and human strife. With its aggressive rhythms and confrontational lyrics, the song captures the band’s ability to convey intense emotions and social commentary through their music. The track’s raw energy and urgency reflect the chaotic nature of its subject matter.
The release of "Moments and Mine (Despite Straight Lines)" came at a time when the post-punk movement was gaining momentum, with bands experimenting with new sounds and challenging the norms of popular music. Virgin Prunes were at the forefront of this movement, and this single is a prime example of their innovative spirit.
The impact of Virgin Prunes' work extends beyond their immediate discography. They were pioneers in the incorporation of performance art into music, influencing countless bands and artists who followed. Their willingness to explore dark and complex themes set them apart from many of their contemporaries, cementing their place in the annals of alternative music history.
Today, we celebrate the release of "Moments and Mine (Despite Straight Lines)" recognizing it as a crucial moment in the evolution of post-punk music. The Virgin Prunes’ fearless exploration of sound and performance continues to inspire and challenge, making their work as relevant today as it was over four decades ago.
As we look back on this release, we are reminded of the power of music to push boundaries and provoke thought. "Moments and Mine (Despite Straight Lines)" is more than just a single; it is a piece of art that encapsulates the spirit of innovation and the quest for deeper understanding that defines the best of post-punk music.
UK 7" single (RT 072)
- "Moments and Mine (Despite Straight Lines)" – 4:27
- "In the Greylight" – 2:50
- "War" – 2:06
46 years ago, on June 16, 1978, Suicide performed their legendary 23 minutes lasting show at the renowned Brussels music club Ancienne Belgique, as support for Elvis Costello. The live audience recording, originally taped by a friend of the band, Howard Thompson, is not so much a registration of the quality of their actual live performance but it gives an indication of the general public's reaction to this confrontational electronic duo during their early days.
Before Suicide even starts playing booing can be heard from the crowd, indicating that they only wanted to hear the main act, Elvis Costello. Between every song the booing seems to become more intense. After roughly 10 minutes the crowd can be heard chanting "ELVIS! ELVIS!”. Then, after the band has been almost 20 minutes on stage, a loud applause can be heard; someone stole Alan Vega's microphone …
After receiving the microphone back he continues to sing "Frankie Teardrop" a cappella. After even more booing Vega shouts "SHUT THE FUCK UP! THIS IS ABOUT FRANKIE!". A few moments later the band leaves the stage.
That night Elvis Costello played a very short and angry set in which he made no secret of his outrage over Suicide's treatment by the crowd. This incited a riot. The show was cancelled and Vega's nose was broken.
The recording was first released only as a promo in 1978 until it was remastered and released as a bonus track on the band’s 1998 reissue of their self-titled debut album.
21½ Minutes In Berlin / 23 Minutes In Brussels (1978 LP tracklist)
| A 21½ Minutes In Berlin | ||
| A1 | Ghost Rider | |
| A2 | Rocket USA | |
| A3 | Cheree | |
| A4 | Harlem | |
| A5 | 96 Tears | |
| B | 23 Minutes In Brussels | |
| B1 | Ghost Rider | |
| B2 | Rocket USA | |
| B3 | Cheree | |
| B4 | Dance | |
| B5 | Frankie Teardrop | |
Today it’s exactly 45 years ago since Joy Division released their debut studio album Unknown Pleasures (15 June 1979).
Today it’s exactly 45 years ago since Joy Division released their debut studio album Unknown Pleasures (15 June 1979) on the renowned label Factory Records. The album was recorded and mixed in only three successive weekends in April of the same year and was produced by Martin Hannet who incorporated a number of unconventional recording and production techniques into the group's sound.
The cover artwork was designed by artist Peter Saville while the centre sleeve depicts "100 consecutive pulses from the pulsar CP 1919" as found by Bernard Sumner in The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Astronomy (See more about the artwork in the video below)
It is the only Joy Division album that was released during lead singer Ian Curtis's lifetime.
Initially, sales of Unknown Pleasures were slow until the release of the non-album single, 'Transmission'. The album sold over 5000 copies within the first week of it's release, 20.000 copies were sold within the first year. However the album did not chart until it was reissued after the suicide of singer Ian Curtis. Then the album peaked at #71 in the UK Album Charts in August 1980 while it reached No.2 in the UK indie charts and spent 136 weeks in the chart in total. Factory Records did not release any singles from Unknown Pleasures,
It has since received sustained critical acclaim as an influential post-punk album and has been named as one of the best albums of all-time by publications such as NME, AllMusic, Select and Spin.
Instead of side A and B the sides were named Outside and Inside.
Unknown Pleasures - tracklist
A Outside
1. Disorder
2. Day Of The Lords
3. Candidate
4. Insight
5. New Dawn Fades
B Inside
1. She’s Lost Control
2. Shadowplay
3. Wilderness
4. Interzone
5. I Remember Nothing
Darkwave band, DICHRO has just unveiled their latest single & video, "Mercy" from the forthcoming full-length album due out in August via Distortion Productions. The song carries a message that we should have mercy not just in our every day encounters, but free one another from judgement for choosing how to believe, if we believe, and what we believe. If we can start seeing one another with empathic eyes and hearts, perhaps we can rid our global atmosphere of so much fear and uncertainty. "Mercy" is an outreach piece.
Says vocalist, Charmaine Freemonk: “We are reaching out to ask that everyone calm down a bit, take a breath, and be more conscientious of our actions. It is a heartfelt plea that we consider whether we are helping or harming one another, practice empathy, and if we cannot help, to at least not harm."
The video for the single was created to accompany the song’s story. It focuses on the breaking free of indoctrination, a Kansas-to-Oz kind of transition into the light of spiritual freedom and exploration.
REVISER Addresses Internal & External Struggles Of Power With Two New Singles
Darkwave band, REVISER recently dropped two new tracks via all major digital outlets - "Assassins" & "Burn It Out".
"Assassins" and "Burn It Out" are twin singles that address two sides of the same coin: "Assassins" addresses fighting the imposition of external power that wants to control us as individuals, and "Burn It Out" addresses finding power within ourselves, and to wield it wisely. Like all of REVISER lyrics, however, their interpretations are up to the listener.
"Assassins" is an unrelenting stomper, with catchy and haunting guitar and keyboard hooks, and "Burn It Out" is a bass-driven powerhouse that’s fit for the dance-floor and midnight-drives, alike.
"Assassins" & "Burn It Out" are both available on all major digital outlets including Bandcamp and Spotify. produced by Paul Malinowski of SHINER.
