This month, 44 years ago, Throbbing Gristle released their debut 7” single “United/Zyklon B Zombie" (May 1978) through the band's own label, Industrial Records. After approximately 20,000 sales, re-pressing was taken over by Rough Trade although be it with a different mix making Cosey Fanni Tutti's guitars sound louder in the centre section of "Zyklon B Zombie" as an improvement upon the original version.

A third pressing was in white vinyl (1,000 copies) and clear vinyl (1,000 copies) and features around two minutes of rain and train sounds at the end of side two.

"United" was featured on Throbbing Gristle's second studio album D.o.A: The Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle, be it in a sped-up version lasting only 16 seconds.

Both tracks were later released on the CD re-version of The Second Annual Report (1991) in their original versions.

The single reached 39th position in the UK Indie Chart

United (7")
1. United 4:03
2 Zyklon B Zombie

DISCOGS

Throbbing Gristlle:

Cosey Fanni Tutti
Chris Carter
Genesis P-Orridge († 14/03.2020)
Peter Christopherson († 24/11.2010)

On this day, 40 years ago, the Virgin Prunes released the stand-alone single Pagan Lovesong. It was originally released as 7” and 12” only by Rough Trade Records on 30 April 1982. Although it was a relative succes, reaching the UK indie chart’s 13th position, the songs of this release were not included on their upcoming debut album If I Die, I Die (November 1982). It was not only until the re-release of that album on CD (1990) Pagan Lovesong was included on the album. For the 12” and almost 7 minutes lasting version of Pagan Lovesong, the so called ‘Vibeakimbo’ version, and b-side ‘Dave is Dead’, the fans had to wait until the single was re-released as an CD single by New Rose Records in 1993. Then again, this CD-single didn’t fear the original single version edit but instead a slightly longer ‘Tormentallama’ version, exclusive to this release until today.

Pagan Lovesong (Lyrics)

Heathen, a pagan
No sun shines for me
Savage but gentle
The animal within
And I see it now
And I see it now

I had a weird dream
Watch but don't touch
I had a weird dream
I'm taking it away

Put it in a bag, hide it in a tree
Put it in a bag, hide it in a tree
I want to steal your heart, your heart
With these eyes I cannot see
And this cold heart never bleeds, never, oh no, never
Sweet smell this poison, the colour you bring
Tongue swollen venom, to touchâ?¦to love

And I see it now
And I see, see it now
I had a weird dream
Watch but don't touch
I had a weird dream
I'm taking it away
Put it in a bag, hide it in a tree
Put it in a bag, hide it in a tree

I want to steal your heart
I want to eat, eat your heart

I reach for the sky but never, never can touch
It seems so easy, easy to me
Still I cannot, will not take this thing

Hearsay, this heresy
A victim to sin
Eternal the torment, the answer lies within

I had a weird dream watch but don't touch
I had a weird dream I'm taking it away

The love you give is the love, the love you get, you get

Songwriters: David Kelly / Trevor Rowen / Richard Evans / David Watson / Gavin Friday / Derek Rowen

Pagan Lovesong - 7" single (RT 106)

a. Pagan Lovesong – 3:28
b. Dave-Id Is Dead – 4:17

Pagan Lovesong - 12" single (12 RT 106)

A. Pagan Lovesong (Vibeakimbo) 6:49
B1.Pagan Lovesong 3:28
B2. Dave-Id Is Dead 4:17

Pagan Lovesong - CD single (New Rose Records - 1993)

1. Pagan Lovesong (Tormentallama) 4:51
2. I Like the Way You're Frightened 8:25
3. Pagan Lovesong (Vibeakimbo) 6:49
4. Dave-Id Is Dead 4:18

DISCOGS

On this day, 19 ago (28 April 2003), Wire released their tenth studio album Send. It was their first recording, with the original four piece line-up, since the Manscape (1990). Drummer Robert Gotobed quit after the release of Manscape because he felt the musical direction of Wire increasingly relied too much on drum machines and loops. It was also the first full-length release by any incarnation of the group since 1991! The album contains seven songs previously released in 2002 on the EPs Read & Burn 01 and Read & Burn 02, and four songs exclusive to this release.

The initial first 2000 mail-order copies of the album came with a bonus live album WIRE - Metro, Chicago, 14 September 2002. Reportedly this inclusion was made to boost the sellings since the majority of the tracks on Send had already been released as the two Read & Burn EPs.

The album was critically acclaimed by many music magazines and received an overall 4/5 star quotation.

The British music magazine Mojo ranked Send at 10 on their best albums of 2003 list. The album also scores 84/100 on the Metacritic website, signifying "universal acclaim".

Send (Original 2003 Digi-Pack CD tracklist)

DISCOGS

Wire

Colin Newman
Graham Lewis
Bruce Gilbert
Robert Grey (aka Robert Gotobed)

Today we celebrate the birthday of Catherine Elizabeth Pierson, better known as Kate Pierson, singer of The B-52’s. She was born 74 years ago on April 27 (1948) in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA and became in 1976 one of the founding members of The B-52's. Beside singer/lyricist she is also a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitars, bass and keyboards. In the early years of The B-52's, as well as a vocalist, Pierson was also the main keyboard player and was notable for performing on a keyboard bass during many live shows (see The B-52's video below) and many of the band's recordings, taking on a role usually filled by a bass guitar player which differentiated the band from their contemporaries. This along with Pierson's distinctive wide ranging singing voice remain trademarks of The B-52's unique sound until today.

In 2015, Pierson released her first, and so far only, solo album, Guitars and Microphones. She later released the non-album single "Better Not Sting the Bee" and a cover of "Venus" (video below) as a stand alone single.

Pierson has also collaborated with many other artists including The Ramones and R.E.M but probably her biggest worldwide succes, besides The B52’s, was her duet single with Iggy Pop, “Candy’ (video below).

Happy birthday Kate!

Today it’s 36 years since Siouxsie and the Banshees released their seventh studio album Tinderbox (21 April 1986). Two songs were released as singles between late 1985 and early 1986, Cities in Dust and Candyman.

The B-sides of Cities in Dust and Candyman, were added as bonus tracks on the original CD version of this album.

Tinderbox peaked at number 13 in the UK Album Chart and at number 88 on the US Billboard 200.

A remastered CD version was issued in 2009 with bonus tracks including an unreleased version of Song from the Edge of the World and an unreleased song called Starcrossed.

A 180g vinyl reissue of the album, remastered from the original ¼” tapes and cut half-speed at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell, was released in August 2018.

The album is considered a classic by both critics and musicians.

Tinderbox (Original LP Tracklist)

Side A
01. Candyman 3:44
02. The Sweetest Chill 4:07
03. This Unrest 6.21
04. Cities in Dust 3:51

Side B
01. Cannons 3:14
02. Party's Fall 4:56
03. 92° 6:02
04. Land's End 6:14

DISCOGS