Fritz die Spinne

Art Failure

2009-11-15T03:23:00.007-05:00

Another band I know little about. There is a great track they do, Gimmick, which is on the sampler Hicks from the Sticks, posted by Curious Guy. I was prompted to track down their sole single, which you can grab here. Indie styled release distributed by Rough Trade. The gate folded sleeve has a stapled flap to hold the record. A-side is not so hot, though the B-side has a little promise. Oh well. I'm still glad I have it. Sometimes the satsfaction comes in the completion of a discography, even if there is little else of merit.

Art Failure were:

William Redfern, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

Graham Lees, Lead Guitar

Pat Allen, Keyboards, backing vocals

Tim Fenton Ward, Bass guitar

Rob Dakin, Drums

Scream of Pain 7", 1979.

Tracks:

01. Scream of Pain

02. In Vogue

As a bonus I have included the song Gimmick in the folder.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-29T23:20:00.004-04:00

Halloween Weekend is upon us. My busy season is drawing to a close, and I hope to post some stuff soon. Meanwhile, grab the original version of a song that 45 Grave covered: Riboflavin Flavored, Non Carbonated, Polyunsaturated Blood.

Years ago I commented to Don Boles how brilliant the song was. I was surprised when he said it was a 1960's Monster Pop song. The band is Don Hinson and his Rigormorticians. I have not shared the full album, just because that would get me posting more Monster Pop than I really should, and ghet me collecting it again, which is cool but also a big hassle....

Get the song here.

is it better to love someone dead?

2009-10-05T01:18:00.001-04:00

The internet has introduced me to some great people. One in particular is a consumate Post-Punk fan, tuning me in to many Portugese and Brasilian bands for a few years now. I have been fortunate to grow an internet friendship with Paulo Martins, and have been quite negligent in getting his music posted here. When you feel a loyalty to a friend whose music you admire, it becomes a question of whether you can do justice to the post. For that, I have let this falter, and want to rectify that.

Rather than have a bias, I'll have to let the music speak for itself. There is more, and I am excited about the prospects of a forthcoming studio album.

Paulo Martins (guitars, vocals, programming)
António Macedo (guitars, programming)
Pedro Fonte (bass)
Pedro Morcego (from Phantom Vision) (bass)
David Reis (from In Tempus) (percussion)

Two track promo, 2007:
1. Angels Fall
2.Heartache And Death

Grab the two song Promo CD here.

First Whispers: Live at PlanoB, Porto, 20/03/08
Line up:

Paulo Martins (portuguese and electric guitars; vocals)
António Macedo (portuguese and electric guitars; computer)
Pedro Fonte (bass)

1. Why?
2. New Sun
3. Dance
4. Heartache And Death
5. Now
6. Drifting
7. Nothing To Lose
8. Seduction
9. Too Much
10. Angel's Fall
11. Angel's Fall (Instrumental)

Here you will download the live set.

Friend them on MySpace: Archétypo 120

Ave Maria - New Maps of Hell

2009-10-04T22:42:00.009-04:00

There is something odd about posting music by someone you have met online. Someone whom you consider a good friend despite never hanging out all day, or hunting thru dusty old record shops together. I have several friends like this--all people I will likely never meet in person. In this case a kindred spirit across the pond, with the same or more of a passion for obscure music. Michael has worked with some well known musicians to produce some Gothic sounds. I'll let him tell it in his words. I really like his work. I hope you will too.:

The timeline is : 1989 -1992 Ave Maria / The Joan Of Arc Family with multiple line-ups. The main line up though was:
Michael - Voice
Christopher Harry - Bass and Noises
Pete - Guitars
Billy - Drum Machine

There was SolanasSolanas between 2001 I think and then 2003 ... other musicians were Jasper on guitars and programming, and Andraz Aurelie on bass guitar .. we played twice.

The Joan Of Arc Family : 2004 : with Matthew and Karl from Sex Gang Children on guitar and Bass, and Jose handling the drum machine and sequencer , we played live with Sex Gang Children and Tuxedomoon, and I recorded a few demos ... Smash His Head To Bits being the noticeable one.

Then White Car Pet (original line up) with Karl from Ulterior. We released a 50 copy edition of EP with Scanners Blow, Speed, Magic Simon, and Margaret. Split up after headlining gig in London at Being Boiled.

Then the Joan Of Arc Family again ... played some shows with Sixteens and headlined Behind Bars in London, with guest vocals from Cinders (Gordon Sharp) from Cindytalk. I recorded some more stuff which you have .. a lot of it rough and experimental and extremely dark by other standards. Then .. we will see.

Ave Maria - New Maps of Hell
A PARIAH PRODUCTION: PARIAH 001
Tracklist:
1. Desperate Measures
2. Dance On the Wire
3. Mecca's Dead

Recorded September 1990 At IC Studios, North Yorkshire.
Engineered By Colin Potter, M. and Christopher Harry.

Well, there you have it. Michael mailed me one of the original cassettes, and I have scanned the cover. The rip was provided by Michael. You can get it here.

Blue Kremlin CD is out, at long last!

2009-10-02T12:30:00.006-04:00

I am very pleased to announce that Catastrophe Ballet Records brings a great retrospective of Hamburg band Blue Kremlin to collectors. The story is a little long how this comes about, but basically Wayne Hopkins, from Cleveland, USA band Garten Kirkhof, traded me some BK recordings that were without song titles. Being a bit obsessive at times, I tracked down Olaf a year ago asking about the band. He has been very gracious and generous sharing BK information. He was excited about the prospect of a CD reissue.

Now here is where your part comes in. Buy the CD. Buy two. Do all your Hexmas shopping at Catastrophe Ballet Records. Get Garten Kirkhof's music. Support these small labels who put out releases of music that needs to be shared with the world. Do it, and more music you should love but have never heard will be made available at long last. Thank you.

Olaf, Markus, Tatjana, Stefan, Horst

Storming The Tombs

2009-06-16T13:13:00.003-04:00

In the 1980's I was well known for making and giving out mix tapes. By 1989 they were done on a mixing board with blends and edits. I am back to a format much closer to my earlier tapes--just a string of songs without fancy overlaps. And, well, at least it is not broken into two 45 minute sides, with a short song or excerpt to fill up the dead space at the end of a side. Just what can fit on a CD.

This compilation stems from a desire to throw a certain few bands together to share here. I needed this image of a dead German soldier from World War I to grace the cover. The result can be heard after you get this.

It was not my intention to send a message in the sampler, but a theme evolved as I went thru releases--the rise of power, war, anti war, death & the dead and the rising dead. Some songs were just a natural fit, while a desire to share a certain band I like may have led to their inclusion. Some of it works well, and some is a little push, but I like it, and hope you will too. Music leans mostly to Goth-Punk, Post-Punk and the like, with the overall feel boiling down into Deathrock.

01. Runners From 1984 - For The Cause (UK--pre Death in June)
02. Under Two Flags - Land Of The Rising Guns (UK)
03. Cyan Revue - I Give The Gun (Germany)
04. Gargoyle Sox - Evil Exhibition (USA)
05. A Touch Of Hysteria - The Rulers (UK)
06. Vex - World In Action (UK)
07. Mask For - Deaf! Deaf! (Germany)
08. Ads - Waiting For The War (Denmark)
09. Brain Eaters - Death Dream (USA)
10. Leningrad Sandwich - Marching (Germany)
11. Geko - Mary Loves The War Zone (USA)
12. Effigies - Body Bag (UK)
13. UK Decay - Rising From The Dead (UK)
14. Scratch Acid - Cannibal (USA)
15. Actifed - Exit (UK)
16. No More - Too Late (Germany)

Stadt in Grau

2009-06-06T13:13:00.004-04:00

Anothor band of whom I know or can learn very little. Matthias had it on his Want List, leading me to find it. The Scarlet Letter are a German Goth/Post-Punk band active in the 1980's. "Friss oder Stirb" appears to be their one release, featuring recordings made during 1981-1987. For me the whole album is an experience, but most notably I love their German language cover of the Yardbirds "Still I'm Sad." Get the album here.

The Scarlet Letter were:
Hella Streicher: Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer
Andreas Schröder: Guitar, Bass

Tracklist:
1. Friss Oder Stirb
2. Tanz Der Vampire
3. In Memoriam
4. Nachtfrost
5. Psychedelischer Sommer
6. Die Schwestern Der Gnade
7. Gloria
8. Blaue Ballerina
9. Gesucht Und Gefunden
10. Stadt In Grau
11. Nordlicht
12. Traumbilder

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Still hunting for the tape by Italian Goth act Schwarzwald, "Allein in der Schwarzwald" and the first album by German Goths, Marilyn's Army - Golden Paradise.

~65 years ago today, my Dad was a gunner on board a ship delivering troops to the beaches of Normandy. He was one of the fortunate to survive, despite his ship cracking right down the middle forcing all to evacuate. Bow your heads in memory to the fallen and the unsung heroes who gave their lives on all sides.

Iður Til Fóta

2009-06-05T10:41:00.000-04:00

Here is Þeyr's 10" record Iður Til Fóta (1981). This has been requested a few times, and was originally posted for Phoenix Hairpins in June 2007. I re-upped the share and moved the entire post to the top of my blog, and am adding their 1982 7" Lunaire as well. Get that here. Enjoy!

Iður Til Fóta Tracklist:
1. Bás 12
2. Maggasýn
3. Teðrukkin
4. Aríareggae

Lunaire Tracklist:
1. The Walk
2. Positive Affirmation
3. Lunaire

The sleeve images were found online. Look to my earlier post for more Þeyr info.

Your Face Against The Stone Is Warm

2009-05-30T20:38:00.007-04:00

Autumnfair is a side project featuring Thom Furmann of Savage Republic and Val Haller, from Wayne County. Much in the 4AD label sound, this is a great record for any collection. You can grab it here. Better yet, go buy the CD release 1986-1989. This 10" MLP, Glaciers & Gods, is dated 1991 and features recordings made in 1988. Released on the stellar Independent Project Records.

Credits: Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Percussion - Thom Fuhrmann , Val Haller

Tracklisting:
1. Collide
2. So Far From God
3. Novy Mir
4. Cascade
5. She Only Smiles
6. Arterial

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There is a German band that released 2 12" records in 1987 on Überschall Records. The Jayhawks purportedly had a big sound change between the two releases. I would like to hear both recorsds. I have heard a couple of songs on home-made compilations. Additionally there is a V.A. LP called Bremen-Deutschland that features some bands I'd like to hear .

13th Chime Singles re-issue at last!

2009-05-12T00:59:00.004-04:00

I am very pleased to announce that the 13th Chime singles collection is available for pre-order! Check it out immediately and place your orders for this LP.

http://www.sacredbonesrecords.com/releases/sbr3001/

This has been a labour of love which was on the cusp of release a year ago, and two years in the making. I've seen the artwork and liner notes, and this collection is bound to please.

Tell Sacred Bones Fritz sent ya!

Who Killed Sex?

2009-04-30T20:09:00.005-04:00

My second post for today (gasp!) is made possible by Jared, who most graciously ripped his copy of the One Gang Logic EP. Presented in 224 bit, this is the first release by Stark Records, in the UK (1979). This was a treat for me, and I am very happy to present it here.

Alienate (Kafka Laughs) EP, as well as their three sampler tracks off the Household Shocks LP.

One Gang Logic are: Chrish Leaning, Paul Singleton, Mick Clark.

Tracklist:

1. Alienate (Kafka Laughs)
2. Queue Here
3. Repeat Action
4. Who Killed Sex?

Bonus tracks from Household Shocks (1980):

Playtime
The Stand
Who Killed Sex? (version)

Remember....

2009-04-30T19:19:00.000-04:00

Yet another Asmodi Bizarr post, this time their LP "Sun Sierra," as requested by Dean. I planned on posting this soon after adding demos and a live show. Finally, you can grab it, along with the Grüne Augen EP, here.

Tracklist:
1. Spin The Wheel
2. Liebeslied
3. The Bride
4. Memories
5. Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte
6. The Dreamvision Song

Grüne Augen

Tracklist:

1. Traumland
2 Grüne Augen
3. Dorian

Parchment Prayer

2009-03-17T23:02:00.004-04:00

Today I receieved a nice email from Christopher Wohlfarth, bassist in Parchment Prayer. He informs me the band was founded in 1984. "In 1988 all members got lost in different band projekts and PP was finished."

I'll have to see what those projects may have been! I'll update my previous Parchment Prayer post. The photo above was also sent by Christopher.

Members, as shown in the photo, from left to right:

Ralf Mehlmann (vocals)

Christopher Wohlfarth (bass)

Ralf Hoffmann (guitar)

Klaus Löhmann (guitar and drum machine)

Releases:

1986: Cassette release 'Parchment Prayer'

1986: Track on the Sampler LP 'Der Sampler' Independance Records, Distribution: EFA 8551 - 1987: LP 'Parchment Prayer' Independance Records, Distribution: EFA 8554 (the producer was Cem Oral, later well known as 'Jammin' Unit')

2000: Track on Sampler CD 'Ghostriders of German Gothic', Schwarzrock Records, Distribution SPV CD 085-00402

Nightime In The Desert House Takes Me Far Away

2009-03-10T11:11:00.000-04:00

I absolutely love this German act called Marquee Moon! If you do not know them, you will, too. This is, I believe, their eigth release. A CD single of Desert House, with two additional live tracks. I bought mine when this was brand new 13 years ago. Yikes! It took a while to get it all, but I have the rest of their discography as well, and will share it in due time.

Tracklisting:
1. Desert House (4:45)
2. Kiss Of Death (8:23)
3. The Spell (5:02)

She's Only 17 In Love

2009-03-10T09:09:00.000-04:00

Early this decade, my abilities to download music were rather limited. I bought a few CDR's from fledgeling MP3.com. This is a decent Gothic release by The Flowers for Luci--and comes from one of those CDRs. Most of the songs I really like. I am not fond of some metal flourishes in a couple of tracks, but I can look past them. Overall, though, this is a nice record, and I suspect a few of you will really enjoy it. It has more of a traditional Gothic Rock sound while stearing clear of the typical formula.

TFFL are from Atlanta, Georgia, and existed from 1997-2002. I did manage to get a tee shirt when corresponding with the singer. Here's wishing for some additional info, if anyone has some.

Decadence of Modern Life (2001)

Tracklist:

1. Chemical

2. Sally The Stripper

3. Pain

4. The Birth

5. Form

6. 17

7. One Night

***********************************

Does anyone have the demo cassette by German band The Parapluies? Also looking for info and recordings by German Goth act Holy Orange.

Marching Forward...

2009-03-04T01:49:00.003-05:00

It has been a hellish year and 10 months. My divorce is final this week. There is nothing worse than having your family fall apart, and trying to pick up the pieces.... All the worse for how it affects your child. The most important thing is my Son, who will be four years old in June. I'd do this all ten times over to have this wonderful little person in my life.

I re-upped Stimmen der Stille as requested. I also re-upped A Red Crescent Sect, SS-Say, Vood-Doo Church, and the I'm Dead tape.

New rips and more will follow in the coming months. All from material I have had waiting here for ages. Times are tough, and money is impossibly tight for me--as I suspect with many of you. I hope the best for the coming months and years to all of you, and your continued appreciation of what I am sharing.

Cheers,
Fritz.

Desire Me--I Need To Feel Your Love

2009-02-14T13:13:00.001-05:00

Dig this über cool cover on my favourite single by The Doll. Catchy female fronted Post-Punk with synths. This was on Beggar's Banquet in 1979, and is the second single by The Doll. Taken from my 7" single. There is a double pack with extra tracks (need this!) and a 12" as well.

I thought it would be a fun post for Valentine's Day. Alone by choice, single, madly in love, or getting it on, have a Happy VD!

The Doll are:
Marion Valentine: Guitar,Vocals
Denis Haines: Keyboards
Paul Turner: Drums
Jamie West-Oram: Guitar
Christopher Yianni: Bass

Tracklist:
A. Desire Me
B. TV Addict

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Recently read about a record by Finnish Goth/Post Punk band The Stairs of Odessa. I am intrigued and would like to hear it, if anyone has it to share.

But It Was Romance

2009-02-12T22:11:00.004-05:00

Condition was formed in Montreal by saxophonist Eddy Strawiak and singer Julia Gilmore in the early '80s. The group's music is a mix of jazz, rockabilly, and country. Gilmore would later form the band PallBearers and released an excellent album "Phantom Pain" before disbanding the group.

Here you will find 5 songs by Condition, taken from the following VA Samplers. Two are taken from a recent Phoenix Hairpins post.

Compilation Tracks:
"It's Too Hot Too" + "Wet Shoes" on 'From Montreal' (Og Music) 1983
"Moonlight" on 'German Canadian Friendship' (Deutsch Kanadische Freundschaft) 1985
"Ghost Train" on 'It Came From Canada Vol. 2' (Og Music) 1987
"Hound Dog" on 'It Came From Canada Vol. 3' (Og Music)

Walk On Guilded Splitters

2009-01-29T21:37:00.005-05:00

Sometimes it takes just one request and good timing. Here you can download the three 7" singles of Cortex, as well as a somewhat infectuous VA sampler track, Walk On Guilded Splitters. This is for the Phoenix.

Sleepwalking 7'' (1981):
Sleepwalking/Jesus I Betong

Shotgun Treatment 7" (1985):
Shotgun Treatment/Dark Carnival (live)

Animals 7'' (1986):
Animals (...Looking At Me)/Tears in the Rain

VA Sampler Dansa Med Fig. 13 (1983):
Walk On Guilded Splitters

There's Someone In My Mind That I Don't Want To Know

2009-01-28T19:50:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the infrequent posts, but I do not often get to share what I have planned. Then again, a post like the latest Phoenix Hairpins can inspire me to pull something off my hard drive.

The first album by Swedish Post-Punk band Cortex is titled Spinal Injuries, and was released in 1981. Get it Here.

I can post the first three singles too if there is interest. But I'd need some cover scans to be happy with doing that.

Tracklisting:
1. Mind Of Darkness
2. Warrior Night
3. Fear Of Glass
4. Nightmare No. 74
5. Morning Moon
6. The Freaks
7. Mayhem Troopers
8. Napalm Sticks To Kids
9. 5 Seconds
10. Flowers Of Evil

Den Lachen Ist Die Beste Medizin

2009-01-20T08:26:00.009-05:00

I had a request for die Klopferbande, and the message was deleted before I could reply. Rather than appear rude through silence, I am sharing this here. This LP, ... Und Doch So Bezaubernd is a great bit of minimal German darkwave. Bordering experimental and Goth, the minimalistic Post-Punk sounds of Die Klopferbande range from the somber to eratic. "Morgen Sagst Du Morgen" is perhaps familiar to people, having appeared on many German Gothic compliations. Recorded in 1981 by Peter Ortmann, little has been said of the force behind Die Klopferbande. You can read more here: http://www.backagain.de/ndw/klopferb.htm

Tracklist:
1. Am Hauptfeslen
2. Morgen sagst du morgen
3. Auf meinem Weg
4. Lachen ist gesund
5. Ritual
6. Resignation
7. Appell
8. Hat er resigniert?
9. Gut genug für diese Nacht
10. Der Endsieg
11. Schwarze Tränen
12. ...und doch so bezaubernd

*******************************************************************
Ages ago I read about an EP by US band Bed of Nails. The Prey Upon The Wheel EP (1988) is something I would really like to hear, if anyone has it to share. Thanks!

Into Oblivion

2009-01-07T13:31:00.001-05:00

I can offer very little info about French minimal act Odessa. Perhaps Goutroy or Phoenix Hairpins can enlighten us. All I can do is give you some slightly muddy ear candy. It has a couple of glitches. I would love it if someone steps up with a better copy to share. Thanks!

Here you will find a demo I acquired in trade a few years back. No artwork, no details. Some of the tracks were obviously switched, and I was able to retitle a couple of them with certainty (Iso, Tanks of Danzig) , while others may still be named incorrectly.

Posted at the urging of Cyrille. Hope you enjoy this as much as I.

1. Tanks of Danzig

2. Dark Inside

3. There Will Be

4. Stinky Tears

5. Iso

6. Burning Down in Arabia

7. Lights

In Excelsis Deo

2008-12-25T11:11:00.003-05:00

This is a re-post from last Christmas, which I am moving ahead a whole year. As a Christmas gift to the patient and appreciative, I am fixing all the dead links with mediafire. Each fixed link will be dated and I hope it doe s not go bellly up again.

Happy Christmas and a great New Year from Fritz die Spinne!

I'm not fond of Christmas music only for the redundancy. In one day after Thanksgiving here in New York, I felt like I'd heard a lifetime of the same tired old renditions. But there are quite a few Yuletide songs I do like...most from R&B and Blues artists of the 1950's and 60's. My all time favourite rendition of Carol of the Bells is brilliantly sung by dru of the California Goth band This Ascension.

Here (mediafire 1-3-09) you can download five songs I like to share each season. There are two Beatnick parodies which date from over 40 years ago; a spoof of what Peter Murphy and Tom Waits would sing as a Gothic duet; The Basement 5's Last White Christmas....and the Christmas song that gives me the biggest smile: Gloria (In Excelsis Deo) by New York Garage band The Tryfles!

Now, this Tryfles song mixes the Mozart piece with Van Morrison's G-L-O-R-I-A, very well done with male and female vocals. Pure Genius!

So enjoy, Happy Christmas, and all the best this Holiday Season.

Uggghh!

2008-11-05T16:25:00.002-05:00

I have been quite busy, and want to thank peoople for comments and emails. I am trying to catch up a little. I have started reloading bad z-share links starting with the most recent posts.

Paprika, you will surely find the most info available about Zero le Creche on their web site. Since the CD is available, I do not make my old file share available. Thanks for reminding me of their DVD. I never received a copy.

Please be patient if you asked for information. I am hopeful I can get back here more soon.

Cheers,
Fritz.

The Worst Of Whom Came Creeping

2008-09-29T19:19:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Jerome, the complete Four Wounds LP by Cyan Revue is presented here. This comes close on the heels of the CDR collection In Loving Memory, which was donated by Greg last week. Thank you both for bringing wider recognition to this music!

Four Wounds was released on Yellow Ltd. in 1986

Tracklisting:

1. Consecration

2. Permanent Days

3. Animal

4. We Dive

5. The Retire

6. In Distant Lands

7. The Unknown

8. Procez (The Strain)

9. Rats

10. Peoploids