News

Page Reissue Glad

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife

Page, the Swedish poptronica pioneers, have reissued their 1995 album, Glad [EN: Happy]. Originally released exclusively on CD, the new version of Glad comes in both vinyl and CD formats; the latter including two bonus tracks from singles released around the time of the original album.

Loaded with fan favourites, Glad was the last album that Marina Schiptjenko took part in before leaving to join the ultrapop band, Vacuum. It took some time; but, thankfully, she rejoined Eddie Bengtsson after a hiatus to record new music and breathe new life into these songs on stage. Today, tracks like “Förlåt” [EM: “Sorry”] and “Står i din väg” [EN: “Stand in Your Way”] are sing-along classics that still get audiences swaying.

Marina Schiptjenko and Eddie Bengtsson

The expected release date is 11 November 2022 via Energy Rekords.

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Twice a Man Announce Compilation

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife

The legendary Swedish artists, Twice a Man, have announced a new compilation of their work. A three-CD set, Songs of Future Memories (1972-2922), with accompanying book, is now available for pre-purchase with an expected release date in January 2023. The label writes:

“Songs of Future Memories (1982-2022)” is the long overdue second anthology dedicated to the Swedish pioneers of electronic music, TWICE A MAN. On three CDs, the finest tracks from the 14 song albums have been collected and diligently remastered. The 7 instrumental works of the band’s catalogue have been deliberately left out of this project, which is intended to serve as a comprehensive musical guide through the band’s outstanding career spanning over 4 decades of groundbreaking works. In addition to the known material, the band has also added two new tracks.”

The included tracks are:

1. Move
2. Russian Tractors
3. Decay 04:06
4. Goat II
5. Balloons
6. Talking to the Wall
7. Observations From a Borderland
8. Fear
9. Across the Ocean
10. Distant Calls
11. Still in the Air
12. Divided Light
13. Tribal Ways
14. Back on Venus
15. Girl
16. Driftwood
17. Yellow Flowers
18. Crane Dance
19. Speed
20. Reality Built For Two
21. Shivanayama
22. Somebody Sang Your Name
23. Skylark
24. Shoe
25. Tranquil Moonlit Lake
26. Where Are You Now
27. Black
28. Presence
29. High in the Clouds
30. Cocoon 7 (Version)
31. Fireflies
32. Modern World
33. Lotus
34. Dahlia

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Tiny Magnetic Set: Remix Compilation Out Now

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife

Tiny Magnetic Pets are back with a compilation of retooled tracks. Dublin’s finest synth outfit have restructured and refined songs from their extensive back catalogue for Remix/Remodel, which draws on contributions from Vince Clarke, Outernationale, Nick Reach Up, Bowsie, Brian Ego, and others.

Some of the tracks will be familiar to TMP fans. Vince Clarke’s version of “Automation” led the EP of the same name in 2021. Others are alternate versions of album tracks brought together for this album. In each case, they serve as a reminder why OMD invited the band on tour and the Pets have built a following among synthpop fans across Europe.

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Depeche Mode Announce Tour/Album

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife

Sony recording artists, Depeche Mode, have announced a new album and tour. The blues-rock band, which was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, told a press conference in Berlin that they will continue as a duo, following the death of Andrew “Fletch” Fletcher earlier this year.

The new album, Memento Mori, takes its name from the Roman-era saying that one should remember one’s mortality. It is still incomplete, but work is continuing in the band’s home base, the United States of America, with producer James Ford. Ford, better known for his work with Arctic Monkeys, Mumford & Sons, and Klaxons, was responsible for the band’s previous Spirit album.

With an invited audience of international journalists in attendance at their press release, Martin Gore (61) and Dave Gahan (60) revealed details of their upcoming tour to their UK PR, Barbara Charone (70). Charone led a discussion about the performance of the Premier League football team, Arsenal, under the guidance of former Manchester City assistant manager, Mikel Arteta Amatriain. They took only a handful of questions, in the time remaining, which led to the revelation that the band is still thinking about playing one of their old songs that Fletcher enjoyed. Gahan also revealed that the act is proud to have brought joy by performing to their fans.

The tour is being handled by the events monopoly, Live Nation, which has been associated with more than “200 deaths and at least 750 injuries since 2006,” according to NPR reports. The company is also being sued in California, Gore’s home state, for antitrust violations.

Depeche Mode’s tour will reach the UK at London’s Twickenham Stadium on 17 June 2023.

 

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Robert Marlow Passes After Illness

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife

Robert Marlow (aka Allen) has died. According to a post on his Facebook page, made on behalf of the family, he had experienced a sudden illness. The post, by Biba Boele, reads:

I am very sorry to be sharing such sad news with you. Robert Allen (Marlow) passed away yesterday, Thursday 22nd September, after a short and unexpected illness. His family have asked me to share this here as Rob had so many friends and they have no way to make contact with everyone personally. Please would you let other people know what has happened. Details of the arrangements to follow. ❤️❤️❤️

Marlow, who was born in Basildon in 1961, was part of the youthful scenes that gave rise to Depeche Mode and Yazoo. He played in The Vandals, a punk band, with Alison Moyet, as well as The Plan with Vince Clarke and French Look with Martin Gore. He had a solo career with the assistance of Clarke, who signed him to his Reset Records label, but did not achieve the same level of success as his childhood friends.

Marlow worked with Vince Clarke on the album, The Peter Pan Effect, which was recorded in 1983 but only released in 1999 on the Swedish label, Energy Rekords.

In 2012, Marlow released The Blackwing Sessions, a collection of demos from the work with Clarke. The revival of interest in his music led to the release of The Future Remixes in 2013, which featured music recorded by the act, Marlow, a duo he had formed with Gary Durant. Contributors to the album included Vince Clarke, Eddie Bengtsson of Page and SMPJ, Diskodiktator, Octolab, and Angst Pop featuring Technomancer. An appearance followed, in 2014, at a Stockholm music festival headlined by Rational Youth.

Marlow’s legacy is closely bound up with his relationship with the Basildon set that centred around Depeche Mode. He warmed up for them once, as part of the group, Film Noir, but built a cult following of his very own.

Our review of Marlow’s 2014 Stockholm appearance follows:

ROBERT MARLOW
Stockholm, 3 May 2014

Robert Marlow could have been a contender. While his Basildon contemporaries saw their careers take off with Depeche Mode and Yazoo, Marlow narrowly missed out on stardom. On paper, a label deal and production help from Vince Clarke should have been the ideal platform; instead, he was Andrew Ridgeley in the shadow of the talent he stood closest to. Sales of his singles were slow, and an album recorded with Clarke and Eric Radcliffe was shelved until the end of the 1990s.

Never mind – the crowd at Stockholm’s Nalen venue knows all of the words to the 1980s singles: Claudette, The Face of Dorian Grey and Calling All Destroyers. They sing along contentedly, while Robert Enforsen, the former Elegent Machinery vocalist, handles iPad and keyboard duties and adds harmonies. Marlow’s voice holds up, but the years have clearly weathered the lad from Essex.

“Touch me!” cries a heavily made-up Marlow, extending his free hand from the stage. A sea of friendly Swedish hands reach back; and, at least until the music stops, Marlow is the Smash Hits cover star he always wanted to be.

(Photo used by permission of Per Aksel Lundgreen. L-R: Robert Marlow, Eric Radcliffe, and Vince Clarke)

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London Date for Lonelyklown

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife

Dave Baker is preparing to take his Lonelyklown project live in London. The I Start Counting/Fortran 5/Komputer front man has been lined up to play the Black Heart in Camden on Saturday, the 24th of September. Also on the bill are Mechanical Cabaret and DeadAudioSaints.

Baker recently released the debut Lonelyklown album, Funny Sunday Morning. One of the first-wave of Mute artists, Baker knows his way around eclectic electronics and infectious melodies, which he has wrapped in a 1970s finish. We caught up with him with a few questions about this new work.

What is the inspiration for the Lonelyklown project?

Lockdowns, long walks, nature, swans, pigeons, cats, skies, dusk, in-between times, relaxation, vintage analogue synths, the 1970s. Everything in the lyrics to “My Favourite Letter is You.”

You have mostly worked solo on these songs. Is it very different after all the years with your musical partner, Simon Leonard?

In some ways it is harder, as I have to be my own quality control. But also it is easier, as there are no expectations or blueprints.

Every project we have worked on was different, and we worked in different ways, so it just followed on from that.

“Everything I Try to do is Wrong” was put forward as a Komputer song, initially, but rejected by Simon. He said that I could have it.

In terms of instrumentation, what equipment did you use to make this album?

Composed in my head, then on piano, then mostly old school gear: Korg MS20, Yamaha CS30, Roland 100m, Roland VP 330, Roland SH101, Korg Poly 800, EMU E5000 sampler, Doepfer Dark Energy, Microkorg, Yamaha P60 Digital Piano, Gibson Epiphone guitar, Ableton Live.

What has been the reaction to the new material?

“Follow THIS ARTIST! A modern day Burt Bacharach!”

“We’re still bathing in the awesome sounds of the Lonelyklown album, Funny Sunny Evening. Beautiful sounds with a voice like a bar of Galaxy Chocolate!”

“A one-man Mike Oldfield!”

What should the audience expect at your live show?

A nervous clown.

Ticket information: https://camden-live.com/gig-listing/the-black-heart/mechanical-cabaret-2022-09-24-2000

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Machinists Reunited: FLA and Die Krupps on Tour

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife
Bill Leeb of Front Line Assembly

Bill Leeb of Front Line Assembly (Photo: Simon Helm)

Front Line Assembly and Die Krupps are back together for The Machinists Reunited Tour 2022. The two electro-industrial acts previously toured in 2018, shaking European venues with their intense performances.

Both bands have released two albums since their last tour. FLA have released Wake Up the Coma and Mechanical Soul, while Die Krupps have put out Vision 2020 Vision and their covers collection, Songs from the Dark Side of Heaven. With so much material ready to stage, their set lists promise to be refreshed to the moment.

FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY | DIE KRUPPS
THE MACHINISTS REUNITED TOUR 2022
+ TENSION CONTROL

09.08.22  PL  WARSAW Progresja
10.08.22  PL  WROCLOW A2
11.08.22  DE  BERLIN Kesselhaus
12.08.22  DE  DRESDEN Strasse E / Bunker
13.08.22  CZ  JAREMER Brutal Assault Festival
14.08.22  HU  BUDAPEST A38
16.08.22  DE  MÜNCHEN Backstage Halle
17.08.22  DE  WEINHEIM Cafe Zentral
18.08.22  DE  OBERHAUSEN Kulttempel
19.08.22  BE  ST NIKLAAS De Casino
20.08.22  DE  ROSTOCK Mau Club
23.08.22  SE  STOCKHOLM Skaktkyrkan
24.08.22  NO  OSLO Vulkan Club
25.08.22  SE  GÖTEBORG Pustervik
26.08.22  SE  MALMÖ Plan B
28.08.22  NL  HEERLEN Nieuwe Nor *

*change of venue from previously advertised

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Front 242 Announce Second London Show

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife

Front 242, the Belgian EBM pioneers, have announced a second show in London, extending the UK leg of their 40th Anniversary Tour. They will perform at the 02 Academy on 17 July 2022, having sold out their first show on the 16th. Their press release tells the tale:

Front 242 began in 1981 when Daniel B. laid down his musical ideas on a single entitled ‘Body To Body’. He was joined a year later by Patrick Codenys (keyboards) and Jean-Luc De Meyer (vocals) for debut album ‘Geography’, followed by Richard 23 (vocalist/stage performer) in 1983.

Developing their own independent recording and graphics facilities, as well as a unique on-stage presentation, the group soon began reaching progressively larger audiences via the release of a series of records in a brand new genre that they termed Electronic Body Music (EBM), seeing it as a collage and synthesis of music and sounds recycled from the media or TV that was often reflected or enriched by other artistic disciplines. In 1984, the group signed a US deal with the Chicago-based label Wax Trax! and released the EP ‘Take One’. They would go on to enjoy massive success Stateside.

Gaining experience in the mid-80s by performing at large European festivals and from US touring, Front 242 established itself as a powerful live unit and their EBM spread across Europe and beyond. The albums ‘No Comment’ (1985), ‘Official Version’ (1987) and ‘Front By Front’ (1988, including the indie/club hits ‘HeadHunter’ and ‘Welcome to Paradise’) sealed their international breakthrough and status as an innovative and pioneering outfit.

The group’s vision evolved toward full maturity following the acclaimed ‘Tyranny For You’ (1991), while their next albums – ’06:21:03:11 Up Evil’ and ’05:22:09:12 Off’ (both 1993) broke the classic Front formula by bringing in new vocalists, live guitars and drums, plus outside producer Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Sonic Youth). This began a period of redistributing roles and rules within the group, albeit retaining the scope of invention and the radical attitude that were key ingredients in their music.

A hiatus between 1993-1997 saw the release of ‘Live Code’ (recorded during their most recent world tour) and ‘Mut@ge – Mix@ge’, a compilation album for which star names such as The Prodigy, The Orb and Underworld provided innovative remixes of Front 242 songs.

The original quartet reunited in 1997 and (with German drummer Tim Kroker) once again began performing concerts, with several ensuing live releases that captured the group’s energy and also reflected the numerous changes brought in by the versions of Front songs being performed on stage.

After a lengthy absence from the studio, the EP ‘Still & Raw’ and album ‘Pulse’ were both released in 2003. Based on the aesthetics of the 1970s and 80s, these records saw Front 242 recreate the original sound at the centre of their art, but enriched by two decades of experience; analogue technologies and vintage machines pulsing into deconstructed tracks where emotion and research were still conveyed by a purely electronic attitude.

Having reissued their back catalogue in newer, enriched editions, and breaking from the perceived tradition that every live campaign be preceded by a new album, Front 242 continue to perform worldwide with the same levels of intensity and success as ever, encouraged by crowds of loyal fans celebrating the band’s uniqueness and renowned integrity.

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Electronic Summer Returns for 2022

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife

There might be a heatwave in parts of Europe and the UK now, but the hottest news is the return of Electronic Summer, the Swedish music festival.

First organised in Gothenburg in 2012, the event quickly established itself as the best programmed festival in the Nordics. It was joined by slightly smaller Electronic Winter shows, with the same high quality of acts and organisation. The seasonal festivals attracted a loyal following among Swedish and European fans, as well as an international reputation. Featured acts included DAF, Covenant, VNV Nation, Portion Control, Page, Sista mannen på jorden, and Apoptygma Berzerk. The conclusion of the series in 2017 left a hole in the festival calendar that hasn’t been filled.

We are delighted, therefore, that Electronic Summer 2022 sees the event return to Gothenburg’s Brewhouse for a 10th anniversary take-over. From 4-6 August, a mix of EBM, futurepop and synth artists will take to the stage in front of an army of black-clad fans.

The organisers have published the following line-up and details of a special event sponsored by Cold War Night Life:

Lineup:

Thursday:
Covenant (SE)
Nattskiftet (SE)
Octolab (SE)

Friday:
Welle:Erdball (DE)
Mesh (alternative set) (UK)
Dive (BE)
Sierra (FR)
Göteborgselektronikerna (SE)
Aesthetic Perfection (acoustic with T.Jansson) (US)

Saturday:
Mesh (UK)
Aesthetic Perfection (US)
Piston Damp (NO)
Sex Kino (SE/UK)
Niels Gordon (SE)
A.Hofman & T.Jansson (SE)

+ A Talk With Brian Griffin on stage. Brian is the legendary photographer behind all the early Depeche-albumphotos and much more. During the festival Saturday we will have a chat with him on stage and we will also have 4 signed prints made in only 100 copies each for sale. More about these prints soon.

The Brian Griffin-appearance at the festival is arranged together with our friends over at Cold War Night Life.

More bands & DJs will follow.

August 4-6 2022 @ Brewhouse, Gothenburg
Age: 18+
Tickets: Tickster.com

Our festival hotel will be Spar Hotel Gårda as before! If you want to book now then you can do so by e-mailing or phoning the hotel and give the booking code: Electronic.
Spar Hotel Gårda
Norra Kustbanegatan 15-17,
416 64 Göteborg
Phone: +46 (0)31-752 03 00
E-mail: garda@sparhotel.se

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Solo Pop Missile Strikes 80s Pose

by coldwarnightlife
written by coldwarnightlife

Billy Bragg’s “Help Save the Youth of America” was written under the threat of nuclear Armageddon, at a time when Ronald Reagan was threatening the security of countries all over the planet. The lunatic actor famously used a sound check to threaten, “We begin bombing in five minutes.” Bragg’s song appealed to the peoples of the world to do something to help save American kids from their own leader. It was a scary time, but such humour was both subversive and life-affirming.

Val Solo’s latest release, “When Reagan Ruled the World,” draws on the more upbeat aspects of the culture of that time. With an infectious, melodic twist on Men Without Hats and other poptastic sounds from the 80s, Solo crafts an homage to the era of the Rubik’s Cube, blue eyeliner, crimped hair, leg warmers – and, of course, the ever-present threat of global thermonuclear war.

The S.P.O.C.K keyboard man hasn’t released a solo album since Songs from Another Space…and Time in 2017, so the news that a new set is forthcoming is very welcome. The risk of a nuclear exchange is back for another generation, which has it’s own chance to help save the youth of America. This is also their time to dance.

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