I Love New Wave

Archive for the ‘Synthpop’ Category

Cetu Javu were a German synthpop band which released songs between 1987 and the mid-1990s. The band consisted of Chris Demere, Stefan Engelke, Torsten Engelke, and Javier Revilla-Diez. Whilst the band were mainly Germans their lead singer (Revilla) was a Spaniard, so several of their songs were sung in Spanish (the majority of their songs were in English).

Cetu Javu had several dance hits with “Situations”, “Have In Mind” (the Kalimba Mix) and “Adónde” in 1988.

Anything Box is an electronic/synthpop musical group originally from Paterson, New Jersey and now based in Orange County, CA. They are best known for their 1989 Single “Living In Oblivion”. The band is one of primary bands which carried electronic music’s transition from the late 1980s into the 1990s and beyond. With a current lineup consisting of Claude Strilio, Dania Morales and Paul Rijnders.

Secession was a Scottish synth pop band that existed between 1983 and 1987. The original incarnation comprised Peter Thomson (Guitar, Keyboards, Synth & Vocals), Jack Ross (Guitar, Synthesizer & Vocals), Jim Ross (Bass) & Carole Branston (Keyboards & Vocals). The band used a small pre-programmed drum machine.

Prior to being renamed Secession, the band played at least one live gig as “The Gift”, during which Jim Ross performed with one arm in a full plaster cast following an accident.

Here’s a remix by NoHo, this version actually sounds better than the original:

Boxcar is an Australian Sydney-based synth pop and techno band. Formed in the mid-1980s in Brisbane by main songwriter guitarist and vocalist David Smith, he was soon joined by keyboardists Brett Mitchell and Carol Rohde and somewhat later by drummer-percussionist Crispin Trist. They initially released several cassette-only releases including the album P.C.M.. Boxcar’s early material sounded similar to contemporaries such as Cabaret Voltaire and Severed Heads. Boxcar were also notable for playing many live shows in the Brisbane area and around the country, including shows where they performed wearing gas masks. Performing electronic music live was a difficult feat given the preference in Australian live venues for guitar-driven pub rock and they would sometimes be jeered by members of the crowd.

Machine In Motion were a Houston-based synthpop duo comprised of Robert Powers (vocals) and Robin Stefan (keyboard). Originally they were known under the moniker “Man and Machine”, but decided a change was necessary after discovering a British act with a similar name.

Machine in Motion had a hometown hit with World In Fascination in 1992 and in 1995 released a second single titled Color in the Rain. Proposals to release a full length album named “The Motion Factory” never were completely realized, but cassette and CD-R copies were released through a fan club setting.

Camouflage are a German New Wave trio consisting of Marcus Meyn, Heiko Maile and Oliver Kreyssig. Their only Billboard Hot 100 hit was “The Great Commandment” which climbed to #59 in 1988, though it did spend three weeks at #1 on the US dance chart. They also had two additional minor dance hits in 1989.

Another synthpop band to hail from Germany. If you have any other information about Noname, please share here.