Some Bizzare Album
Encyclopedia
Some Bizzare Album was the first album by Some Bizzare Records
. It was released in 1981 (see 1981 in music
) as a sampler of the label's musical ethos. The acts were not actually signed exclusively to the label at the time.
groups, including future alternative icons Depeche Mode
, Soft Cell
, The The
and Blancmange
. The compilation saw the first ever released recording of Depeche Mode
.
Some Bizzare Album was Stevo Pearce
’s vision. He believed in the music that was included on the album as opposed to the fashion or style aspects. Other artists that Stevo wanted to include on the album included The Normal
, Cabaret Voltaire
, and Throbbing Gristle
Some Bizzare Album was re-released on CD format in 1992 for a limited time. It was re-released again in 2008 with bonus extra tracks
, Soft Cell
decided to include one of their tracks on the new Some Bizzare Album. They recorded The Girl with the Patent Leather Face at a studio owned by John Darling.
Almond describes the song as a "tinny-sounding, trashy synthesizer song" that owed much to "Warm Leatherette
", a track by The Normal
. The Normal was really Mute Records
boss Daniel Miller.
were cautious when first approached by Stevo, they were indecisive about being included on a 'Futurist' compilation album. They first decided to take their demo tape to various other record companies, only to be rejected by everyone. After a bad first meeting with Daniel Miller of Mute Records (Miller was in a bad mood due to a problem with some Fad Gadget
artwork) the door was left open for Stevo to include Depeche Mode on his Some Bizzare Album. During an evening at the Bridgehouse, in Canning Town, Stevo chatted with Depeche Mode about his new label and compilation album. At the time, the band had been supporting Fad Gadget. It was decided that Depeche Mode would record a track for Some Bizzare Album. Stevo had then recommended that the band work with Daniel Miller at Mute Records
In 1980 Depeche Mode went into an east London recording studio and recorded the track "Photographic". Daniel Miller wanted to put a good track on the compilation album, but not their best track. Miller acted as an informal producer on the recording of the Some Bizzare version of the "Photographic" track. The band set up their equipment in the studio and ran through some of their tracks live in the studio. "Photographic" was recorded and mixed in one day.
comprised singer songwriter Derek Morris, guitarist and electronics Steve Parry, bass player Nicholas Chamberlain Hunt, sax/flute/treatments Steve Sherlock and Barry Deller on drums/percussion. Neu Electrikk released 2 single/eps on their own Synethesia label - Lust Of Berlin/Distractions (1979), Cover Girl/Practically Isolate/Hand/Converse Of Tapes (1980). Stevo Pearce
discovered the band via an advert in Sounds (magazine)
and contacted the band via their distributor Rough Trade Records
. The version of "Lust of Berlin" on the Some Bizzare Album is a later recording made at ARK Studios, Kingston-Upon-Thames. . Neu Electrikk gigged extensively, notably with The The at the Bridge house in Canning Town
with Stevo as DJ. Further to Neu Electrikk disbanding Steve James Sherlock joined The The
and joined Marc Almond
in Marc and the Mambas
, Nicholas Chamberlain Hunt continues to collaborate as a musician and producer, most noticeably with singer Christine Ann Leach (Baby Fox, William Orbit
, co-writer of the song "Ray of Light", on projects ALF and Alongside Frank. Steve Parry
has released numerous recordings as a solo artist and as hwyl nofio
(an avant-garde music ensemble of which Parry is the only permanent member).
of Neu Electrikk
about potential recording studios. Parry knew Johnson having previously answered an advertisement by Matt for musicians in the NME. Parry had suggested SGS studios to Matt Johnson
having previously recorded there with Neu Electrikk. Matt, Keith Laws and Parry entered the studio; however the recording proved to be a controversial affair due to difficulties encountered with an uncooperative studio engineer, who failed to appreciate or understand the music. Such was the negative ambience throughout the recording the recording master tape was given to Parry and remained in his possession for a time after, Keith Laws contacting Parry about the track when Stevo asked The The
to contribute a track to the forthcoming Some Bizzare Album.
Some Bizzare Records
Some Bizzare Records is a British independent record label owned by Stevo Pearce. The label was founded in 1981, with the release of Some Bizzare Album, a compilation of unsigned bands including Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, The The, Neu Electrikk and Blancmange.-1981-1989:One of the first bands that...
. It was released in 1981 (see 1981 in music
1981 in music
See also:* Timeline of musical eventsThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1981.-January–April:*January 10 – A revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadway's Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith.*January 24 –...
) as a sampler of the label's musical ethos. The acts were not actually signed exclusively to the label at the time.
Information
The album consisted of tracks by unsigned new waveNew Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
groups, including future alternative icons Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
, Soft Cell
Soft Cell
Soft Cell are an English synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s. They consist of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo is most widely known for their 1981 worldwide hit version of "Tainted Love" and platinum debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret...
, The The
The The
The The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
and Blancmange
Blancmange (band)
Blancmange are a British synthpop band who came to prominence with a string of hits in the early to mid 1980s.-Biography:Blancmange was formed in Harrow, Middlesex in 1979 by singer Neil Arthur and instrumentalists Stephen Luscombe and Laurence Stevens...
. The compilation saw the first ever released recording of Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
.
Some Bizzare Album was Stevo Pearce
Stevo Pearce
Stephen John Pearce, commonly known as Stevo, is the owner of British record label, Some Bizzare Records.-Biography:Pearce was born in 1962 and came from Haverhill. He left school at sixteen without any qualifications and entered a work training placement with ‘Phonogram Records’...
’s vision. He believed in the music that was included on the album as opposed to the fashion or style aspects. Other artists that Stevo wanted to include on the album included The Normal
The Normal
The Normal is the recording artist name used by English music producer Daniel Miller, a film editor at the time, who is best known as the founder of the record label Mute Records.-Background:...
, Cabaret Voltaire
Cabaret Voltaire (band)
Cabaret Voltaire were a British music group from Sheffield, England.Initially composed of Stephen Mallinder, Richard H. Kirk and Chris Watson, the group was named after the Cabaret Voltaire, a nightclub in Zürich, Switzerland that was a centre for the early Dada movement.Their earliest performances...
, and Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle were an English industrial, avant-garde music and visual arts group that evolved from the performance art group COUM Transmissions...
Some Bizzare Album was re-released on CD format in 1992 for a limited time. It was re-released again in 2008 with bonus extra tracks
Soft Cell - The Girl with the Patent Leather Face
After meeting with Stevo PearceStevo Pearce
Stephen John Pearce, commonly known as Stevo, is the owner of British record label, Some Bizzare Records.-Biography:Pearce was born in 1962 and came from Haverhill. He left school at sixteen without any qualifications and entered a work training placement with ‘Phonogram Records’...
, Soft Cell
Soft Cell
Soft Cell are an English synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s. They consist of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo is most widely known for their 1981 worldwide hit version of "Tainted Love" and platinum debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret...
decided to include one of their tracks on the new Some Bizzare Album. They recorded The Girl with the Patent Leather Face at a studio owned by John Darling.
Almond describes the song as a "tinny-sounding, trashy synthesizer song" that owed much to "Warm Leatherette
Warm Leatherette
"Warm Leatherette" is a song by Daniel Miller.-Overview:"Warm Leatherette" was released as the B-side to "T.V.O.D.", the only single by Miller's musical project The Normal. It was the very first release on his Mute Records label, and an early example of the then-burgeoning industrial music genre....
", a track by The Normal
The Normal
The Normal is the recording artist name used by English music producer Daniel Miller, a film editor at the time, who is best known as the founder of the record label Mute Records.-Background:...
. The Normal was really Mute Records
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
boss Daniel Miller.
Depeche Mode - Photographic (Some Bizzare Version)
Depeche ModeDepeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
were cautious when first approached by Stevo, they were indecisive about being included on a 'Futurist' compilation album. They first decided to take their demo tape to various other record companies, only to be rejected by everyone. After a bad first meeting with Daniel Miller of Mute Records (Miller was in a bad mood due to a problem with some Fad Gadget
Fad Gadget
Fad Gadget is the stage name of Francis John Tovey , a British avant-garde electronic musician and vocalist. He was a proponent of both New Wave and early Industrial music....
artwork) the door was left open for Stevo to include Depeche Mode on his Some Bizzare Album. During an evening at the Bridgehouse, in Canning Town, Stevo chatted with Depeche Mode about his new label and compilation album. At the time, the band had been supporting Fad Gadget. It was decided that Depeche Mode would record a track for Some Bizzare Album. Stevo had then recommended that the band work with Daniel Miller at Mute Records
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
In 1980 Depeche Mode went into an east London recording studio and recorded the track "Photographic". Daniel Miller wanted to put a good track on the compilation album, but not their best track. Miller acted as an informal producer on the recording of the Some Bizzare version of the "Photographic" track. The band set up their equipment in the studio and ran through some of their tracks live in the studio. "Photographic" was recorded and mixed in one day.
Neu Electrikk - Lust of Berlin
London based Neu ElectrikkNeu Electrikk
Neu Electrikk is a British experimental music group that were based in Croydon, London, formed in 1978. .Neu Electrikk stood apart from many of the synth dominated bands of that era. Their inventive approach touched on many different styles and genres, including, industrial music, post punk, new wave...
comprised singer songwriter Derek Morris, guitarist and electronics Steve Parry, bass player Nicholas Chamberlain Hunt, sax/flute/treatments Steve Sherlock and Barry Deller on drums/percussion. Neu Electrikk released 2 single/eps on their own Synethesia label - Lust Of Berlin/Distractions (1979), Cover Girl/Practically Isolate/Hand/Converse Of Tapes (1980). Stevo Pearce
Stevo Pearce
Stephen John Pearce, commonly known as Stevo, is the owner of British record label, Some Bizzare Records.-Biography:Pearce was born in 1962 and came from Haverhill. He left school at sixteen without any qualifications and entered a work training placement with ‘Phonogram Records’...
discovered the band via an advert in Sounds (magazine)
Sounds (magazine)
Sounds was a long-term British music paper, published weekly from 10 October 1970 – 6 April 1991. It was produced by Spotlight Publications , which was set up by Jack Hutton and Peter Wilkinson, who left "Melody Maker" to start their own company...
and contacted the band via their distributor Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
. The version of "Lust of Berlin" on the Some Bizzare Album is a later recording made at ARK Studios, Kingston-Upon-Thames. . Neu Electrikk gigged extensively, notably with The The at the Bridge house in Canning Town
Canning Town
Canning Town is an area of east London, England. It is part of the London Borough of Newham and is situated in the area of the former London docks on the north side of the River Thames. It is the location of Rathbone Market...
with Stevo as DJ. Further to Neu Electrikk disbanding Steve James Sherlock joined The The
The The
The The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
and joined Marc Almond
Marc Almond
Marc Almond is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who originally found fame as half of the seminal synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell...
in Marc and the Mambas
Marc and the Mambas
Marc and the Mambas was a new wave group, formed by Marc Almond, in 1982 as an off-shoot project from Soft Cell. The band's line-up changed frequently, and included Matt Johnson from The The and Annie Hogan, with whom Almond worked later in his solo career....
, Nicholas Chamberlain Hunt continues to collaborate as a musician and producer, most noticeably with singer Christine Ann Leach (Baby Fox, William Orbit
William Orbit
William Orbit is an English musician, composer and record producer, perhaps best known to most for his work on Madonna's album Ray of Light. He has also co-produced several unreleased Madonna songs originally recorded for other albums...
, co-writer of the song "Ray of Light", on projects ALF and Alongside Frank. Steve Parry
Steve Parry (musician)
Steve Parry, , Pontypool, South Wales Valleys is a Welsh guitarist, musician, composer who was a founder member of the experimental rock band Hwyl Nofio.He founded and played with Neu Electrikk...
has released numerous recordings as a solo artist and as hwyl nofio
Hwyl Nofio
Hwyl Nofio is an experimental music group whose only permanent member is Steve Parry. Steve Parry was Hwyl Nofio (from Welsh meaning ‘emotional swimmers’) is an experimental music group whose only permanent member is Steve Parry. Steve Parry was Hwyl Nofio (from Welsh meaning ‘emotional swimmers’)...
(an avant-garde music ensemble of which Parry is the only permanent member).
The The - Untitled
The The’s contribution to The Some Bizzare Album is the composition ‘Untitled’. Recorded at SGS studios in south London the recording originally had the working title ‘Strawberry Sunset’. Matt Johnson had asked Steve ParrySteve Parry (musician)
Steve Parry, , Pontypool, South Wales Valleys is a Welsh guitarist, musician, composer who was a founder member of the experimental rock band Hwyl Nofio.He founded and played with Neu Electrikk...
of Neu Electrikk
Neu Electrikk
Neu Electrikk is a British experimental music group that were based in Croydon, London, formed in 1978. .Neu Electrikk stood apart from many of the synth dominated bands of that era. Their inventive approach touched on many different styles and genres, including, industrial music, post punk, new wave...
about potential recording studios. Parry knew Johnson having previously answered an advertisement by Matt for musicians in the NME. Parry had suggested SGS studios to Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson (singer)
Matt Johnson is a musician best known as the founder and only constant member of the group The The. Johnson is known for his often deeply introspective lyrics. Musically he ranges from slow acoustic hooks to techno-pop....
having previously recorded there with Neu Electrikk. Matt, Keith Laws and Parry entered the studio; however the recording proved to be a controversial affair due to difficulties encountered with an uncooperative studio engineer, who failed to appreciate or understand the music. Such was the negative ambience throughout the recording the recording master tape was given to Parry and remained in his possession for a time after, Keith Laws contacting Parry about the track when Stevo asked The The
The The
The The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
to contribute a track to the forthcoming Some Bizzare Album.
Fish Side
- Illustration - "Tidal Flow"
- Depeche ModeDepeche ModeDepeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
- "Photographic" - The TheThe TheThe The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
- "(Untitled)" - B-MovieB-Movie (band)B-Movie were a futurist band from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, active in the first half of the 1980s. They were signed to the Some Bizzare record label, and had a track "Moles" featured on the original Some Bizzare Album.-Background:...
- "Moles" - Jell - "I Dare Say it Will Hurt a Little"
- Blah Blah Blah - "Central Park"
Eye Lamp Side
- BlancmangeBlancmange (band)Blancmange are a British synthpop band who came to prominence with a string of hits in the early to mid 1980s.-Biography:Blancmange was formed in Harrow, Middlesex in 1979 by singer Neil Arthur and instrumentalists Stephen Luscombe and Laurence Stevens...
- "Sad Day" - Soft CellSoft CellSoft Cell are an English synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s. They consist of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo is most widely known for their 1981 worldwide hit version of "Tainted Love" and platinum debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret...
- "The Girl with the Patent Leather Face" - Neu ElectrikkNeu ElectrikkNeu Electrikk is a British experimental music group that were based in Croydon, London, formed in 1978. .Neu Electrikk stood apart from many of the synth dominated bands of that era. Their inventive approach touched on many different styles and genres, including, industrial music, post punk, new wave...
- "Lust of Berlin" - Naked Lunch - "La Femme"
- The Fast Set - "King of the Rumbling Spires"
- The Loved One - "Observations"
2008 CD Reissue Bonus Tracks
- The Normal - "Warm Leatherette"
- Fad Gadget - "Back to Nature"
- The Residents - "The Act of Being Polite"