Berlin Blondes
Encyclopedia
Berlin Blondes was an early Glasgow
synthpop
band, who formed in 1978 and released a major-label album in 1980. Members went on to Altered Images
and Endgames
.
The original lineup was Steven Bonomi (vocals), Robert Farrell (guitar, synth), David Rudden (bass) and Jim Spender (keyboards), with a drum machine. The band signed to EMI in 1980. Before the album's release, Rudden left and was replaced by Nick Clark from Cuban Heels (Clark is credited on the album, though Rudden played.), and Spender left to join Altered Images.
Late in 1980 the singles and the album Berlin Blondes were released. The album and singles sold badly and the band was dropped from the label. Trouser Press
described it as "undistinguished, danceable hybrid synth/bass/drums clichés, occasionally adding colorful Sparks
-like vocals for character."
The band then added a drummer, Brian, and released a single, "Marseille"/"The Poet", on independent label Scratch Records in 1981.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
band, who formed in 1978 and released a major-label album in 1980. Members went on to Altered Images
Altered Images
Altered Images were an early 1980s Scottish New Wave / post-punk band. Led by lead singer Clare Grogan, the band branched into mainstream pop music, and had a string of chart hits between 1981 and 1983.-Early career:...
and Endgames
Endgames (band)
Endgames are a Scottish New Wave band, who had some success in the 1980s with singles such as "Waiting For Another Chance" and "Love Cares".-Biography:...
.
The original lineup was Steven Bonomi (vocals), Robert Farrell (guitar, synth), David Rudden (bass) and Jim Spender (keyboards), with a drum machine. The band signed to EMI in 1980. Before the album's release, Rudden left and was replaced by Nick Clark from Cuban Heels (Clark is credited on the album, though Rudden played.), and Spender left to join Altered Images.
Late in 1980 the singles and the album Berlin Blondes were released. The album and singles sold badly and the band was dropped from the label. Trouser Press
Trouser Press
Trouser Press was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow Who fan Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" ...
described it as "undistinguished, danceable hybrid synth/bass/drums clichés, occasionally adding colorful Sparks
Sparks (band)
Sparks is an American rock and pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1968 by brothers Ron and Russell Mael , initially under the name Halfnelson...
-like vocals for character."
The band then added a drummer, Brian, and released a single, "Marseille"/"The Poet", on independent label Scratch Records in 1981.
Discography
- Science / Mannequin (7", EMI EMI-5031, 1980)
- Framework / Zero Song (Instrumental Mix) (7", EMI EMI-5147, 1980; 12", EMI 12-EMI-5147, 1980)
- Berlin Blondes (LP, EMI EMC-3346, September 1980)
- Framework / Astro / Science / Romance / Trail To Istanbul // Secret Days / Mannequinn / Neon Probe / Zero Song
- Marseille / The Poet (7", Scratch Records SCR-005, 1981)
External links
- Berlin Blondes (official MySpace page, maintained by Robert Farrell)