1981-1983 Cassette Synthpop

by Alien Skin

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Full Digital Discography

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Nihilistic, Come And See Me When I'm In My Head Alone, Bury Me in Shadows of Silence, Let's Play Mortuary Dress Up, Bring Me Decay/I Love In Mono, World, Sheena Was a Punk Rocker (She's a Fan), Transparent In Black, and 39 more. , and , .

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	1.	Fallout Shelter 03:10
	2.	Touch Mercury 03:28
	3.	Heart Invader 03:18
	4.	Keep On Changing 03:24
	5.	Easier Said Than Done 03:05
	6.	Calling 03:30
	7.	Passion Play 03:43
	8.	Sign Of Life 03:21
	9.	Show Me 03:07
	10.	With One Touch 02:59
	11.	Iceberg 02:56
	12.	First Sign 03:04
	13.	Time Tunnel 03:12
	14.	Berlin 04:52

about

[Also available, the companion album, "Alien Skin Presents Strange Silence (1986)

It was with some trepidation I considered releasing this collection of very early, home recordings. In the end I decided to go ahead with it as a time vault curiosity.

Songs in this collection date from 1981-1983. It was at this time I first laid fingers on a keyboard and drum machine. Having been a rock guitarist hitherto, it was a steep learning curve for me. Not just playing a synthesizer but song arrangement, structure, sounds, programming...basically the ABC of creating and realizing songs with new technology. Alien new territory yes, but at that time refreshingly different and futuristic.

With musical partner, John Benevoli, the songs were crudely recorded on a Tascam Portastudio 4 track machine with no outboard gear save for a Roland Space Echo. In the very earliest of days I was unaware of sequencers so keyboard parts were recorded manually. Being an absolute beginner it was a labourious take after take affair.

For the equipment curious amongst you, as I know this is an area of interest to enthusiasts of the period, the following were used: Korg Polysix synth, Roland SH101 synth, Roland 202 synth+sequencer, Roland RS09 synth, Roland Juno 6, Roland MC4 sequencer+CV interface, Roland TR606 drum machine, Roland TR909 drum machine, BOSS DR55 drum machine, Pearl syncussion kit, TEAC 4 track reel to reel, Tascam Portastudio 4 track cassette
recorder.

We had not as yet committed to a band name and these recordings were solely made to find a vocalist. Being the songwriters, John and I sang only as a necessity. The band soon became Strange Silence when Scottish born Stephen Beckett joined as singer and co-writer. We developed further and began gigging across Melbourne. A second volume of songs featuring Stephen will be a released as a sequel.
~gp

credits

released June 15, 2021

Writing credits: Tracks 2,3,4,7,9,10,11,13.14 G Pappas. Tracks 5,6,8,12 J Benevoli. Track 1 J Benevoli-G Pappas

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Alien Skin Melbourne, Australia

I've been making darkwave electropop from elements of 80s post-punk subculture for over 40 years. Including years in the Australian band 'Real Life' topping world charts in the 80s with 'Send Me An Angel'.

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