Lister / Johnny Yen - Pop Cycles LP 1985

Excellent double bill from these Norwegian gentlemen. I noticed that Johnny Yens side of this record is up on Spotify, but, sadly, Listers great side is missing from the whole internet. Please get this masterpiece!

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Det Elektriske Kjøkken - Elefanterne Er Kommet LP 1982

Det Elektriske Kjøkken were an experimental prog/punk/post punk/experimental band from Trondheim in Norway. The band consisted of Sven Erga, Ragnar Wold and André Lister, started out in the late 70's and released one experimental prog LP called "Konkret rock" before releasing this masterpiece in 1982. I suppose they were influenced by the most interesting bands at the time, like PIL and a whole bunch of other stuff. But they managed to make something really unique in the process and there's tons of ideas floating around here. Just listen to a track like "Sirkel". After this release the band split up and Lister continued to release some interesting solo records. Don't miss this one!

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The Cut - Dance On Glass 7" 1982

Norwegian band The Cut's finest moment. This was their third single and they only made one more before splitting up. The title track also appears on their second album, but this is the single mix.

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The Cut - Silent Movies LP 1982

For their second album The Cut moved towards the popular New Romantic-movement. You can hear lots of influences from groups like Japan and Spandau Ballet paired with the old leanings toward Simple Minds. For me this is their best work. Also, check out a wonderful live album published a couple of years ago on a popular streaming app.

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The Cut - In Dieser Stadt 7" 1981

Second single by Norwegian band The Cut. I think that "In dieser stadt" is an old German schlager. Great new wave-kind of post punk.

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The Cut - Shadow Talks LP 1981

The Cut were one of the more successful bands in Norway in the early eighties. They took influences from bands like Simple Minds and Talking Heads and made classic new wave music in their own way. This is their first album and it's really good!

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Alle Tiders Duster - Lillegutt 7" 1982

Second single from Norwegian post punk band Alle Tiders Duster. By this release they had developed their sound in a more creative way. There's a synth, great lyrics about growing up, shared male/female vocals and so on. Although their LP is the best thing they did this is a great complement.

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Sterkt Stoff LP 1982

A great compilation from Bergen, Norway, which came with a "drug bag" attached to the cover. Alle Tiders Duster makes a great post punk tracks, as well as Program 81. Elektrisk Regn also made a LP which is kind of OK - check it out on Spotify. The real killer here is the song "Du spiser hjørnene av hjernen min", which means "You gnaw/eat on the corners of my brain", by the group Stand In. I have no idea who they were so any info is very appreciated.

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Alle Tiders Duster - Velkommen Hjem 7" 1981

Alle Tiders Duster were from Bergen, Norway. They formed as a punk band but soon developed in a more interesting direction, influenced by bands like Throbbing Gristle and Magazine. This is their first single where you can hear a lot of influence from Wire. Short, energetic punk anthems sung in norwegian.

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Program 82 - Pictures LP 1982

Program 82 were from Bergen in Norway and started out as Program 81 in 1981. During the band's career they released four records, this being their third one. When 1982 changed into 1983 the band still kept the name "Program 82" - a move that has always surprised me. This is great post punk with lots of influences from new romantic-bands.

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Løver & Tigre - Grr... LP 1983

After the breakup of The Aller Værste Sverre Knudsen and Chris Ericsen teamed up with drummer Geir "Bulle" Underdal from Betong Hysteria and Siste Dagers Hellige for this LP forming the group Løver & Tigre (Lions and tigers). On this record we can also hear double bass and violin played by two members of norwegian jazz band Hot Club de Norvege. The music is more experimental than TAV! with great drumming from Bulle and dadaistic lyrics from Knudsen. The LP was released in a limited hand painted edition of 2000 and a second edition of 1000 copies with cover depicting the painting session that produced the painted covers. A hidden gem!

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If you like this record please consider streaming it in popular streamingapps, where it can be found with additional bonus tracks. Or purchase the remastered edition from Sverre Knudsens bandcamp!

Schizo - Fremmed 7" 1982

Schizo were a Norwegian band that I don't know anything about. The single came out on the label "Mind expanding records" that also released records by Beranek. This is nice post punk.

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Mat - Du 7" 1981

Norwegian band from Bergen that only released this single. I suppose the The Aller Værste was a big influence on this band. Sounds like TAV, but with a strange and exciting twist!

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Johnny Yen Bang! - Folk I Gata 12" 1981

Johnny Yen were an early punk icon in Norway, but he quickly saw the potential in the DIY-esthetics of punk and explored other ways of doing music. He made this single with the help of Helge Gaarder (Kjøtt, Cirkus Modern) who produced it and made the b-side dub mix.

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Spastisk Ekstase - 3 Mord 12" 1982

Spastisk Ekstase were a Norwegian post-punk supergroup. Among the musicians we can notice Helge Gaarder from Kjøtt and Cirkus Modern, Beranek, Don Buchanan from The Cut et. al. The title means "Three murders" and each songtitle corresponds to this by ending with "dreper", which means kills. So, it's: gode hjem dreper = good homes kills. Sadly, the band, or project, only released this record. A real classic.

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