The Misery Of Cities, Abecedarians

The Misery Of Cities - Stateside Indie

Post-Punk Indie Rock From Over The 'Pond'.

The Misery Of Cities from the mini-album 'Eureka' released on the Southwest Audio Reproductions label in 1986.

The Band

They were an L.A. based three piece outfit:
  • Chris Manecke - guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Kevin Dolan - drums
  • John Blake - bass

The name of the band apparently relates to a 16th century German sect that rejected all human learning

And For A Barney Bonus

'Smiling Monarchs'  was a slightly more dance oriented number which was released on the UK Factory Records label and also for a 'Barney-Bonus' it was mixed by Bernard Sumner from New Order and also Donald Johnson who was a member of A Certain Ratio and Quando Quango both bands also Factory label-mates with New Order.

Have a listen to A Certain Ratio's track 'All Night Party' released on the Factory Label in 1979. Also catch New Order's third single from 1981 'Everything's Gone Green' .

Have to say it was probably a pretty 'good move' at the time for a band like Abecedarians from over the pond to be one one of the UK's most notable Indie Labels. You can check the Factory Records Catalogue website to see some of the wonderful bands the label had on it books over the years.

Surprisingly, when looking through their releases on Discogs it indicates that even with this exposure by Factory Records the band were fairly short-lived, they seemed to have released another album called 'Resin' on the Caroline Records label in 1988 and called it quits.
 

Beneath the City of Hedonistic Bohemians

I must admit that I wasn't as keen on 'Smiling Monarchs', but this track from the 'Eureka' album certainly seems to hit the spot for me...
 
 
Sounding a wee bit New Order crossed with Echo & The Bunnymen. I am not quite sure  why, but the singers voice also reminds me a bit of Pete Murphy from Bauhaus. I really like this track and perhaps a shame they didn't go on to greater things.
 
Both Blake and Manecke went on to form another band along with Jason Toney called 'First Men On The Sun' who had their eponymous debut album in 1995 on Southwest Audio Reproductions label.
 

For More Info

 
Have a visit of the wonderful site for obscure 80's music sounds at: living-in-oblivion.com
 
Also check out Rave & Roll blog for some more information and some of their other tracks.
 

Video Thanks To

 
 
 
 
 
 

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