Urban Verbs - Early Damage - LP (1981), U.S.A.

To start off the new year I have a very unknown group called Urban Verbs, hailing from Washington D.C., the murder capital of the world (during the late 80's and early 90's) and home to bands such as Minor Threat and Fugazi. Urban Verbs formed in the late 70's and were the first band from D.C. to play at the now defunct CBGB in New York City.
Members of the group were Roddy Frantz (vocals), Robin Rose (synths), Robert Goldstein (guitar), Danny Frankel (drums and percussion) and Linda France (bass).
It's a shame that Warner Bros. didn't take too kindly with the album Early Damage (1981). Spooky sounding synths, ray gun sound effects, brooding guitars, tribal drumming and droning vocals weren't marketable material to those knuckleheads. The family connection with Talking Heads (Roddy Frantz is the brother of TH's drummer Chris Frantz) didn't help either, thus the band disintegrated.

Details:

Urban Verbs - Early Damage - LP (1981), U.S.A.

Side 1:
1. When The Dance Is Over
2. Jar My Blood
3. Acceleration
4. Early Damage
5. Promise

Side 2:
6. For Your Eyes Only
7. Business And The Rational Mind
8. In The Heat
9. Terminal Bar

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Room Nine - Voices ... Of A Summers Day - LP (1987), U.S.A.

Here is a discovery coming from Seattle, the most unlikely place to find a band of this kind. Whenever I listen or read about Seattle and music in the same sentence, I get instant visions of the early 90's grunge scene. Everyone wearing flannel and ripped blue denim while listening to Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Oh the memories!

Formed in 1980, Room Nine's band members consisted of Ron Rudzitis (vocals and guitar), Scott Boggan (vocals and bass) and Shawn Allen (he replaced Scott Vanderpool on drums). They didn't release an album until finally in 1987 with Voices ... Of A Summers Day.

Room Nine can be easily confused as another throwaway 80's indie jangle pop band, but upon further listening sessions you'll notice the music combines intricate elements of post-punk and subdued neo-psychedelia with some catchy dream-pop melodies. It is a very interesting album with standout tracks such as 1000 Years, Mirage and Seas Without A Shore. What a nice debut album! Sadly, Voices ... Of A Summers Day and the song Angels Sing (featured in Doctor Death's Volume I: Cette Enfant me Fia Mourir) are the only recorded material they ever released. Fans of The Wild Flowers, The Icicle Works and The Waterboys should give this album a try!

Details:

Room Nine - Voices ... Of A Summers Day - LP (1987), U.S.A.

Side 1:

1. Circus Floor

2. Revolving Door

3. Don't Look Back

4. Red Dog

Side 2:

5. 1000 Years

7. Mirage

8. Seas Without A Shore

9. White Summer

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