Burning Flame

Mirrors- 'This Year, Next Year, Sometime . . . ?'

2012-01-26T21:18:00.001+01:00

Mirrors have released a brand new 7 track EP entitled 'This Year, Next Year, Sometime . . . ?' This EP includes two brand new tracks "Dust" and "Shooting Stars" as well as 5 home demos. It was recorded and produced by the band. Mirrors have also announced that they have more new tracks in the pipeline which will be released in the next few months. By buying this EP you will be directly helping us get back into the studio to record more Mirrors music.

http://mirrorsofficial.bandcamp.com

Instant Hit: Philip Jap- Total Erasure

2012-01-26T20:16:00.000+01:00

Philip Jap enjoyed some brief success with his only album which was released in 1983 thanks to the singles "Save Us" and "Total Erasure" which reached the UK charts in 1982."Total Erasure", his third single, was released in 1982 through A&M Records. The song was available as 7" and 12" inch and featured "Brave Lights" on a b-side. Both songs were produced by Tony Mansfield.

More info about Philip Jap here.

Philip Jap- Total Erasure
Philip Jap- Brave Lights

January Singles Round-Up

2012-01-26T19:07:00.001+01:00

Our first monthly round-up of the best single releases is here. We already gave you some updates on Limahl who returned to the music scene with the brand new single 1983. Five years have past since the release of 'Wincing The Night Away' which was one of the best albums in 2007 for the Shins, they are back now with the brand new single "A Simple Song" which announces the new album 'Port of Morrow' which is due to be released in March. The French electronic duo Air are back with a new single "Seven Stars" which features Victoria Legrand, new album coming up in February. Goldfrapp have released "Melancholy Sky" which is one of two new songs on their first best of Singles compilation album. Florence and the Machine have released "No Light, No Light", a third single from their second album 'Ceremonials' which was released last year. School of Seven Bells have released "Lafaye", a new single which is available digital. Last but not list, Saint Etienne are back with their first single in seven years. It's entitled "Tonight" and it is, as they say "All about the primal and atavistic pull that all good pop music exerts". Don't forget to leave your vote!

Video Log: Papermaps- Complicate Things

2012-01-24T17:36:00.001+01:00

Toronto based group Papermaps have recorded a video for their second single from their self titled debut album which was released last year. The brilliant video for the song "Complicate Things" was directed by Sammy Ray Welch and filmed in Toronto. The lead singer of the group Dean Marino has previously worked with acts as Tokyo Police Club, C'Mon, and the Black Keys.

January- Pick'n'Mix

2012-01-23T23:08:00.000+01:00

Passion Polka- Juliet
Experimental Products- Modern Living
Mick Milk- Furniture Music
Bill Nelson- Empire of Senses
E- Dance With Me
Hambi & The Dance- Living in A Heartache
Chris & Cosey- October Love Song
Terminal Twilight- Burning Desire
Cosmicity- Resignation
And One- Forever J
Erik Omen- Payphone

***30 Years***
Mobiles- Drowning in Berlin
OMD- Maid of Orleans
Japan- European Son

Section 25- Warhead

Reissue: Mick Milk- Half Lives

2012-01-23T10:56:00.002+01:00

One of the New York's underground acts and synth-masters known as Mick Milk who played experimental synth pop and technology-inspired dance music, has announced the first reissues via his website. The most of his previously unreleased recording material including the album 'Song for Citizens' and the only single release "Half Life" are scheduled to be released on Anna Logue Records as a compilation entitled 'Half Lives'. The LP will come on 180 grams milk-white vinyl with Hansaboard sleeve, printed inner sleeve (with photos, lyrics, infos), DIN A3 colour poster and DIN A6 colour postcard.

http://www.mickmilk.com/

Rewind Festival 2012 Line-up Announced

2012-01-18T12:51:00.001+01:00

Due to the outstanding success of the first “Rewind Scotland – The 80s Festival” in Perth during July 2011, the festival returns for the second year in a row. As with last year’s unforgettable concert performances and audience participation celebrations, this year’s Rewind Scotland boasts another massive live outdoor line-up of the crème de la crème of 80s recording artists/performers.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9am on Friday 20th January. Full details on ticket outlets and prices are available from the website www.rewindfestival.com. This year’s line-up is headlined by Ali Campbell’s UB40 and Holly Johnson. Other highlights include a rare appearance from Village People, Scottish icons Midge Ure, Jimmy Somerville, Altered Images and Average White Band, as well as the reformed original line-up of Five Star, Squeeze, Lightning Seeds, Marc Almond, Chesney Hawkes, Roland Gift and many more!

http://www.rewindfestival.com/

As in 2011, the organisers have announced that Rewind Scotland will once again take place at the historic setting of Scone Palace in Perthshire – the home of The Earls of Mansfield and the crowning palace of the Kings of Scotland. The festival takes place on the weekend of the 20th-22nd July and, as well as the massive line-up of 80s artists, features loads of other festival fun from Silent Discos to Live Karaoke bars along with Camping and Glamping (Glamorous Camping) options.

Lost Videos: DeFilm- Bitter Surprise

2012-01-16T20:32:00.002+01:00

The Danish band DeFilm enjoyed some moderate success and popularity within their home country, and some parts of Europe during the1980s.They released two studio albums and singles between 1985 and 1987. This is a rare video for the song “Bitter Surprise” which was never released as a single. It was a second track on their self titled debut album released in 1985.More about the band hopefully coming soon, so the official site.

www.defilm.dk

The Maccabees- Given To The Wild

2012-01-16T12:36:00.002+01:00

The Maccabees have released their third album earlier this January. The album is entitled 'Given To The Wild' and it features the hit single "Pelican" which was released in November. The band have said they took inspiration from The Stone Roses, Kate Bush and David Bowie during the recording of the LP. The album has reached #4 in the UK album chats.

New Order Mojo Special

2012-01-15T19:46:00.002+01:00

The February issue of Mojo has New Order on the cover and a 12 page feature inside. The Manchester godfathers of electronic music are back, restored and strengthened, to add another chapter to their grand saga. Ian Harrison speaks to the band and their estranged bassist to find a new vitality charging through the old circuits.

http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/

Simple Minds 5x5 Tour

2012-01-15T10:54:00.000+01:00

Simple Minds are pleased to announce a very rare and exciting opportunity to see them perform material from their first five albums in February and March 2012. These landmark shows, lasting over two and half hours, will be part of a 16-date European tour beginning in Portugal on 14th February. The band will exclusively play five songs from each of their first five albums including 'New Gold Dream (81, 82, 83, 84)' which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year – which were released in a prolific period from 1979 to 1982. These five albums have had a massive cultural impact from the time of their release during the birth of the new wave electro scene in the late 1970s, through the dance revolution of the ‘80s and ‘90s, to the music of the Manic Street Preachers and the recent sound of The Horrors’ Skying album, making them five of the most vital albums of the post-punk period and the last 35 years.

February
14th Coliseum, Lisbon, Portugal
15th Riviera, Madrid, Spain
16th Razzamatazz, Barcelona, Spain
18th Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
19th Admiralpalast, Berlin, Germany
20th Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
21st Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway
23rd Cirque Royal, Brussels, Belgium
24th Birmingham Academy
25th Glasgow Barrowland
27th Casino De Paris, France
28th Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
29th Komplex 457, Zurich, Switzerland
March
2nd London Roundhouse
3rd Manchester Ritz
4th Olympia Theatre, Dublin

http://www.simpleminds.com/

In Print: OMD in Smash Hits (1982)

2012-01-14T21:34:00.001+01:00

In January 1982, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark were featured on the cover of Smash Hits music magazine. During the same month they also released one of their biggest hit to date "Maid of Orleans". This edition of Smash hit also featured among others an OMD interview.

Video Log: The Ropes- Lack of Technology Made Me A Killer

2012-01-13T13:04:00.004+01:00

The latest video for the Ropes has been revealed on Youtube. It's the video for the song "Lack of Technology Made Me A Killer" which was released last year as an EP with the same name.

Next Wave: Dot Dash

2012-01-12T19:53:00.001+01:00

Dot Dash was formed out of the ashes of the punky power pop outfit Julie Ocean. The Washington based group consists of guitarist/singer Terry Banks and bassist Hunter Bennett who were later joined by Enlisting Danny Ingram on drums and Bill Crandall on guitar. The band took its name from a Wire song, but rather than leaning toward Wire's jagged art-damaged punk, Dot Dash bore more similarities to the jangly, mod-inflected sounds of unofficial ringleader Terry Banks' former groups Glo-Worm and the Saturday People. The summer of 2011 saw the release of the band's first full-length endeavor, Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash, a 14-song collection recorded in three afternoons. The album is available via iTunes, eMusic and Amazon.

www.facebook.com/dotdashdc
Album info:
http://thebeautifulmusic.com/?p=1

Instant Hit: 'Lectric Workers- Robot is Systematic

2012-01-11T17:12:00.001+01:00

'Lectric Workers were an Italian dance act consisting of Franco Rago, Gigi Farina, X. Monneret. They made their debut with "Robot is Systematic" in 1982. It was their only hit which was released in several different remix versions in 2001. It remained a dance floor classic in the clubs throughout Europe.

'Lectric Workers- Robot is Systematic

Retrovision: Mobiles- Drowning in Berlin

2012-01-09T13:50:00.004+01:00

Thirty years ago Mobiles released "Drowning in Berlin" which remained their biggest hit to date. The song entered the UK Charts at #9. Mobiles performed this song on TOTP and the original video version has remained a fixture on MTV to this day.

Exclusive Interview with Howard Jones

2012-01-09T11:30:00.000+01:00

Howard Jones, one of the true eighties icons and godfathers of modern electronic dance music will embark on a nationwide UK tour on Wednesday 11th April at the O2 Academy Bristol. This will be the first time that Howard will perform his first two studio albums 'Human’s Lib' and 'Dream Into Action' back to back, live in their entirety, on a full-scale nationwide UK tour. In this exclusive interview for Burning Flame, he reveals more information about the upcoming tour, career highlights and further plans in music.

Howard Jones Interview

1.Your recent North American Tour turned out to be very successful. The promoters were hoping for 1500 ticket sales but it turned out to be a complete sell out with 2,750 tickets sold. Did you expect this kind of success?

I know from my point of view, the stage that the gigs were well attended and the audiences were really enthusiastic. We played club type venues mainly with people standing. I think this is a great way to enjoy the show.

2.You will embark on a nationwide 8-date UK tour in April. Do you see yourself performing in your home country as a bigger challenge?

I am very excited about taking the HL, DIA tour around the UK. I love touring in the UK you don't have to fly every day and i have such dedicated fans that make it such a pleasure

3.Where do you think your biggest fan base is located?

I suppose the U.S. is my biggest fan base.

4.Two years ago, you performed your first two albums in their entirety. They were also reissued for the first time in Europe. Do you wish you could have re-recorded any of the songs?

November 2010 was the first performance of the DIA/HL tour which we filmed and recorded. This coincided with licensing my first 5 albums from Warner Bros. which meant we could re-master them and get them sounding as good as possible. I have no regrets about the recordings they were the way I wanted them to be at the time and I'm happy with that.

5.What kind of songs do you prefer to record and perform these days? More acoustic or electronic style?

I'm really enjoying the electronic shows at the moment. I did tour acoustically for quite a while which was fun but I am mad for the electronic shows now.

6.Do you still get pleasure from the music you grew up listening to? If yes why? If no, why not?

I like music from all ages and genres. I have 1200 songs on my iPod which covers everything from classical choral music to rap. there is something to enjoy and learn from all music.

7.Do you miss the days of being famous and a pin-up in teen mags?

No, my ambition was not to be famous but to be able to do the things I loved, which was writing recording and performing music. I am very happy being known by the people who care about my music, and that suits me very well.

8.Looking back over your career, can you instantly spot highlights?

Live Aid, headlining Madison Square Garden NY, Jamming with Stevie Wonder, me and him for 30 minutes. Recording Hide and Seek at Abbey Road with a 100 piece orchestra, Doing the Grammy's with a band of Tom Dolby, Herbie Hancock , and Stevie Wonder. Spending 2 hours chatting with Steely Dan’s Walter Becker.

9.Your last album ‘Ordinary Heroes’ was very well received even though it was a not typical Howard Jones record. Do you think of it as an exception or would you like to continue in this direction?

I was very pleased with O.H. I think the next album will be very electronic, and will have the electronic touring band in mind.

10.Do you have your own favourite kind of music and is it any different to what you play now?

I am really into choral music I am the musical Director and writer for a choir "The Glorious Life Chorus "which is a Buddhist choir of about 100 people that meets to rehearse once a month.

11.What was the last CD you bought?

Light and Gold - Eric Whitacre

12.Have you been up to date to what your contemporaries like OMD, Thomas Dolby and Heaven 17 have been up to in music in the previous two years?

Yes I try to keep up with my contemporaries

13.Your favourite Kate Bush song?

Moments of Pleasure

14.Which band would you like to see reunited or which musician would you like see releasing new material?

I'd like to see the surviving members of Japan get together, and Scritti. I wish Paul Buchanan of Blue Nile would release some new things.

15.Which artist, living or dead would you like to duet with?

Paul McCartney

16.Anything else exciting on the horizon of Howard Jones in 2012, any tour dates around Europe?

Japan in February, South Africa, UK tour in April, another trip to the US in the summer and Autumn. Some new recordings starting in March.

Howard Jones performs the entirety of his albums “Human’s Lib and “Dream Into Action” in the UK during April 2012. Ticket Hotline: 0844 477 2000, www.ticketweb.co.uk.

Dates include:
O2 Academy Bristol (April 11)
O2 Academy Sheffield (April 12)
O2 Academy Liverpool (April 13)
O2 Academy Birmingham (April 14)
O2 Academy Newcastle (April 17)
O2 ABC Glasgow (April 18)
O2 Academy Bournemouth (April 20)
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (April 21)

More info: www.howardjones.com

Billy Mackenzie and The Associates Mixtape

2012-01-08T12:08:00.000+01:00

Billy Mackenzie was a Scottish singer who teamed up with Alan Rankine in the late 70's to form The Associates. As The Associates they had several hits and released three excellent albums. Alan Rankine left The Associates around 1985 and Billy Mackenzie continued to release under the name The Associates. On 22 January 1997, depression and the death of his mother are believed to have contributed to Mackenzie's suicide. He was 39 years old. He will mostly be remembered for his unique voice which shifted effortlessly from bass blues to falsetto diva posturing. His life was the subject of a biography by Tom Doyle 'The Glamour Chase' released in 1998. This is a very special mixtape starting Billy Mackenzie, his friends and the associates.

Video Log: Dirty Beaches- Lord Knows Best

2012-01-05T20:53:00.000+01:00

Ever got lost inside the world of Alex Zhang Hungtai aka Dirty Beaches? If not, now is the time! Here is the video for the song "Lord Knows Best" from his album 'Badlands' which was released last year. This video was directed by Zoe Kirk-Gushowaty and features Aja Emma, Ariel Kirk-Gushowaty and Tara Codrington on backing vocals.

Reissue: Passion Polka- Obsessions EP

2012-01-04T23:20:00.000+01:00

Anna Logue Records have reissued "Obsessions" EP by Passion Polka which was originally released in 1982. The EP has been remastered by Marc Senasac with an addition of two previously unreleased 1983 tracks 'Lying next to You' and 'Fighting Alone'. A classic analogue synth-pop one must have!

http://annaloguerecords.blogspot.com/p/releases.html

Limahl Returns with a New Single!

2012-01-04T12:43:00.000+01:00

Limahl is back with a new single giving us the flashback to the year 1983. "1983" is also the name of his brand new single which is due to be released on January 10, 2012. The song was co-written/produced with Norwegians Tommy Olsen, Rune Maurtvedt and Stig Antonsen. The track will be released worldwide by Dig Music (Norway). The release date is the same as "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo 29 years earlier.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1983

Welcome to 1982!

2012-01-01T10:00:00.000+01:00

Welcome to 1982! The Gold Dream continues!

Best of 1981-The Singles List

2011-12-30T14:19:00.001+01:00


1.		Ultravox Vienna

2.		The Cure Charlotte Sometimes

3.		The Human League Don't You Want Me

4.		Siouxsie and the Banshees Spellbound

5.		New Order Ceremony

6.		Soft Cell Tainted Love

7.		Ultravox The Voice

8.		Talking Heads Once in A Lifetime

9.		Duran Duran Planet Earth

10.		Depeche Mode New Life

11		Japan Quiet Life

12		Duran Duran Girls on Film

13		Depeche Mode Just Can't Get Enough

14		Simple Minds Love Song

15		Soft Cell Memorabilia

16.		Kraftwerk Computer Love

17.		Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Souvenir

18.		b-Movie Remembrance Day

19.		Heaven 17 (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang

20		The Human League The Sound of The Crowd

Pet Shop Boys Announce a New B-side Compilation Album

2011-12-27T19:29:00.001+01:00

Pet Shop Boys will release a brand new b-sides compilation on February 6th, 2012, on Parlophone. Entitled 'Format', it celebrates the duo's prolific song-writing and recording by collecting 38 b-sides and bonus tracks originally released on singles from 1996 to 2009.The album will be available digitally and on double-CD. All tracks have been remastered and the CD booklet features an interview with Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe by Jon Savage.

http://www.petshopboysshop.co.uk/petshopboys/petshopboys/Format

Section 25 Art Exibition

2011-12-27T18:49:00.000+01:00

As part of the’2011 Blackpool Art Fair’ at The Grundy Art Gallery Blackpool.The Grundy will be featuring a special' foyer'exhibition of Section 25’s back catalogue including album artwork by Peter Saville,band memorabilia and a history of the band from early days up to the present.The show will also include a tribute to the art of Larry Cassidy, a founder member of the band who sadly passed away in 2010.The exhibiton will run from 19/11/11 until 14/01/12.

http://www.section25.com/
http://primaryschoolteachersartforum.blogspot.com