Today, Bronski Beat and London Records have released the short documentary “Why? (40th Anniversary Doc Short)”, directed by Matt Lambert. The documentary revisits Bronski Beat’s iconic 1984 anthem “Why?” exploring the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Upon its release in 1984, Jimmy Somerville told Record Mirror that ‘Why?’ was “about constantly having to fight for love because that’s what we have to do, to try to change the law, people’s attitudes. It’s a constant fight for your right to love and that’s a right everybody should have – to love who they want.” Forty years later Jimmy adds: “I never thought a song that we wrote in 1984 would resonate even more powerfully in 2024.”

The film, commissioned by Bronski Beat frontman Jimmy Somerville, is a tribute to those on the frontlines of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. As Lambert explains, the film is not just a historical retrospective but a tool to educate and empower a new generation of queer youth while reminding older generations that the fight for equality is far from over.

Bronski Beat’s “Why?” originally challenged homophobic violence with raw emotion. The song’s unmistakable cry against bigotry and fear made it a defining voice for LGBTQ+ activism in the 1980s. However, the original 1984 music video commissioned for the song, never truly aligned with the song’s (and the band’s) intentions. Forty years later, singer Jimmy Somerville wanted to change this. 

“Jimmy wanted to commission me to make a project that spoke to the climate of LGBTQ+ rights today,” explains Matt. “I ended up exploring archives from past and present, material from my phone and friends — self shot material from the community — which became a documentary short film. We had access to Bronski Beat original stems to sculpt the timeless and still timely score to this film.”

The film premiere is an extra teaser for the release of “The Age of Consent (40th Anniversary Editions)” on October 18, and available in deluxe 4CD/DVD, 2CD, and 2LP formats.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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London Records has released the Superchumbo remix of the Bronski Beat hit “Why” featuring Pet Shop Boys frontman Neil Tennant. This is the third remix from the upcoming 40th-anniversary deluxe reissue of Bronski Beat’s 1984 album “The Age Of Consent”, out October 18th. It follows reworks of the classic queer anthem “Smalltown Boy” by producers Absolute and Planningtorock.

The song, originally recorded at RPM Studio in New York City and mixed at Townhouse Studios in London, features lyrics that focus centrally on anti-gay prejudice. The song was written for Martin, a friend of the Bronskis who was hounded out of the country by his boyfriend’s irate and violent parents. You could say it was a sequel to their debut single “Smalltown Boy”, continuing the tale of a young gay man suffering humiliation and animosity as he tries to live his life.

The song opens with a questioning vocal by Bronski Beat frontman Jimmy Somerville and the sound of shattering glass. It was the trio’s second Top 10 success in the UK, throughout Europe, and in Australia, and is considered a popular gay anthem today.

The drawing for the original single cover, depicting a man with his head in his hands, was created by Glasgow artist Robert McAulay, who was associated with the band at the time.

Here’s what Jimmy Sommerville says about the collaboration with Tom Stephan (aka Superchumbo) on this new mix: ”I’ve known Tom for a good few years now and when I asked him if he’d like to do a remix of ‘Why?’ he said yes straight away. The song is a part of his story. I was so moved when he shared that story with me. The lyric is our shared experience as it is for so many others…and forty years later the lyric still tells the story of LGBTQi+….the hate, the violence, the discrimination, the imprisonment and state sanctioned murder of those who dare to be their true selves and it’s happening somewhere right now as I write this.”

Speaking on the rework, Tom explains: “My goal was to create an updated mix that fits well with contemporary sounds while preserving the original intensity and energy. After I submitted the mix, Jimmy asked me if I could include a few more lyrics from the original song. I had recently watched a Pet Shop Boys documentary where Neil Tennant read some of his lyrics, which moved me to tears,” he continues. “I imagined Neil speaking these lyrics, creating a powerful contrast. I left Neil a voicemail on my way to a gig abroad and by the time I reached Heathrow I had his vocals on my phone, added them to the track on my flight, and played it that night! It is a great honour to work on this iconic song with two legends who were lifelines to me while growing up gay in a small town.”

“I was fucking whooping like a banshee round my kitchen when Tom told me Neil would like to contribute! ” adds Jimmy. “To speak the lyrics of ‘Why?’ and to hear Tom’s musical reworking of the track is fucking mind-blowing. So to hear Neil, one of our greatest pop lyricists, speaking my words… It brings it into the here and now and also retains its history with my original vocal. I genuinely felt moved.”

4CD+DVD deluxe set tracklisting

The 40th-anniversary reissue of “The Age of Consent” will be available in a variety of physical and digital formats, including a 5-disc deluxe edition (4CD+DVD): featuring 4 essays by Tom Rasmussen, Lesley Chow, Lucy Robinson, and Barney Ashton-Bullock, the original album, bonus tracks, remixes, rarities, early versions, and rare radio sessions. Its DVD comes with restored promo videos, Top of the Pops performances, and original TV adverts.

Other formats include 2CD with new reworks, 2LP (with “The Age of Consent” and its neighbouring remix album “Hundreds & Thousands”), a yellow 1LP edition (Lexer Music Exclusive), and a super deluxe edition exclusive Blu Ray edition featuring “The Age of Consent” and “Hundreds & Thousands” in Dolby Atmos & 5.1 mixes.

Disc One

The Age Of Consent – The Album Plus

1. Why?
2. It Ain’t Necessarily So
3. Screaming
4. No More War
5. Love And & Money
6. Smalltown Boy
7. Heatwave
8. Junk
9. Need A Man Blues
10. I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me
11. Smalltown Boy (Dj 7” Edit) – Bonus Track
12. Why? (Remix) – Bonus Track
13. It Ain’t Necessarily So (7” Version) – Bonus Track
14. I Feel Love (7” Version) With Marc Almond – Bonus Track
15. Run From Love (Radio Version) – Bonus Track
16. Hard Rain (Nme 7” Version) – Bonus Track

Disc Two

Hundreds & Thousands – The Remix Plus

1. Heatwave (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
2. Why (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
3. Run From Love (Dominic Maita Remix)
4. Hard Rain (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
5. Smalltown Boy (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
6. Junk (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
7. Love And Money (Hundreds & Thousands Remix) * – Bonus Track
8. Infatuation / Memories – Bonus Track
9. Close To The Edge – Bonus Track
10. I Feel Love (Cake Mix) With Marc Almond – Bonus Track
11. Cadillac Car (Extended) – Bonus Track

Disc Three

Consent Extended – The 12 Inches Plus

1. Smalltown Boy (12” Version)
2. Why? (12” Version)
3. It Ain’t Necessarily So (12” Version)
4. I Feel Love (12” Version) With Marc Almond
5. Run From Love (Us Club Remix ‘85) *
6. Smalltown Boy (Us Club Remix ‘84) *
7. Red Dance
8. The Potato Fields
9. Puit D’amour
10. Signs (And Wonders)
11. I Feel Love (Fruit Mix)

Disc Four

Ignore At Your Peril – The Rarities Plus

1. Smalltown Boy (Capital Radio Session, May ‘84) *
2. Heatwave (Capital Radio Session, May ‘84) *
3. Hard Rain (Capital Radio Session, May ‘84 )*
4. Why? (Early Version, March ‘84) *
5. Crazy Maraquitta (Studio Session) *
6. It Ain’t Necessarily So (Early Version) *
7. Upside Down (Studio Session) *
8. Screaming (Early Version, March ‘84) *
9. The Power Of The Gold (Studio Session) *
10. Love And Money (Early Version) *
11. First Church (Feel Love) (Studio Session) *
12. Junk (Early Version 2) *
13. Walking (Studio Session) *
14. No More War (Early Version) *
15. Go (You & Me) (Studio Session) *
16. Close To The Edge (Early Alternate Extended Mix) *
17. Heatwave (Early Version) *
18. The Other Side Of The Tracks (Studio Session) *
19. Smalltown Boy (Early Version, March ‘84) *

Disc Five

The First Chapter – The Videos Plus [Dvd]

1. Official Music Videos
2. Smalltown Boy (Restored Promo)
3. Why? (Restored Promo)
4. It Ain’t Necessarily So (Restored Promo)
5. I Feel Love (Restored Promo) With Marc Almond
6. Top Of The Pops Performances
7. Smalltown Boy (Bbc ‘Top Of The Pops’, June ‘84)
8. Why? (Bbc ‘Top Of The Pops’, September ‘84)
9. It Ain’t Necessarily So (Bbc ‘Top Of The Pops’, December ‘84)
10. I Feel Love (Bbc ‘Top Of The Pops’, April ‘85) With Marc Almond
11. Original Tv Adverts
12. The Age Of Consent – Tv Advert #1 (December ‘84) *
13. The Age Of Consent – Tv Advert #2 (January ‘85) *

* Previously Unreleased

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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(Photo via London Records) London Records will mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic Bronski Beat debut album, “The Age of Consent”, with a series of deluxe reissues available on October 18, 2024. Fans can pre-order these reissues at bronskibeat.tmstor.es.

In conjunction with the reissue, London Records has released a new remix of “Smalltown Boy”’” by Planningtorock. This artist, known for queering sound and visual art, has previously collaborated with Lady Gaga, Robyn, and Christine and The Queens. The remix can be listened to below.

Jimmy Somerville, reflecting on the album, said, “When there is something we do in our life that can have such an impact on other peoples’ lives, and to be told this by others, it’s humbling. ‘The Age of Consent’ is, and always will be, such a special part of my life.”

Planningtorock shared their thoughts on the remix as well: “I first saw ‘Smalltown Boy’ on telly back in 1984 when I was twelve. I remember it having a big impact on me even then. Just loved how it told the story so directly like a mini documentary but as a music clip sharing a gay experience that was sad to watch but at the same time so empowering. Those early years as a queer trans kid were so lonely for me and Bronski Beat made me feel less alone showing me how music can help you translate a painful experience into something liberating.”

Released in 1984, “The Age of Consent” was a pioneering album addressing LGBTQ+ rights and struggles. The album remains relevant today, reflecting ongoing issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Its original release included a listing of ages of consent worldwide, symbolizing both the progress made and the challenges still ahead.

The 40th-anniversary reissue will be available in various formats, including a 5-Disc Deluxe Edition (4CD+DVD), a 2CD set with new reworks, a 2LP set, a yellow 1LP edition, and a Super Deluxe Edition exclusive Blu-Ray. The deluxe edition features essays, remixes, rarities, and restored promo videos.

Tracklisting for the 4CD+DVD Deluxe Edition

Disc One: The Age of Consent – The Album Plus

1. Why?
2. It Ain’t Necessarily So
3. Screaming
4. No More War
5. Love and Money
6. Smalltown Boy
7. Heatwave
8. Junk
9. Need a Man Blues
10. I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me
11. Smalltown Boy (DJ 7” Edit) – Bonus track
12. Why? (Remix) – Bonus track
13. It Ain’t Necessarily So (7” Version) – Bonus track
14. I Feel Love (7” Version) with Marc Almond – Bonus track
15. Run from Love (Radio Version) – Bonus track
16. Hard Rain (NME 7” Version) – Bonus track

Disc Two: Hundreds & Thousands – The Remix Plus

1. Heatwave (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
2. Why (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
3. Run from Love (Dominic Maita Remix)
4. Hard Rain (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
5. Smalltown Boy (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
6. Junk (Harvey Goldberg Remix)
7. Love and Money (Hundreds & Thousands Remix) – Bonus track
8. Infatuation / Memories – Bonus track
9. Close to the Edge – Bonus track
10. I Feel Love (Cake Mix) with Marc Almond – Bonus track
11. Cadillac Car (Extended) – Bonus track

Disc Three: Consent Extended – The 12 Inches Plus

1. Smalltown Boy (12” Version)
2. Why? (12” Version)
3. It Ain’t Necessarily So (12” Version)
4. I Feel Love (12” Version) with Marc Almond
5. Run from Love (US Club Remix ‘85) – Bonus track
6. Smalltown Boy (US Club Remix ‘84) – Bonus track
7. Red Dance
8. The Potato Fields
9. Puit D’Amour
10. Signs (And Wonders)
11. I Feel Love (Fruit Mix)

Disc Four: Ignore at Your Peril – The Rarities Plus

1. Smalltown Boy (Capital Radio Session, May ‘84) – Bonus track
2. Heatwave (Capital Radio Session, May ‘84) – Bonus track
3. Hard Rain (Capital Radio Session, May ‘84) – Bonus track
4. Why? (Early Version, March ‘84) – Bonus track
5. Crazy Maraquitta (Studio Session) – Bonus track
6. It Ain’t Necessarily So (Early Version) – Bonus track
7. Upside Down (Studio Session) – Bonus track
8. Screaming (Early Version, March ‘84) – Bonus track
9. The Power of the Gold (Studio Session) – Bonus track
10. Love and Money (Early Version) – Bonus track
11. First Church (Feel Love) (Studio Session) – Bonus track
12. Junk (Early Version 2) – Bonus track
13. Walking (Studio Session) – Bonus track
14. No More War (Early Version) – Bonus track
15. Go (You & Me) (Studio Session) – Bonus track
16. Close to the Edge (Early Alternate Extended Mix) – Bonus track
17. Heatwave (Early Version) – Bonus track
18. The Other Side of the Tracks (Studio Session) – Bonus track
19. Smalltown Boy (Early Version, March ‘84) – Bonus track

Disc Five: The First Chapter – The Videos Plus [DVD]

1. Official Music Videos
   • Smalltown Boy (Restored Promo)
   • Why? (Restored Promo)
   • It Ain’t Necessarily So (Restored Promo)
   • I Feel Love (Restored Promo) with Marc Almond
2. Top of the Pops Performances
   • Smalltown Boy (BBC ‘Top of the Pops’, June ‘84)
   • Why? (BBC ‘Top of the Pops’, September ‘84)
   • It Ain’t Necessarily So (BBC ‘Top of the Pops’, December ‘84)
   • I Feel Love (BBC ‘Top of the Pops’, April ‘85) with Marc Almond
3. Original TV Adverts
   • The Age of Consent – TV Advert #1 (December ‘84) – Bonus track
   • The Age of Consent – TV Advert #2 (January ‘85) – Bonus track

About Bronski Beat

Formed in 1983 in London, Bronski Beat was an influential British synthpop trio known for their groundbreaking music and outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. The original lineup included Steve Bronski (keyboards, percussion), Larry Steinbachek (keyboards, percussion), and Jimmy Somerville (vocals).

Their debut single, “Smalltown Boy”, released in 1984, became an instant hit. The song’s poignant narrative about a young gay man facing homophobia and isolation resonated deeply with listeners. It climbed the charts, reaching number three in the UK. Later in 1984, Bronski Beat released their debut album, “The Age of Consent”. The inner sleeve listed the ages of consent for homosexual acts worldwide. The album produced other hits like “Why?” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So”.

In 1985, lead vocalist Jimmy Somerville left Bronski Beat to form The Communards with Richard Coles. Despite his departure, Bronski Beat continued, recruiting John Foster (also known as Jon Jon) as their new lead singer. The band released the album “Truthdare Doubledare” in 1986, which included the hit single “Hit That Perfect Beat”.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bronski Beat underwent several lineup changes, with the late Steve Bronski remaining the constant member. They continued to release music, though with less commercial success than their early years. In the 2010s, Steve Bronski reformed the band with new members and continued to perform and release new music.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Dublin based synthpop band Empire State Human has announced the release of its latest compilation album “Robot Love” aka “Robot Love 2002>2009”. The release is covering the years 2002-2009 and holds 20 tracks featuring songs from the first 8 Empire State Human releases.

Included are their collaborations with Bronski Beat’s Steve Bronski, John Giacobello, Wave In Head, Ganymede, Freezepop and Tycho Brahe. “Robot Love” follows the release of their most recent “Primo” compilation (which covered the years 2010-2021). “Robot Love” is out now via Mish Mosh Records.

Lead singer and founding member Aidan Casserly says: “Empire State Human is a project I hold very dear to my heart. Creating Synthpop has been a substantial part of my creativity since the ESH debut album ‘Pop Robot’ in 2002. Electronic pop music has opened many doors for me and I look forward to ’Robot Love’ with great pride and excitement.”

Empire State Human has released 9 studio albums since 2002. They also have worked with ex-Kraftwerk member Wolfgang Flur, and had a #1 in the US iTunes dance charts with a cover of John Carpenter’s “Halloween Theme”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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In November we announced that the UK new wave act Into A Circle had been recording what looked like their first album of original material since their 1988’s debut album “Assassins”. The band which features Paul ‘Bee’ Hampshire and Barry Jepson were last seen live in 1989 before splitting in the autumn of that year.

Into A Circle have now released “Mercenaries”, a track originally penned in the mid-80s.

“”Mercenaries” is about the power of the word and how books can shape a person, and their ideals, in both constructive ways and destructive ways,” says Bee. The single finds Bee unearthing memories of his childhood at a faith school and reflecting on how those experiences would ultimately influence his rebellious later years.

As Bee adds: “As a young child, I attended a very religious school where each kid was given a personal bible. In the beginning, was the word! In my mid-teens, I put down the bible and picked up books by Brion Gysin and William Burroughs, whose mission was to cut up, rub out the word, lift the veil and explore the power and message behind the word.”

The release of “Mercenaries” is accompanied with a video directed by Mark Jordan.

Here’s the video.

About Into A Circle

Into A Circle (also known as In2a0) was founded by members Paul “Bee” Hampshire and Barry Jepson in 1985. Barry, who was also a member of Southern Death Cult (a band that featured vocalist Ian Astbury and later went on to become The Cult) was later introduced to Bee in the legendary post/punk band Getting The Fear.

Into A Circle issued their debut single “Rise” in 1985. It featured Rose McDowall, formerly one-half of the pop-punk outfit Strawberry Switchblade. While never a full-time member, the single’s success saw McDowall become something of a regular feature with Into A Circle, with her vocals appearing on all of the band’s subsequent singles and often as a part of the band’s live set-up whenever commitments permitted too.

Signing to Abstract Records in July 1986, Into A Circle released the “Inside Out” EP which featured input from Billy Morrison, who would later play with acts as diverse as Robbie Williams to Black Sabbath and Billy Idol.

The band’s debut album “Assassins” was preceded by the single “Forever”. Co-produced by Larry Steinbachek of Bronski Beat, “Assasins” found the band in experimental mood and exploring a more electronic/dance oriented sound.

From there, Into A Circle would cut just one more single from the record, “Evergreen”.

The completion of the tour at the end of 1989, would also draw a line in the sand for the band. As a series of unplanned twists in their personal lives unfolded, along with Bee’s decision to relocate to Thailand, plans for the release of a second album fell apart.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Sad news from the UK as the news broke this afternoon that Steve Bronski, co-founder and keyboard player in Bronski Beat, has died, aged 61. Bronski,originally from Glasgow, formed Bronski Beat in 1983 with singer Jimmy Somerville and Larry Steinbachek.

“Smalltown Boy” was the band’s debut single and an instant hit. The by now cult video showed Somerville being chased by a homophobic gang, taken home by the police and thrown out by his parents, before getting on the train to start a new life with Bronski and Steinbachek. Their debut album “Age of Consent” followed in 1984.

Following Somerville leaving to form pop group The Communards with Richard Coles, he was replaced by John Foster and later by Jonathan Hellyer. The band set-up has seen a number of changes.

With the death of Bronski, Sommerville remains the only original member alive since Steinbachek died in 2017.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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The UK new wave act Into A Circle have been recording what will be their first album of original material since their 1988’s debut album “Assassins”. The band which features Paul “Bee” Hampshire and Barry Jepson were last seen live in 1989 before splitting in the autumn of that year.

Into A Circle have also confirmed they will do a very limited and exclusive series of reunion shows in 2022, with first dates due to be announced imminently.

About Into A Circle

Into A Circle (also known as In2a0) was founded by members Paul “Bee” Hampshire and Barry Jepson in 1985. Barry, who was also a member of Southern Death Cult (a band that featured vocalist Ian Astbury and later went on to become The Cult) was later introduced to Bee in the legendary post/punk band Getting The Fear.

Into A Circle issued their debut single “Rise” in 1985. It featured Rose McDowall, formerly one-half of the pop-punk outfit Strawberry Switchblade. While never a full-time member, the single’s success saw McDowall become something of a regular feature with Into A Circle, with her vocals appearing on all of the band’s subsequent singles and often as a part of the band’s live set-up whenever commitments permitted too.

Signing to Abstract Records in July 1986, Into A Circle released the “Inside Out” EP which featured input from Billy Morrison, who would later play with acts as diverse as Robbie Williams to Black Sabbath and Billy Idol.

The band’s debut album “Assassins” was preceded by the single “Forever”. Co-produced by Larry Steinbachek of Bronski Beat, “Assasins” found the band in experimental mood and exploring a more electronic/dance oriented sound.

From there, Into A Circle would cut just one more single from the record, “Evergreen”.

The completion of the tour at the end of 1989, would also draw a line in the sand for the band. As a series of unplanned twists in their personal lives unfolded, along with Bee’s decision to relocate to Thailand, plans for the release of a second In2a0 album fell apart.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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(Photo by Dag Stinus) Out on June 11 via Bandcamp and Beatify Audio (and one week later on all other digital platforms) is the newest single from the Danish synthpop duo SoftWave: “System Failure”. SoftWave consists of the duo Catrine Christensen and Jerry Olsen.

The track is a clear reference to how the Covid19 crisis has affected people mentally around the world. Singer Catrine Christensen explains: “System Failure” describes the duality of being isolated in many months without associating with others, and how much life with a computer can disturb the mind and even provoke frustration, depression and in rare cases – anger.”

The band formed in 2014 and debuted in 2016 with the EP “Together Alone” which was followed by “Together Alone The Remixes” in 2017. Their debut landed in 2019 with “Game On” which also got the remix treatment on “Game On 1Up” (re-released in 2020 with bonus tracks on Electro-Shock-Records).

After touring with OMD on the Scandinavian leg of their “Greatest Hits – Souvenir Tour” (feb, 2020), SoftWave was invited by Erasure’s Andy Bell to produce remixes for his forthcoming Andy Bell is Torsten project “Club Torsten!” among Vince Clarke, Bronski Beat and more.

Below is the band’s “Game On 1Up” release including a live track from their OMD support show at Oslo’s Rockefeller venue.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: German-Swiss trio Nine Seconds announced their fourth full length album with the surprising EP “Love Will Tear Us Apart” featuring cover versions of legendary bands Joy Division, Bronski Beat, Trans-X and Starter. The new album moves on the same formula revealing a few more cover versions.

Content: Next to the already familiar cover versions from Joy Division, Bronski Beat and Trans-X the trio accomplished more cover versions from Fad Gadget, Propaganda, Fancy, Paul Hardcastle, Front 242, Depeche Mode and Mando Diao. This kind of experience is always fun for the band, but a challenge to convince the fans. Nine Seconds perfectly adapted most of the songs into a very own, Body-Pop approach sometimes adding female backing vocals next to Oliver Spring. Mind.In.A.Box made a remix of “Lie To Me” while the less familiar Membran 66 remixed “Living On Video”. 

+ + + : I’m always skeptical with this kind of releases and especially when it concerns legendary hits from the 80s like “Ricky’s Hand”, “Love will Tear Us Apart”, “Dr. Mabuse”, “Lie To Me”, “Living On Video” or “No Shuffle”. I must admit that the way they adapted Fad Gadget’s “Ricky’s Hand” is absolutely well done. But the most surprising and probably best song is the Italo-Disco hit “Slice Me Nice” from Fancy, which still sounds a bit Italo-Disco like, but with a naughty, evil and rough touch on top. Mind.In.A.Box did also a great job remixing Depeche Mode’s “Lie To Me” into something space-like and still danceable.

– – – : A few songs couldn’t convince me at all; the aforementioned “Lie To Me” and “Love will Tear Us Apart”. I’ve also some reservations about the impact of such a ‘conceptual’ work, but on the other side it’s also a way to pay tribute to bands and songs you like and bring young music lovers to discover legendary tracks from the Electronic scene.

Conclusion: I definitely prefer when Nine Seconds are composing their own music, but they for sure did an honest job covering such legendary bands.

Best songs: “Slice Me Nice”, “Ricky’s Hand”, “Dr. Mabuse”, “Hit That Perfect Beat”, “Lie To Me – Mind.In.A.Box Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.nineseconds.de / www.facebook.com/nineseconds

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, wave-pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Three years after their third full length (cf. “Agent Provocateur”) Nine Seconds (the members of No Comment plus Ex-Sleepwalk singer Oliver Spring) are back on track unleashing this new EP as a teaser to their upcoming album “That Perfect Beat Will Tear Us Apart”.

Content: The title of the EP directly will ring a bell. Nine Seconds are going back in time, and accomplished cover versions from what probably are some of their favorite 80s songs. You for sure remember the most legendary Joy Division hit, which has been also remixed by Mind.In.A.Box and Ruined Conflict. Bronski Beat’s “Hit That Perfect Beat” has been covered as well, but you’ll discover the Nine Seconds version on the album. We here get a remix framework. Next comes another cover version, but a less famous one this time. “Victim” originally composed by Starter is also a 80s song. The version features disco effects. We next get a remix of “Living On Video”. The original cover edit will be featured on the album as well. The main- and most famous original songs are easily recognizable for their melody line. 

+ + + : Nine Seconds did a cool ode to some legendary artists and simply to songs they seem to love. The main strength of the songs is the melodic aspect, but No Comment and later on Nine Seconds have always been talented melody makers. I personally like the “Victim”-song, and the Italo-disco homage to Trans-X’ “Living On Video”. 

– – – : This kind of cover concept is pure fun, but it has no real effect of surprise. I think some songs would for sure have their impact during a live show, but aren’t always convincing when you have the original versions in mind. It remains a challenge and covering an iconic song such as “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is somewhat tricky.

Conclusion: This EP is a perfect teaser to the new Nine Seconds album, which will bring us only cover versions. It’s not exactly the best way to discover Nine Seconds, which has previously released their own and original electro-pop music.

Best songs: “Victim”, “Living In Video – Remix”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www.nineseconds.de / www.facebook.com/nineseconds

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

“Variance III – The Queereteria Remixes” is the latest Andy Bell album which presents remixes of some of the tracks from the “Torsten In Queereteria” alongside some previously unreleased music from the project, plus a handful of bonus tracks.

For those who missed it, “Torsten In Queereteria” was the third solo album by Andy Bell performing as alter-ego Torsten, a gender-fluid, semi-immortal. The project is a pop / musical theatre collaboration between Erasure singer Andy Bell, poet/playwright Barney Ashton-Bullock and musician Christopher Frost.

Here’s the tracklisting:

• Not Opting Out (Matt Pop Club Mix)
• We Hadn’t Slept For Twenty Years (Bronski Beat Remix)
• I Don’t Like (Bronski Beat Remix)
• Lowland Lowriders (Jerome Froese Retouched Mix)
• We Hadn’t Slept For Twenty Years (Shelter’s New Mix)
• Lead Me
• Judgement
• If We Want To Drink A Little (Andy Bell Solo Version)
• Silence Is Golden (Radio Edit)
• We Hadn’t Slept For Twenty Years (Radio Version)
• Not Opting Out (Matt Pop Radio Edit)

Below is an extract from “Not Opting Out (Matt Pop Club Remix)”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Genre/Influences: Industrial-pop, experimental, minimal-electronics.

Background/Info: The Stricken is a brand-new project driven by Claus Larsen (Leather Strip, Klute, Am Tierpark ao) and producer Ian Donaldson (known from his involvement with Bronski Beat).

Content: This self-titled debut album is not an easy thing to define. Ian Donaldson definitely injects a pop touch to the work while I can imagine Claus Larsen took care to get the sound darker. The result is a surprising symbiosis between elements of pop- and industrial music. It’s pretty minimal-like and still bombastic. It’s not exactly the kind of ultra-danceable music although there are a few more danceable passages featured. Claus’s vocals are regularly switching from enraged parts into spooky vocals and from sweet parts into sensual passages.

+ + + : This project is a kind of challenge featuring artists I didn’t expect working together. The result has something innovative and appears to be a new challenge for Claus Larsen. I especially like Claus Larsen when he’s singing in a more spooky way; the song “A Doom With A View” is a cool cut illustrating this approach.

– – – : Despite of this challenging project I can’t affirm to have been totally convinced by The Stricken. I like this industrial-pop style, which is progressively gaining more artists in the genre, but “The Stricken” sounds a bit like a work exorcising multiple elements while I’m sometimes missing a bit coherence between the tracks.

Conclusion: For a prolific artist such as Claus Larsen it’s simply great to see him exploring new horizons and working with a great artist such as Ian Donaldson, but at the other hand it also is one of the very few projects featuring Claus Larsen that I haven’t been totally convinced.

Best songs: “Give It To Me”, “A Doom With A View”, “Meet My Master”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/thestrickenofficial

Label: http://laebel–music.dk / www.facebook.com/laebelmusic

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: “The Age Of Reason” is the first ‘new’ Bronski Beat album in 22 years. It all started with the album “The Age Of Consent” (1984). The album became a cult full length thanks to legendary hits such as “Smalltown Boy”, “Why?”; “It Aint’s Necessarily So” ao. Steve Bronski, Larry Steinbachek and of course singer Jimmy Somerville instantly became new idols of electro-pop and ambassadors of the homosexual community.

This legendary work has been now reworked while the second disc also features two brand new songs plus a cover version. Steve Bronski recovered Bronski Beat from the dust teaming up with Ian Donaldson and singer Stephen Granville.

Content: It’s nearly impossible listening to this album while taking distance with the original versions which simply are part of the collective memory. The songs have been reworked and mainly adapted into a ‘modern’ edit. The music became more groovy and into dance-pop. Stephen Granville of course does not have Jimmy Sommerville’s timbre of voice although he’s a great singer. You constantly have to face the idea this is the 2017-edit of an album that was composed in the magic decade of the 80s.

The second disc first reveals a cover version of Patrick Cowley’s “Stars”. This is a clubby adaptation of an old disco track revealing the ‘new’ Bronski Beat. You definitely will discover a side of the band you maybe didn’t ever expect to come true. “I’ll Be Gone” and “A Flower For Dandara” both are great and groovy dance cuts. All the songs have been remixed, mainly reinforcing the club-direction of these songs. Remixes have been made by Sordid Soundz (aka Ian Donaldson) and Qubiq.

+ + + : The magic of the 80s was something unique because electronic music was something new and even revolutionary. Bronski Beat entered into history and their original hits are still hot stuff on parties of today! This reworked and adapted album doesn’t want to emulate this magic, but reveals that it’s possible to rework “The Age Of consent”-album into a modern and danceable work. I like the ‘new’ versions of “Love & Money”, “Junk” and “Run From Love” (originally released on “Hundreds & Thousands”). The work also features the songs “No More War” and “It Ain’t Necessarily so”, which have been mixed in one song.

Among the new song I especially like “I’ll Be Gone” while “Stars” is a great cover version. I noticed two great remixes of “I’ll Be Gone” by Sordid Soundz.

– – – : I don’t say that this ‘new’ work will be banished by the die-hard fans, but “The Age Of Reason” clearly sounds different from the original work. The analogue magic of the sounds and Jimmy Sommerville are missing especially on the greatest hits “Smalltown Boy” and “Why?”. The groovy turnover clearly sounds into modern hypes and might be an opportunity to discover Bronski Beat by younger fans, but I can’t imagine the die-hard fans will be totally convinced!

Conclusion: Bronski Beat is alive and the best way to fight back was probably to rework and re-edit their most famous album in history plus adding a few new cuts. I’m not saying it’s the most successful way, but globally speaking I rather enjoyed “The Age Of Reason”!

Best songs: “Love & Money”, “Junk”, “Why?”, “Smalltown Boy”, Run From Love” + “I’ll Be Gone – Dub & Dusted”, “I’ll Be Gone – Stompin’ Siletto Mix”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.bronskibeat.club

Label: www.cherryred.co.uk / www.facebook.com/CherryRedRecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

2017 starts again pretty bad when it comes to music. Today it was announced that Larry Steinbachek (on the right in the picture above), former keyboardist with 1980s synthpop group Bronski Beat, has died at the age of 56. Steinbachek died already in December after a short battle with cancer.

Steinbachek together with Jimmy Somerville and Steve Bronski formed Bronski Beat in 1983.

When Somerville left for The Communards in 1985, Steinbachek and Bronski continued the group recruiting John Foster as Somerville’s replacement (he would only stay for 2 years). Steinbachek moved to Amsterdam in 1994, quit Bronski Beat in 1995 and continued to make music including musicals. He also became the musical director for Michael Laub’s theatre company, ‘Remote Control Productions’.

Here’s some of the tracks that catapulted Larry Steinbachek into eternal music history:

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com