Synthpunk

[post-morten]

Given that there are discussions for every other genre that is somewhat tangential to industrial (free jazz, kraut, black metal, musique concrete, noise rock, etc) I think a synthpunk thread is warranted. Especially seeing as some of the earliest industrial output fall into my perceived boundaries of what synthpunk constitutes, such as Cabaret Voltaire ("Nag Nag Nag"), SPK ("Mekano") or why not some Chrome ("Anti-fade").

Granted synthpunk is a pretty nebulous term. Some are all out synth/electronic acts (Kas Product), some have a live drummer (The Screamers), while some are punks with a drum machine (Métal Urbain). But you know synthpunk when you hear it. Some of my lesser known favorites:

Chrisma - Black Silk Stocking. The greatest synthpunk tune ever from an otherwise super lame Italian new wave duo.
Kitchen and the Plastic Spoons - Happy Funeral. Swedish punks that carved out their own niche, much like The Screamers.
Die Gesunden - Leutnant Miller. Originally known as Die Gesunden Kommen, existed only during a brief moment of time on the Berlin scene, played with Neubauten et al.

Are there any 21st century acts keeping the rambunctious spirit alive? What are some other unknown synthpunk gems that you dig?

[Phenol]

Nice topic, looking forward to good recommendations coming in. I have a soft spot for Nervous Gender, especially this one: https://www.discogs.com/master/556847-Nervous-Gender-Music-From-Hell

[Decrepitude]

I just to listen to this a lot when it came out
https://totalblack.bandcamp.com/album/burn-through

[Phenol]

Good one, that Window release! I grabbed this from one of those MP3 blogs that were popular a decade ago. I wish I owned the original, might get it if I ever feel like spending € 100 or more on a 7". Plast - I Köket Desperat: www.youtube.com/watch?v=48brHIdjhnE&t=213s&ab_channel=DannyRamone

[Zeno Marx]

I'm interested in this stuff, but my knowledge of it is entirely pedestrian. And to be honest, I don't often know where minimalist synth or synthpunk ends and where new wave and late-70's/early-80's alternative begins.

[Lazrs3]

I love the one Kas Product album I have (Loony Bin), but I know little else about them.

Screamers, all I have is that 'In A Better World' compilation that was 2 cds of demos and collected live and radio performances, either way it was amazing work compiled by Xeroid Recrods. I borrowed that DVD of videos by them at Target Video, that is good too. I like singer Tomatu Du Plenty's paintings a lot.

Nervous Gender I like that original album, I know Edward Stapleton has a new version of the band after leaving the remaining original line up, there may be two versions now, not too sure. Good work either way.

[Krigsverk]

Constance Chlore sounds very "synthpunk" to me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooZgP62Ez_s

[post-morten]

Nice topic, looking forward to good recommendations coming in. I have a soft spot for Nervous Gender, especially this one: https://www.discogs.com/master/556847-Nervous-Gender-Music-From-Hell

Yes, Nervous Gender, definitely a classic. I've listened so much to that Live At Target LP which also has UNS/Z'ev, Factrix and Flipper on it. Great stuff! Overall I tend to prefer synthpunk with a real drummer which gives a special dynamic when blended with the synths. In this category I also love The Units - here a cool live clip. And DAF of course... borderline synthpunk.

I just to listen to this a lot when it came out
https://totalblack.bandcamp.com/album/burn-through

Thanks for the tip, very good! Doubtful if I'd call it synthpunk though, I'd lump them in with postpunk/darkwave revivalists such as Soft Moon and Cold Cave. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it a lot.

Yeah... synthpunk, artpunk, electropunk, minimal synth, minimal wave. Where does one end and the other start? I don't really know, I guess they are all somewhat overlapping and converging terms. I rely on my gut feeling when something is "synthpunk" to me. 

[Phenol]

Yeah, it's difficult to give any clear genre definition. Not sure if this is post punk or synth punk, but I have enjoyed it for many years. There's still guitars though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJsXoj7uxZ4&ab_channel=SchleimerK-Topic

If we're including cold wave stuff and stuff with guitar and bass, I guess Trop Tard would fit the bill too. I mean, they have a punky feel and use synths and drum machine, but do they have the synth punk feel, not sure...? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9qVz2xJsqQ&ab_channel=TropTard-Topic

Since the Cabs were mentioned, what about other early Sheffield bands like Vice Versa, f.ex?

I might be derailing thread here, though, there are plenty of (post) punk bands with synths that are not synth punk...

[Andrew McIntosh]

Personal favourite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIdlqWcGn_s

[Andrew McIntosh]

I don't often know where minimalist synth or synthpunk ends and where new wave and late-70's/early-80's alternative begins.

For mine, it's not necessarily relevant. I like the idea of the kind of crossover and nurturing of genres that went on during those years and perhaps a bit later.

I guess when I try to define a term like synth punk or electro punk, I'd think - synthesisers or keyboards being the main or defining instruments (not always to the exclusion of other instruments), minimal, raw (not necessarily distorted in that sense, but I suppose in keeping with minimalism), and with the same kind of energy one would associate with punk, regardless of how fast or slow a tune might be. And I'd keep that at a very basic definition, meaning not necessarily excluding one project or another, despite how even they may have considered themselves at the time. For example, you've got to love Suicide's "Franky Teardrop", even though it isn't played on synthesisers.

I'm very into the idea of minimal, raw and energetic songs being done on synthesisers, more so these days. I'm a bit reluctant to seek out new projects, though, because of the ultra defining so many people have these days, and because so many people just blatantly ape earlier projects/genres now. I'm just sick of that.

[Zeno Marx]

is this within the realm of what you're after, and if not, why not?

https://moduretik.bandcamp.com/music

[post-morten]

If we're including cold wave stuff and stuff with guitar and bass, I guess Trop Tard would fit the bill too. I mean, they have a punky feel and use synths and drum machine, but do they have the synth punk feel, not sure...? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9qVz2xJsqQ&ab_channel=TropTard-Topic

Since the Cabs were mentioned, what about other early Sheffield bands like Vice Versa, f.ex?

I certainly don't mind a guitar or bass being thrown into the mix. I did mention Métal Urbain above, they are one of the greats of this style imo. That Trop Tard track was totally ok but somehow lacks the grittiness and sense of urgency that is a core component of synthpunk, for me at least. As for Sheffield, never heard Vice Versa, gotta try them next. Human League on the other hand - we all know where they ended up, but early on they were pushing the envelope. "The Path Of Least Resistance" is knocking on synthpunk's door.

Personal favourite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIdlqWcGn_s

You talk about synthpunk, and you will keep coming back to The Screamers. There's no way around it. This clip is awesome, so ahead of it's time. I like your definition of synthpunk btw, spot on!

Before posting I searched the forum for "synthpunk" to see if the topic was covered already. One of the search hits was a plug by you for the band The Primitive Calculators. I think they definitely need a mention here too. This video for "I Can't Stop It" is fast becoming a favorite around here. Backyard synthpunk, heh.

[Phenol]

Will check up on some of those last suggestions. Here's a little song by Vice Versa. I guess it's not that far from The Normal in terms of sound. Maybe not aggressive like The Screamers, but there's definitely some punk aesthetic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PbNrsDUyho&ab_channel=electrozaps

[Andrew McIntosh]

One of the search hits was a plug by you for the band The Primitive Calculators. I think they definitely need a mention here too.

Did somebody say Primitive Calculators?

https://primitivecalculators.bandcamp.com/album/the-world-is-fucked