RPM - ABC - Where’s Karen?

Now that leftovers are cleared away, let's get down to the ABC's of July. 

 

I shared Drowning Pool here some time back. Their debut self-titled album & some tracks from Satori were produced by one R. P. McMurphy. 

That happened to be the alias of one Chris Maneke who played an even bigger role in the band Abecedarians. They were a Los Angeles based trio active in the mid to late 80s featuring: Chris Manecke - guitar, vocals, keyboards; John Blake - bass: & Kevin Dolan - drums. 

They played  reverb heavy, synth driven post-punk.

 

They have the distinction of being the only American band to have recorded under the legendary Factory Records label, the company that produced records for such artists as Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, & Orchestral Maneuverers in the Dark. 

 

Abecedarians - Smiling Monarchs 12", Factory FAC ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN, 1985.
all decryption codes in comments

Side A -
Smiling Monarchs

Side B -
Benway’s Carnival

 

 

 

 

The bands first full-length was released a year later on Southwest Audio Reproductions. This is the original release which includes the song "Beneath the City of the Hedonistic Bohemians" which was replaced on the 1987 Caroline reissue with "The Other Side of the Fence". 

 

Abecedarians - Eureka, Southwest Audio Reproductions 7PV50772, 1986.

Side 1 -
Ghosts
Soil
Beneath the City of the Hedonistic Bohemians

Side 2 -
I Glide
Mice & Coconut Tree
The Misery of Cities

 

 

 

 

Their sound here captures perfectly what was happening in the Los Angeles & Orange County underground art rock scene that included bands like Savage Republic, Drowning Pool, Psi-Com, Homeland, & Red Temple Spirits. The song "The Other Side of the Fence" from the Caroline reissue spawned a 2x10" vinyl release.

 

Abecedarians - The Other Side of the Fence 2x10", Independent Project Records IP 031.032, 1990.

Sida A -
Beneath The City Of The Hedonistic Bohemians
Ghosts
John's Pop

Side B -
Come Out
Classic
Spaghetti Western

Side C -
Switch
Where's Karen
Soil

Side D -
The Other Side of the Fence
Wildflower
They Said Tomorrow

 

 

A further unofficial release of Other Side of the Fence 2 gathered together vinyl only tracks from various sources plus seven tracks credited to Live in LA 6-17-88. That show was a gig at Harry C's 

 

Abecederians - Live at Harry C's, 1988.

Where Whitie ain't Allowed
Press Escape
Dinner
Lift Off
Spaghetti Western
I Glide
Soil
Mice & Coconut Tree
Suffrin' Tarnation
Laugh at Yoursel
Untitled
Dinner (soundcheck)

Enjoy,
NØ