Thomas Leer was born in Port Glasgow, Scotland. He played in several local experimental pop groups in the early to mid-1970s, then moved to London when the punk rock scene was at its height. He formed the punk band Pressure, but by 1978 had moved on from punk to music influenced by synthpop & Krautrock bands such as Can. That year, he self-financed his debut single, "Private Plane". Although it was recorded in his own flat & was only issued in 650 copies on his own label, it gained significant attention, with NME naming it "Single of the Week". In 1979, he released the album The Bridge in collaboration with Robert Rental.
Rental was also from Port Glasgow. He moved to the south of England & became flatmate with Thomas Leer in the late 1970s. He became involved with the local music scene, however he released very little of his own solo music, preferring to collaborate with Thomas Leer, as well as with Daniel Miller (as The Normal).
Recording information for The Bridge:
"This album was recorded at home on 8 track equipment, provided for us by Industrial Records. It was produced in two weeks dating 18th June to 2nd July. All blips clicks & unseemly noises were generated by refrigerators & other domestic appliances & are intrinsic to the music. Special thanks to Throbbing Gristle for their help & encouragement throughout."
decryption code in comments
Attack Decay
Monochrome Day's
Day Breaks, Night Heals
Connotations
Fade Away
Side B -
Interferon
Six A.M.
The Hard Way In & the Easy Way Out
Perpetual
Look what the spice dragged in,
NØ
The Bridge
ReplyDeleteAqWjRV8C0npMBaqXimAYibB0QdhLl6TDaworKjVVhkE
Very nice one - thanks a lot, Nate!
ReplyDeleteI knew this album existed, but I don't know why I never listened to it. I can do that now, thanks to you!
Glad to be able to offer up this great share. Thanks goes out to Frenz Diego. He mentioned this release on the Industrial Records compilation last month.
DeleteThanks for the comment, brother. Your request for Climax Golden Twins in a few days.
Thanks I like that kind of stuff w the real noises...this one when it came out sounded just like my office fax machine or at least the song would come to mind when I used the fax--during the chorus ramp up crazy I know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgl73XQbZhw
ReplyDeleteNice one mate. And thanks for the very kind comment over on the Peter Laughner page too. Here's another that promises to be a treat.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice! Coincidentally, I just bought a used CD of the Thomas Leer compilation "Contradictions" and was listening to it in my private plane. Or maybe just existing ON a "private plane" of sound for a little while, before returning to this mundane life... No longer a mental Robert Rental, just your average Bob Homeowner out in the 'burbs.
ReplyDeleteAnyway there's lots more on Thomas Leer's bandcamp page: https://futurehistoric.bandcamp.com/
Flying through the 'burbs, rockin' the Bridge. What a life. Nothing to Leer at.
DeleteThanks for this, despite having loved The Normal for decades this album passed me by. On the same wavelength (or is it just the rhythm box?) as The Future / (early) The Human League.
ReplyDeleteAfter passing by for decades, now you can cross that Bridge. Thanks, djh62uk.
DeleteGroupies are lining up outside my home since you put my name in the spotlight.
ReplyDeleteMy old lady keeps a loaded gun by the door at all times.
As the hype recedes I'll give it another listen in the next few hours.
Cheers Dear N
Diego
You drop by this dump & leave hints about things, I'm not liable for any unexpected fall-out. My old lady keeps a loaded gun by the door at all times, too, but not for groupies. She's usually on curmudgeon duty. It seems like 9 out of 10 visitors the nonsense I share attracts are old codgers.
DeleteThanks, brother.