Satin Doll - Go Around & Around 7"

Satin Doll were another one of those obscure bands from the '80s that probably only self-released a small pressing of a two-song 7". I know next to nothing about the band or the members involved. Information on the internet has not been very forthcoming. The record appears to be self-released due to the label name (Satin Doll Syndicate, or S.D.S. Records).

The music here is very guitar-driven new wave from Japan, reminding me in spots of a somewhat heavier Sad Lovers & Giants despite the rather weak vocals (perhaps a female singer would have been better, especially given the band's name?). If anyone can provide any background information about the band or the label, then it would be very much appreciated. Something tells me the hits in Google for the guitarist's and drummer's names are not the actual bandmembers.

Satin Doll were:
Vox & Guitar: Tetsu Ohya
Guitar: Masato Kikuchi
Bass, YAMAHA DX-7: Yasuyuki Nakagima
Drums: Hiroyuki Shimizu

Go Around & Around 7" (No-sds-001, 1985)

1. Merry-Go-Round
2. La Chanson Des Vieux Amants



Go Around & Around 7"

Bardo Thödol - Feeble Voice EP

Bardo Thödol were an interesting new wave trio from Japan. They appeared on the legendary Japanese noise/new wave label Trans Records, run by the industrious and tragically deceased Kitamura Masashi of YBO2 fame (as well as publisher of Japanese rock mag Fool's Mate). Bardo Thödol released a 7" EP and a 12" EP during the late 80s, and they also made several appearances on Trans compilations. Their sound is somewhat minimalist, and there are even slight hints of Medusa-era Clan Of Xymox flavor in the A-side of the Feeble Voice EP. A moody synth classic. Vocalist Yuki would later move on to her own solo project in the early 90s called False Love, though I haven't heard any of that music yet.

Bardo Thödol were:
Vox & Keys: Yuki
Bass & Keys: Yaso
Guitar: Shogo

Feeble Voice EP (TRANS-27, 1988)

1. Promise
2. Silver Stug
3. Feeble Voice



Feeble Voice EP

I will upload the 12" EP at a future time.

Still - Real Time 7"

Here is a change of pace from the typical goth/punk stuff (already!). This is the Real Time 7" single by a little-known female-fronted band called Still. The music has a sort of pop flavor to it, but there are also strong undertones of minimalist synths, and the overall mood is rather dark. Two drummers are credited on this single, one for each song. The first, Teiyu Nakamura, was also involved with famous Japanese no wave band Jagatara and punk legends the Stalin. Nagatomo, the drummer for the B-side, I know nothing about. Ditto for the guitarist Sasaki. The core members of Still were keyboardist Mikako Yoneda and vocalist/bassist Toshie Santo. This single was released on Strawberry Records (no relation to either the UK or German labels of the same name) some time during the '80s (no date is given, but I presume this was their first release). Still also released a 12" EP, a flexi, and made an appearance on a compilation in 1987. The band was formed in 1982, and while I am not certain about the timeline afterwards, it seems a full time guitarist and bassist were added to the lineup later while Mikako would depart. OR, the alternative would be that Mikako joined later when the guitarist and bassist were leaving. I'm not sure of the order of events. I apologize for the crackles and pops, dear reader. My copy of this record seems stained and ratty (but the music is worth it).

Real Time 7" (P-2006, 198?)

1. Real Time
2. Sa-Ma-Yo-I

Real Time 7"

I shall post the rest of Still's output in the near future. I promise that my copy of Still's Pale Face EP is much cleaner!