I am an experience designer and strategist 
fostering dialogue between technology and people.

Robot Rock du Jour: Tik & Tok - The Tube (1982)

This is probably the last robot dance outfit I'm going to post for a while. UK's Tik & Tok were pretty far out there, looking more like Fischerspooner predecessors than robots. Luckily for them, their darker, more minimal synth tracks were way, WAY better than their robotic dance routines. The only place I've ever seen The Tube is on a 2004 Rephlex pressing that has all of Tik & Tok's better (i.e. more minimal) tracks and sells for under $10!

Crisis (1982)

Soulless Synthetic Heart-Steps Of Unconcerned Androids (1983)

Summer In The City - Front

Summer In The City - Front

Summer In The City - Back

Summer In The City - Back

Cool Runnings - Front

Cool Runnings - Front

Cool Runnings - Back

Cool Runnings - Back

End of line...

Robot Rock Du Jour: 'Lectric Workers - Robot is Systematic (1982)

I assure you, my friend, that this robot is indeed systematic.

Nearly 30 human years ago, this track was putting hairy-chested robots into full-frame meltdown on space disco floors all over Planet Italy. 'Lectric Workers members Franco Rago and Gigi Farina were also responsible for Decadance's considerably darker, yet ultimately synthulescent On and On (Fears Keep On).

SCHEMATIC: Instrumental version, album cover art and record label scans...

Keyser Söze Alert : Oviformia Sci - Fashion Magazines (1982?)

Oh, hell yes. This is some super-fine minimal jamón synth in the Aviador Dro vein, complete with original, highly conceptual music videos. As far as I can tell, this stuff wasn't pressed on vinyl. If anyone has a beat on this wax, I'm buying. Peep the Korg MS-20 BTW.

SCHEMATIC: Another outrageously cool video from Oviformia Sci and links to more music...

Oviformia Sci - Hablamamos de Nosotros (1982?)

You can check out the killer Teletipio on Vimeo, more of their tracks on MySpace and even download the Maquetas EP on differentillusion.

Robot Rock du Jour: Malaria! - Your Turn To Run (1982)

Hot chicks singing over synth punk???! Sexually charged lyrics, punk angst and synthy goodness earn Malaria! (and others like Honey Bane, The Slits and Pylon) a cherished place in my cybernetic heart.  It all happened during a very brief period of time when hot, punk-rocking chicks teamed up with dub producers and took the disco by storm.

SCHEMATIC: A veritable cornucopia of punk disco...

Honey Bane - Guilty (Dub) (1980)

Honey Bane - Guilty (Vocal) (1980)

Pylon - Cool (1979)

The Slits - I Heard It Through The Grapevine/Bassline (1979)