Comsat Angels - Independence Day (1983 video)

[eddietwang]

great song!..shame the bass player looks like hes just shit his pants.

[pilatso]

@eddietwang omg...i can't stop laughing..your right !!

[thegreengeckoxD]

Waiting for a Miracle is ridiculously expensive or not available on most sites. This is going to take some serious hunting down for this impoverished teenager D:

[garymacmillan]

The first three albums are sheer class.

[falkyfalkenstein]

such a perfect sound, such great memories...ah, my misspent youth.

[paterson44]

whats the singers name?

[fery2]

@paterson44 Stephen Fellows, he even recorded a solo album as Stephen Fellows in 1997.

[paterson44]

@fery2 ty

[oscartedmiles]

Can't seem to get this on iTunes. Great song

[Rep0007]

There are the original, breakthrough bands and then, there are also very good imitators, and in the 80s even the good imitators were way, way, way better than any of the crap-ass crapton captains of today's mainstream musical sewer.

[xreddragonx]

A Comsat Angels music video?? From VH1 classic? I tune into that channel regularly and never see this band. Very sweet, though!

[MrSKINFLICK]

I still own the 12-inch + though i tried to sell it on flea-market i´m glad nobody touched it.

[rataplan69]

@MrSKINFLICK Shame on you, don`t do that again!!

[seriousmachines]

I really used to love this song and this band....also the fall, magazine

[osheal]

wow amazing

[telecasterboy100]

check out the lucy show if you like this sound!

[telecasterboy100]

anyone liking the comsat sound should check out "the lucy show". Half canadian/half english band from the same era. Another great band that never got their due.

[DrHeckill]

28 years have passed???? And I still feel the same??!!

[mdereus]

Come on : waht a brilliant band they wer eback then, not just in this song. Scaringly close brings back the heartbeat of the 80's . . . Still impressive ! Marc, Amsterdam

[leisurelydinner]

so i take it he can't relax :(

[3third3eye3]

Classic!

[NANCAKE1]

STEPHEN FELLOWS IS AN ALL TIME GOD!

[ds23efi2cv6]

They're playing at Plug in their hometown of Sheffield this December. Do NOT miss it!!

[jack63kids]

@ds23efi2cv6

I've got tickets for my birthday, 11th Dec - can't wait! Never heard them live, though so much part of my adolescence. I wish my kids could come, they'd love it, but just short of 18.

Hope to goodness I'm not the oldest person there! With YouTube you get whole new generations of fans and who knows what'll happen.

When I was in my mid 20s I was the oldest person at a Einstürzende Neubauten (Collapsing New Buildings) gig and that was a hoot. Shan't mind if it's as good as that =;-)

[Soulinisolation1]

@jack63kids I'm 20 years old and going, so you won't be. They are amazing!

[jack63kids]

@Soulinisolation1 Oh LOL Honey - it's my *kids* who can't come as they aren't yet 18, but not far off!!! I'm more than twice your age ...

Can you hear me giggling like a school girl!! = ; - )

Jack x

[inputmodule]

the 1980 version is better, tougher, more punky. the remake fitted more into the synthpop thing. found the 7" in sleeve at oxfam on Marylebone 2 weeks ago for 99p. fuckin totally great song!!!

[rooster62379]

I have never heard of this band. However i think i have heard some of their music in  some movies from my childhood in the 80s. Anyone know what movies any of their tracks were in?

[ChristianCrossdress]

Help me get this straight: Could be a song about codependency and the wish to get out of it or a political statement about the US and the UK (same thing, a different level). Or is it something completely different from the times they actually recorded this song?

[MrSKINFLICK]

thank god i still have this 12-inch and i´m never gonna sell it !

[TheSodiumhaze]

What can you say... Amazing!!!

[deviusag]

Well, I never liked the post-punk alternative scene. As for It's better because it's "darker" - I prefer this version. Sonically, it does more for me than the other version which sounds like a rough demo & is too droll for my taste. To each his own... (expecting lots of thumbs down from the alternative aficionados) : ) ...

[dooragsdog]

@deviusag are you sure "droll" is the word you mean there? huh?

[deviusag]

@dooragsdog -  ..correction, I meant "drab"

[TheSodiumhaze]

How good is this! Ah the memories!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NotOrdinaryInGames]

Awesomeness!!!

[alwayslovethem]

mm.. who know about where can i download or see this film?

[homonovus6]

How many memories...

[mi2k2]

w stanie? a kto słyszał w wykonie Trojanowskiej z jej bandem z West Berlina?:)))

[papilion12]

ten kawałek słuchałem w stanie wojennym.....kurwa, to były czasy...

ZOMO pałowało ludzi a ja z kumplem słuchaliśmy dzien niepodległości...

zajebisty kawałek

[EmVisconti]

racja dobra piosenka ale w ogole jaki zespol !!! :D ja nie sluchalem w stanie wojennym bo mnie jeszcze nie bylo w planach ale teraz nadrabiam ... great upload

[gregschofield18]

flippin eck, hadn't heard this for about 20 years even tho I still have the record - a great song...

[spotonpr]

1,000 apologies. I thought you were referring to the Voice of the Beehive cover as the original. I'd not normally do that, but I've seen loads of people referring to Katrina and the Waves' Going Down to Liverpool as a cover version because they associate it with the Bangles' cover.

Anway. Sorry again. But delighted to have redisovered the Comsats...

[fery2]

You can listen to the original (only audio) in the 'Video Answer':)

[spotonpr]

Errrr. this was the original...

[chillende]

Fantastic!

[Brooklynite1]

You can see the Comsats live again in October in Glasgow, Manchester or London. Tickets available at Seetickets (dot) com

[PrincePurple]

"I can't relax because I haven't done a thing, and I can't do a thing 'cause I can't relax."

The single greatest line in music history. Shakespeare himself could only dream of a line that paradoxical and brilliant.

[morrisdracula]

@PrincePurple totally its a continuous circle of anxiety!

[ZzzINSIGHTzzZ]

I like it!!!!

[lowbatt65]

This is the first time I've ever a CA song. I'm impressed - it has dated surprisingly well for something from 1983.

[BradfordX2]

I like this version much better, it has more of that 80's sound.

[patronpattern]

I don't understand why Land is one of the 2 albums the Comsats "disowned" when Chasing Shadows came out in 86. I think Land is a great album! Shadows has a bit of that Robert Palmer cheese to it. Now 7 Day Weekend, THERE's a record to be embarassed about...

[nikjagger]

good memories this song , i had a lp where 4 bands one wa sthe comsats

best wishes frm peru .............kind of coolness of japan visage or ultravox

[bunnEgirl]

this is by far a better version than the one i have on cd.

[pyenapple]

I heard that if Kevin Bacon from the Comsats ever shook hands with Kevin Bacon the actor, the world would end.

[Brooklynite1]

Comsat Kevin is on Twitter now and uses the name Eadead. Yesterday he twittered that the Comsats are rehearsing this weekend for the reunion, now only three weeks away!

[bushart71]

love this tune, have a look at my vids

[fery2]

I have just uploaded the 1980 version, you can see it as the 'video answer' to this video. The 1983 is faster and a bit shorter, the 1980 version has louder drums and is more 'menacing' and 'edgy' but I love both.

[Brooklynite1]

There also is a version of Independence Day from Time Considered, the collection of BBC session recordings. My favorite version though might be the one that happens live next month in Sheffield! :-)

[fery2]

I think there is two versions, the original from 1980 included in the lp Waiting for a Miracle, and this one included in Land (1983). The 1980 version is rougher and this version is more polished, but I Iove both versions. I can upload the audio for the 1980 version.

[mobyboy]

I miss the new wave Era

[albion7000]

Often compared, for some bizarre reason, but Joy Division are infinately better.

[aesthector]

different audio/content texture manipulation for sure, perhaps production similarities?

[Boudosaved]

Those bands are compared b/c someone thinks they both fall in the genre of post-punk. They are actually quite different. They both are quite unique and timeless. The Chameleons are also on par with these bands.

[kinksbeatlesstones]

Comsats, Chameleons, catherine Wheel, Church; great "C" bands!

[Boudosaved]

Cocteau Twins, Cure, Clash

[kinksbeatlesstones]

That's a matter of taste but there can be no denying that the Comsats were far superior musicians and I love both bands. They ploughed very different fields and remember that without ian Curtis they were not that good

[0114owl1867]

bet theres people txtin on here frm all over the world, i'm frm sheffield an like to think i'm pretty clued up, but ive never heard of these or this song ha ha just goes to show you doesn't it ? no wonder joy division were as popular as thet were cos after listenin to these and artery both of them would have ripped joy division to pieces if they were given the same exposure 100%

[Brooklynite1]

I hope you've bought your ticket to the Comsat Angels reunion gig on April 26th. I'm coming all the way from New York!

[0114owl1867]

ok then ta

[ianpender]

Although I do think that Comsat have become more renowned posthumously in the last 6 or 7 years

[fery2]

I see your point:-), actually Chameleons, The Sound, Comsat,... have probably sold more records (or at least have had most exposure) this decade than in the 80s. It´s true that Trisomie 21 should be more popular, btw.

[felixcock]

il try come down from glasgow

[skyblablawalker]

Great band. Somehow overlooked.

[ianpender]

Are they really overlooked? They're fairly well known. I would say bands like Trissomie 21 and Asylum Party and OMD are more overlooked

[fery2]

Well, this was their biggest hit ever, and charted at 71# in the UK charts, OMD had several top 10 worldwide hits, Architecture and Morality was a 5 million seller, and Enola Gay, Maid of Orleans, Souvenir, (Forever) Live and Die still are played in every 'golden oldies' radio station. Comsat Angels don´t exist for mainstream radio/tv (at least in Spain).

[ianpender]

True OMD was a mistake to include in that list. All those aformentioned artists are genious and many thanks for posting bro. Ultra Kudos to you!!

[JoeandPencil]

And BTW Brooklynite, love to be at that gig ..

[JoeandPencil]

I love this! I had this album years ago and have never seen a film clip or had any idea that they made one. Thought they were too left of field to have any record company backing. Looks like they did once and thankyou so much for posting this! I have never even seen these guys! I hope you get where I'm coming from ... I'm stoked as we say here ...

[Brooklynite1]

The Comsat Angels have announced a reunion gig in Sheffield, England on April 26th. It will be at the O2 Academy as part of the Sensoria Festival. They will be performing songs from the first three albums only.

[darrenhayesbestthing]

Love this song, loved the Comsat Angels, loved their name. Thanks for the memories :o)

[elviradark6]

nice ;)

[80skiwi]

This is the only song I know by this group.

[bootieslaya]

This is a great song, but they have more and better. Chasing Shadows is a good record, specifically for 'Under the Influence', which is my personal fave.

[bernardsumnerfan]

Listen to the entire album Sleep No More, it is a true gem, just listen to everything you can by the group really, their sound is diverse with lots of great songs

[felixcock]

goat of the west

[boldstandard]

This song sort of anticipates "Head On" by Jesus and Mary Chain, doesn't it?

[sirdoug3]

boldstandard, re: this song anticipating "Head On" by Jesus and Mary Chain, would not be surprised.. Brilliant song by Comsat Angels. I somehow didn't know this band till recently (someone on u-tube turned me on to them, very grateful..)- D.

[Felipunk80s]

buena cancion gran banda de new wave !!!!!

es una de las mejores

[Pastoriul]

"Can't relax because I haven't done a thing, and I can't do a thing because I can't relax": brilliant lyrics!

[drake128]

i love this version, the chorus sounds so much bigger

[Brooklynite1]

Comsat Angels frontman Steve Fellows has posted solo music on his MySpace page! YouTube does not allow URLs here, so to listen to it type 3ws (dot) myspace (dot) com (slash) stephenfellows

[MAXGARY]

saw this band support u2 in brighton at the start of the 80s,loved them.

[chiara54]

Real Band, Real Words....

[Ordsall66]

Great great tune.

[Koureas]

A really great band, full of pathos and melody. Loved them, must fish out their LP from back in the 80s.

[pierrebugblatter]

I saw them support toyah and huang chung of all people

[broadly122]

check spasms out on my channel-worth a listen.

[broadly122]

BRILLIANT-THANKS FOR POSTING.I used to be in a band from chesterfield called spasms-we loved the Comsats they should have been much bigger than they were - thanks again.xx

[skinnybonetree]

Their second album Sleep no more is one of my favourite records of all times

[mgk1064]

I was painting my house today and was playing some old home made cassettes and listed to this track today. These guys were great and I still have this ep on vinyl. Good times...

[Brooklynite1]

There is a website that has a Comsat Angels live concert, six songs from the album Land including Independence Day (audio only). YouTube doesn't allow URLs here, so type 3ws, wolfgangsvault (dot) com

[Blackmilk81]

Love this band, and that album was stunning.

Timeless.

[racine09]

too hip for their time

[PsychoPunk1965]

The Comsat Angels were a representation of what rocked from the 1980s, but failed to make it into the mainstream for whatever reason...

[plecman]

I searched for this thinking I wasn`t going to find anything by these...cant` believe it..truly awsome..not many people have heard of of the Comsat`s, but play ANYONE this track and they want to know who it is!! amazing how they never had lots of big hits, even now "Land" still sounds fresh...LOVE `EM.

[townesforever]

Haven't seen this in 25 years. Thanks!

[Brooklynite1]

Will You Stay Tonight, another video from the Land album, has just been posted to YouTube. Do a search using Comsat Angels to find it.

[fery2]

Thanks! I have just watched the video, a pleasant surprise to see here a video from the 'Land' album, we need more Comsat Angels videos in youtube:)

[pivic]

Thanks for referring to this video, Rick & Karl.

[flackerrol]

One of my favorite drummers ever! (B4 they had a Japanese drummer!)

[comsat63]

The Comsat Angels never had a Japanese drummer... ever.

[flackerrol]

No, the Japanese Drummer was the drum machines or roto-tom sound in the eighties!

[felixcock]

you got me there too.

[Brooklynite1]

I found a website which has a video of the Comsats playing After The Rain and What Else? Also some great photos of them performing in 1985. They don't let you post URLs on YouTube comments. But type 3Ws (dot) okkibox (dot) nl

[fery2]

Thanks Brooklynite! I found that website and it was priceless to be able to watch that videos, it is odd how difficult is to find Comsat Angels videos.

[Brooklynite1]

I think it was for a TV show in the Netherlands and they're lip syncing because it's obviously the recordings from the album. You can really see Steve's expressive style of singing, more than any of the videos I've ever seen. And the personality of the band with Andy playing with one hand in his pocket!

[ohwamooi]

YOUTUBE is GREAT !!!!

[kiwijohn01]

Still have all my vinyl records of the Angels. They had their own sound and feel - long live the Comsat Angels!

[spacejockeycyrano]

I bought this at shop prices as part of a double 7" single in the early 80's. I can't remember the other tracks. ds23efi2cv6 ought to do the decent thing and get their hands in their pockets. The Comsat's might still be with us today if more people had.

[ds23efi2cv6]

Spacejockey, what are you on about? I bought the LP Waiting For A Miracle in the early 80's when it came out! And I bought Sleep No More & Fiction when they came out, and I went to see them live at that time too, several times, and I bought all the above releases from Renascent when they released them. How much more support am I supposed to give?????

[ds23efi2cv6]

Hello Brooklyn

Do you know if "Pray For Rain" is available on a compilation because I can only find on the album Chasing Shadows which is too expensive to buy.

[ds23efi2cv6]

The Comsats have been described as the greatest unknown band ever. I loved the LP this came off "Waiting Fot A Miracle". This is a demo version, the LP version was monsterous wonderful. They summed up life in Thatchers 80's Britain with their industrial sound and lyrics in a way that touched a chord with many. The guitarist Steve Fellows is now the manager of Gomez

[Brooklynite1]

Steve Fellows no longer manages Gomez. He has recently been involved with a band called the Little Glitches. He is also working on solo music soon to be posted on his MySpace page.

[ds23efi2cv6]

Thanks for that Brooklyn. Do you have his myspace address?

Thanks

Chris

[Brooklynite1]

Every time I try to type it in it won't get posted here. Go to the search for music artists on MySpace and look up Stephen Fellows.

[pyenapple]

This isn't the demo version, this is the rerecorded version from 1983, when it was released as a single off their then-current album. I agree, the "Waiting For A Miracle" version is far superior.

[MemMan47]

Wow , i have this on a cassette.........Anybody know where it can be had on CD...........? Great stuff

[fery2]

I have it on vinyl, the album 'Land' from 1983, it was reissued and digitally remastered on CD with 4 bonus tracks in 2001 by Connoisseur Collection, I hope it won´t be out of print.

[ds23efi2cv6]

Hi Mam. All their early albums were released on a record label called Renaisence I think only a few years ago. Try GEMM or GEM Records on the net.

[Brooklynite1]

Renascent released Waiting For A Miracle, Sleep No More, Fiction, Time Considered, My Minds Eye, The Glamour and a compilation of rarities called To Before. Land isn't in their collection and most likely won't be reissued again.

[pyenapple]

Order "Waiting For a Miracle" off the Renascent dot co dot uk website. Utter utter utter genius. The original, tougher version of this song is on that album. There's also a demo version in the bonus tracks. Your ears will be very happy, trust me.

[ds23efi2cv6]

Hello Pyneapple. I bought the cd Waiting For A Miracle a year or so ago on Renascent after having the LP in 1982! It was well worth the wait, and you're right, Independence Day on the cd is far better than the demo version. What a band!

[esvcg]

I personally think this version is a little better than the original "Waiting For a Miracle" version - dunno just seams to flow better. 1.06 is quality!

[Klb123Klb]

Nice band , nice video !!!!

Why go where the members of Comsat´s?

[simondeldesierto]

waiting a miracle is first album!!! i just to say ...great band in 1980 and great album.

[pyenapple]

This 1983 version, though still admittedly pretty good, is rather gutless when directly compared to the original "Waiting For a Miracle" version.

[simondeldesierto]

you are right!!!!!

[ivangrozny27]

Nice video. I like their political statements as well. Pity they seemed to fade away whilst Joy Division continued to prosper. I've heard people claim Comsat were a better group than Joy but you cant argue with the record sales I suppose.

[pyenapple]

Comsats were directly influenced by Pere Ubu and JD. Prior to completely changing their sound (before the first EP) they were doing really proggy, complicated stuff. They stripped it waaaaay down and got into serious intensity and found what they needed. Anyway, Comsats fully came into their own well after Ian Curtis' suicide, so I'm not sure why you're comparing the success of the two groups...?

[SpliffPete]

fine job mate

[rickyseabra]

Thank you! I grew up in Brazil listening to them. So sad, terribly underrated... revolutionary!!!

[vicoland]

AWESOME BAND!...They are one of my all time favorite bands. Their album "Sleep no more" from 1981 is a masterpiece.

They were a lost and underrated band from the after punk era, alongside THE SOUND, THE OPPOSITION, THE NAMES, THE WILD SWANS and SAD LOVERS AND GIANTS.

[vicoland]

WOOOOOOOW!

Fantastica, magnifica banda del after punk britanico. Desafortunadamente una banda perdida y poco valorada de esa epoca, pero asombrosos de verdad. Su album de 1981 "Sleep no more" es una joya del genero y mereceria ser considerada una obra maestra.

Entre algunas otras bandas igualmente perdidas pero geniales de aquella epoca estan: THE SOUND, THE WILD SWANS, SAD LOVERS AND GIANTS, THE NAMES, THE OPPOSITION.

GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR ESTE VIDEO!

[tallforadwarf]

Artery have re-formed, another Sheffield band from 1979. They have a Myspace page and a couple of video's on Utube. Similar sound to the Comsats/Joy Division.

[Brooklynite1]

For anyone interested, Stephen Fellows now has a MySpace page. He promises to post solo work there someday soon.

[tallforadwarf]

I prefer the 1980 version. A less polished and a darker sound than this. BUT a MAJOR thanks for putting it back up!!!!!

[fery2]

I don´t know if there is a video for the 1980 version, unfortunately is very difficult to find Comsat Angels videos:(

[Brooklynite1]

The VH1 website has this video as well as the one for Will You Stay Tonight.

[junkyard280z]

Thanks for putting this video up!