SCHLEIMER K - Third Rate Man (1982)

Neglected post-punk/new wave/electronic/experimental British band who produced a couple of terrific abums and a 12 inch EP between 1981 and 1983. Third Rate Man is from the 1982 12 inch Fugitive Kind, a gently crazy caper that should please admirers of Tuxedomoon, Family Fodder, Shriekback, Kissing the Pink, Hypothetical Prophets etc.

The nucleus was Michael Wolfen - vocals / Dominique Brethes - keyboards, electronics, guitar, plus Kevin Allison - bass / Billy Duncan - saxophone, percussion / Mark Benjamin - guitar, bass / Roxanne Powell - bass, backing vocals. Wolf's vocals run the gamut from Lydon to lounge and the electronic arrangements, though minimal, are always doing something interesting.

Had they been American they would no doubt have enjoyed an elevated reputation along the lines of Tuxedomoon, of whom they sometimes remind me, and recognition for effortless existential ambience.

The 1983 album Wounded Wood has recently been reissued on Infrastition - http://infrastition.com

Dominique Brethes runs Wolf studio in Brixton - http://www.wolfstudio.co.uk/

Further info: http://www.schleimer-k.co.uk/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Schleimer K
• new wave
• post-punk
• electronic
• experimental
• 1980s
• Dominique Brethes
• Michael Wolf