Rare live footage: Kraftwerk - Pocket Calculator 1981 live at Utrecht

The iconic stage presence of the forefathers of electronic music and the legendary machineries of Kling Klang Studios used to turn every live gig of Kraftwerk into a (retro?)futuristic theatrical play. In this rare footage Kraftwerk performs Pocket Calculator, from their 1981 album Computer World. Dive into the future as it used to be.

A emblemática presença de palco dos pioneiros da música eletrônica e o lendário maquinário do Kling Klang Studio sempre transformaram cada show do Kraftwerk em uma peça teatral (retro?)futurista. Nesta filmagem rara, o Kraftwerk executa a clássica Pocket Calculator, do álbum Computer World de 1981. Mergulhe no futuro, como ele costumava ser.

Years ahead of its time: Harry - Genebra (live @ Brazilian TV)

If there's something that can cost you really high is being far ahead of your time. Being a pioneering artist must be the hardest path to track, but it's hard to avoid it when real talent is involved. Brazilian industrial/synthpop/electro-rock band Harry is a canonical case of pioneering leading to oblivion. Their fusion of beats, experimentalism and guitars may sound common place to fans of nowadays hyped bands, but back in the '80s they were unique in the genre and despite becoming a cult among alternative listeners they never really succeeded in the mainstream. Sadly, they were too good for radio.

In this video , Harry announces their second full lenght release Vessel's Town (1990) and performs Genebra, from their 1988 album Fairy Tales at the tv show Boca Livre hosted by Kid Vinyl. Their full discography has been rereleased in a fancy luxurious box entitled Taxidermy by Fiber Records in 2005.

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Anos à frente de seu tempo: Harry - Genebra (ao vivo no programa Boca Livre)

Existe algo com um custo realmente alto na arte: estar à frente de seu tempo. O pioneirismo é um caminho duro e tortuoso, mas inevitável quando o talento o impele nessa direção. Um caso canônico de pioneirismo levando ao ostracismo é o da banda santista de industrial/synthpop/electro-rock Harry. Sua fusão de batidas, experimentalismo e eletrônica pode parecer lugar comum para os fãs de bandas sintonizadas com as tendências atuais, mas no fim dos anos 80 o Harry é praticamente único nesta vertente e embora tenha se tornado um cult entre fãs de música alternativa, nunca chegou a estourar comercialmente. Infelizmente eram bons demais para as rádios.

Neste vídeo o Harry anuncia seu segundo álbum - Vessel's Town (Stilleto, 1990) - e toca Genebra, do primeiro álbum - Fairy Tales (Wob Bop, 1988) - no programa Boca Livre, apresentado por Kid Vinyl. A discografia completa do Harry foi relançada no luxuoso box Taxidermy em 2005 pelo selo Fiber Records.

Lastrax - Love is a Shield

Lastrax is a synth/futurepop duo based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Patrick Mills (voice) and Tecnoman SF (electronics) are veterans of the South American synth scene and have been part of several major projects in the past (take a look at Samsära - Southamerican Streets and MHz - Amazing Mary Jane videos). With catchy melodies, strong vocals and a great presence at the stage they're the logical choice as opening acts for European synth bands touring Argentina and will hit the stage once again in september when Apoptygma Berzerk performs live at La Trastienda in Buenos Aires.

This video has been shot in 2008 at Tecnoman's home studio. Here they perform a cover version for the Camouflage hit Love is a Shield.

Mind.In.A.Box returns geekier than ever

Newest track from the austrian duo Mind.In.A.Box , "8 bits" is a catchy tune that pays tribute to a generation of geeks and retro-gamelovers referring to the classic game “The Great Giana Sisters”. The band has just released their new album called “R.E.T.R.O.”, which is a tribute to the C64 computer system. If there´s any doubt that synthpop is one of the legitimate soundtracks for cyberculture, here´s the proof.



8 Bits
every day I look the same,
and the sun is always shining.
I look out, and there is 3D.
I keep looking down and miss my shadow.

every day my hair is fine,
but one dot keeps changing colors.
I know my heritage is noble,
but still I feel like I'm a clone.

8 bits are enough for me,
this is not where I should be.
my life is more than information,
I want a life beyond emulation.

I look out and everything's too fast for me,
and I feel there must be more.
every day I dream of where I've come from,
now I know I'm just an emulation.

the next time I see the serial cable,
I jump on the train and leave this world.
now I'm an original, I'm like my ancestors.
and my hair is finally all yellow.

8 bits are enough for me,
this is not where I should be.
my life is more than information,
I want a life beyond emulation.