Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

What do you think are the definitive synths of the original post-punk movement? I'm still exploring the genre myself but it seems like a lot of those bands used an RS-09 or some other stringer like an omni. Also, the minikorg seems turn up here and there.

I love those synths and the post-punk movement! I know the Comsat Angels used a few Oberheim's (OB-Xa). One of the keyboardist for PiL had an Oberheim Matrix 12. I'm dying to know what Berry Sakharof of Minimal Compact used, but the only sites I can find with any info are in Hebrew...

I know Cabaret Voltaire used a Roland SH-09, and a Synthi AKS[early on].

Also, if I'm not mistaken, Throbbing Gristle used a Roland SH-02.

i know that minimal compact used crumar performer

cabaret voltaire used also fairlight but it was in mid 80"

killing joke used an obie as well...

In Sheffield's huge Post Punk scene (HL, Vice Versa/ABC) the Jupiter-4 and Korg MS series were important synths. So were the old Roland modulars (System 100 and 100M).

i also saw throbbing gristle photo with roland system 100. and i remember that cabaret voltaire used juno 60 on some concert in hacienda, cannot remember the year though.
i'm crazy about crispy ambulance's live synth [btw crispy ambulance were one of those joy division-esque factory bands]. in the booklet of their live cd, they mentioned they used "the cheepest arp synth"... but it's so wild and expressive!
does anybody know which synth was used on bauhaus's 'swing the heartache'? maybe wasp?

Belonging to the category of fans who prefer to place them in that particular category, I'd say check out the list of synths used by Joy Division. If you're interested in the Sheffield scene, I can recommend the DVD Made in Sheffield which was released just last year. Great interviews with all the essential people (Cabaret Voltaire, Human League ABC and ARTERY!).

gfriden wrote:Belonging to the category of fans who prefer to place them in that particular category, I'd say check out the list of synths used by Joy Division. If you're interested in the Sheffield scene, I can recommend the DVD Made in Sheffield which was released just last year. Great interviews with all the essential people (Cabaret Voltaire, Human League ABC and ARTERY!).

I have got that DVD.
Yes the interviews are really good and so is the old live footage.
Vice Versa ruled!

Magazine used an Odyssey

http://board01.ktdom.com/php/board.php? ... y=25&no=22

Analogue Crazy wrote: Vice Versa ruled!

Yeah, forgot about them... How in the world did they turn into ABC?! I am an Artery man myself. They reformed recently and are performing for the first time in 25 years. Great band! I planned to go to Sheffield to see them last month, but didn't have the time. Don't think they used too many synths, but that is definitely a Solina on 'Into the Garden'. Joy Division used the Solina a lot too. So there's at least two post-punk bands that I can think of that used that synth.

Cabs also used a DX7 at one point in the mid-'80's. Plus they were early users of the Emu drum machine for sampling.

IB knows how much I love them!

Wire had a great article/interview with them a while back. For now, though, this will have to suffice: http://www.thewire.co.uk/articles/212/

There were so many bands that popped up back then, made a single or an album, then disappeared. Quite the shame, but it made for great finds at the record store.

Woof! - Scott

Yes I do, and I still listen to the love you burned onto cd for me!

Hahahahahahaha - good deal, IB!

It really was a good time to be alive - Just wish I hadn't drank so f**k much so I could remember more. But thank f**k at least I'm alive. There are a few people I hung out with who were much worse off than me (more drugs than alcohol) and they didn't make it out of the '80's, or, if they did, they are just shells. My wife and I will be talking about some band or other and one of us will say, "We saw them" and the other will reply, "We did?" Yep ...

Just a warning to all you young whippersnappers!

But, back on topic, Cabs Are Fab!

Woof! - Scott

While we're on the subject of post-punk, I liked Dave Fielding's work with the Solina during this original stint with The Chameleons (called The Chameleons UK here in the States). It didn't always sound like a Solina, but per the official band website, that's what he used.

http://www.thechameleons.com/band/dave.php

"Strange Times" was hugely influential in how my last band sounded. I thought his playing was tasteful and incorporated lots of synth strings into my work as well.