romeo void - it's a condition

totally in the vein of unknown pleasures (esp. "i mean it" and the peter hooky bass lines) or seventeen seconds-era cure.

Yes, it is, isn't it?

A wonderful album that would be a lot more beloved had it been recorded by anyone except Americans.

I've championed this album and Wire Train's 'in a chamber' as American new wave monuments for quite some time now.

Long overdue a revival. I thought for sure that RV's "Bands Reunited" episode would spur something, but alas, not really.

Although It's a Condition did receive it's CD debut from the underrated Wounded Bird label: http://www.woundedbird.com/romeo/415.htm

So this band is pretty good, huh? I can't believe I waiting this long to dive in, given how awesome "Never Say Never" is. I should have just assumed there was more stuff in there worth my time.

holy shit how did i go so long without hearing Never Say Never? i guess i have that recent Pitchfork list of 80s tunes to thank for the heads up. can't believe it wasn't a much much bigger record.

It was a pretty big record, which is to say not a big hit (there was a lot of downright mistrust of anything "new wave" back then) . . . but a tune which existed on the lower margins of commercial success for a very very long time.

yeah it was very present in the early 80's, I distinctly remember seeing the band do it live on TV

xp ah i mean UK wise. didn't chart at all not even in the Top 75. actually according to Wiki and Discogs maybe it was never even released here. but i mean.. fuck.. a great tune.

I'm just here to say I love when a Romeo Void topic gets revived.

Ditto on the revival thrill. "Your Life is a Lie" is one of my favorite '80s songs.

This site is defunct, but the four tracks it lists from the 1993 reunion have me curious. I also hoped the "Bands Reunited" would spur more music, but respect them for not moving on without the integral sax player's sound. Boo, tinnitus.

Hmmm, that '93 stuff has the potential to be really good. . . or really bad.

Did some YouTubeing to look for it, but came up with this guy instead:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ztGJ8MUfk

Really into this live set. Vocals a bit too loud, but they're pretty ace and play most of It's a Condition.

NEVER. SAY NEVER.

that is an incredible show, wow. sync's a little off maybe?? but what a band.

I'm ashamed of myself for not always all the time remembering how great this band is, especially It's A Condition and Benefactor.

Okay, go ahead and include Instincts as well. More streamlined, but fantastic all the same.

I love it when this thread gets revived.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxcByNwQW70

_Instincts_ and now listening to _Benefactor_, remembering how much I love this band. Missed out on Debora Iyall releasing _Stay Strong_ and a later EP in 2010, but CD Baby has copies that I'm ordering today.

I'm just here to say I love when a Romeo Void topic gets revived.

― Austin, Tuesday, November 17, 2015 8:46 AM (two years ago)

https://www.popmatters.com/romeo-void-san-francisco-punk - nice summary of the band's history and output. One of those bands that changed my teenage view of what a band could look and sound like. Would be great if a cure for tinnitus was found for Benjamin Bossi, to stoke the slight chance of further music.

oh hell yes.

thank you for posting. terrific piece.

https://romeovoid.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-mabuhay-gardens-november-14-1980 - new live cd recorded prior to their debut. Jumped out while reading latest issue of The Big Takeover. Thanks, Jack Rabid!

"The first officially authorized concert album from the San Francisco 1980s new wave /post-punk band captured during the months when the band was recording its debut album, 'It's a Condition'. The 11-song set features most of those album tracks as well as the later B-side, "Guards," and two previously unreleased songs, "Fine Line" and "Double Shot." This crucial document provides a snapshot of the band that would soon win notoriety with the MTV hits "Never Say Never" and "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)." Drawing inspiration from the local underground music scene, the band's founding members were San Francisco Art Institute students Debora Iyall (lead vocalist, lyricist) and Frank Zincavage (bass guitar), alongside local musicians Peter Woods (guitar) and Jay Derrah (drums). They soon added saxophonist Benjamin Bossi. According to Iyall, the name Romeo Void referred to "a lack of romance."

Live from Mabuhay Gardens: November 14, 1980 was captured during the same period that Romeo Void was recording the critically acclaimed debut album for 415 Records, 'It's a Condition'. Jay Derrah was still drumming with the band at this live show but was replaced by John Stench by the time the sessions for 'It's a Condition'. The set features one of three Romeo Void live sets captured that year at the famed punk club by deejay Terry Hammer, who would typically broadcast portions of his recordings on the UC-Berkeley radio station KALX. Eight of the eleven songs would eventually appear on "It's a Condition". The opening track, "Guards," would surface in 1981 as the B-side of the band's national breakout single, "Never Say Never." "Fine Line Number" is an original that has never been released in any format. The album's closing number, "Double Shot of My Baby's Love," is a cover of the Swingin' Medallions' 1966 hit, which was the first 45 single which Debora Iyall owned."

this was also a vinyl release for record store day. it wasn't a big seller -- can get copies on discogs for less than the original asking price.