SOLVED unknown postpunk /dark wave, most probably from a soundtrack - I Need To Know Discussion

[–] BourbonKing (5612) 7 years ago

Interesting but are you asking about the name of the band or the movie? I can't say either one sounds familiar.

I think Youtube might be a better place to inquire

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

Name of the band or movie, either name will suffice.

The problem with youtube is that you must have a lot of (let's say at least several hundreds) subscribers in order to make it a better place for such an inquiry.

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[–] BourbonKing (5612) 7 years ago

Have you tried any of the websites mentioned in this article?

https://www.lifewire.com/free-online-services-that-name-unknown-songs-2438404

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

Thanks for your reply. Yes all except for lyrster, which I just used (lyrics-based search) and it didn’t bring it out.

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[–] keybored (2654) 7 years ago

If it came from a movie it might have been written especially for it rather than being a song from an existing band.

It would help to know what the film was in that case.

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

The dialogue at the start makes me believe it's from a movie or tv series. Songs written especially for movies by existing bands is not uncommon. Also, I don't rule out the possibility of a concept album. In any case the dialogue is a telltale element. I searched on imdb for US movies/episodes with characters named Thomas, sadly to no avail.

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[–] Manowar2010 (77) 7 years ago

I don't know what the song or artist is, but some or maybe all of the dialogue is from a radio broadcast.

Using some google-fu, the dialogue in the middle "I'll just take a slow walk down Main Street and see what happens..." is from a radio broadcast of the 1939 version of Stagecoach in which John Wayne and Claire Trevor reprised their roles. It appears that the line from the track you posted was not in the film version but was added for the radio broadcast, probably to be more conducive to a listening audience (no visuals). I'm assuming that most of the remaining audio from this broadcast was taken straight from the film soundtrack, however. Here's a link to the mp3 of the broadcast, the line in question occurs about 23:25: https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/drama/the-screen-directors-playhouse/stagecoach-1949-01-09

The dialogue at the beginning sounds like it could be from a radio show too, perhaps some type of detective/cop show like Dragnet, although it could fit a Western like Stagecoach too. My guess is the audio in this potentially postpunk/dark wave song was sampled for the song rather than the song being featured in a movie, especially since it appears they come from different sources.

Is there any possibility the samples were 'randomly' added by some amateur fan of either the group or the respective radio/films?

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

Shrewd comment Manowar2010!
The two lines "where are you going?" and "I'll just take a slow walk down Main Street and see what happens..." are indeed from that play you mentioned!
Here's the whole broadcast:
https://www.genericradio.com/show.php?id=MTExMzc3NDAwMQ9
Sadly no Thomas, no reference to a diplomat or priest/beast, I fail to correlate this stagecoach with the song's lyrics, but as you remarked this radio play's sample may have been added in order for the song's radio broadcast to be conducive to a listening audience.

"it appears they come from different sources"
The initial dialogue may come from an 80s radio show for which the song in question was written. Also, before the identified sample at 0:23, you can briefly hear another one from a different source, a male voice almost drowned out saying something like "some things… just heaven ?? on Earth"

"Is there any possibility the samples were 'randomly' added by some amateur fan of either the group or the respective radio/films?"
I cannot rule out that scenario or that of group members being responsible for the addition of those samples, in an attempt to make their song more colorful. After searching on discogs for postpunk rock /darkwave songs including in their title a word such as shadow, night, priest, beast, diplomat, etc. to no avail and reading your post, I guess the song was written specifically for a radio episode, and these samples hint at the broadcasters' source of inspiration.
In any case I'll contact the genericradio site and the song's original uploader and ID seeker, who may provide additional information.

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[–] Manowar2010 (77) 7 years ago

"some things… just heaven ?? on Earth"

That's from Stagecoach as well, but that line IS in the film version. I don't think it was in the radio version, which as I mentioned, was adapted from the film version, with some lines added in. So the song has some samples from the radio show that weren't in the film, and some samples from the film that weren't in the radio show! Anyways, the quote is "well, there are some things a man just can't run away from". That is actually probably the most famous of the quotes in the song, but it's one of the hardest to hear.

I am also perplexed by the lack of connection between the lyrics and the quotes from Stagecoach, a Western. The only connection I see is the line about a tombstone but that is probably just random. The samples at the beginning are more consistent with the song's lyrics - talking about shadows, etc. The sample at the beginning sounds like it could also be from some type of old film horror or radio horror program with someone like Christopher Lee. One of the voices sounds like Christopher Lee but I can't find any connection to the lines (it sounds more like Frank Langella actually).

Horror actor John Carradine was in the film Stagecoach, but that's a very loose connection and none of the samples appear to sound like him.

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

I like your helpful comments manowar2010. Two clips you identified, levels 1 and 2 completed, sounds like a video game progression. Level 3 and hopefully the boss.

First of all, genericradio don’t know and the original uploader remains a mystery: I first heard it on a music forum, as posted by someone who first heard it on another forum, where it was reposted by someone else who… and it goes on, the file is circulating on the net.

Anyways, let's cut to the chase. What do you have to say about:
1)
https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Story-Of-The-Shadow/release/10814242
Mid 80s, radioplay, about a shadowy stealthy hero whose radio version has the power to cloud men's minds, so they could not see him, an invisible avenger (1958 movie title), who kills a priest http://thelivingshadow.wikia.com/wiki/Terror_Island_(Radio_Show) (not same story, just an example).
It fits very well, not perfectly because the genre indicated on discogs is Non-Music and no mention of any band... WTH?? But the 4-hour release could have this song or others too in-between…

2) And the fact that the SAME LABEL released
https://www.discogs.com/John-Wayne-Randolph-Scott-Stagecoach/release/7987844
mammoth coincidence?? No! Using audio from Stagecoach radio and movie in the 80s wasn’t easy task (audio not readily available to all) and it raises copyright issues, unless…the band behind the song in question contracted with the label that holds the copyright to Stagecoach.
I contacted someone who has the 1985 vinyl, let's pray it contains this song!

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[–] BourbonKing (5612) 7 years ago

Hey,

I just wanted to pop back in and mention that the music sounds a lot like Pere Ubu's style of music, as well as Hunters & Collectors:

PU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hYqvtHzr48

H&C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyiYBajrefY

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

I perceive some similarities, especially with Pere Ubu and listened some other 80s stuff by him, vocals are just different.

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[–] Manowar2010 (77) 7 years ago

Mid 80s, radioplay, about a shadowy stealthy hero whose radio version has the power to cloud men's minds, so they could not see him, an invisible avenger (1958 movie title), who kills a priest http://thelivingshadow.wikia.com/wiki/Terror_Island_(Radio_Show)

Yeah, I should have mentioned 'The Shadow'. That was also a very famous show back in the day, perhaps THE most famous radio show. I didn't mention it is because the Shadow was actually the protagonist and not a villain. I knew he was a crime fighter, but I didn't know he had anything that could be considered super powers (the Shadow was also a famous pulp/comic). Since the song seemed more along a horror, I didn't mentioned it, but obviously there could be a connection. For some reason I thought the Shadow was just a regular guy like 'The Saint', another crime/detective radio show from the same era.

As for the album, I doubt it has any sort of music similar to that track in it, but it's possible. From this description, it looks like it's mainly interviews with the original voice actors and writers with a few complete episodes at the end:
http://radiolacompany.com/product/the-story-of-shadow-the-white-legion/

As for the Shadow episode 'Terror Island', I doubt any of the samples come from that episode, since that episode is supposedly lost.

Assuming the track with the samples is from a professionally produced recording, I think you are on the right track to pursue any connections with the label owning the rights to the radio version of 'Stagecoach'. I'm not 100% certain that the line 'there are some things a man can't run away from' is NOT also on the radio version, but a quick search didn't show it in the transcript I saw online. I didn't bother to listen to the whole show to verify it. I did though, watch the film version and viewed the scene where right before the line "going to take a slow walk down main street' would be and it's definitely not in the film.

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

"That was also a very famous show back in the day, " I doubt it has any sort of music similar to that track in it" " it looks like it's mainly interviews with the original voice actors and writers with a few complete episodes at the end"

You are right and correct, it's not on the vinyl in question. The documentary is available here:
https://archive.org/details/1985TheStoryOfTHESHADOWRadioDocumentary_201708
205 The Story Of The Shadow - 02:05:57
NO NEED to listen through it. I checked it twice and no traces of rock, no trace of a 4-minute song.

"mammoth coincidence? no!"
I'm left speechless, tired and frustrated. This gets way too bonkers. You may think it may be on another release: which one? The label Radiola released two more vinyls of old adventures, while radio spirits more recently has marketed cassettes and cds of old stuff, but one or two have some form of documentary. Also and very importantly, it seems there haven't been any episodes since 1954! No 80s episodes that could have included this unidentified song.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Shadow_episodes

In the context of my new attempts and searches, I've watched The Shadow Knows - 2012 documentary, found at least 10 related songs (Forbidden Dimension - The Shadow Knows this one, why not??), and sent yesterday email to a Shadow authority and huge fan. If necessary I may contact Radio spirits and Advance Magazine Publishers, Inc.

" I did though, watch the film version"
Thanks a lot Manowar for your dedication and help. Through your comments, you paved the way for a better understanding of this very elusive recording.

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

I identified it!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et6I1QaDL4o
https://www.discogs.com/Straight-Eight-Tombstone/release/4013602

that bloody godammn fghg**hfh Shadow vinyl put me completely off the track for the coincidence of the century!
Shadow's sinister laugh pawned!
Thanks for all the help!

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[–] Manowar2010 (77) 7 years ago

Good Job! What clue helped you identify it? I'm still curious as to the source of the sample at the beginning and as to what inspired the song or what it is about. I sent a message to one of the writers of the song (the singer), not sure if he will see it or reply.

I'm thinking, based on the title and the cover art for the vinyl, that the song may be about Wyatt Earp's vendetta ride after the Gunfight at the OK Corral, but not sure.

Manowar2010

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

After all those searches, I said to myself: why not check whether a song with "tombstone" in its title could be the track we are looking for? And yes that was the right approach. Not night, light, shadow, priest, beast, diplomat, black beauty Thomas but that damn stone… And it's not from a movie or concept album: the evil person is left vaguely unspecified.
The dialogue may not be from a movie and was most probably recorded for Tombstone itself. But then again, on the EP there is no mention of Stagecoach…

You are right about the song's theme, no doubt at all.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunfight_at_the_O.K._Corral
Exhausted and excited after the find, I didn't care to search anymore and learn. The singer interprets a terrified Ike Clanton or Billy Claiborne. Also, black beauty refers to black powder, I guess. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder
I'm sure the singer will be pleased to read your mail!

By the way, your metallic name reminds me of an imdb user who had helped me identify another very rare song. rock and disco, very cheesy and unique:
https://vocaroo.com/i/s16qww6hO7vw
https://www.discogs.com/Mandera-Requiem-To-Studio-54/release/5305906

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[–] Manowar2010 (77) 7 years ago

You are right about the song's theme, no doubt at all. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunfight_at_the_O.K._Corral

Actually, the singer did reply to me, he actually replied very quickly, I just haven't had time to post here. He said, and I won't quote him exactly, that the song was inspired when he was jamming the riff with someone and the other person with him told him "you are a tombstone sent for me" (the first lyrics in the song) and that the rest of the song went from there. He said it didn't have a really deep meaning, more of a love/hate song.

I think, due to the name of the song they chose the art work with the victims of the OK Corral gunfight since it fit the title even if the song wasn't specifically about the gunfight or Earp's vendetta ride AFTER the gunfight in retaliation to the retaliation suffered by his brothers (which was my theory until he messaged me).

He said as far as he knew, all of the samples were from Stagecoach and were of John Wayne. i couldn't find the first quote in any of the online scripts for either the film or radio version, but it's possible the transcribers missed it. I was able to find one of the quotes in the film because the radio script gave me a rough estimate of where it would be, but I'm not sure where exactly the "Three of them! I see 'em" would be without watching the entire movie since it's in neither online script.

"By the way, your metallic name reminds me of an imdb user who had helped me identify another very rare song. rock and disco, very cheesy and unique"

Yeah, that was me on the old imdb INTK board. I think some of the other users migrated here, I just wish there was more activity and users like starcore, willEd posted here. I liked that Mandera track, it kind of reminds of lo-fi stuff like Ariel Pink. I I wish that guy also posted the full audio for the A side of that record "Requiem to Studio 54" that track sounded good too.

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[–] PSville (129) 7 years ago

It's nice that he replied so fast and that he provided more facts about Tombstone. However, it is disappointing that the song lacks depth and isn't really related to the legendary gunfight. As regards the first quote, it must be from another movie based on the OK corral incident.

""Requiem to Studio 54" that track sounded good too."
If I ever find it, I'll send you a link.

Thanks for providing the link to the band's youtube page.

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[–] Manowar2010 (77) 7 years ago

By the way, in case anyone is interested, at least some of that band are still performing and recording music today! Here's a link to their youtube page:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCclBNmu2smI_vib_7NzhWAw

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