Astralayne is the brain-child of Norwegian sounding, lead singer Pas Democrat.
It is extremely unlikely that you would have heard of Mr Democrat as it is only in recent months that he has been able to obtain (through an administrative blunder) permanent release from a 10 year spell from a secure Mental Health Institution.

Being locked up 24/7 has hardly dented Pas’s appetite for electronic pop beat meets poor vocabulary as he has ideas for a number of tracks that will never see the light of day!

Pas first came to prominence with the completely unknown Punk band the London Gestapo and was credited on their first and only single (unreleased) and unfortunately entitled, Gas die Bastarde!  This would eventually reach thankfully, nowhere in the charts!  

It is widely reported that many of the mid 70’s punk bands were described as three-chord wonders!  This was due to their simplistic sound and ‘go forth and form a band’ attitude.  Gestapo however had a ‘unique take’ on this theme and were subsequently described as the one-chord 'Weirdo’s!'. This was simply due to a lack of any recognisable musical talent on their part and of course their unusual dress sense – although wearing a dress became predominant a short time later with the ‘New Romantic’ movement.  This proved conclusively to many (actually no-one!) that Pas is/was for a time a unique visionary!  Conversely this was prevalent to audience participated gang-rape for a mid-70’s punk band.

A little known fact about Pas is that as well as penning the lyric for the Gestapo song, he was also credited on the single as Percussionist/Programmer.  At the time this consisted of little more than pressing the start button on the bands second-hand Drum Machine.  Unfortunately however  this became a reoccurring theme in Pas’s life; as his total lack of understanding regarding anything electronic would later come to light, ultimately resulting in the ill-fated, tragic death of band member Taz Fazer and which would in turn lead to Pas' eventual incarceration.

This however was not the only near brush with stardom the luckless Pas has encountered.  He was ultimately (partly/not at all) responsible for the success of synth-band, Depeche Mode. Pas regularly rehearsed with the vertically challenged Synth-Meister, Vince Clarke and introduced the reluctant Clarke to the sounds of their one-time Manager/Record Producer Daniel Miller. Much to Pas’s dismay he was the only other person present at their first meeting at the Bridge House, Canning Town in the early 80’s.  Both Miller and Depeche Mode vigorously deny this and subsequently there is no recorded historical account of his participation.  However, Clarke once described Pas’ input to the genre of electronic pop as ‘out of time’ (Some see this comment on Pas’ visionary contribution), but most say that it was due to his inability to sing, play or dance in time.

Not to be disheartened Pas formed his own band, Pas Democrat and the Synfz; this did not go well!  Reez Robot a former member and dyslexic celebrity described the experience in his, ‘yet to sell a copy’ autobiography as ‘Shti!’ The Synfz however did release a track on the ill-fated 101 International, Dream Sequence album entitled, Across the River which was co-written with Pas’ brother Nadz.  Pas was not to be deterred and  toured extensively with the Synthz culminating with legendary 80’s concerts at Tiffany’s, Harlow New Town, Raquels in Basildon and somewhere on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea.

But in the now, Pas is a key member of Astralayne! Astralayne are a three piece Synth band which includes Si Bollik and Jez McVitie (both to be recruited, contacted or met). Their key aim is to make the world a much darker, drearier place, but much more importantly to meet girls with low self-esteem.

Finally, since his rehabilitation and subsequent release Pas is now, once again legally able to acquire a variety of sharp objects and put pen back to paper.  So sit back, pin back your ears and enjoy! You are in for a real treat with Pas's mix of 80's Electronika meets completely unintelligible lyrics. With their first single complete and aptly and imaginatively entitled, ‘Astralayne’ (Yes, it's a made up word) Pas feels that there is a real expectation of success for the band.  The boys are currently working on their second single entitled, 'I.T. Jesus' which will probably raise a few eyebrow and lower the tone on any environment that it is eventually played in. Furthermore, Pas and the boys would especially like to thank musicians, Vic Ticious, Guitars, Froggy, Bass and the indomitable Bennet on Drums for taking time out from their busy drinking schedule to contribute to the track, thanks!

On a cautionary note; I would advise fans of Pas’s work not to, contact, communicate with or at any time send Pas Democrat any of your personal details, thank you – Astralayne!

This was written on behalf of Pas Democrat by Dr Edwin Crow, Senior Psychiatric Consultant at Bradmore Clinic for the Criminally Insane.

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