On October 12th, 1985 Basic Elements recorded their 1st collection of original songs in the garage of Jonathan Goldman's parent's house. Using a monophonic cassette deck like the one seen above, the band jammed 13 original songs and one cover ("When a Baby Screams" by The Cure) which was interwoven into an epic 9 minute version of "This or That".

Tonight, on the 27th anniversary of this jam, we are posting 6 tracks that represent the "best" of the bunch. The quality is low (see photo above) but the spirit is high. Of all the band's recordings, this one remains a favorite. There are tons of mistakes and sloppy play, but there's also a sense of learning, experimentation, and fun (the band's average age here is 15). The tracks also feature some shredding guitar work by the late Ken Dunipace (see solos in "Hide" and "Shakin') as well as Ken's first and only attempt at back-up vocals. That said, it's nice to hear his voice. So in the spirit of love and remembering we present five kids growing up in Phoenix, AZ trying to emulate the bands they loved (U2, Joy Division, Violent Femmes, Simple Minds et al) who were shaping the decade from the other side of the world.

LINER NOTES...

HIDE: The band's 1st original song and only anthem. A teenage rant questioning authority... or mom and dad. Or whoever wasn't letting you act like an ass.
 
SCREAM 4 LOVE: Mercifully the band's only "dance" song. It actually develops a good sample-worthy groove at around 1:07. 

ONE GOLDEN CROWN: I think a few of our friends dropped some acid and REALLY liked this song, so we're posting it. But really, you guys were tripping. This shit's whack... but yeah... kinda cool psychedelia... but hey, we were only 15!

NEW U: If Simple Minds played this song it would be awesome, but it's just us, so it's just okay. Still, it makes us happy. Hopefully it'll do the same to you. Make that, A New U. 

SHAKIN': Perhaps the 3rd time the band ever played this song, you can hear us run out of verse lyrics and call out for the last chorus. Looking back and this might be one of the band's best songs. It'd be cool to re-record this one... but you wouldn't do a damn thing to Ken's solo at the end -- a work of rambling dirty brilliance. 

THIS OR THAT: Another journey into teenage psychedelia. Only listen to this one if you're tripping.

Maria Cristina de Moraes
from the album 'Tum! Tum! Coração da Terra', Flor da Montanha, Lumiar, RJ, Brazil.

Tum! Tum! Bate o Coração da Terra

Scream for Love

Produced by Ed Buller (Suede, Pulp, Psychedelic Furs) Basic Elements is a project 35 years in the making. We're not an '80s throwback band. We ARE an '80s band. A cross between Simple Minds and Tears for Fears, B.E. made a name for themselves in the unheralded ‘80s Arizona music scene playing alongside local legends like Gin Blossoms, Gentlemen After Dark and Caterwaul (to name just a few). They also opened up for larger (yet maybe forgotten) '80s acts like The Bolshoi and Gene Loves Jezebel... all while maintaining an average age of just 17-years old. 

While most high-schoolers were going to homecoming, the guys in B.E. spent their weekends writing songs and playing gigs, but after 6 years and hundreds of shows, B.E. disbanded in 1990 — well before any of them were old enough to legally enter a bar.

Over the past three decades, members of Basic Elements have moved on to become a sculptor, a TV producer, an attorney, a real-estate agent and a graphic artist. Despite their individual successes, the band's legacy has been confined to still photos, warped cassettes and faded memories -- until now. 

In 2019, Basic Elements played a reunion show before a capacity crowd at the legendary Mint in Los Angeles. Their music delivered a much-needed jolt of nostalgia, but it wasn't enough. That October, the band went into the studio to properly capture their sound. Recording five of their earliest songs with Mercury Prize-winning producer (and synth legend) Ed Buller. 

Written in the ‘80s. Recorded today. The result is a euphoric mix of nostalgia and discovery. A mainline hit of pure, uncut 1985. We are here to deliver positive vibes that bridges the gap between the first generation who grew up listening to new wave and the "Stranger Things" crowd who are now just discovering it. Thank you for listening (and hide from your leader).

Scream for Love

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