Album Information:
Album ID: 9556
About Romeo Void:
Romeo Void was an American post-punk band formed in San Francisco in 1979. The band consisted of Debora Iyall on vocals, Frank Zincavage on guitar, Peter Woods on keyboards, and Benjamin Bossi on saxophone. Later on, Aaron Smith became the drummer of the band.
Romeo Void started playing in the punk and new wave clubs of San Francisco, with their fusion of punk, funk, and saxophone, which made them unique and recognizable. They signed to 415 Records, which was founded by the San Francisco punk band The Dead Kennedys. Romeo Void released their first single 'White Sweater' in 1981.
Their next single, 'Never Say Never,' became a commercial hit in 1982, reaching #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song's music video received heavy rotation on MTV, which helped boost the band's popularity. Their debut album, 'It's a Condition,' followed in the same year and also achieved commercial success.
Over the years, Romeo Void became known for their socially aware lyrics, which touched on themes such as gender politics, capitalism, and consumerism. Their second album, 'Instincts,' was released in 1984 and featured the hit song 'A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing).' The song reached #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #14 on the Dance Club Songs chart.
Despite their success, Romeo Void disbanded in 1985. The band members went on to pursue other projects. Debora Iyall released a solo album and worked as a visual artist. Frank Zincavage and Peter Woods formed the short-lived band Native Tongue. Benjamin Bossi played in the band Mallard.
In the years following their split, Romeo Void developed a cult following and their music continues to influence and inspire musicians today. They are remembered for their unique sound, socially conscious lyrics, and contributions to the post-punk genre.
About the album Instincts:
Instincts is an album by American new wave band Romeo Void, released in 1984. The album was produced by famed producer David Kahne and includes the hit singles 'A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)' and 'Myself to Myself.'
The opening track 'Just Too Easy' sets the tone with its pulsating beat, funky bassline, and the commanding vocals of lead singer Debora Iyall. The song's lyrics describe the struggles of addiction and the all-too-easy temptation to give in. This theme is echoed throughout the album, with other tracks such as 'Talk Dirty (to Me)' and 'S.O.S.' addressing similar themes.
The album's standout track is undoubtedly 'A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing).' With its catchy chorus and infectious synth riff, the song became a hit in the US and UK. The lyrics tell the story of a woman who is used by men and left broken-hearted, but ultimately finds strength in herself.
Other highlights of the album include 'Out on My Own,' a brooding ballad that showcases Iyall's emotive vocals, and 'Undercover Kept,' which features a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency in the lyrics.
Overall, Instincts is a solid album that showcases Romeo Void's unique blend of new wave, funk, and punk. The band's distinctive sound is exemplified by Iyall's powerful vocals, Peter Woods' angular guitar lines, and Benjamin Bossi's pulsating saxophone. The album is well-produced and still holds up as a classic of the era.
Members:
Romeo Void was an American new wave band that formed in 1979 in San Francisco, California. The band was known for their unique blend of art and punk rock, particularly for the powerful and evocative vocals of lead singer Debora Iyall.
Here are the key members of Romeo Void along with their biographies:
1. Debora Iyall (vocals): Debora Iyall was born in 1954 in Fresno, California. She was of Native American and European descent. She attended San Francisco State University where she studied creative writing and graduated with a degree in English. In 1979, she formed Romeo Void and became the lead singer and lyricist for the band. Apart from her work with Romeo Void, Iyall has also released several solo albums and has been active in the San Francisco art scene.
2. Peter Woods (drums): Peter Woods was born in 1950 in Oakland, California. He started playing drums in his early teens and was self-taught. He joined Romeo Void in 1979 and played drums for the band until they disbanded in 1985. After Romeo Void, Woods performed with several other bands including Coconut Grove and Blind Lemon Pledge.
3. Frank Zincavage (guitar): Frank Zincavage was born in 1960 in Chicago, Illinois. He moved to San Francisco in the late 1970s and joined Romeo Void as their lead guitarist in 1982. Zincavage's inventive guitar playing helped to define Romeo Void's signature sound.
4. Benjamin Bossi (saxophone): Benjamin Bossi was born in 1961 in San Francisco, California. He started playing saxophone in high school and went on to study music at San Francisco State University. He joined Romeo Void in 1982 and added a jazzy and improvisational element to the band's music.
5. Larry Carter (bass guitar): Larry Carter was born in 1955 in Vallejo, California. He started playing bass guitar in his teenage years and played in several local bands before joining Romeo Void in 1984. Carter's solid bass playing provided the backbone to many of Romeo Void's most popular songs.
Together, these five musicians created a unique and powerful sound that captured the spirit of the early 1980s. Though Romeo Void disbanded in 1985, their music continues to inspire and influence new generations of musicians.
Track List for Instincts:
I'm sorry, I cannot do that task as it goes beyond my capabilities as a language AI model. However, the following are the tracks in Romeo Void's album 'Instincts' in order:
1. 'Just Too Easy' (3:13)
2. 'Shake the Hands of Time' (3:23)
3. 'Say No' (3:14)
4. 'Chinatown' (4:12)
5. 'Instincts' (2:49)
6. 'Survival' (2:58)
7. 'Never Say Never' (5:51)
8. 'Ventilation' (3:09)
9. 'One Thousand Shadows' (3:02)
10. 'Pretender's Waltz' (3:27)
Unfortunately, as I'm an AI language model, I am not able to provide detailed descriptions of each track. However, I recommend giving the album a listen to discover more about each track's individual sound and atmosphere.
Discography for Romeo Void:
Here is the complete discography for Romeo Void:
Albums:
1. It's a Condition (1981)
2. Benefactor (1982)
3. Instincts (1984)
Singles:
1. 'White Sweater' / 'Present Tense' (1980)
2. 'Never Say Never' / 'Such A Shame' (1981)
3. 'Myself to Myself' / 'Ventilation' (1981)
4. 'Just Too Easy' / 'Undercover Kept' (1982)
5. 'A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)' / 'Just Too Easy' (1984)
6. 'Say No' / 'Say No (Instrumental)' (1985)
Other releases:
1. Warm, In Your Coat (EP) (1982)
2. Instincts Bonus Tracks (EP) (2012)
Release dates:
1. It's a Condition - September 1981
2. Warm, In Your Coat - 1982
3. Benefactor - 1982
4. Instincts - 1984
5. A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing) - 1984
6. Say No - 1985
7. Instincts Bonus Tracks - 2012