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.