World Domination Enterprises - Classic or Classic?

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Due to a Mr. Donut's mentioning of them, and the fact that I remember enjoying their album (and Hotsy Girl video) very very much back in the day ('87? '88?) I decided to reacquire their album on vinyl to hear it again for the first time since I was in my late teens.

And as soon as I put the needle on it, my thought was "This is going to sound so badly produced and DATED."

WRONG!

It is so abundantly clear that they lived on a block closer to FUNK than Gang of Four ever trod upon. Stunned into silence was I upon hearing "Can't Live Without My Radio" and hearing "hip-hop" mentioned. And that song "Blu Money" I really used to be crazy about that one. And Ghetto Queen, too. It's not that I don't remember these songs, it's just that I'm hearing them with older ears. Just
ridiculously good, this record is.

Most things from that era really don't age even half as well. How odd in retrospect to realize that they were actually BETTER than Loop!

And I always hated the album version of "Hotsy Girl" in comparison to the 12" version but I intend to remedy that soon.

Bimble... (Bimble...), Friday, 4 March 2005 07:28 (nineteen years ago) link

Yes yes yes! I just happened to play "Love from Lead City" this morning. Oh yes.

p.s. Yes.

mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 4 March 2005 09:53 (nineteen years ago) link

How odd in retrospect to realize that they were actually BETTER than Loop!

Sentence of the year so far.

Alba (Alba), Friday, 4 March 2005 10:45 (nineteen years ago) link

Whaddya mean, in retrospect? See post four, above.

mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 4 March 2005 10:52 (nineteen years ago) link

this cd is in the attic screaming to be let loose

.. their version of '..Radio..' is totally awesome .. and Lead Asbestosis is an all time class-Sick. i too was wondering if the album aged

mark e (mark e), Friday, 4 March 2005 15:24 (nineteen years ago) link

ok. risking boss trouble (i am supposed @ work now) i trawled through the archive in the attic (as promised way back in 2003 !) - to dig out the cd .. been years .. forgot the mute connection .. does that mean the album is still in print ?

and yes .. its still damn fresh ..

mark e (mark e), Friday, 4 March 2005 15:40 (nineteen years ago) link

I only have 'Asbestos...' and the Love From Lead City LP. "Hit Me Little Sister" from that LP is wonderful. I've probably said this before on ILM but I always used to think of Side 2, the live side, as the music I would put on when the apocalypse is announced.

Jeff W (zebedee), Friday, 4 March 2005 15:48 (nineteen years ago) link

Listening to the second side of Let's Play Domination LP right now, still can't believe my ears. Seems two or three times more relevant - or at least better - than it seemed at the time.

Bimble... (Bimble...), Sunday, 6 March 2005 07:11 (nineteen years ago) link

one month passes...
Would someone please explain to me what this "Twintone" CD is? It sounds like modern remixes or something. I don't understand. Is it really them or is it some band called Twintone that decided to call their album World Domination Enterprises?

The Silent Disco of Glastonbury (Bimble...), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:55 (eighteen years ago) link

one year passes...
Okay here it is. This is the thread. (I think...unless there are more threads here about WDE I haven't found yet)

I finally have the "Love From Lead City" thing. I am a happy camper!! I've never heard it before!!!

Bimble Is More Goth Than You, Monday, 26 February 2007 04:28 (seventeen years ago) link

Lead Asbestos...it's kindof weird because this guy made a joke in a restaurant I was at last night and he said the word "asbestos" in the joke and all I could think about was this song.

Bimble Is More Goth Than You, Monday, 26 February 2007 04:31 (seventeen years ago) link

God, I wish future generations could hear this band. I NEED to see WDE have a #1 hit single in 2007.

Bimble Is More Goth Than You, Monday, 26 February 2007 04:34 (seventeen years ago) link

FUNKYTOWN REMIX ROXXORS

Bimble Is More Goth Than You, Monday, 26 February 2007 04:36 (seventeen years ago) link

Funky-dubby is right. Recently heard them again after over 10 years, was ready for noisy sloppiness but they're seriously tight, behind that wall of sound.

blunt, Monday, 26 February 2007 06:55 (seventeen years ago) link

Classic as fuck. It's like if the Birthday Party were hip to dub, funk, and hip-hop and shed all gothic undertones for an un-corny industrial attack.

inhibitionist, Monday, 26 February 2007 09:17 (seventeen years ago) link

Bimble: Email me I have something you might like!

Mark G, Monday, 26 February 2007 11:42 (seventeen years ago) link

I only know Asbestos Lead Asbestos (not from the RT comp, oddly - I think I may have downloaded it from a recommendation here). It is incredible. Is the other stuff pretty similar?

emil.y, Monday, 26 February 2007 12:23 (seventeen years ago) link

yes! also worth checking out are the proto WDE band called The 012, who recorded a version of "Asbestos".

zappi, Monday, 26 February 2007 13:06 (seventeen years ago) link

http://www.go-quick.com/worlddoments.html

So, will this link be illegal also?

Mark G, Monday, 26 February 2007 13:24 (seventeen years ago) link

I remember when Let's Play came out: The US press absolutely savaged WDE as "Big Black-ripoffs", etc., which never made a damned bit of sense to me, then or now, but then the same press was eviscerating My Bloody Valentine as "Sonic Youth-ripoffs". At the time, I kinda felt that this unjust drubbing was the reason WDE had little US success, but I dunno now. With a helpful tip from M. Grout (thanks!), I finally picked up a cheap copy of LPD on CD, and while it does thrill me to no end to be able to listen to it again -- I still don't have a record player on which I could spin the LP -- I'm surprised by how poorly it's mastered. Still, it's definitely worth tracking down if you can snag it for US$20: I think I paid GBP 10 + postage to the states. There are a few rare disc sites that have it listed for over US$100, but ouch! I also picked up a copy of their last 7", but that'll have to wait until I break down and buy a record player, I guess.

libcrypt, Monday, 26 February 2007 16:09 (seventeen years ago) link

One nice thing about the Let's Play Domination CD is that it has "Catalogue Clothes", which was stolen from me 12 years ago by a housemate who sold it to buy crack rocks.

libcrypt, Monday, 26 February 2007 16:16 (seventeen years ago) link

I revived the thread on IMakeMusic for today!

Mark G, Monday, 26 February 2007 16:24 (seventeen years ago) link

Mark G.! I tried to email you through ILX a few days ago but I don't know if it worked because I've had problems even posting the last few days. Let me know you're out there man! I don't trust this nu-ILX.

Bimble, Thursday, 1 March 2007 07:23 (seventeen years ago) link

Does anyone here know where Steve Jameson is now?

Joe Power, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 14:42 (seventeen years ago) link

!! It took us five years to track down Keith Dobson!!

Mark G, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 15:07 (seventeen years ago) link

I played "Message For You People" over the radio on Sunday. What a rush.

everything, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 19:02 (seventeen years ago) link

anyone want to ysi some of the 12"s? please to email.

artdamages, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 19:05 (seventeen years ago) link

Or, perhaps, the last 7". (I have it, but with no turntable, I still haven't HEARD it.)

libcrypt, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 20:42 (seventeen years ago) link

Yes, I like to repeat myself.

libcrypt, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 20:42 (seventeen years ago) link

artdamages - i just sent you 'hotsy girl'. it's the only 12" i have ripped to mp3 but i'll try and do the rest some time soon.

stirmonster, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 23:08 (seventeen years ago) link

cool thanks man! i love world domination enterprises so much. i think it sorta itches my brain the same place Flipper does.

artdamages, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 23:57 (seventeen years ago) link

ugg i hate how ysi has that girl that talks to you now. she scares me. i dont need 2 nanos ma'm. pleas eleave me alone.

artdamages, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 23:58 (seventeen years ago) link

Hotsy Girl video

Bimble, Sunday, 18 March 2007 05:35 (seventeen years ago) link

I never knew Keith Dobson rocked a mullet!

henry s, Sunday, 18 March 2007 10:32 (seventeen years ago) link

I just think it's dead brilliant the way he twists a Southern U.S. accent all around on that song. Man, I'm telling you, kids don't know what they're missing today. It's pretty hard to beat WDE.

I can't believe there are folks here lucky enough to have seen them live. My god.

Bimble, Sunday, 18 March 2007 16:06 (seventeen years ago) link

six months pass...

Mark G! It's the 12" version of Hotsy Girl! Thanks SO MUCH! :) I'D KNOW IT ANYWHERE LIKE THE BACK OF MY HAND BUT I DON'T HAVE IT ON VINYL ANYMORE! Good lord, I've missed it so much. The sound on my VHS of the video of that version just doesn't compare.

Bimble, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 04:39 (sixteen years ago) link

This CD is incredible, Mark G. I even heard a Chuck Berry cover in there somewhere and my jaw just fell open in shock.

Bimble, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 05:16 (sixteen years ago) link

Little Richard, you mean?

Mark G, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 10:46 (sixteen years ago) link

Oh is that it? Haha! Well I knew it was something like that, something from my childhood along those lines. Thanks.

Bimble, Friday, 12 October 2007 02:16 (sixteen years ago) link

two months pass...

This band is just the fucking shit.

I'm going to have the 12" of "I Can't Live Without My Radio" if it's the last thing I do.

Bimble, Monday, 24 December 2007 01:48 (sixteen years ago) link

Our Alice was enjoying the version of "Funky Town" that's on the Chipmonks fillum.

Right, time to dig up the CD!

Mark G, Monday, 24 December 2007 09:46 (sixteen years ago) link

Chipmunks? Chipmonks?

I dunno.

Mark G, Monday, 24 December 2007 14:23 (sixteen years ago) link

Chipmonks. That's pretty creative, dude. I love it. I ordered the 12", too!

Bimble, Monday, 24 December 2007 19:20 (sixteen years ago) link

one year passes...

nice interview with Keith Dobson http://thequietus.com/articles/02622-world-domination-enterprises-interview

zappi, Tuesday, 1 September 2009 13:44 (fourteen years ago) link

Thanks for that.

Mark G, Tuesday, 1 September 2009 14:50 (fourteen years ago) link

what he said.

stirmonster, Tuesday, 1 September 2009 15:01 (fourteen years ago) link

Yeah, that was nice to read. Dunno if all y'all found the link to order the reissue direct from Keith:

http://www.freeloverecords.co.uk/letsplaydomination.htm

Peinlich Manoeuvre (NickB), Wednesday, 2 September 2009 08:03 (fourteen years ago) link

Still never heard any Here & Now though. Any good?

Peinlich Manoeuvre (NickB), Wednesday, 2 September 2009 08:03 (fourteen years ago) link

nine years pass...

Ah, sad news here -- Iain Baker of Jesus Jones reported earlier this morning that Steve Jameson, bassist for WDE, has passed on.

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 28 February 2019 21:08 (five years ago) link

That sucks, 80's really taking a hit this week. Still consider WDE about the noisiest stuff that I actually enjoy.

henry s, Thursday, 28 February 2019 21:13 (five years ago) link

Shit, rough news. His biog on discogs says the following...

Steve started in the music business at Charmdale Records in 1976, then moved on to Faulty Products in 1978. After a falling out with Miles Copeland (2) he moved on to Rough Trade working in the record shop but notably persuading The Fall to sign with the label. Played briefly with Alternative TV and appeared onstage with The Fall.
A founding member of World Domination Enterprises in 1985.

Looks like he's a listed vocalist on the last track of Vibing Up The Senile Man - never knew that before. RIP Steve.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z149/pengy1966/pengy1966%20stuff/KYPP595.jpg

goats eat grandma (NickB), Thursday, 28 February 2019 21:24 (five years ago) link

I dip into World Dom every year or so and always forget how much I like them. Asbestos Lead Asbestos is all-time.

RIP Steve.

Elitist cheese photos (aldo), Thursday, 28 February 2019 21:32 (five years ago) link

Some old Simon Reynolds pieces on World Dom here:
http://reynoldsretro.blogspot.com/2008/08/world-domination-enterprises-mini.html

goats eat grandma (NickB), Thursday, 28 February 2019 21:52 (five years ago) link

Asbestos Lead Asbestos is all-time.

Right? I only heard it about ten years ago and it took my head off. Absolutely sublime post-punk. Can't say I dig them beyond that and a few other tracks.

But I adore "Vibing Up The Senile Man" and I didn't know that tidbit, either!

Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 28 February 2019 21:55 (five years ago) link

nice recent photo of steve...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeKlxH1j0Lv/

goats eat grandma (NickB), Thursday, 28 February 2019 22:00 (five years ago) link

That recent photo is incredible. V

stirmonster, Thursday, 28 February 2019 22:38 (five years ago) link

Very sad news.

stirmonster, Thursday, 28 February 2019 22:39 (five years ago) link

Asbestos is all time classic, as are their cover versions of 'I can't live without my radio', and 'Funkytown'.
Wish I had had a chance to see them live.

mark e, Thursday, 28 February 2019 22:55 (five years ago) link

From the location on that IG he seems to have stayed in Ladbroke Grove to the end. Lovely photo.

Like the opening to this thread, I also saw them on a bill with Loop and Godflesh (but Edinburgh and not the T&C Club).

Elitist cheese photos (aldo), Thursday, 28 February 2019 22:59 (five years ago) link

And their cover of "Jah Jah Call You", maybe their finest moment live. I was fortunate to see them play many times. Never less than incendiary.

stirmonster, Thursday, 28 February 2019 23:11 (five years ago) link

Like the opening to this thread, I also saw them on a bill with Loop and Godflesh (but Edinburgh and not the T&C Club).

Ha, over on my FB page Alexis Petridis saw that exact same bill, but at "a further education college in Ruislip -- one of those gigs you can hardly believe happened, especially in Ruislip." He added, "My abiding memory of them is that instead of a guitar strap, the frontman had a length of rope *nailed* into his guitar."

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 28 February 2019 23:17 (five years ago) link

one year passes...

Bands you wouldnt have thought would be on twitter but actually they bloody well are. Sharing some nice arkive photos

Boris the Spreader (NickB), Wednesday, 24 June 2020 19:36 (three years ago) link

username !?

all i got was 'world dom central' and that aint all that.

mark e, Wednesday, 24 June 2020 20:59 (three years ago) link

spoke too soon ..
seems to be a newly active account.
is this the one you meant nickb ?

mark e, Wednesday, 24 June 2020 21:00 (three years ago) link

I think Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine got me into this band (they shout ASBESTOS LEAD ASBESTOS during the chorus of Rubbish)

I only have a couple of 12"s, and neither of them are Asbestos Lead Asbestos, unfortunately.

I do have the 012 LP though, which has an earlier version of that song

chipstick rebellion (Colonel Poo), Wednesday, 24 June 2020 21:24 (three years ago) link

~ just hoping CPs email thing is still valid ~

i.e. check your ilm email account sir.

mark e, Wednesday, 24 June 2020 21:45 (three years ago) link

This is a bit tangential, but worthwhile, a reminder of Kif Kif/Dobson's deep roots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsg8cMdYtuM

Maresn3st, Wednesday, 24 June 2020 22:19 (three years ago) link

I have often thought about starting a Here & Now thread but always figured it would see almost no action.

stirmonster, Wednesday, 24 June 2020 22:30 (three years ago) link

From a cultural viewpoint I find them super interesting but I never totally clicked with the music. I wonder if there is a catch-all 70s-80s 'festival' band thread? We should be able to talk about The Oroonies and Nodens Ictus somewhere with impunity.

Maresn3st, Wednesday, 24 June 2020 22:39 (three years ago) link

I like the split with ATV

chipstick rebellion (Colonel Poo), Wednesday, 24 June 2020 22:50 (three years ago) link

hang on .. sorry for the "too drunk too google check" vibe ...
but i have a live 'here & now' live album on cd.
as far i can tell, it's the only thing they officially released.
what's the connection to WDE !?

(it was a random charity shop purchase of course !)

mark e, Wednesday, 24 June 2020 22:51 (three years ago) link

Keith Dobson was in Here & Now. and (Planet) Gong!

I was talking about this:

https://www.discogs.com/Alternative-TV-Here-And-Now-What-You-See-Is-What-You-Are/master/1189980

Here & Now have 23 albums listed on discogs btw!

chipstick rebellion (Colonel Poo), Wednesday, 24 June 2020 22:54 (three years ago) link

23 !
having listened to the one cd i have i think i am good.
thank goodness he moved onto WDE.

mark e, Wednesday, 24 June 2020 22:59 (three years ago) link

Sorry, only a mere 19 of them are albums

chipstick rebellion (Colonel Poo), Wednesday, 24 June 2020 23:08 (three years ago) link

I also like their song on the Folk In Hell cassette compilation, which is another link between Here & Now and the punk/post-punk world - most of the other bands on that are anarcho-punk (the Mob, Steve Lake) or DIY post-punk (Instant Automatons etc). Mark Perry's on that as well. My copy is probably unofficial, on BBP tapes, an anarcho label, the original was on Fuck Off Records but is rare as fuck.

I love the No Comment song on that, sounds like some lost Flying Nun band or something

chipstick rebellion (Colonel Poo), Wednesday, 24 June 2020 23:19 (three years ago) link

I saw Here & Now live several times when I was a teenager. I like the records but they really were best in a live setting and their live tapes was my preferred way to listen to them.

'Give And Take' is a good album but 'Fantasy Shift' is perhaps their finest and never fails to lift my spirits. I still listen to it every now and then.

Also of massive note is their contribution to Planet Gong's 'Live Floating Anarchy 1977'. Steffe Sharpstrings forever!

stirmonster, Thursday, 25 June 2020 02:09 (three years ago) link

Ooh! Ooh!

Two previously unreleased World Domination Enterprises tracks are set to be released as a digital single on 3rd July 2020. Further info coming down the pipeā€¦

Mark G, Thursday, 25 June 2020 06:53 (three years ago) link

Wow I love What You See Is What You Are. Gonna listen through a couple of albums. I think I saw some incarnation of Here And Now at least once in der 90s.

Please do free festival bands / crusty spacerock thread someone.

Noel Emits, Thursday, 25 June 2020 13:32 (three years ago) link

"What You See Is What You Are" is all time.

i ended up watching a bit of this 1985 gig last night; great seeing how much the crowd were dancing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1TEFdM3MyQ

stirmonster, Thursday, 25 June 2020 15:38 (three years ago) link


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