Zur Gabriel – Demo

Zur Gabriel
Demo
1985 (no label)

1. Seven Thunders
2. Standing in the Battleline
3. Kneel to the King

I know I have heard some about this band, but I am having trouble finding anything about them. I did find that guitarist Tony Quinn is online an still making music. The only mention he has of the band is that he co-founded the band in 1984 when he moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles. This band also helped him get into recording and opening his first studio. The sound is a mid-80s traditional power metal sound. Kind of a Saint meets Bloodgood sound. Other than that, I don’t know much more about this band or if they recorded more music after this demo.

Missing Information: Who else played on this tape?

State of Mind – State of Mind

State of Mind
State of Mind
1989 (no label)
Victoria, Australia

Shelley Collins – Lead vocals, backing vocals
Jason Davies – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar
Cameron Earl – Synthesizer, grand piano on “Comfortable Faith” and “anything”
Stephen Davies – Bass, guitar, electric piano, piano solo on “Positive”
Andrew Collins – Lead vocals on “Positive,” drums, percussion, backing vocals

Side 1:

1. Comfortable Faith
2. Anything

Side 2:

1. Positive
2. Soul’s Worth

State of Mind starts off with some slightly groovy pop rock that has a dueling piano and guitar solo. Nothing really edgy or heavy – kind of like a pop version of the first Raspberry Jam album. Female vocals with some musical energy here and there that doesn’t come from screaming guitars. The second track is a pop ballad, while the third track is a funky, electronic jam that almost gets into mid-80s synthpop mixed with alternative rock. Then it’s back to a ballad for the last song. Overall I would say this is a pop rock album, but pushing a few parts in other directions and you would possibly have something else.

Access – ben son ben son Beatrice

Access
ben son ben son Beatrice
1988 (no label)
Minnesota, USA

Daniel Thomas – Lead vocals, bass guitar, lyrics
Austin Warren Dacey – Guitars, vocals, keyboards
Jeananette Gillespie – Keyboards, back-up vocals
Emmett Dacey – Drums

James – Additional background vocals

1. I Cried Out
2. Let’s Talk About Love
3. I am, I am Indeed Beatrice
4. Square Dance Candle Light
5. Via Dolorosa

I’m not really sure if this tape needs to be reviewed here – not because of any bad reasons, but just because all of these songs were released as side 2 of the band’s debut album on Narrowpath Records after they changed names to The Swoon. They really just recorded five new songs and that was the album. Previously known as Restricted Access, I believe this tape was first released under that name. Their previous demo as Restricted Access was Jacob’s Tears in 1987 (this tape was first released as a Restricted Access tape as well if I remember correctly). Anyways, there has been a lot written about this band, some true and apparently some not true. But they were an alternative rock band that made a small controversial splash and then disappeared. This tape is a good example of what made them such a big deal to a small group of people – moody emotional atmosphere mixed with driving alt rock. These songs will probably be released on vinyl someday soon according the recently launched band website.

The Pantlegs – I’m Getting Old EP

The Pantlegs
I’m Getting Old EP
1999 (no label)
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Brenden Clarke – Vocals, guitar
Andy Owen Owen – Bass, vocals
Jason Gourley – Drums, ocals

Eric Sweet – Additional guitar, Bgv’s on “Return to Woodcrest”

1. Back In Town
2. Enough For You
3. Return to Woodcrest
4. So Long

The Pantlegs start off making you think they are a ska band, but they quickly show they are a punk band with some elements of ska (and no horns).  In fact, they zip through four songs in less than 8 and a half minutes. There were a lot of these third wave ska/punk bands in the 90s, and I really didn’t go for the third wave part. But punk rock with a little bit of ska is not too bad. Apparently this band did not last until 2000, but they do apparently have an unreleased full length recorded before this demo called Do You Like My Van. Yes, this is another Michigan band shared by the Scene and Unseen Music Club, so check it out below: