Funeral Danceparty began in 1979. Their debut release was ‘The Curiosity Shop’ cassette which they released privately in early 1980. This contained several tracks ranging from Free Improv to Musique Concrete to mutant Pop.

 

A review in a national fanzine made comparisons to Cabaret Voltaire, Faust and The Residents. As was the case with many DIY releases at that time, the cassette was advertised in ‘Sounds,’ a national weekly music paper. To obtain a copy, interested parties were requested to send a blank cassette and SAE (self-addressed envelope.) Approx 100 copies were distributed worldwide.
Around this time FD began communicating with other early cassette-culture/DIY pioneers / luminaries including Alien Brains, Instant Automatons/Deleted Records, NWW/United Dairies and many others. Their next cassette (also self-released) was ‘The Attractions Of Fixed Interest’ which was also ‘sold’ via ‘Sounds.’ Reviews appeared in several fanzines. One reviewer stated, ‘FD take us on a surreal sonic journey using an array of conventional instruments (guitars, piano, violin, synth, percussion) plus various fx, tape-loops, white noise and found-sounds. Very interesting and highly challenging.’ Another review stated, 'While the sounds are made by conventional instruments, the instruments are used as sound sources of considerably spontaneity which creates a distinctive atmosphere: a mixture of Free music and collage.’

A demo cassette was sent to Industrial Records, Rough Trade and DJ John Peel, all of whom commented favourably and offered advice, suggesting FD self-finance an LP which, due to finances, wasn’t possible. United Dairies were interested in issuing an LP but on the stipulation that it be recorded in a ‘proper’ studio. One track was recorded at a 24-track studio but the finances weren’t available to record further material. This, combined with having to use a clueless in-house producer, resulted in the proposed LP for UD being shelved.

FD made their live debut at a local youth club (YMCA.) This was a free concert attended by mainly local youths who, having only previously been exposed to Pop music, were somewhat perplexed by what they saw/heard although seemed to enjoy it.
FD’s next (also private) release was ‘Qwertyuiop’ which contained both ‘studio’ tracks and an excerpt from the YMCA concert. This also received reviews in several fanzines: ‘Their most challenging release to date. Includes a free improv piece, a sound collage and a live recording sounding like a cross between the more unmusical elements of King Crimson and Throbbing Gristle, if you can imagine that?’ ‘Highly inventive mash-up of percussion, scraped and plucked strings, creaking doors, falling objects, abused tapes, and I'm sure there's a kitchen sink in there somewhere!’

Next came a performance at Spectro (Newcastle) in 1980 as part of an arts festival. Spectro was an arts centre which mainly hosted concerts by the likes of Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Tony Oxley, etc., so the regular attendees were used to ‘challenging’ music. However, FD’s performance proved to be a little too challenging for them to the extent that several of the audience became enraged and left in disgust.
During the rest of 1980 – ’82 several other recordings were made including a collaboration with Alien Brains.

A further (final) performance took place at the beginning of 1982, this time at Morden Tower (Newcastle), a 13th. Century turret which had in the ‘60s had been a world-renowned poetry venue loved by Alan Ginsberg who performed there on at least one occasion. Leaflets were distributed simply stating Dada Siegt! (Dada Lives!) with a map of how to find the venue. A group of eager art students turned up as well as a few others curious as to what was to take place. In addition music, this performance involved all manner of costumes and props, multi cine-film projections, etc. A review appeared in a local magazine which compared the event to a Fluxus happening and ended with, ‘Based on what I heard/witnessed that evening, Dada is alive and well!’

 

Bonus 7":
At Once Get Your Voice Away And Tell Me A Joke So I Can Laugh Because You Haven't Got A Voice (Oh Away) (Part 1 & 2) (1982)