Danger Zone/Elizabeth’s Lover
Left For Dead, 2023
9/10
Listen to Danger Zone/Elizabeth’s Lover
The short lived outfit spearheaded by Nic ‘Nic North’ Dembling and Ramona Jan, as Comateens they began their New Wave/punk rock journey in the late ‘70s, and were pioneers of the synth-punk sound alongside Suicide and Kraftwerk.
“Danger Zone” occupies the first half of the listen, and showcases Harry Viderci’s crisp drumming alongside Jan’s melodic and scrappy guitar, where both Jan and Dembling sing with equal parts tuneful and raw deliveries.
“Elizabeth’s Lover” then spotlights Jan’s expressive voice, where Dembling’s playful bass and Lyn Byrd’s well timed synth suit the ‘60s girl group nods and no lack of New Wave melodica.
Release on a very limited 12” slab of vinyl, Comateens would go on to release 3 albums before breaking up in 1985. These 2 selections were recorded in 1979, and truly show how ahead of their time they were, and how Comateens clearly influenced legions of other bands.
Travels well with: Miirors- Motion And Picture; The Senders- All Killer No Filler