KaS Product (fr)

Formed in 1980, KaS Product were Spatsz from France (electronics), who left his job in a psychiatric hospital to work on synthesizers and rhythm machines, and Mona Soyoc from the USA (guitar, piano, vocals), who sung in a jazz band before she met Spatsz. Their first two EPs, Mind Seven and Take Me Tonight, were recorded in a bedroom with a 2-track and released by the label Punk Records. From May to July 1981, KaS Product wrote eleven new songs which are featured on their first album Try Out, recorded at Sunrise Studio in Switzerland. Produced by the band and Gerard Nguyen, this album was released by RCA in 1982 in France, Germany, Japan and England where the duo performed at venues such as The Embassy, The Rock Garden and The Venue. Synth-heavy, with Soyoc's theatrical American vocals providing a shouting, slanted weight to the tracks, KaS Product could be compared at this time to Suicide or Soft Cell.
After garnering considerable press attention from magazines such as Sounds, Melody Maker, and New Music Express, KaS Product recorded their second album, By Pass in 1983 at Sorcerer Sound Studio, NY (Swans, Sonic Youth, Laurie Anderson) upon recommendation from producer Martin Bisi. Having already established themselves with their frosty combination of claustrophobic jazz and minimalist, disjointed dance rhythms, By Pass finds Soyoc experimenting with even more stark, exaggerated vocals that match the best electro-cabaret kitsch offerings. Could best be compared with works by Lizzy Mercier Descloux, Joy Division, Taxi Girl.

Onmens (BE)

Onmens embody their name by bringing forth music that at no point gives in. Unequivocally formulated, the music combines hard, power electronics with Kasper Van Esbroeck’s gutt-wrenching guitar that transports you wherever Onmens wants to take you.