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Exotic Birds

From Alfawiki
Exotic Birds
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
Founded1982
Headquarters
Cleveland, Ohio
,
United States
ProductsSynthpop music

The Exotic Birds were a synthpop ensemble originating from Cleveland, Ohio, established in 1982 by percussion students (Andy Kubiszewski, Tom Freer, and Timothy Adams Jr.). Renowned for their dance-oriented synthpop style, they achieved regional recognition by supporting prominent acts such as Culture Club, Eurythmics, and Information Society.

History

Their initial single, "Dance the Night Away," featured "Who Knows Why," an earlier composition by Kubiszewski and Nick Capetanakis, as its B-side. Owing to a manufacturing mistake, the older track was pressed as the A-side, receiving moderate airplay locally and eventually becoming an unexpected hit in Japan. In September 1984, Frank Vale joined the group as keyboardist. Following Adams’ departure to focus on orchestral pursuits, the band dissolved after a farewell concert in early 1985.

In 1986, Exotic Birds reassembled as a quintet including Kubiszewski, Freer, Vale, Mark Best on bass, and Trent Reznor handling keyboards, programming, and backing vocals. By the end of that year, Freer, Best, and Vale had exited; Chris Vrenna was added on drums in December. The group disbanded once more around mid-1987.

Kubiszewski resurrected Exotic Birds in 1988 with Doug Beck (keyboards) and Richard Carpenter (drums). Their debut CD, Equilibrium, was released in November 1989. After Beck left in 1990, Nick Rushe (formerly of Nine Inch Nails) joined on keyboards. The band secured a deal with Alpha International Records for a subsequent album; however, Alpha repackaged Equilibrium, shortening the tracklist and introducing "Imagination" as a single before being acquired soon after the release. Later lineup revisions included Rodney Shields (keyboards) and Marty Step (guitar). Kubiszewski departed in 1993 to join The The but returned briefly for a final show in January 1994.

In Paul Schrader’s 1987 Cleveland-set film Light of Day, featuring Michael J. Fox and Joan Jett, Reznor, Vale, and non-member Mark Addison portrayed the fictional band "The Problems."

John Malm Jr., former manager of Exotic Birds, later became Trent Reznor’s longtime manager and co-founded Nothing Records.

Freer is currently affiliated with the Cleveland Orchestra, while Adams, previously with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, continues their collaboration as educators.

"Who Knows Why" / "Dance the Night Away" 7" (1983)

  1. "Who Knows Why" (A. Kubiszewski/N. Capetanakis) [3:27]
  2. "Dance the Night Away" [3:59]

Exotic Birds (1984)

  1. "I'll Never Say Goodbye" (A. Kubiszewski) [3:52]
  2. "Waiting For You (Na Na)" (A. Kubiszewski) [5:40]
  3. "No Communication" (A. Kubiszewski) [3:38]
  4. "Fade Away" (A. Kubiszewski) [5:40]
  5. "Take Your Chances" (A. Kubiszewski) [5:03]
  6. "Demon Dance" (T. Adams) [5:30]
  7. "No Communication (TV Version)" (A. Kubiszewski) [3:53]

L'oiseau (1986)

  1. "Dancing on the Airwaves" (A. Kubiszewski) [3:40]
  2. "Have You Heard the News" (A. Kubiszewski) [3:42]
  3. "The Meaning of Love" (T. Freer/A. Kubiszewski) [2:37]
  4. "This Must Be Heaven" (A. Kubiszewski) [4:53]
  5. "Nothing Lasts Forever" (T. Freer) [3:54]
  6. "Fighting Fire With Fire" (A. Kubiszewski) [4:58]

Backing vocals by Rebecca Harper.

Equilibrium (Pleasureland) (1989)

  1. "Everything Is Different Now" [4:16]
  2. "Day After Day" [3:12] ++
  3. "The Rhythm of Machinery" [3:42]
  4. "Fashion and Luxury" [4:11]
  5. "Heartbeat Like A Drum" [4:31]
  6. "This Feeling" [3:35]
  7. "The Touch" [3:33]
  8. "Dance With Me" [4:33]
  9. "Pleasure" [3:39]+
  10. "Every Star Was You" [4:40]
  11. "Day After Day" (Remix) [4:47]
  12. "Heartbeat Like A Drum" (The E-Z Listening Mix) [7:04]
  13. "Dance With Me" (Disco Invader Mix) [6:34]
  14. "Pleasure" (Dreamworld Mix) [5:35]
  15. "Every Star Was You" (Celestial Mix) [6:03]

All tracks composed by A. Kubiszewski except where indicated (+Doug Beck, ++Pete Ham).

Equilibrium (Alpha International) (1990)

  1. "Imagination" [4:20] (Andy Kubiszewski/Richard Carpenter)
  2. "Day After Day" [3:12] (Pete Ham)
  3. "Everything Is Different Now" [4:10]
  4. "Heartbeat Like A Drum" [4:16]
  5. "Every Star Was You" [4:35]
  6. "Fashion and Luxury" [4:11]
  7. "The Touch" [3:33]
  8. "This Feeling" [3:34]
  9. "Rhythm of Machinery" [3:44]
  10. "Dance With Me" [4:36]

Except where noted, all songs are credited to Andy Kubiszewski.

Unreleased tracks

  • Cruel Heart
  • Devices and Desires
  • Don't Breathe a Word
  • God
  • Haunting Me
  • I Will Die For You
  • Join Hands
  • Never Enough
  • Never For You
  • Set Me Free
  • Sometimes It Hurts
  • Temptation's Deep Blue Eyes
  • What Do I Have to Do?
  • Who Knows What Love Is

External links

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