Special Affect
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Special Affect (initially named Special Affects) was a new wave ensemble from the United States that operated from the late 1970s until 1981. The group is recognized for including early performances by Al Jourgensen, who later founded Ministry, Frank Nardiello (known as Groovie Mann), who went on to become the vocalist for My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, drummer Harry Rushakoff of Concrete Blonde, and bassist Martin Sorenson.
In 1979, they issued a 7" EP titled Mood Music, which featured original guitarist Tom Hoffman. Hoffman departed that year and was succeeded by Jourgensen. The song "Vertigo Feeling" from this release was subsequently featured on the Rykodisc compilation CD Industrial Family Platter!, which includes tracks by both Ministry and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult. Their only full-length album, Too Much Soft Living (1981), was promoted as a soundtrack to a film of the identical name, although no such movie was ever produced.
The band briefly moved to San Francisco with financial support but dissolved after an onstage dispute between Rushakoff and Jourgensen. Importantly, two tracks found on Ministry's Early Trax collection, "I'm Falling" and "Overkill," originated during the Special Affect period and include contributions from bassist Martin Sorenson.