Futurismo proudly present a work of lost musical wonderment; the never released album Sleepwalking Through Life by New York luminaries Strange Party.
In the downtown clubs of New York, 1980, this stylish group of eccentric and talented artists and musicians gathered under the umbrella of musical cohort and downtown legend Klaus Nomi (featured on a track here) to create a multi-sensory latin-infused new wave performance art-pop extravaganza the Soho press once called ‘the best party band in New York’.
Never before released, Sleepwalking Through Life is a snapshot of a time in New York when art, music, fashion and club life where not mutually exclusive entities. Described as Dada disco, Strange Party’s allure was not just down the prowess of the skilled musicians, but also the left field aesthetics of their visual themes. Each show would be tailored around a concept, whether that be Mermaids on Heroin or Beatnik Romans, there was profound willingness to turn art into fun through performance rock ‘n’ roll.
Strange Party’s unique take on the world was also relayed in the ensemble groups unique membership. Counted among its alumni was Joey Arias (art-star famed for his performance alongside Bowie and Nomi on SNL, and now praised drag performer), Tony Frere (commercial producer and jazz singer), George Elliott (composer, formerly of the band Come On), Page Wood (illustrator and Kenneth Anger collaborator) plus several other members of severe and individual talents. There was also the operatic new wave icon Klaus Nomi of course, while not in the band, his live band was made up mostly of Strange Party band members.
Pulling in from a spectrum of jazz, funk, disco, latino and punk at a time when New York was a hive of cross pollination and creativity gave Strange Party a unique sound. While they may or may not have influenced other artists; listen to ‘I Hear The...’ for example, and you might draw comparisons to ‘This Must Be The Place’ by Talking Heads, their innate blend of musicianship, dynamite vocals, theatrics, style and wit, ensured they were equally well received playing in clubs like Danceteria for Manhattan’s scene-makers and intelligentsia as they were playing for the clientele of discerning restaurants. Which is why Sleepwalking Through Life is such a rare gem; a recording over 40 years after the fact just as intriguing and relevant as it surely was then. History may have been raked over several times already, yet here we are, something brand new from the past.
This never before released LP comes in limited edition ‘Roman Beatnik’ coloured vinyl and CD digipak options. It is packaged in a gloss laminated sleeve printed using metallic gold ink, featuring a newly scanned image of the band by the famed photographer Michael Halsband, it also contains a colour inner sleeve and a fold-out insert with liner notes.
TRACKLIST:
A1. Sleepwalking Through Life
A2. Imitators
A3. I Hear The…
A4. Tiny Tiger Town
A5. Strange Party Theme
A6. Phobia
B1. Jewels From Miami Beach
B2. Now What (featuring Klaus Nomi)
B3. Funk Planet Porno Planet
B4. Mummies In Tuxedos
B5. The Hush (Demo)
B6. Unagi (Demo)
B7. Cellulita (Demo)
