Clair Obscur (Cold Wave Band)

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Clair Obscur is a French cold wave and avant-garde formation. It was founded in 1981 by Thierry Damerval (bass, keyboard, vocals) Nicholas Demarthe (guitar, keyboard) and his brother Christophe Demarthe (vocals) in Paris . In 1989 Thierry Damerval left the band to devote himself to scientific topics such as ethics and genetics. The brothers Christophe and Nicholas Demarthe have been the only permanent members of Clair Obscur since then.

The name "Clair Obscur" comes from the painting technique Clair-Obscur from the Renaissance period , which was used by Rembrandt van Rijn , among others . Based on this, the band conceptually refers to a “musical style pendulum between light and shadow”.

After first steps in the cold wave environment, Clair Obscur turned into a performance group and were able to make a name for themselves nationwide with their presence on the compilation From Torture To Conscience (published on New Europa Recordings , the label of Death in June ). In 1986 they created one of their appearances as a game show with the assistance of a real presenter. For the album In Out in 1987, Clair Obscur worked with a chamber ensemble that they had also accompanied live some time before.

Clair Obscur are considered to be the originator of the term "Cold Wave". They are persistent opponents of Gothic music and vehemently refuse to be classified as a Gothic band.

Discography

  • 1982 - La Cassette Noire (K7)
  • 1983 - Santa Maria / Toundra (7 ")
  • 1984 - Dansez (12 ")
  • 1985 - Untitled (K7)
  • 1986 - Smurf in the Gulag (12 ")
  • 1986 - The Pilgrim's Progress - Live in Paris (LP)
  • 1987 - In Out (LP)
  • 1988 - flower (7 ")
  • 1988 - Play (LP)
  • 1992 - Sans Titre, 1992 (CD)
  • 1993 - In Out - Reissue (CD)
  • 1994 - Play - Reissue (CD)
  • 1994 - Rock (CD)
  • 1994 - Fugue FM (Promo CD)
  • 1995 - A Collection of Isolated Tracks 1982–1988 (CD)
  • 1996 - Antigone (CD)
  • 1997 - Sans Titre, 1992 - Reissue (CD)
  • 2004 - Play - Reissue (CD)
  • 2007 - COIT - A Collection of Isolated Tracks 1981–1988 (2 × LP, Ltd.)
  • 2007 - COIT - A Collection of Isolated Tracks 1981–1988 (2 × LP + 7 "+ Box, Ltd.)
  • 2009 - We Gave a Party for the Gods and Gods All Came (CD)

Web links