Episode: 212 Switchblade Symphony

VHF-212 (Switchblade Symphony) highlights the San Francisco darkwave band’s three full length albums, Serpentine  Gallery (‘95), Bread And Jam For Frances (‘97) The Three Calamities (‘99) as well as some of their remixes, live songs, cover songs and b-sides. Just a few months ago “Scrapbook”, a compilation of early cassette demos and rarities from the early 90’s was released on CD. We will be checking that out too.

Tina Root, Susan Wallace and a few different drummers and guitarists combined elements of a wide variety of musical styles. While Switchblade Symphony is predominantly goth rock with a slight Siouxsie influence there are also glitchy keyboard sequences that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Ladytron song. Setting  the group apart from their contemporary bands was the use of classical musical flourishes and operatic vocal touches. 

Very High Frequencies episode 212 will take you back to the mid nineties for this week’s high energy Switchblade Symphony show. You’re invited to party like it’s 1999!