call it weird, call it xymox

In response to the always intruiging grapejuiceplus, I present a couple of tracks from my gothic yesteryear...

Clan of Xymox has been in the unfortunate position of always being compared to other bands since their inception. Whether it's the Cure or Joy Division, Clan of Xymox has never been able to shake off the similarities to their influences. Nevertheless, the group has produced an impressive body of work that consistently absorbed new sounds while remaining faithful to the '80s goth rock menu. Clan of Xymox was formed in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, in 1983 by Ronny Moorings (vocals, guitar) and Anka Wolbert (bass, vocals). A year later, Moorings and Wolbert moved to Amsterdam, Holland, releasing the LP Subsequent Pleasures as Xymox. (The album was limited to 500 copies.) Xymox then became the opening act for Dead Can Dance in England. The band's presence on Dead Can Dance's U.K. tour caught the interest of 4AD Records, and the label eventually signed them. A year later, Xymox lengthened their name to Clan of Xymox and recorded a self-titled album in 1985, followed by Medusa the next year. In 1987, the group shortened their appellation to Xymox once again, contributing another version of "Muscoviet Mosquito," originally on Subsequent Pleasures, to the 4AD compilation Lonely Is an Eyesore. After the release of the single "Blind Hearts," Xymox left 4AD and joined Polygram/Wing.

Anything that happened with them after this point is really disappointing, so why discuss it? It was disturbing enough looking for a photo and seeing their new incarnation with their Hot Topic outfits and hair colour. bleh! These tracks were taken from a compilation put out in the mid-90s in Holland of their 4AD demos and their first EP, Subsequent Pleasures. Metropolis later reissued it, and you can buy it here.

Clan of Xymox - Stumble And Fall (Demo)
Clan of Xymox - 7th Time (Demo)
Clan of Xymox - Call It Wierd