The Imports - Revision history

AnarchistiCookie at 10:41, 6 August 2016

2016-08-06T10:41:18Z

Strellj at 01:25, 29 March 2011

2011-03-29T01:25:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:25, 29 March 2011
Line 11:		Line 11:
	In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at '''Sammie's''' in Minneapolis, where they opened for the '''Jim Carroll Band''', and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.		In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at '''Sammie's''' in Minneapolis, where they opened for the '''Jim Carroll Band''', and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.

	SAN FRANCISCO - A CD of ~~old~~ material of the 1980 Chicago-based post punk band The Imports has been released on the label Dansbane Elandet. Tracks include the two sides of their vinyl single "Side One (Visions of Reality)" b/w "Side Two (Darkness of Light)", as well as heretofore unavailable tracks from their penulitmate performance, recorded on December 4th, 1980 at Sammies in Minneapolis (plus a bonus disc of songs recorded at their South Side Chicago rehearsal space in October 1980). ~~Available~~ on Amazon.com, CD Baby, and iTunes and other on-line retailers.		== CD Release ==

			SAN FRANCISCO March 2011 - A CD of material by the 1980 Chicago-based post punk band The Imports has been released on the label Dansbane Elandet. Tracks include the two sides of their vinyl single "Side One (Visions of Reality)" b/w "Side Two (Darkness of Light)", as well as heretofore unavailable tracks from their penulitmate performance, recorded on December 4th, 1980 at Sammies in Minneapolis (plus a bonus disc of songs recorded at their South Side Chicago rehearsal space in October 1980). The CD and/or downloads are available on Amazon.com, CD Baby, and iTunes and other on-line retailers.

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==

Strellj: /* External Links */

2011-03-29T01:23:38Z

External Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:23, 29 March 2011
Line 16:		Line 16:

	* [http://www.the-imports.com The Imports home page]		* [http://www.the-imports.com The Imports home page]
			* [http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/imports2 The Imports on CD Baby]
	* [http://www.myspace.com/theimports1980 The Imports MySpace page]		* [http://www.myspace.com/theimports1980 The Imports MySpace page]
	* [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell's homepage]		* [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell's homepage]

Strellj: /* CD Release of Imports Tunes */

2011-03-29T01:21:30Z

CD Release of Imports Tunes

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:21, 29 March 2011
Line 11:		Line 11:
	In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at '''Sammie's''' in Minneapolis, where they opened for the '''Jim Carroll Band''', and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.		In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at '''Sammie's''' in Minneapolis, where they opened for the '''Jim Carroll Band''', and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.

	~~== CD Release of old matierial ==~~		SAN FRANCISCO - A CD of old material of the 1980 Chicago-based post punk band The Imports has been released on the label Dansbane Elandet. Tracks include the two sides of their vinyl single "Side One (Visions of Reality)" b/w "Side Two (Darkness of Light)", as well as heretofore unavailable tracks from their penulitmate performance, recorded on December 4th, 1980 at Sammies in Minneapolis (plus a bonus disc of songs recorded at their South Side Chicago rehearsal space in October 1980). Available on Amazon.com, CD Baby, and iTunes and other on-line retailers.

	''SAN FRANCISCO - ~~Work has begun on the mastering of a new release on~~ CD of old material of the 1980 Chicago-based post punk band The Imports. Tracks ~~will~~ include the two sides of their vinyl single "Side One (Visions of Reality)" b/w "Side Two (Darkness of Light)", as well as heretofore unavailable tracks from their penulitmate performance, recorded on December 4th, 1980 at Sammies in Minneapolis. ~~Release expected later this year on the Dansbane Elandet label, and will be available~~ on Amazon.com, CD Baby, and iTunes and other on-line retailers. ~~Details to follow...''~~

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==

Gantry: MySpace

2007-09-17T21:30:22Z

MySpace

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:30, 17 September 2007
Line 18:		Line 18:

	* [http://www.the-imports.com The Imports home page]		* [http://www.the-imports.com The Imports home page]
			* [http://www.myspace.com/theimports1980 The Imports MySpace page]
	* [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell's homepage]		* [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell's homepage]

	[[Category:Bands\|Imports, The]]		[[Category:Bands\|Imports, The]]
			[[Category:MySpace\|Imports, The]]

Gantry: New CD info

2007-09-06T22:52:06Z

New CD info

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:52, 6 September 2007
Line 10:		Line 10:

	In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at '''Sammie's''' in Minneapolis, where they opened for the '''Jim Carroll Band''', and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.		In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at '''Sammie's''' in Minneapolis, where they opened for the '''Jim Carroll Band''', and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.

			== CD Release of old matierial ==

			''SAN FRANCISCO - Work has begun on the mastering of a new release on CD of old material of the 1980 Chicago-based post punk band The Imports. Tracks will include the two sides of their vinyl single "Side One (Visions of Reality)" b/w "Side Two (Darkness of Light)", as well as heretofore unavailable tracks from their penulitmate performance, recorded on December 4th, 1980 at Sammies in Minneapolis. Release expected later this year on the Dansbane Elandet label, and will be available on Amazon.com, CD Baby, and iTunes and other on-line retailers. Details to follow...''

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==

Gantry: Category redo

2007-01-31T10:29:46Z

Category redo

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:29, 31 January 2007
Line 16:		Line 16:
	* [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell's homepage]		* [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell's homepage]

	[[Category:Bands]]		[[Category:Bands\|Imports, The]]

Gantry: Subverts were from Dekalb

2007-01-17T02:44:40Z

Subverts were from Dekalb

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:44, 17 January 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	'''''The Imports''''' forged their unique brand of post-punk in the quiet and tree-lined neighborhood of Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago in the spring of [[1980]]. Making up the core of the Imports were [[Ben Krug]] (Vocals), [[Tom Krug]] (Guitar) and [[Joe Strell]] (Bass). Like many bands, the Imports went through a series of drummers including [[John Krug]], who helped establish the Imports as one of a precious few Chicago punk bands in early 1980, [[Alec Dale]], who accompanied the outfit through its transition from punk to post-punk, and finally [[Tom Wall]], who with his inimitable minimalism completed the band's singular sound that would prove to be decades ahead of its time, a sound commercially realized only in much later bands such as Interpol and the Strokes.		'''''The Imports''''' forged their unique brand of post-punk in the quiet and tree-lined neighborhood of Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago in the spring of [[1980]]. Making up the core of the Imports were [[Ben Krug]] (Vocals), [[Tom Krug]] (Guitar) and [[Joe Strell]] (Bass). Like many bands, the Imports went through a series of drummers including [[John Krug]], who helped establish the Imports as one of a precious few Chicago punk bands in early 1980, [[Alec Dale]], who accompanied the outfit through its transition from punk to post-punk, and finally [[Tom Wall]], who with his inimitable minimalism completed the band's singular sound that would prove to be decades ahead of its time, a sound commercially realized only in much later bands such as Interpol and the Strokes.

	During their brief career, the Imports played extensively throughout the limited nightclub circuit of Chicago's underground music scene, a scene they shared with other Chicago new wave and/or punk (the distinction was never that clear) bands such as [[Bohemia]], [[Da!]], the [[Dadistics]], [[Epicycle]], [[The Ferraris]], [[Heavy Manners]], the [[Men]], [[Naked Raygun]], the Oil Tasters (from Milwaukee), [[Painter Band]], [[Phil 'n' the Blanks]], [[Poison Squirrel]], [[Skafish]], [[Special Affect]], the [[Subverts]] (from ~~Rockford~~), the [[Sweatermen]], the [[Throbbers]], the [[Trouble Boys]], and the [[Vaguelys]].		During their brief career, the Imports played extensively throughout the limited nightclub circuit of Chicago's underground music scene, a scene they shared with other Chicago new wave and/or punk (the distinction was never that clear) bands such as [[Bohemia]], [[Da!]], the [[Dadistics]], [[Epicycle]], [[The Ferraris]], [[Heavy Manners]], the [[Men]], [[Naked Raygun]], the Oil Tasters (from Milwaukee), [[Painter Band]], [[Phil 'n' the Blanks]], [[Poison Squirrel]], [[Skafish]], [[Special Affect]], the [[Subverts]] (from Dekalb), the [[Sweatermen]], the [[Throbbers]], the [[Trouble Boys]], and the [[Vaguelys]].

	Initially, the Imports played a quick pop punk set of originals inspired by late seventies American and British punk acts such as '''Iggy Pop''', the '''New York Dolls''', the '''Ramones''', the '''Sex Pistols''', the '''Clash''', and the '''Jam'''. Their repertoire soon swelled to over sixty originals, few of which ran much longer than two minutes, if that. The songs were fast and to the point, their earnest vocals and basic harmonies backed by driving durms, a melodic three-string bass, and the grist of a Gibson SG Junior Les Paul pumped through a Fender Twin Reverb. However, soon after their Chicago debut at the club [[Ann Arkees]] on March 6, 1980, the Imports were to trade their high-intensity pop-punk bombast for a hypnotizing style wrought of brooding melancholy.		Initially, the Imports played a quick pop punk set of originals inspired by late seventies American and British punk acts such as '''Iggy Pop''', the '''New York Dolls''', the '''Ramones''', the '''Sex Pistols''', the '''Clash''', and the '''Jam'''. Their repertoire soon swelled to over sixty originals, few of which ran much longer than two minutes, if that. The songs were fast and to the point, their earnest vocals and basic harmonies backed by driving durms, a melodic three-string bass, and the grist of a Gibson SG Junior Les Paul pumped through a Fender Twin Reverb. However, soon after their Chicago debut at the club [[Ann Arkees]] on March 6, 1980, the Imports were to trade their high-intensity pop-punk bombast for a hypnotizing style wrought of brooding melancholy.

Gantry: Transition to wiki format

2007-01-17T02:42:47Z

Transition to wiki format

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:42, 17 January 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~[http://www.the-imports.com~~ The Imports] forged their unique brand of post-punk in the quiet and tree-lined neighborhood of Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago in the spring of 1980. Making up the core of the Imports were ~~'''~~Ben Krug~~'''~~ (~~vocals~~), ~~'''~~Tom Krug~~'''~~ (~~guitar~~) and [~~http://www.joestrell.com~~ Joe Strell] (~~bass~~). Like many bands, the Imports went through a series of drummers including ~~'''~~John Krug~~'''~~, who helped establish the Imports as one of a precious few Chicago punk bands in early 1980, ~~'''~~Alec Dale~~'''~~, who accompanied the outfit through its transition from punk to post-punk, and finally ~~'''~~Tom Wall~~'''~~, who with his inimitable minimalism completed the band's singular sound that would prove to be decades ahead of its time, a sound commercially realized only in much later bands such as Interpol and the Strokes.		'''''The Imports''''' forged their unique brand of post-punk in the quiet and tree-lined neighborhood of Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago in the spring of [[1980]]. Making up the core of the Imports were [[Ben Krug]] (Vocals), [[Tom Krug]] (Guitar) and [[Joe Strell]] (Bass). Like many bands, the Imports went through a series of drummers including [[John Krug]], who helped establish the Imports as one of a precious few Chicago punk bands in early 1980, [[Alec Dale]], who accompanied the outfit through its transition from punk to post-punk, and finally [[Tom Wall]], who with his inimitable minimalism completed the band's singular sound that would prove to be decades ahead of its time, a sound commercially realized only in much later bands such as Interpol and the Strokes.

	During their brief career, the Imports played extensively throughout the limited nightclub circuit of Chicago's underground music scene, a scene they shared with other Chicago new wave and/or punk (the distinction was never that clear) bands such as ~~'''~~Bohemia~~'''~~, ~~'''~~Da!~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~Dadistics~~'''~~, ~~'''~~Epicycle~~'''~~, ~~the '''~~Ferraris~~'''~~, ~~'''~~Heavy Manners~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~Men~~'''~~, ~~'''~~Naked Raygun~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~Oil Tasters~~'''~~ (from Milwaukee), ~~'''~~Painter Band~~'''~~, ~~'''~~Phil 'n' the Blanks~~'''~~, ~~'''~~Poison Squirrel~~'''~~, ~~'''~~Skafish~~'''~~, ~~'''~~Special Affect~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~Subverts~~'''~~ (from Rockford), the ~~'''~~Sweatermen~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~Throbbers~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~Trouble Boys~~'''~~, and the ~~'''~~Vaguelys~~'''~~.		During their brief career, the Imports played extensively throughout the limited nightclub circuit of Chicago's underground music scene, a scene they shared with other Chicago new wave and/or punk (the distinction was never that clear) bands such as [[Bohemia]], [[Da!]], the [[Dadistics]], [[Epicycle]], [[The Ferraris]], [[Heavy Manners]], the [[Men]], [[Naked Raygun]], the Oil Tasters (from Milwaukee), [[Painter Band]], [[Phil 'n' the Blanks]], [[Poison Squirrel]], [[Skafish]], [[Special Affect]], the [[Subverts]] (from Rockford), the [[Sweatermen]], the [[Throbbers]], the [[Trouble Boys]], and the [[Vaguelys]].

	Initially, the Imports played a quick pop punk set of originals inspired by late seventies American and British punk acts such as '''Iggy Pop''', the '''New York Dolls''', the '''Ramones''', the '''Sex Pistols''', the '''Clash''', and the '''Jam'''. Their repertoire soon swelled to over sixty originals, few of which ran much longer than two minutes, if that. The songs were fast and to the point, their earnest vocals and basic harmonies backed by driving durms, a melodic three-string bass, and the grist of a Gibson SG Junior Les Paul pumped through a Fender Twin Reverb. However, soon after their Chicago debut at the club ~~'''~~Ann Arkees~~'''~~ on March 6, 1980, the Imports were to trade their high-intensity pop-punk bombast for a hypnotizing style wrought of brooding melancholy.		Initially, the Imports played a quick pop punk set of originals inspired by late seventies American and British punk acts such as '''Iggy Pop''', the '''New York Dolls''', the '''Ramones''', the '''Sex Pistols''', the '''Clash''', and the '''Jam'''. Their repertoire soon swelled to over sixty originals, few of which ran much longer than two minutes, if that. The songs were fast and to the point, their earnest vocals and basic harmonies backed by driving durms, a melodic three-string bass, and the grist of a Gibson SG Junior Les Paul pumped through a Fender Twin Reverb. However, soon after their Chicago debut at the club [[Ann Arkees]] on March 6, 1980, the Imports were to trade their high-intensity pop-punk bombast for a hypnotizing style wrought of brooding melancholy.

	In a meeting with '''Paul Weller''' during the '''Jam's''' "Setting Sons" tour, on Friday, March 7, 1980, the Imports ran through a quick "unplugged" set of their material before the Jam played a gig in Old Chicago, a combination shopping mall and amusement park on the far south side. After hearing the Imports play, Paul said that they would go over well in England, and that they reminded him of '''Joy Division''' and '''Gang of Four''', which he recommended that the Imports check out. And so they did. Seeing the light (or dark) the Imports immediately tossed out their entire collection of punk originals and begin carving out their own nich in the post-punk landscape of the early 1980s, writing stark, mesmerizing compositions that relied not so much upon rapid chord changes but rather employed subtle differences in texture and voicing to convey an underlying message of existential angst and accompanying despair.		In a meeting with '''Paul Weller''' during the '''Jam's''' "Setting Sons" tour, on Friday, March 7, 1980, the Imports ran through a quick "unplugged" set of their material before the Jam played a gig in Old Chicago, a combination shopping mall and amusement park on the far south side. After hearing the Imports play, Paul said that they would go over well in England, and that they reminded him of '''Joy Division''' and '''Gang of Four''', which he recommended that the Imports check out. And so they did. Seeing the light (or dark) the Imports immediately tossed out their entire collection of punk originals and begin carving out their own nich in the post-punk landscape of the early 1980s, writing stark, mesmerizing compositions that relied not so much upon rapid chord changes but rather employed subtle differences in texture and voicing to convey an underlying message of existential angst and accompanying despair.

	The Imports released only one professional recording: a 7" single on ~~'''~~Cirkle Records~~'''~~, published in 1980 with the songs "Visions of Reality" and "Darkness of Light" intentionally listed only as "Side One" and "Side Two", respectively. These songs were recorded on a four-track reel-to-reel tape recorder in the Imports rehearsal space in the basement of the Krug's home in Hyde Park. The recording engineer was ~~'''~~Andrew Clark~~'''~~, guitarist and vocalist of the band ~~'''~~Epicycle~~'''~~. In order to achieve some manner of separation between tracks, each member of the band was sequestered in his own corner of the basement. Recording lineup: Ben Krug (vocals), Tom Krug (guitar), Joe Strell (bass), Alec Dale (drums).		The Imports released only one professional recording: a 7" single on [[Cirkle Records]], published in 1980 with the songs "Visions of Reality" and "Darkness of Light" intentionally listed only as "Side One" and "Side Two", respectively. These songs were recorded on a four-track reel-to-reel tape recorder in the Imports rehearsal space in the basement of the Krug's home in Hyde Park. The recording engineer was [[Andrew Clark]], guitarist and vocalist of the band [[Epicycle]]. In order to achieve some manner of separation between tracks, each member of the band was sequestered in his own corner of the basement. Recording lineup: Ben Krug (vocals), Tom Krug (guitar), Joe Strell (bass), Alec Dale (drums).

	In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at '''Sammie's''' in Minneapolis, where they opened for the '''Jim Carroll Band''', and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.		In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at '''Sammie's''' in Minneapolis, where they opened for the '''Jim Carroll Band''', and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.

			== External Links ==

			* [http://www.the-imports.com The Imports home page]
			* [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell's homepage]

			[[Category:Bands]]

Strellj: Formatting changes

2006-12-29T23:00:55Z

Formatting changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:00, 29 December 2006
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[http://www.~~dansbane~~.com~~/pages/Imports/imports.html~~ The Imports] forged their unique brand of post-punk in the ~~relatively~~ quiet and tree-lined neighborhood of Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago in the spring of 1980. Making up the core of the Imports were Ben Krug (vocals), Tom Krug (guitar) and [http://www.~~dansbane~~.com~~/pages/Joe_Strell/joestrell.html~~ Joe Strell] (bass). Like many bands, the Imports went through a series of drummers including John Krug, who helped establish the Imports as one of a precious few Chicago punk bands in early 1980, Alec Dale, who accompanied the outfit through its transition from punk to post-punk, and finally Tom Wall, who with his inimitable minimalism completed the band's singular sound that would prove to be decades ahead of its time, a sound commercially realized only in much later bands such as Interpol and the Strokes.		[http://www.the-imports.com The Imports] forged their unique brand of post-punk in the quiet and tree-lined neighborhood of Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago in the spring of 1980. Making up the core of the Imports were '''Ben Krug''' (vocals), '''Tom Krug''' (guitar) and [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell] (bass). Like many bands, the Imports went through a series of drummers including '''John Krug''', who helped establish the Imports as one of a precious few Chicago punk bands in early 1980, '''Alec Dale''', who accompanied the outfit through its transition from punk to post-punk, and finally '''Tom Wall''', who with his inimitable minimalism completed the band's singular sound that would prove to be decades ahead of its time, a sound commercially realized only in much later bands such as Interpol and the Strokes.

	During their brief career, the Imports played extensively throughout the limited nightclub circuit of Chicago's underground music scene, a scene they shared with other Chicago new wave and/or punk (the distinction was never that clear) bands such as Bohemia, Da!, the Dadistics, Epicycle, the Ferraris, Heavy Manners, the Men, the Oil Tasters (from Milwaukee), Painter Band, Phil 'n' the Blanks, Poison Squirrel, Skafish, Special Affect, the Subverts (from Rockford), the Sweatermen, the Throbbers, the Trouble Boys, and the Vaguelys~~. Later additions to this eclectic milieu include Algebra Suicide and Naked Raygun~~.		During their brief career, the Imports played extensively throughout the limited nightclub circuit of Chicago's underground music scene, a scene they shared with other Chicago new wave and/or punk (the distinction was never that clear) bands such as '''Bohemia''', '''Da!''', the '''Dadistics''', '''Epicycle''', the '''Ferraris''', '''Heavy Manners''', the '''Men''', '''Naked Raygun''', the '''Oil Tasters''' (from Milwaukee), '''Painter Band''', '''Phil 'n' the Blanks''', '''Poison Squirrel''', '''Skafish''', '''Special Affect''', the '''Subverts''' (from Rockford), the '''Sweatermen''', the '''Throbbers''', the '''Trouble Boys''', and the '''Vaguelys'''.

	Initially, the Imports played a quick pop punk set of originals inspired by late seventies American and British punk acts such as Iggy Pop, the New York Dolls, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Jam. Their repertoire soon swelled to over sixty originals, few of which ran much longer than two minutes, if that. The songs were fast and to the point, their earnest vocals and basic harmonies backed by driving durms, a melodic three-string bass, and the grist of a Gibson SG Junior Les Paul pumped through a Fender Twin Reverb. ~~They~~ were ~~soon~~ to trade ~~this~~ high-intensity pop-punk bombast~~, however,~~ for a hypnotizing style of brooding melancholy.		Initially, the Imports played a quick pop punk set of originals inspired by late seventies American and British punk acts such as '''Iggy Pop''', the '''New York Dolls''', the '''Ramones''', the '''Sex Pistols''', the '''Clash''', and the '''Jam'''. Their repertoire soon swelled to over sixty originals, few of which ran much longer than two minutes, if that. The songs were fast and to the point, their earnest vocals and basic harmonies backed by driving durms, a melodic three-string bass, and the grist of a Gibson SG Junior Les Paul pumped through a Fender Twin Reverb. However, soon after their Chicago debut at the club '''Ann Arkees''' on March 6, 1980, the Imports were to trade their high-intensity pop-punk bombast for a hypnotizing style wrought of brooding melancholy.

	In a meeting with Paul Weller during the Jam's "Setting Sons" tour, on Friday, March 7, 1980, the Imports ran through a quick "unplugged" set of their material before the Jam played a gig in Old Chicago, a combination shopping mall and amusement park on the far south side. After hearing the Imports play, Paul said that they would go over well in England, and that they reminded him of Joy Division and Gang of Four, which he recommended that the Imports check out. And so they did. Seeing the light (or dark) the Imports immediately tossed out their entire collection of punk originals and begin carving out their own nich in the post-punk landscape of the early 1980s, writing stark, mesmerizing compositions that relied not so much upon rapid chord changes but rather employed subtle differences in texture and voicing to convey an underlying message of existential angst and accompanying despair.		In a meeting with '''Paul Weller''' during the '''Jam's''' "Setting Sons" tour, on Friday, March 7, 1980, the Imports ran through a quick "unplugged" set of their material before the Jam played a gig in Old Chicago, a combination shopping mall and amusement park on the far south side. After hearing the Imports play, Paul said that they would go over well in England, and that they reminded him of '''Joy Division''' and '''Gang of Four''', which he recommended that the Imports check out. And so they did. Seeing the light (or dark) the Imports immediately tossed out their entire collection of punk originals and begin carving out their own nich in the post-punk landscape of the early 1980s, writing stark, mesmerizing compositions that relied not so much upon rapid chord changes but rather employed subtle differences in texture and voicing to convey an underlying message of existential angst and accompanying despair.

	The Imports released only one professional recording: a 7" single on Cirkle Records, published in 1980 with the songs "Visions of Reality" and "Darkness of Light" intentionally listed only as "Side One" and "Side Two", respectively. These songs were recorded on a four-track reel-to-reel tape recorder in the Imports rehearsal space in the basement of the Krug's home in Hyde Park. The recording engineer was Andrew Clark, guitarist and vocalist of the band Epicycle. In order to achieve some manner of separation between tracks, each member of the band was sequestered in his own corner of the basement. Recording lineup: Ben Krug (vocals), Tom Krug (guitar), Joe Strell (bass), Alec Dale (drums).		The Imports released only one professional recording: a 7" single on '''Cirkle Records''', published in 1980 with the songs "Visions of Reality" and "Darkness of Light" intentionally listed only as "Side One" and "Side Two", respectively. These songs were recorded on a four-track reel-to-reel tape recorder in the Imports rehearsal space in the basement of the Krug's home in Hyde Park. The recording engineer was '''Andrew Clark''', guitarist and vocalist of the band '''Epicycle'''. In order to achieve some manner of separation between tracks, each member of the band was sequestered in his own corner of the basement. Recording lineup: Ben Krug (vocals), Tom Krug (guitar), Joe Strell (bass), Alec Dale (drums).

	In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire ~~are~~ a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at Sammie's in Minneapolis, where they opened for the Jim Carroll Band, and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.		In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at '''Sammie's''' in Minneapolis, where they opened for the '''Jim Carroll Band''', and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:41, 6 August 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
	'''''The Imports''''' forged their unique brand of post-punk in the quiet and tree-lined neighborhood of Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago in the spring of [[1980]]. Making up the core of the Imports were [[Ben Krug]] (Vocals), [[Tom Krug]] (Guitar) and [[Joe Strell]] (Bass). Like many bands, the Imports went through a series of drummers including [[John Krug]], who helped establish the Imports as one of a precious few Chicago punk bands in early 1980, [[Alec Dale]], who accompanied the outfit through its transition from punk to post-punk, and finally [[Tom Wall]], who with his inimitable minimalism completed the band's singular sound that would prove to be decades ahead of its time, a sound commercially realized only in much later bands such as Interpol and the Strokes.		'''The Imports''' forged their unique brand of post-punk in the quiet and tree-lined neighborhood of Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago in the spring of [[1980]]. Making up the core of the Imports were [[Ben Krug]] (Vocals), [[Tom Krug]] (Guitar) and [[Joe Strell]] (Bass). Like many bands, the Imports went through a series of drummers including [[John Krug]], who helped establish the Imports as one of a precious few Chicago punk bands in early 1980, [[Alec Dale]], who accompanied the outfit through its transition from punk to post-punk, and finally [[Tom Wall]], who with his inimitable minimalism completed the band's singular sound that would prove to be decades ahead of its time, a sound commercially realized only in much later bands such as Interpol and the Strokes.

	During their brief career, the Imports played extensively throughout the limited nightclub circuit of Chicago's underground music scene, a scene they shared with other Chicago new wave and/or punk (the distinction was never that clear) bands such as [[Bohemia]], [[Da!]], the [[Dadistics]], [[Epicycle]], [[The Ferraris]], [[Heavy Manners]], the [[Men]], [[Naked Raygun]], the Oil Tasters (from Milwaukee), [[Painter Band]], [[Phil 'n' the Blanks]], [[Poison Squirrel]], [[Skafish]], [[Special Affect]], the [[Subverts]] (from Dekalb), the [[Sweatermen]], the [[Throbbers]], the [[Trouble Boys]], and the [[Vaguelys]].		During their brief career, the Imports played extensively throughout the limited nightclub circuit of Chicago's underground music scene, a scene they shared with other Chicago new wave and/or punk (the distinction was never that clear) bands such as [[Bohemia]], [[Da!]], the [[Dadistics]], [[Epicycle]], [[The Ferraris]], [[Heavy Manners]], the [[Men]], [[Naked Raygun]], the Oil Tasters (from Milwaukee), [[Painter Band]], [[Phil 'n' the Blanks]], [[Poison Squirrel]], [[Skafish]], [[Special Affect]], the [[Subverts]] (from Dekalb), the [[Sweatermen]], the [[Throbbers]], the [[Trouble Boys]], and the [[Vaguelys]].

	Initially, the Imports played a quick pop punk set of originals inspired by late seventies American and British punk acts such as ~~'''~~Iggy Pop~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~New York Dolls~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~Ramones~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~Sex Pistols~~'''~~, the ~~'''~~Clash~~'''~~, and the ~~'''~~Jam~~'''~~. Their repertoire soon swelled to over sixty originals, few of which ran much longer than two minutes, if that. The songs were fast and to the point, their earnest vocals and basic harmonies backed by driving durms, a melodic three-string bass, and the grist of a Gibson SG Junior Les Paul pumped through a Fender Twin Reverb. However, soon after their Chicago debut at the club [[Ann Arkees]] on March 6, 1980, the Imports were to trade their high-intensity pop-punk bombast for a hypnotizing style wrought of brooding melancholy.		Initially, the Imports played a quick pop punk set of originals inspired by late seventies American and British punk acts such as Iggy Pop, the New York Dolls, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Jam. Their repertoire soon swelled to over sixty originals, few of which ran much longer than two minutes, if that. The songs were fast and to the point, their earnest vocals and basic harmonies backed by driving durms, a melodic three-string bass, and the grist of a Gibson SG Junior Les Paul pumped through a Fender Twin Reverb. However, soon after their Chicago debut at the club [[Ann Arkees]] on March 6, 1980, the Imports were to trade their high-intensity pop-punk bombast for a hypnotizing style wrought of brooding melancholy.

	In a meeting with ~~'''~~Paul Weller~~'''~~ during the ~~'''~~Jam's~~'''~~ "Setting Sons" tour, on Friday, March 7, 1980, the Imports ran through a quick "unplugged" set of their material before the Jam played a gig in Old Chicago, a combination shopping mall and amusement park on the far south side. After hearing the Imports play, Paul said that they would go over well in England, and that they reminded him of ~~'''~~Joy Division~~'''~~ and ~~'''~~Gang of Four~~'''~~, which he recommended that the Imports check out. And so they did. Seeing the light (or dark) the Imports immediately tossed out their entire collection of punk originals and begin carving out their own nich in the post-punk landscape of the early 1980s, writing stark, mesmerizing compositions that relied not so much upon rapid chord changes but rather employed subtle differences in texture and voicing to convey an underlying message of existential angst and accompanying despair.		In a meeting with Paul Weller during the Jam's "Setting Sons" tour, on Friday, March 7, 1980, the Imports ran through a quick "unplugged" set of their material before the Jam played a gig in Old Chicago, a combination shopping mall and amusement park on the far south side. After hearing the Imports play, Paul said that they would go over well in England, and that they reminded him of Joy Division and Gang of Four, which he recommended that the Imports check out. And so they did. Seeing the light (or dark) the Imports immediately tossed out their entire collection of punk originals and begin carving out their own nich in the post-punk landscape of the early 1980s, writing stark, mesmerizing compositions that relied not so much upon rapid chord changes but rather employed subtle differences in texture and voicing to convey an underlying message of existential angst and accompanying despair.

	The Imports released only one professional recording: a 7" single on [[Cirkle Records]], published in 1980 with the songs "Visions of Reality" and "Darkness of Light" intentionally listed only as "Side One" and "Side Two", respectively. These songs were recorded on a four-track reel-to-reel tape recorder in the Imports rehearsal space in the basement of the Krug's home in Hyde Park. The recording engineer was [[Andrew Clark]], guitarist and vocalist of the band [[Epicycle]]. In order to achieve some manner of separation between tracks, each member of the band was sequestered in his own corner of the basement. Recording lineup: Ben Krug (vocals), Tom Krug (guitar), Joe Strell (bass), Alec Dale (drums).		The Imports released only one professional recording: a 7" single on [[Cirkle Records]], published in 1980 with the songs "Visions of Reality" and "Darkness of Light" intentionally listed only as "Side One" and "Side Two", respectively. These songs were recorded on a four-track reel-to-reel tape recorder in the Imports rehearsal space in the basement of the Krug's home in Hyde Park. The recording engineer was [[Andrew Clark]], guitarist and vocalist of the band [[Epicycle]]. In order to achieve some manner of separation between tracks, each member of the band was sequestered in his own corner of the basement. Recording lineup: Ben Krug (vocals), Tom Krug (guitar), Joe Strell (bass), Alec Dale (drums).

	In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at ~~'''~~Sammie's~~'''~~ in Minneapolis, where they opened for the ~~'''~~Jim Carroll Band~~'''~~, and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.		In addition to their single, the only other extent recordings of this band's extensive repertoire is a board tape made from their penultimate performance in December 1980 at Sammie's in Minneapolis, where they opened for the Jim Carroll Band, and a couple of practice session tapes, recorded on a monophonic Sears tape recorder.

	== CD Release ==		== CD Release ==

	SAN FRANCISCO March 2011 - A CD of material by the 1980 Chicago-based post punk band The Imports has been released on the label Dansbane Elandet. Tracks include the two sides of their vinyl single "Side One (Visions of Reality)" b/w "Side Two (Darkness of Light)", as well as heretofore unavailable tracks from their penulitmate performance, recorded on December 4th, 1980 at Sammies in Minneapolis (plus a bonus disc of songs recorded at their South Side Chicago rehearsal space in October 1980). The CD and/or downloads are available on Amazon.com, CD Baby, and iTunes and other on-line retailers.		SAN FRANCISCO March 2011 - A CD of material by the 1980 Chicago-based post punk band The Imports has been released on the label Dansbane Elandet. Tracks include the two sides of their vinyl single "Side One (Visions of Reality)" b/w "Side Two (Darkness of Light)", as well as heretofore unavailable tracks from their penulitmate performance, recorded on December 4th, 1980 at Sammies in Minneapolis (plus a bonus disc of songs recorded at their South Side Chicago rehearsal space in October 1980). The CD and/or downloads are available on Amazon.com, CD Baby, and iTunes and other on-line retailers.

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==

	* [http://www.the-imports.com The Imports home page]		* [http://www.the-imports.com The Imports home page]
	* [http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/imports2 The Imports on CD Baby]		* [http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/imports2 The Imports on CD Baby]
	* [http://www.myspace.com/theimports1980 The Imports MySpace page]		* [http://www.myspace.com/theimports1980 The Imports MySpace page]
	* [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell's homepage]		* [http://www.joestrell.com Joe Strell's homepage]
			* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/758635-The-Imports Discogs profile]

	[[Category:Bands\|Imports, The]]		[[Category:Bands\|Imports, The]]
	[[Category:MySpace\|Imports, The]]		[[Category:MySpace\|Imports, The]]