Conspiracy Theory
Order-Nr.: DE-027 |
LP / Dark Entries Records / 2012
TRESS is the duo of Alan Rider and Phil Clarke from West Midlands,
England formed in 1981. Alan was editor of Coventry fanzine “Adventures
in Reality”, and Phil was editor of Nuneaton fanzine “Damn Latin.”
Stress combined electronic rhythms and keyboards with bass guitar,
vocals, percussion, and cut-up samples. They created catchy electronic
pop songs that fused accessible & experimental elements with a
pointed lyrical edge in the vein of Cabaret Voltaire, Depeche Mode and
Joy Division.
Their first two albums were cassette releases on Alan’s own Adventures
in Reality Recordings label. “Help Comes Too Late” in 1982 followed by
“Restraint” in 1984. In July 1985 Stress released “The Big Wheel” album
and appeared on numerous cassette and vinyl compilations worldwide.
More gigs and press followed and the album took the Number 1 spot in the
NME’s electronic charts. Stress split in September 1985 and re-formed
briefly in 1991 to record two tracks.
“Conspiracy Theory” is an 11-song ‘best of’ compilation album featuring
tracks from the first two cassette albums with “The Prayer Clock” from
Third Mind Records’ ‘Life At The Top’ compilation LP and “Tear It Down”
from the ’Compulsory Overtime’ compilation LP. Each song has been
carefully remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Each
LP also includes a 16-page booklet “Stress Edition” of Adventures in
Reality fanzine with photos, equipment list, press cuttings, lyrics and
an exclusive Stress badge.
