Left of the Dial: Dispatches From the 80s Underground

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Tracklist

1▶CD
2▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Message of Love
producer:
Chris Thomas (UK record producer / remixer)
bass guitar:
Pete Farndon
drums (drum set):
Martin Chambers (drummer for The Pretenders)
guitar:
James Honeyman‐Scott and Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
vocals:
Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
mixed at:
Wessex Sound Studios in Highbury, Islington, London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom
recording of:
Message of Love
lyricist and composer:
Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
The Pretenders43:29
2Vienna
producer:
Conny Plank (German producer and sound engineer) and Ultravox
bass:
Chris Cross (UK bassist for Ultravox) (in 1980-04)
drums (drum set):
Warren Cann (in 1980-04)
guitar:
Midge Ure (in 1980-04)
keyboard and violin:
Billy Currie (in 1980-04)
vocals:
Midge Ure (in 1980-04)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Chrysalis Records Ltd. (not for release label use! company behind the Chrysalis imprint) (in 1981, in 2025)
recorded at:
RAK Studios in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1980-04)
mixed at:
Conny’s Studio in Neunkirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Germany (in 1980-05)
edit of:
Vienna (original album mix) by Ultravox
music videos:
Vienna (music video) by Ultravox and Vienna (uncut) by Ultravox
recording of:
Vienna (in 1980-04)
writer:
Warren Cann, Chris Cross (UK bassist for Ultravox), Billy Currie and Midge Ure
publisher:
Hot Food Music Ltd., Jump Jet Music Ltd., Mood Music Ltd. (publisher), Sing Sing Songs Ltd. and Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group)
Ultravox3.354:40
3Freak Scene
engineer:
Paul Q. Kolderie and Sean Slade
producer:
J Mascis (US musician, member of Dinosaur Jr.)
bass:
Lou Barlow
drums (drum set):
Murph (US drummer for Dinosaur Jr./The Lemonheads)
guitar:
J Mascis (US musician, member of Dinosaur Jr.)
vocals:
Lou Barlow and J Mascis (US musician, member of Dinosaur Jr.)
recorded at:
Fort Apache North in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
part of:
NME: Greatest “Indie” Anthems Ever: 2007 (number: 46) and Rolling Stone: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time (2026-05-04) (number: 55)
recording of:
Freak Scene
lyricist and composer:
J Mascis (US musician, member of Dinosaur Jr.)
publisher:
Spam as the Bread Music
Dinosaur Jr.4.53:37
4This Charming Man
engineer:
Phil Bush (engineer, composer and musician) and Neil King (sound engineer)
producer:
John Porter (producer and musician US and UK)
bass guitar:
Andy Rourke
drums (drum set):
Mike Joyce (UK drummer)
guitar, guitar and harmonica and harmonica:
Johnny Marr
vocals:
Morrissey (English singer‐songwriter)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sire Records Company (not for release label use!) (in 1983) and Warner Music UK Ltd. (not for release label use!) (in 1983)
music videos:
This Charming Man by The Smiths (1980s English rock band)
part of:
NME: Greatest “Indie” Anthems Ever: 2007 (number: 11) and Indie 88: Top 500 Indie Rock Songs (number: 36)
recording of:
This Charming Man
lyricist:
Morrissey (English singer‐songwriter)
composer:
Johnny Marr
publisher:
Morrissey Marr Songs Ltd. and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
The Smiths3.752:43
5Stigmata
producer:
Hermes Pan (industrial bassist/producer/engineer) and Hypo Luxa
bass:
Paul Barker (industrial bassist/producer/engineer)
drums (drum set):
Bill Rieflin
guitar and keyboard:
Al Jourgensen
keyboard:
Roland Barker
vocals:
Al Jourgensen
recording of:
Stigmata
writer:
Al Jourgensen
Ministry4.25:45
6Ways to Be Wicked
recording engineer:
Joe Chiccarelli
producer:
Jimmy Iovine
mixer:
Don Smith (producer, engineer and mixer) and Shelly Yakus
bass, guest bass and guest bass guitar:
Bob Glaub
drums (drum set):
Don Heffington
guest electric guitar and guest guitar:
Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist)
guest organ and piano, organ and piano:
Benmont Tench
guest tambourine:
Bobbye Hall
guitar:
Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist) and Ryan Hedgecock
tambourine:
Bobbie Hall
lead vocals:
Maria McKee
vocals:
Maria McKee
recorded at:
Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
mixed at:
The Village (Village Studios, aka The Village Recorder) in Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
Ways to Be Wicked
lyricist and composer:
Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist) and Tom Petty
publisher:
Gone Gator Music (ASCAP affiliated) and Wild Gator Music (publishing company for Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
sub-publisher:
Universal Music Publishing France (not for release label use!) and Warner Chappell Music France
cover recording of:
Ways to Be Wicked
lyricist and composer:
Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist) and Tom Petty
publisher:
Gone Gator Music (ASCAP affiliated) and Wild Gator Music (publishing company for Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
sub-publisher:
Universal Music Publishing France (not for release label use!) and Warner Chappell Music France
Lone Justice3:25
7Wardance
producer:
Killing Joke (UK punk/goth/industrial band)
bass:
Youth (producer/bassist Martin Glover)
drums (drum set):
Paul Ferguson
guitar and synthesizer:
Geordie Walker
keyboard:
Jaz Coleman
vocals:
Jaz Coleman and Youth (producer/bassist Martin Glover)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
E.G. Records Ltd. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1980)
recording of:
Wardance
writer:
Jaz Coleman, Paul Ferguson, Martin Glover and Geordie Walker
publisher:
E.G. Music Ltd. (publisher)
Killing Joke4.653:48
8Enola Gay
engineer:
Laurence Diana and Max Norman
producer:
Mike Howlett and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
bass and synthesizer:
Andy McCluskey
drums (drum set) and percussion:
Malcolm Holmes (drummer)
keyboard and synthesizer:
Paul Humphreys (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark)
vocals:
Paul Humphreys (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) and Andy McCluskey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Virgin Records Ltd. (not for release label use! for company relationships only) (in 1980)
recorded at:
Ridge Farm Studios in Dorking, Surrey, England, United Kingdom
mixed at:
Advision Studios in Fitzrovia, Camden (London Borough of Camden), Westminster, London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom
recording of:
Enola Gay
lyricist and composer:
Andy McCluskey
publisher:
Dinsong Music and Virgin Music Publishers Ltd.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark3.753:31
9Mirror in the Bathroom
producer:
Bob Sargeant
bass:
David Steele (UK musician, member of The Beat and Fine Young Cannibals)
drums (drum set):
Everett Morton
guitar:
Andy Cox (of The Beat) and Dave Wakeling
saxophone:
Papa Saxa
vocals:
Ranking Roger and Dave Wakeling
part of:
Indie 88: Top 500 Indie Rock Songs (number: 282)
recording of:
Mirror in the Bathroom
writer:
Andy Cox (of The Beat), Everett Morton, Roger Charlery, David Steele (UK musician, member of The Beat and Fine Young Cannibals) and Dave Wakeling
publisher:
Arista Records Ltd. (not for release label use!), Beat Brothers Ltd. and Zomba Enterprises, Inc.
The Beat4.753:07
10Fairytale in the Supermarket
producer:
The Raincoats (British experimental post-punk band), Mayo Thompson and Geoff Travis
bass guitar:
Gina Birch
drums (drum set):
Palmolive
guitar:
Ana Da Silva
violin:
Vicky Aspinall
vocals:
Vicky Aspinall, Gina Birch and Ana Da Silva
recording of:
Fairytale in the Supermarket
writer:
The Raincoats (British experimental post-punk band)
The Raincoats42:59
11Behind the Wall of Sleep
bass:
Mike Mesaros
drums (drum set):
Dennis Diken (co-founded The Smithereens, WFMU radio host)
guest piano:
Joe Kernich
guitar:
Jim Babjak and Pat DiNizio
vocals:
Dennis Diken (co-founded The Smithereens, WFMU radio host), Pat DiNizio and Mike Mesaros
recording of:
Behind the Wall of Sleep
lyricist and composer:
Pat DiNizio
The Smithereens43:23
12Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing
engineer and producer:
Ethan James (musician, record producer, and recording engineer)
bass guitar:
Mike Watt (bassist of Minutemen, fIREHOSE, etc.) (from 1983-11 until 1984-04)
drums (drum set):
George Hurley (from 1983-11 until 1984-04)
guitar:
D. Boon (from 1983-11 until 1984-04)
vocals:
D. Boon (from 1983-11 until 1984-04)
recorded at:
Radio Tokyo in Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1983-11 until 1984-04)
recording of:
Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing (from 1983-11 until 1984-04)
lyricist and composer:
Mike Watt (bassist of Minutemen, fIREHOSE, etc.)
Minutemen41:31
13Punk Rock Girl
accordion, bass and guitar:
Joe Jack Talcum
drums (drum set):
Dean Clean
background vocals:
Dean Clean and Joe Jack Talcum
vocals:
Rodney Anonymous and Joe Jack Talcum
part of:
Indie 88: Top 500 Indie Rock Songs (number: 438)
recording of:
Punk Rock Girl
writer:
Joe Genaro, Rodney Linderman, Dean Sabatino and Dave Schulthise
The Dead Milkmen52:37
14Still in Hollywood
producer:
Concrete Blonde and Earle Mankey
bass:
Johnette Napolitano
drums (drum set):
Harry Rushakoff
guitar:
James Mankey
vocals:
Johnette Napolitano
recording of:
Still in Hollywood
lyricist and composer:
Johnette Napolitano
Concrete Blonde53:45
15Love Will Tear Us Apart
producer:
Joy Division and Martin Hannett
bass:
Peter Hook
drums (drum set):
Stephen Morris (New Order)
guitar:
Bernard Albrecht
vocals:
Bernard Albrecht and Ian Curtis
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Factory Communications Ltd. (holding company – file no releases here!) (in 1988)
recorded at:
Strawberry Studios in Stockport, Stockport, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom
part of:
triple j’s Hottest 100 (Australian annual music listener poll) (number: 1989 (All-time)), triple j’s Hottest 100 (Australian annual music listener poll) (number: 1990 (All-time)), Indie 88: Top 500 Indie Rock Songs (number: 5), Q50 – December 2005 (number: 6), Helsingin Sanomat: 100 maailman parasta laulua (2022-1-15) (number: 14), NME: Greatest “Indie” Anthems Ever: 2007 (number: 19), Pitchfork: The Story of Goth in 33 Songs, Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 41) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 179)
recording of:
Love Will Tear Us Apart
lyricist:
Ian Curtis
composer:
Ian Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris (New Order) and Bernard Sumner
publisher:
Fractured Music (publisher) and Zomba Music Publishers Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Zomba Music Publishing)
Joy Division4.53:27
16Blister in the Sun
recording engineer:
Glenn Lorbiecki (in 1982-07)
engineer and mixer:
John Tanner
producer:
Mark Van Hecke
bass:
Brian Ritchie (in 1982-07)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
Victor DeLorenzo (in 1982-07)
guitar and lead vocals:
Gordon Gano (in 1982-07)
vocals:
Victor DeLorenzo (in 1982-07) and Brian Ritchie (in 1982-07)
recorded at:
Castle Productions in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, United States (in 1982-07)
part of:
Indie 88: Top 500 Indie Rock Songs (number: 17)
recording of:
Blister in the Sun (in 1982-07)
lyricist and composer:
Gordon Gano
publisher:
Gorno Music Publishing, Gorno Music (in 1980) and Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships) (in 1982)
Violent Femmes4.452:25
17Lake of Fire
engineer:
Spot (US multi-instrumentalist and producer/engineer)
producer:
Meat Puppets and Spot (US multi-instrumentalist and producer/engineer)
bass guitar [bass]:
Cris Kirkwood (from 1983-04 until 1983-05)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Derrick Bostrom (from 1983-04 until 1983-05)
guitar:
Curt Kirkwood (from 1983-04 until 1983-05)
vocals:
Curt Kirkwood (from 1983-04 until 1983-05)
recorded at:
Total Access in Redondo Beach, California, United States (from 1983-04 until 1983-05)
mixed at:
Chaton in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States (in 1983-11)
recording of:
Lake of Fire
lyricist and composer:
Curt Kirkwood
publisher:
BMG Bumblebee (a BMI‐affiliated publishing entity of BMG Rights Management)
Meat Puppets3.951:57
18Amplifier
producer:
Scott Litt (producer and engineer)
bass:
Gene Holder
drums (drum set):
Will Rigby
guitar:
Chris Stamey
guitar and organ:
Peter Holsapple
vocals:
Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey
recording of:
Amplifier
lyricist and composer:
Peter Holsapple
The dB’s3:07
19When Love Breaks Down
producer:
Phil Thornalley
bass:
Martin McAloon
drums (drum set):
Neil Conti
guest keyboard and synthesizer:
Thomas Dolby
guitar:
Paddy McAloon
vocals:
Paddy McAloon and Wendy Smith (British musician, formerly with Prefab Sprout)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited (not for release label use! post-2008 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment) (in 1984)
edit of:
When Love Breaks Down by Prefab Sprout
recording of:
When Love Breaks Down
lyricist and composer:
Paddy McAloon
publisher:
EMI Songs Ltd.
Prefab Sprout3:45
20Goo Goo Muck
engineer:
Paul McKenna (mixing engineer)
producer:
The Cramps
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Nick Knox (in 1981-01)
guitar:
Congo Powers (in 1981-01) and Poison Ivy (founding guitarist of The Cramps) (in 1981-01)
vocals:
Lux Interior (in 1981-01)
recorded at:
A&M Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (in 1981-01)
cover recording of:
Goo Goo Muck (in 1981-01)
lyricist:
Ed James (songwriter from Bakersfield, California)
composer:
Ronnie Cook
publisher:
Stabry Music
The Cramps43:06
21This Corrosion
producer:
Jim Steinman
drum machine:
Doktor Avalanche
guest choir vocals:
The New York Choral Society
vocals:
Andrew Eldritch
recording of:
This Corrosion
lyricist and composer:
Andrew Eldritch
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships)
The Sisters of Mercy4:30
22Senses Working Overtime
assistant engineer:
Howard Gray (UK producer, engineer, and electronic musician)
engineer:
Hugh Padgham
producer:
Hugh Padgham and XTC (English rock band)
12 string guitar and percussion:
Dave Gregory (XTC)
acoustic guitar and background vocals and lead vocals:
Andy Partridge
bass, fretless bass and background vocals:
Colin Moulding
drum machine and drums (drum set) and drums (drum set):
Terry Chambers
guitar:
Dave Gregory (XTC) and Andy Partridge
vocals:
Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge
recorded at:
The Manor in Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
part of:
TV Cream: Real 100 Best Singles Ever (number: 35) and Indie 88: Top 500 Indie Rock Songs (number: 339)
recording of:
Senses Working Overtime
lyricist and composer:
Andy Partridge
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships)
XTC54:50
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