5.28.2021

Narthex Structure - Expression (1994 Undermind Music)

 

Honestly don't know anything about this band. I did some light research and the best I can come up with is they were from Ventura and possibly were in San Diego for a bit? Tracks were recorded in Ventura (1985), San Diego (1986) and Santa Barbara (1990). They are also on record as playing Wabash Hall. Looks like they were in high school when the early stuff was recorded. Researching this did bring me to this page, which documents addresses listed in the review section of MRR in the 80's. That's kind of creepy and amazing. I dunno, maybe one of the old timers who contribute to 185 Miles South know more.  

Lyrics are mostly what you would expect from high schoolers, but musically, this is way more sophisticated. Not sure how I'd classify it overall. Has it's post-punk moments, some more punk-ish moments, but it's hard to pin them down. 

I sold this CD for a cool hundo, so pretty sure the physical copy is pretty rare. If you know anything about the band, please comment. 

  1. Blind
  2. Chill / Plastic World
  3. Disappear
  4. Distance
  5. Zone Of Expression
  6. Wave Me On
  7. Scream
  8. Man Of Status
  9. Today
  10. Gutter
  11. Turn Around
  12. Facsimile
  13. Nonsense
  14. Human
  15. Come Alive
  16. Spoke In The Wheel
  17. Cancel And Drain
  18. Today (Live '85)
  19. Max / Exit The Rabbit (Live '86)

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4 comments:

  1. I looked for recordings of Narthex Structure for a very long time (my tape wore out years ago) so I had converted their songs from youtube so I could put their music on my phone . I have seen these guys play many times back in the 80s (in fact the band got together and played in Ventura a few years ago ).

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:03

      This is Paul from Narthex. I still have a few copies of the CD available. And we just released a vinyl 12" of our very first release. You can look for us on Poison Well Records. Undermind Audio (IG, etc.)... There's a FB group for us. And I have some t-shirts also, but not many.

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  2. Anonymous14:43

    We still play occasionally in California. There are 2 shows this month: 12/16/22 at Mrs. Olson's in Port Hueneme, and 12/17/22 at Gigi's in Ventura. There is a vinyl release pending on Poison Well Records. The cd listed here was published in 1994, and is indeed very rare. Many photos that are now lost.... There is a reissue from 2002 that is still available from Undermind Music. Lookup Narthex Structure on BigCartel.com or on Etsy. Once these CDs are gone, there will likely not be any other reissues of this release.

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  3. Hey yall.. Paul from Narthex Structure here.
    We are playing a vinyl release show Saturday May 20th 2023 at Social Tap in Ventura.
    Door opens at 3pm.
    Our 1st release from 1984 is now available on vinyl for a very limited production on Poison Well records.
    I've got new short run t-shirts with a new design, and patches.
    Come down to the show!

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