Grey Factor - Grey Factor: 1979-1980 A.D. - Complete Studio Recordings (2023)

NOTE! tracks 1-6 – 24/44.1kHz

Pioneers of the Los Angeles underground art damage electronic music scene, Grey Factor have been more myth than legend for over 40 years. The band recorded two experimental synth/post-punk EPs and gigged sparingly before disbanding. None of their recordings have been officially released in physical format until now.

1979-1980 A.D. - Complete Studio Recordings includes Grey Factor’s two studio EPs remastered from the original analogue tapes and pressed on limited edition vinyl with a 16-page color booklet including archival photos, documents and flyers chronicling the band’s brief existence. It marks the launch of Damaged Disco, the new label founded by producer and musician Dave Trumfio (Pulsars, The Mekons).

In 1978 Jeff Jacquin, Joey Cevetello, Jon Pospisil, and Paul Fontana formulated the blueprint for their minimalist synth-based sound. Using what would today be considered a goldmine of vintage electronic equipment, they recorded The Perils of Popularity EP at Eldorado Recording Studios with a young engineer named Dave Jerden (prior to his work with The Talking Heads and Byrne/Eno). The EP was dubbed onto cassettes and distributed at one of the 20-odd gigs Grey Factor played at legendary L.A. punk venues like Madame Wong’s, The Hong Kong Café, and The Masque. Word spread quickly, and the “too cool to care” underground crowd were soon cramming their way in to view this new phenomenon.

In 1980, Paul Fontana left the band and was replaced by Anne Burns and Joey’s brother, John Cevetello, to create The Feel of Passion EP. The synthesizer and drum machine setup of the first EP was expanded to include guitar and bass, female vocals and saxophone. After a confrontational performance on the groundbreaking, influential and first-of-its-kind cable TV show New Wave Theater, Grey Factor called it quits, the members deciding that there was just nothing else left to do.