One half of Glaswegian DJ duo Optimo selects his favourite harsh-outs you can get down to

We think it’s fair to say that JD Twitch knows his onions when it comes to the underground sounds of the early eighties. His VF Editions-released compilation, due to be released 19 February, So Low, concentrates on synth, cold wave and industrial music of the era, while his [Cease & Desist] DIY! (Cult Classics From The Post-Punk Era 1978-82) showcased an excellent selection of under-the-radar post-punk.

Here, in preparation for his appearance with DJ mate Jonnie Wilkes as Optimo at Bloc, he picks out some industrial action that you can bop along to, too.

Laibach

Vier Personen

The sound of a totalitarian state getting down.

Sprung Aus Den Wolken

Akcam La

Oodles of klanking Teutonic funk as only Berliners in the early 80s seemingly knew how to do.

Revolting Cocks

No Devotion

The bassline on this just grooves on and on and on. Relentless.

Swans

A Screw (Holy Money) 12" mix

Were Swans ever industrial? Probably not but this 12″ mix by the heroic and largely forgotten Rico Conning has a relentless industrial-esque rhythm that also really swings. The sampled horn blasts are a thing of wonder.

SPK

Mekano

Most listeners will probably think this sounds more like the end of the world but the relentless high energy noise in this could have been sampled by Public Enemy.

Catch Optimo in action at this year’s Bloc, 11-13 March

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