:zoviet*france: is an idiosyncratic collective of anonymous postindustrialists, dronologists, and pseudo-ethnomusicologists. Their investigations have taken them into semi-fictional cultures where reality is not easily located - although oft-forgotten historical markers, such as beachhead bunkers, occasionally punctuate their cover artwork - and often slips into the realm of the waking dream.

Having secluded themselves in Newcastle, England since their inception in 1982, :Zoviet*France: have developed a radical relationship with the cheap technologies of old-fashioned tape recorders, homemade acoustic instruments, primitive looping and sampling devices, and basic dub trickery.

From these machines, the collective has crafted a distinctly unique vocabulary of postindustrial sonic hypnosis. Just as :Zoviet*France:'s sound was alchemic reconfigurations of inexpensive technologies, their vinyl packaging literally covered their sounds with aluminum, roofing shingles, and porcelain.

Adding to their mystery, linear notes are precious few and hard to find, to the point of 6-point typeface printed on the spine of Rorschach-like fold-out illustrations. In fact, during the pre-CD era their vinyl packaging usually evoked as much mystery and fascination as the music itself.

In spite of the digital polish resulting from their usage of hard disk editing on their latest records, :Zoviet*France: has continuously fashioned a beautiful eeriness with unplaced signifiers, sonorous echoes, and hazy driftscapes.

There are no political, social or psycho-acoustic attributions to be found on a :Zoviet*France: product, which differentiates them from the sometimes didactic authorings by ambio-noise mates The Hafler Trio, Muslimgause, Esplendor Geometrico and others.

Perhaps the most fulfilling aspect of purchasing a :Zoviet*France: recording is its very absence of anything to latch your brain on to. One is left to his/her own mental formations as the artwork and music engage one to explore, sans reference, those pre-logical meanderings so much of this genre of music is all about.

Members:Ben PontonMark WarrenPast members:Andy EardleyLisa HaleMark SpybeyPaolo Di PaoloPeter JensenRobin StoreyDiscography: :Garista:1982 - (:soviet:france: ) Cas1985 - (Red Rhino\Singing Ringing) Cas1990 - (Charrm CHARRMTC1) Cas1990 - (Charrm CHARRMLP1) LP1990 - (Charrm CHARRMCD1) CDuntitled (Hessian)1982 - (Red Rhino RED 12 EP) EP1985 - (Red Rhino RED 12 EP) EP1990 - (Charrm CHARRMLP2) EP1990 - (Charrm CHARRMCD2) CDNorsch1983 - (Red Rhino RED23) EP1990 - (Charrm CHARRMCD3) CDMohnomishe1983 - (Red Rhino REDLP40) Dbl-LP1990 - (Charrm CHARRMCD4) CDEostre1984 - (Red Rhino REDLP 45) Dbl-LP1985 - (Red Rhino REDLP 45) Dbl-LP 1990 - (Charrm CHARRMCD5) CDPopular Soviet Songs And Youth Music1985 - (Singing Ringing/Red Rhino REDC58) Dbl-Cas1994 - (Staalplaat STCD 024) Six-CD1995 - (Staalplaat STCD 024) Tpl-CD2004 - (Staalplaat STCD 024) Tpl-CDGris1985 - (No Mans Land NML 8505) EP1985 - (No Mans Land NML 8505) EPMisfits, Loony Tunes And Squalid Criminals1986 - (Red Rhino REDLP67) LP1995 - (Charrm CHARRMCD8) CDGesture Signal Threat1986 - (Red Rhino REDLP67A) Cas1995 - (Charrm CHARRMCD9) CDLoh Land1987 - (Staalplaat STAALTAPE 00L) Cas1992 - (Staalplaat STCD 018) CDA Flock Of Rotations1987 - (Red Rhino REDLP68) LP1995 - (Charrm CHARRMCD10) CDAssault And Mirage1987 - (Red Rhino REDLP68A) Cas1995 - (Charrm CHARRMCD11) CDShouting At The Ground1987 - (Red Rhino REDCD91) Dbl-LP1987 - (Red Rhino REDLP91) CD1990 - (Charrm CHARRMLP12) Dbl-LP1990 - (Charrm CHARRMCD12) CDLook Into Me1990 - (Charrm CHARRMLP14) LP/EP1990 - (Charrm CHARRMCD14) CDJust An Illusion1990 - (Staalplaat STCD 005) CD1995 - (Staalplaat STCD 005) CD2005 (Staalplaat STCD 005) CDShadow, Thief Of The Sun1991 - (DOVentertainment DOVeCD66) CDVienna 19901991 - (Charrm CHARRMCD15) CD1991 - (Charrm CHARRMCD15) CDCollusion1992 - (The Grey Area Of Soleilmoon SION 1) CDWhat Is Not True1993 - (Charrm CHARRMCD17) CDUnentitled1995 - (These THESE 11 CD) CDDigilogue1996 - (Soleilmoon SOLV 004) LP1998 - (Soleilmoon SOL 62 CD) CDIn.

Version1996 - (Charrm CHARRMCD24) CDMort Aux Vaches: Feedback1998 - (Mort Aux Vaches / Staalplaat no#) CDThe Decriminalisation Of Country Music2000 - (Tramway TRAM1 CD) CDMusic For A Spaghetti Western2005 - (Klanggalerie GG111) CD2008 - shteirlel King Worldwide via alt.

vinyl