Lost Sounds of '80s LA: Afterimage's 'Faces to Hide'
Some bands burn bright and fast, leaving behind only tantalizing fragments of legacy. Afterimage, a post-punk group that briefly lit up the Los Angeles scene in the early '80s, is a case in point.
With Faces to Hide, a comprehensive retrospective dropping September 20th on Independent Project Records, a much-needed re-introduction and examination can finally take place.
For those who came of age in the first generation of post-punk, this compilation is nothing short of a time capsule. Afterimage's original lineup – Alec Tension (aka Daniel Voznick), A Produce (Barry Craig), Rich Evac, and Holland DeNuzzio – only existed for a couple of years, leaving behind a single and an EP.
The Los Angeles Times once dubbed Afterimage "L.A.'s Joy Division," and listening to tracks like "Satellite of Love," it does make some sense. The band's share a certain hypnotic, chilly exterior coupled with a fiery core. But Afterimage was no mere copycat – they brought their own West Coast flavor to the post-punk template.
"Surf Generator," which opens their 1981 Fade In EP, is a collision of surf rock riffs (courtesy of A Produce's guitar work) and post-punk angularity. It's the sound of The Ventures getting into a bar fight with Gang of Four.
Faces to Hide gives us the complete picture of Afterimage's output. All their studio recordings are here, along with a trove of demos and live tracks from iconic L.A. venues like Whisky a Go Go and Al's Bar. It's a chance to trace the evolution of their sound and get a feel for their raw live energy.
Independent Project Records has gone all out with variations in double vinyl (in black or opaque white), special edition CD, and digital formats. The physical versions come with extensive liner notes by writer Richie Unterberger and previously unseen band photos. And true to IPR's reputation, the packaging features their signature hand letterpress-printed designs.
Faces to Hide is a document of a often-overlooked corner of the Los Angeles underground scene. It's a reminder that there were bands crafting dark, urgent, and experimental sounds that could rival anything coming out of Manchester or New York.
All formats are available now on Bandcamp.
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