The Secret Society CD released!

The Secret Society CD and Digital Album have just been released on Bandcamp.

Release Notes:
Before the Industrial music Any Questions? and the Electronic music of Imbued Vagary, there was the Electronic Rock of The Secret Society.  These earliest recordings of Ttam Troll (Matthew R Norcross), mC2p4 (M Scott McConnell), and others from 1985 - 1988 were compiled in 1989 for a cassette only release but have now been re-compiled from the best quality existing recordings for this CD release.  Synths, samplers, guitars, drum machines, electric basses, electronic drums, vocals, tape hiss, and a whole lot of weirdness fill the audio spectrum on this release.  Something for everyone!

Track Listing:
01 It's Coming 0:18
02 Progressions 4:18
03 Chunklet of Cheese 2:02
04 Monster Man 3:38
05 Pung 4:12
06 Idea H-2-12 3:48
07 Make My Mind Soar 0:34
08 Something About Tomorrow 3:36
09 TA 2:50
10 Synth Bass 0:14
11 How Do Rocks Multiply? (Solution IV) 5:14
12 Cry For An Early Dawn 3:10
13 I Was Playing Normally All of the Time 0:58

The Secret Society members revealed on this release:
Kendal T Chandler - Vocals
Larry Lee Fiber - Electronic Drums
Lonny Fiber - Drum Programming
Tim Harrell - Electronic Drums
M Scott McConnell - Synthesizers, Samplers, and Vocals
Matthew R Norcross - Bass, Synthesizers, Drum Programming, and Effects
Matt Skirpan - Guitar

Original release compiled by Matthew R Norcross - Summer 1989
Re-compiled by Matthew R Norcross - Fall 2022

Mastered by Tommy T Rapisardi at DSBP Records

Cover Design and Layout by Matthew R Norcross

Copyright ©2022 Floating Fish Music

FISHCD024

info@floatingfish.com | www.floatingfish.com

The Secret Society on CD!

Before Any Questions? and Imbued Vagary was The Secret Society.  These recordings from 1985 - 1988 were compiled in 1989 for a cassette only release but have now been re-compiled from the best quality existing recordings for this upcoming CD release.  Synths, guitars, drum machines, electric basses, electronic drums, vocals, tape hiss, and a whole lot of weirdness fill the audio spectrum on this release.  Something for everyone!

Floundering In A Sea Of Digital Waves

In early Summer 1988, I went to Ocean City, MD with the Ocker family for a fun and relaxing trip. Late at night, I took the opportunity to stroll along the beach alone. Sometimes listening to the waves and sometimes listening to my Walkman, it was during these strolls that I first had the idea for writing a song that would sonically capture the sound of a listless ocean along with the power and elegance of the waves as they crashed upon the shore. This was not a novel idea but for an 18yr kid (excuse me, man) it provided enough stimulus for a creative spark to be ignited.

It took about a year before I fully realized this idea but here I present to you the initial demo version of Floundering In A Sea of Digital Waves as I recorded it in the Summer of 1989.

P.S. Thank you to Tonya Ocker for capturing this picture of me with "Bedhead".

Vizator Band Photo

Taken from a Vizator photo shoot.  Members Dave Irish (Front: Center - Lead Vocals & Guitars), M Scott McConnell (Back: Left - Synthesizers & Maracas), Carlton Holt (Back: Center - Drums and Vocals), and Matt Norcross (Back: Right - Bass & Synthesizers) styling between a stone gate in a Pittsburgh PA park.

Another Behind the Scenes Moment with Vizator

Vizator members Dave Irish (Center - Lead Vocals & Guitars), Matt Norcross (Left - Bass & Synthesizers), and M Scott McConnell (Right - Synthesizers & Maracas) sharing a laugh while setting up at PPG Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh, PA (Summer 1989).  

One audience member obviously doesn’t find us amusing.  See if you can spot him.  It’s your Martin Luther King Jr. Day Challenge.

Behind the Scenes with Vizator

Vizator members Carlton Holt (Drums & Vocals), Dave Irish (Lead Vocals & Guitars), Matt Norcross (Bass & Synthesizers), and M Scott McConnell (Synthesizers & Maracas) setting up at PPG Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh, PA (Summer 1989).

A work day lunch crowd gathers in the background adorned in all of their best late ’80s fashion.

We Are Vizator

Vizator members Dave Irish (Lead Vocals & Guitars), Matt Norcross (Bass & Synthesizers), and Carlton Holt (Drums & Vocals) perform at PPG Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh, PA (Summer 1989).

Electronique 5

Recorded live at Der Palast des Goldes in 1989, this shows that Imbued Vagary has been creating electronic Noise for a long time.  Originally titled, Ride it To... (Bugs in the Rug), this improv shows that a Yamaha DX-7 can be used to create Noise too.

Those with sensitive hearing..  You better grab some ear plugs!

Never Had A Name

It's hard to believe this improv was recorded over 25 years ago.  In September 1989, we were exploring new sonic territories at Der Palast des Goldes studio.  Though we had a newly christened band name, Any Questions?, this improv really falls more in line with what has become our Imbued Vagary project.

We had a relatively modest (for us) studio set up at this point.  This was before we had a sampler or our E-MU Pro/Cussion so my trusty Korg DDD-5 drum machine handled all drum chores.  Korg ruled our set up in those early days and you can hear MC2P4 laying down a menacing synth bass line on his Korg DW-6000 while he adds additional melodies and sounds on our Ensoniq ESQ-1.

My nickname for this improv should have been Ttam "Never Stops Soloing" Troll.  Upon listening to this, I can tell that I'm firmly locked into Program 58 on my Korg DW-8000.  I was still quite new at playing synths in 1989 but, listening back, it doesn't seem like it took me long to get the hang of it.

This improv, entitled Never Had A Name, really did have one.  Oh well, I hope you enjoy it!



P.S.  This photo was taken on 11/24/90 at the very first Any Questions? live performance.

Any Questions? - Nightfall (Live)

"As the remaining rays of light disappear, Nightfall comes."

Next to Slam, Nightfall is probably one of the most recorded songs in the history of Any Questions?. I first began working on this track during late night solitary recording sessions at Der Palast des Goldes in Fall 1989. While MC2P4 and LTJTHC slept in the upper floors of the studio, I would retreat into headphones and lose myself in this slow tempo, vox string heavy groove. My Rickenbacker 4003 was still a weapon of choice in these early days of Any Questions? and I would effect it with heavy delay. If I remember correctly, 4096ms.

Unquestionably, this song was influenced by my relentless listening of The Cure - Disintegration. After being released in May 1989, I would listen to it almost daily. Seeing both Cure shows at the Spectrum in Philadelphia in September 1989 further cemented it's hallucinogenic effect on me.

The version of Nightfall that I share with you now is a live recording from Fall 1989 which was recorded at P&G Studios. It features LTJTHC playing "live" drum machine to the sequenced synth parts that I programmed as I ping pong along with delay drenched Rickenbacker 4003 bass lines.

P.S. This photo was taken in Summer 1989 at Valley Forge National Park in Valley Forge, PA.

Studio Line from L'Oréal Part 2

Vizator bassist/synthesist Matt Norcross performs at PPG Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh, PA (Summer 1989). Another photo from my Studio Line from L'Oréal period.

P.S. Thanks to Mitzi Moyer and her sister for taking this picture.

Ken Chandler sings with Any Questions?

In Fall 1989, we formed our electro-terrorist unit called Any Questions?. In the very early days of the band, MC2P4 wrote and sang most of the vocal parts but we also worked with a few other singers before I (Ttam Troll) eventually took over all of the singing (term used "loosely") duties.

One of these singers, whom I wrote about in an earlier post, was Brian "Who" Black but the first singer we worked with was our friend, Ken Chandler. MC2P4 and I had both known Ken for many years and had played in several bands with him. Some of these bands included Fantasia, This Mistress, and The Secret Society (rev 2).

One weekend in Fall 1989, we invited Ken to visit and record with us at Der Palast des Goldes. We (Any Questions?) had been working on several songs and, by this time, had three (Nightfall, Numan (Madonna's Puss), and Vagary) that we felt were ready for vocals. We played these songs for Ken and then turned over our Fostex X-15 Multitracker 4-Track Cassette Recorder and pair of headphones to him so he could listen to them and compose lyrics.

After a day of sporadic work and excessive partying, which frequently happened at Der Palast des Goldes, Ken had finished lyrics for these songs and we endeavored to record them. The second song that we recorded is one entitled Vagary. It's quite different than a "typical" Any Questions? song. This pensive synth rock experiment showcases the more varied experimental sound of early Any Questions?. I hope you enjoy it.

Brian "Who" Black

In Fall 1989, we formed our electro-terrorist unit called Any Questions?. In the very early days of the band, MC2P4 wrote and sang most of the vocal parts but we also worked with a few other singers before I (Ttam Troll) eventually took over all of the singing (term used "loosely") duties.

One of these singers was our friend, Brian "Who" Black. He had sung with some other bands so we decided that it was worth giving him a chance and see how well he could do with the material we were writing.

The first song that we worked with him on was a track called Slam. I had spent several days sequencing this song and working out the live keyboard parts and bass solo. During this period of production, I recorded numerous versions of it. In fact, this is probably the most recorded song in the history of the band. There are well over 20 versions of this song on 4-track tape.

I had originally intended for it to be an instrumental but, after realizing that is was "lacking something", we brought in Brian to see what he could add to it. His sharp, biting vocal performance fit the musical style of the song well and we were somewhat pleased.

MC2P4 continued to work with Brian on a few more songs but, eventually, we decided that Slam and the other songs that Brian contributed to didn't fit in with our other compositions. By this time, our music was becoming much more industrial and aggressive and I had begun to be the voice of the band. Because of this, all versions of this song have sat unreleased in the FFS Vaults for over 20 years.

So, after 20+ years in the FFS Vaults, here is Any Questions? - Slam featuring Brian "Who" Black on vocals. This recording is rather "noisy" but I have chosen it because it also includes one of my favorite electric bass solo performances. As you'll hear, I obviously have a "little" Peter Hook (New Order/Joy Division) influence in my playing.

Beach Blanket Troll

I thought that I would continue with the vacation/beach theme from yesterday's blog post. It's snowy and cold here in the Northeast so some thoughts of Summer may be just what we all need.

In early Summer 1988, I went to Ocean City, MD with the Ocker family for a fun and relaxing trip. Late at night, I took the opportunity to stroll the beaches alone. Sometimes listening to the waves and sometimes listening to my Walkman. It was during these strolls that I first had the idea for writing a song that would sonically capture the sound of a listless ocean along with the power and elegance of the waves as they crashed upon the shore. This was not a novel idea but for an 18yr kid (excuse me, man) it provided enough stimulus for a creative spark to be ignited.

It took about a year before I fully realized this idea but here I present to you the live version of Floundering In A Sea of Digital Waves as performed by Vizator at the PPG Plaza in Pittsburgh, PA (Summer of 1989). While listening, please try to ignore the incessant guitar synth flute soloing which is going on. It is NOT part of the song I wrote.

P.S. Thank you to Tonya Ocker for capturing this picture of me with "Bedhead".

Studio Line from L'Oréal

Vizator members Matt Norcross (C) and Dave Irish (R) perform at PPG Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh, PA (Summer 1989).  This was during my Studio Line from L'Oréal period.  In contrast, Dave was in full on mullet mode.

P.S. Thanks to Mitzi Moyer and her sister for taking this picture.