Bauhaus – 1979-1983

Bauhaus – 1979-1983

A landmark collection from one of the most influential bands in the history of gothic rock and post-punk, 1979-1983 brings together the essential recordings of Bauhaus during their brief but hugely influential career. Across four sides, the compilation traces the band's evolution from the stark, experimental post-punk of their earliest singles through to the darker, more atmospheric and sophisticated sound of their later work.

Formed in Northampton in 1978, Bauhaus — Peter Murphy, Daniel Ash, Kevin Haskins and David J — quickly established themselves as pioneers of a new, shadowy strain of post-punk. Their music combined angular guitar, powerful basslines, tribal-inspired drumming, theatrical vocals and experimental production, creating a sound that would become fundamental to the development of gothic rock.

The collection opens with some of the band's most important early material, including Double Dare, In The Flat Field, Dark Entries, and Stigmata Martyr. These tracks demonstrate the raw, confrontational character of early Bauhaus, before the nine-minute Bela Lugosi's Dead arrives as the centrepiece. Originally released as their debut single in 1979, the track's hypnotic bassline, sparse percussion and Peter Murphy's theatrical delivery made it one of the defining recordings of the emerging goth scene.

The second side moves through further Bauhaus classics including their remarkable reinterpretation of T. Rex's Telegram Sam, alongside St. Vitus Dance, A Spy In The Cab, Terror Couple Kill Colonel, and The Passion Of Lovers. The title track from 1981's Mask closes the side, demonstrating the increasingly polished and atmospheric direction the band was taking.

Side C features some of Bauhaus's most celebrated recordings, including Kick In The Eye, Hollow Hills, In Fear Of Fear, and their unforgettable cover of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust. Silent Hedges and Lagartija Nick further showcase the band's ability to create dark, dramatic soundscapes from relatively minimal instrumentation.

The final side brings together later-period favourites including Third Uncle, Spirit, and All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, before moving into She's In Parties, one of the standout tracks from the band's final studio album, Burning From The Inside. The collection closes with The Sanity Assassin and Crowds, offering a fitting conclusion to one of the most important stories in British post-punk.

For fans of Bauhaus, Peter Murphy, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Sisters of Mercy and gothic rock, 1979-1983 is an essential addition to any alternative vinyl collection. Combining post-punk experimentation, gothic atmosphere, art rock and punk intensity, it captures why Bauhaus remain such a crucial influence on generations of dark and alternative music.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Double Dare — 4:55
2. In The Flat Field — 4:50
3. Dark Entries — 3:54
4. Stigmata Martyr — 3:43
5. Bela Lugosi's Dead — 9:40

Side B

1. Telegram Sam — 2:10
2. St. Vitus Dance — 3:32
3. A Spy In The Cab — 4:31
4. Terror Couple Kill Colonel — 4:26
5. The Passion Of Lovers — 3:53
6. Mask — 4:36

Side C

1. Kick In The Eye — 3:32
2. Hollow Hills — 4:50
3. In Fear Of Fear — 2:58
4. Ziggy Stardust — 3:14
5. Silent Hedges — 3:12
6. Lagartija Nick — 3:06

Side D

1. Third Uncle — 4:16
2. Spirit — 3:38
3. All We Ever Wanted Was Everything — 3:52
4. She's In Parties — 3:52
5. The Sanity Assassin — 4:08
6. Crowds — 3:10