Founded in Hornchurch, Silicon Teens were the first of the Essex electronic groups that found their way to Daniel Miller’s Mute imprint at the beginning of the 1980s. Organised as a quartet, Darryl, Jacki, Diane, and Paul used only their first names and played only electronic instruments.
The Teens achieved global success with their “Hooked On…”-style covers of rock classics and synthesised originals. Seymour Stein – who went on to discover Madonna – released their only album on Sire in the US. Their producer, Larry Least, went on to work with Alex Fergusson from Alternative TV and Poppy & The Jezebels.
It has been quiet from the Silicon Teens camp for some time. Apart from a contribution to the Mute compilation, STUMM433, we haven’t heard from the band. Acid house, Britpop, and Garage seem to have passed them by. Now, however, we have an album by two of the children from the band’s original members.
I Hate You, Patriarch Fuck! is the first release on the new label, Les Disques de la Pantoufle. Founded by a former member of Fad Gadget’s touring band, it comes from Jackie and Diana, who have inherited not only similar names to their famous forebears but also their teen spirit. As Intrusive Pinky, the California-based duo have created a set of electro-punk tracks that owe less to their parents’ Music for Parties than Crispy Ambulance’s cover of “Something Came Over Me.”
We asked Intrusive Pinky some questions to help readers get familiar with them.
How did Intrusive Pinky get its name?
You don’t want to know the other choices…
The album title isn’t the most Zen. Are you angry?
Of course we are angry ! Wouldn’t you be?
What gets you most worked up?
Young macho men, stupid people and GOP voters.
Will you be doing any covers of your own?
Covers? Sure.
Which tracks?
We want to cover “Blue Bayou” and “I will Survive” but will probably end up doing “Warm Leatherette” played as dark mambo.
Do you have a favourite Silicon Teens song?
“Sun Flight.”
What made you go modular?
As Daniel Miller said, playing synth is more punk than playing the guitar! There’s no need to know three chords – just press a keyboard.
With a modular, you add little bits by little bits, and you choose which sound pallet you want. It can be the trashiest sound ever or the most delicate harmony ever.
But, for now, we want TRASH!
What is next for the band?
Buying more modules and having more songs out. Possibly, an album by fall time.