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consisted of a mixture of analog synths including Roland and Moog keyboards, mixed with software and modular samplers including the Apple II-based
Greengate DS:3 and the Akai S-series samplers. After reforming, the band went entirely digital, using software synths and midi controllers to replicate the analog feel of their earlier work.
533:
The band described their early approach to music as "electropunk", with
Whybrew explaining "Our background is punk--any kind of slightly hippyish notion left us cold." In a 2015 interview, the band described themselves as "electro punk with elements of EBM and industrial." The band's early sound
466:
and almost immediately released a single, "Techno
Divinity." Along with the rebrand, the sound of Solar Enemy was significantly different than Portion Control, with less emphasis on the vocals and "harshness" that characterized the latter. The band released two albums, one on
273:
Portion
Control formed in 1979 with a line-up of Dean Piavani, Ian Sharp and John Whybrew. The band took the name "Portion Control" from Whybrew's time in catering school, presuming it to be not particularly pretentious or associated with a particular style.
354:
for a remix. But, as the work began to culminate, the label "went cold," offering an objection to the "gruffness of Dean's vocals" and the relationship effectively ended, leaving the band confused over two years of wasted time.
297:(1982). These early cassette releases were a highly DIY affair, featuring hand-drawn art by band members, direct recording to cassette recorders, and some of the earliest affordable electronic instruments such as the
458:
In the aftermath of the debacle with London records, the band contemplated a name change as a means of deflecting over two years of apparent inactivity. At the same time, Gary
Levermore of
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and one on T.E.Q. Music, with some songs that did some reasonable business in the clubscene at the time. Feeling that they had lost their direction, the band ceased activity after 1993.
39:
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553:". Other reviewers took note that the band's later compositions mix their signature dancefloor-oriented tracks with more experimental, soundtrack-like compositions.
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Coming off of the work with T.E.Q. Music as Solar Enemy, the band planned several reissues of
Portion Control material, culminating in a retrospective compilation,
1543:
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490:, in 2004. The reformed duo committed to only using software-based instruments, casting off the analog, hardware-based sound of their first incarnation. After
312:, was released 22 November 1982 by In Phaze. The album marked the beginning of the band's underground recognition and was noted for its use of the distinctive
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music. The subsequent three 12" releases â "Raise the Pulse", "Rough
Justice", and "Go Talk" â presented the band in a more dancefloor-oriented format.
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231:, formed in 1979. The original incarnation of the group existed until 1987; after a brief incarnation as Solar Enemy, they reformed in 2002.
498:, the band's output slowed, with only the release of compilation and live albums. In 2020 they released a new material on the full length,
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462:, who had previously desired to sign Portion Control to his label, took advantage of the opportunity. The band rebranded as
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19:
This article is about the electronic band
Portion Control. For the effects of serving size in weight management, see
1252:"Interview with Portion Control: 'We Aren't Really Bothered By The Demise Of CDs, We Never Liked The Format Anyway'"
1278:"Portion Control â "We aren't musicians so for us the mouse is still the best tool!" â Tech-Talk with DJ Wildhoney"
1140:
20:
1468:
561:
Portion
Control have been cited as an influence on numerous industrial and electronic music bands including
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on bass), was issued in 1980 by
Ladelled Music, followed by three further cassettes on In Phaze Records,
82:
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Piavanni and Whybrew reformed Portion Control in 2002, and self-released their first reunion album,
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1226:"Portion Control: We have always been keen users of technology and this continues to this day"
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the band released new albums consistently every one to two years through 2012. After 2012's
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While the band played alongside and associated with many early industrial bands such as
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549:", and at times "demonstrated a gift for gritty, teethgrinding distortion, not unlike
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in 1994. Otherwise, the band ceased activity for a number of years.
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Marcuse, H. (March 1995). Neville, Leigh; Riley, Matthew (eds.).
200:
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wrote "they are the band that inspired me to do my own music."
342:
By the late eighties, the band was introduced to music manager
1503:
1437:"Extended CD release of Portion Control's new "Head Buried""
573:. In the liner notes for the retrospective compilation,
739:"Across the Fence" flexi-disc (1981, In Phaze Records)
742:"Raise the Pulse" 7"/12" (1982, Illuminated Records)
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1007:. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 151.
1003:Assimilate: A Critical History of Industrial Music
1000:
751:"The Great Divide" 7"/12" (1985, Rhythmic Records)
539:Assimilate: A Critical History of Industrial Music
316:many years before the sound became popularized by
44:Portion Control at Nocturnal Culture Night 14 2019
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249:system. They have been cited as an influence on
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745:"Rough Justice" 12" (1984, Illuminated Records)
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346:who signed the band and arranged a deal with
8:
1063:"Portion Control 'Pure Form' â album review"
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327:In January 1984, Portion Control recorded a
277:The trio's first release, the cassette-only
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748:"Go-Talk" 12" (1984, Illuminated Records))
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1250:Inferno Sound Diaries (2 October 2020).
1141:BBC John Peel Sessions - Portion Control
1056:
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663:cassette-only (1983, Third Mind Records)
238:and were acclaimed for their use of the
1383:Uhlenbruch, J. Niggels (9 April 2010).
988:
308:Their first full-length vinyl release,
1389:Reflections of Darkness Music Magazine
927:Proceed to Beyond (The Rape of Europa)
764:cassette-only (1981, In Phaze Records)
651:cassette-only (1982, In Phaze Records)
645:cassette-only (1981, In Phaze Records)
639:cassette-only (1981, In Phaze Records)
602:John Whybrew (1979â1987, 2002âpresent)
599:Dean Piavani (1979â1987, 2002âpresent)
537:Author S. Alexander Reed, in his book
1544:Musical groups disestablished in 1987
1499:Portion Control Official MySpace Page
854:The Man Who Did Backwards Somersaults
7:
1549:Musical groups reestablished in 2002
1471:from the original on 26 January 2021
1202:(11). UK: The Empty Quarter: 34â37.
1094:Zappa, François (14 February 2019).
1039:. Timesquotidian.com. 9 January 2011
633:cassette-only (1980, Ladelled Music)
575:The Man Who Did Backward Somersaults
481:The Man Who Did Backward Somersaults
1519:Electronic music groups from London
1385:"Portion Control - Violently Alive"
1357:Zappa, François (14 October 2022).
1539:Musical groups established in 1980
16:British electro industrial project
14:
1359:"Portion Control â Dissolve Plus"
1276:Wildhoney, Flip (22 March 2016).
1196:"Solar Enemy: The Sonic Creators"
1025:– via the Internet Archive.
245:based Greengate DS3 sampling and
829:Live in Europe (SpainâŚUKâŚSweden)
1534:English new wave musical groups
1529:British industrial music groups
1524:English electronic music groups
1435:Carlsson, Johan (1 June 2020).
866:Solar Enemy vs. Portion Control
1330:"Portion Control, "Pure Form""
1158:Sword, Harry (February 2016).
1061:Newall, Phil (23 April 2012).
620:Discography as Portion Control
331:. With the release in 1984 of
234:The band pioneered the use of
1:
1410:"Portion Control - Pure Form"
1303:"Portion Control - Pure Form"
1224:Caluwe, Benny (15 May 2015).
874:(2009, Sigsaly Transmissions)
831:(1987, Big Noise in Archgate)
812:digital (2021, self-released)
806:digital (2021, self-released)
800:digital (2020, self-released)
788:digital (2003, self-released)
711:(2010, Sigsaly Transmissions)
1564:Cassette culture 1970sâ1990s
1200:Music From The Empty Quarter
1143:. Retrieved 4 November 2006.
1096:"Interview: Portion Control"
782:12" (1986, Dead Man's Curve)
776:12" (1983, In Phaze Records)
770:12" (1982, In Phaze Records)
1494:Portion Control Official HQ
1465:"Portion Control Home Page"
999:Reed, S. Alexander (2013).
794:7"/CD (2005, self-released)
669:(1984, Illuminated Records)
1580:
1554:Third Mind Records artists
1328:Lord, Bruce (8 May 2012).
923:(1991, Third Mind Records)
910:(1990, Third Mind Records)
897:Discography as Solar Enemy
673:Psycho-Bod Saves the World
281:(including Andy Wilson of
18:
1230:Peek-A-Boo Music Magazine
946:Funky Alternatives Vol. 6
884:Progress Report 1982-1986
878:Progress Report 1980-1983
868:(2008, Bastet Recordings)
37:
21:Portion control (dieting)
1559:In Phaze Records artists
1282:Side-Line Music Magazine
1256:Side-Line Music Magazine
850:(1983, In Phaze Records)
825:(1986, For All and None)
675:(1986, Dead Man's Curve)
657:(1982, In Phaze Records)
339:'s tour that same year.
1504:Portion Control Fansite
934:Compilation appearances
886:(2015, Vinyl-on-demand)
880:(2010, Vinyl-on-demand)
723:(2014, Minimal Maximal)
615:Andy Wilson (1979â1980)
1441:Release Music Magazine
1414:Release Music Magazine
643:Private Illusions No 1
502:, and the "SEED" EPs.
291:Private Illusions No 1
50:Background information
1160:"The filth dimension"
929:(1993, T.E.Q. Music?)
862:(2006, self-released)
856:(1994, T.E.Q. Music?)
729:(2020, self-released)
705:(2008, self-released)
699:(2007, self-released)
693:(2006, self-released)
681:(2004, self-released)
612:Ian Sharp (1979â1987)
301:Axxe synthesizer and
133:Sigsaly Transmissions
717:(2012, Other Sounds)
655:I Staggered Mentally
551:Esplendor Geometrico
506:Influences and style
310:I Staggered Mentally
1037:"Variegated Menace"
892:(2022, VUZ Records)
768:Surface and Be Seen
762:Dining on the Fresh
721:Unrest in the Grime
583:Front Line Assembly
251:Front Line Assembly
121:Illuminated Records
1363:El Garaje de Frank
1100:El Garaje de Frank
842:Compilation albums
837:(2014, Wet Dreams)
649:With Mixed Emotion
469:Third Mind Records
460:Third Mind Records
295:With Mixed Emotion
117:Third Mind Records
1124:"Portion Control"
976:Taste This Vol. 3
921:Dirty vs Universe
835:Live Granada 1985
661:Shot in the Belly
547:Throbbing Gristle
516:Chris & Cosey
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691:Filthy White Guy
687:(2004, Catalyst)
637:Gaining Momentum
543:Cabaret Voltaire
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293:(both 1981) and
287:Gaining Momentum
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124:Rhythmic Records
113:In Phaze Records
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1309:. 20 April 2012
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667:..Step Forward
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631:A Fair Portion
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1416:. 7 June 2012
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136:Other Sounds
99:2002âpresent
93:Years active
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1128:Discogs.com
1105:19 February
1068:14 February
817:Live albums
727:Head Buried
500:Head Buried
464:Solar Enemy
367:Solar Enemy
359:Solar Enemy
344:Tom Watkins
283:the Passage
150:Solar Enemy
1513:Categories
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1368:31 January
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1023:1147729910
983:References
425:Spinoff of
416:Third Mind
388:Electronic
318:acid house
247:sequencing
227:band from
225:industrial
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1168:(450): 64
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520:23 Skidoo
496:Pure Form
447:Ian Sharp
399:1990â1993
379:, England
185:Ian Sharp
97:1979â1987
61:, England
1469:Archived
1043:8 August
810:SEED EP3
804:SEED EP2
798:SEED EP1
792:Stansted
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679:Wellcome
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243:computer
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236:sampling
147:Spinoffs
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1475:6 March
964:Ghafran
860:Archive
823:Assault
786:Code 11
734:Singles
594:Current
589:Members
567:Orbital
269:History
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218:British
196:Website
159:Members
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972:(1993)
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607:Former
557:Legacy
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384:Genres
377:London
373:Origin
322:techno
216:are a
104:Labels
66:Genres
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569:and
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205:.net
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