Combo Audio
Urbana, Illinois Combo Audio released the classic 80's single "Romanticide" in 1982 on Secret Records and an EP on EMI in 1983 before disappearing from the scene. When listening to the band's brand of New Romantic Synth Pop you'd think the band was from the U.K. and not America's heartland. The band was a big part of the Champaign-Urbana music scene and opened for U2 in 1982 at the University of Illinois Auditorium. The version of "Romanticide" on the download page is the original single version. It was rerecorded for the EP and the EP version can be found on the "Living in Oblivion: The 80's Greatest Hits, Vol 1 collection.
Combo Audio were:
Rick Neuhaus - Drums , John Kellogg - vocals, Tom Broeske - bass, and later Angus Thomas - bass.
Go to the download page to get Combo Audio - "Romanticide" [7" version]
14 Comments:
Hi, love the page, but unfortunately I could not completely download the Audio Combo file Romanticide. It only gave me the first 6 seconds. I beleive this is the original version I've been looking for and would love to get it from you. Thanks!
That download worked fine for me.
Thanks, Eric!
I remember...sort of...Combo Audio opening for the Talking Heads at Assembly Hall in '82...Always a fun band to see, especially at Mabel's with your head full of um, coffee, yes, that's it.
I heard Combo Audio on Sirius Radio just a minute ago, and thought at first it might be Alphaville! Very cool Euro-Pop sound, CA. I may have to buy a CD or two. I had never heard of Combo Audio and did a quick search and found this great site. Thanks for the resource!
Wish i could find more of their stuff The video used to be on youtube but has been pulled (thank you viacom)
very reminiscent of ultravox imho
What is John Kellogg doing these days? Such a talented artist and the band was awesome. I saw them in Carbondale way back when I was young. I thought they had the talent to really make it big, what happened? Where is Kellogg and the band now and what are they doing?
Hi, I'm the Richard that owned Hangar 9 from 1980-2000, in partnership with my starter wife.
Combo Audio was an excellent band, could have gone all the way, had they been in the right place at the right time. Angus was well known in Cdale, having gone to school at SIU, and played in several local bands, notably several versions of Stryder (I was the keyboardist) featuring 'Kat' Fields. Angus also was known for taking the stage at Shryock Auditorium with Stanley Clarke in a low frequency shootout. There was no clear winner.
Cheers, Richard
I enjoyed seeing Combo Audio at Mabel's and um...First Street (?) a few times. Great live show. I found this site after having "Mommy Gave Me Valium" popped into my head out of the blue. Is there a recording of that song floating around?
Combo Audio has a website www.comboaudio.com. Fans and the uninitiated should check it out. It has videos - live and the big production version of Romanticide. My favorite tune - Hi Fidelity could be playing right now. John Kellogg settled in CA and I think can be contacted through that website.
Was Romanticide released as a 12" single? Are there any other Combo Audio songs released as a single?
Hey...it's Rick Neuhaus here. Nice to see that we were noticed and remembered. John has a lot of songs that deserve a second life. The 80's was a great time for us. As a band, I thought the song "Military English" represented us most accurately...especially a live, jammed out version!
That's exactly what I thought!! Great song. I'm looking for more of their music.
That's exactly what I thought!! Great song. I'm looking for more of their music.
I loved Combo Audio when I went to U of I. Saw them so many times at Mabel's. I had a girlfriend in the 90s who gave me a mix tape of various new wave groups she liked and it had "Romanticide" on it! She was from L.A. No idea how she ever heard Combo Audio back then and she couldn't remember where she got the record. I have to say, listening to the record is nothing like seeing them live. They really were a great show.
Post a Comment
<< Home