#crypticsalutations

[crypticsalutations]

A Conversation with Simon Edwards: Bassist, Backing Vocalist, and Co-Lyricist of Saturnalia

Saturnalia. A short lived, Leek based post punk project built between friends in the 1980's, but for Cryptic Salutations they represent so much more; the beginning of an era. Coming across The Cold Night Air deep within the forgotten recesses of YouTube one night a few years ago, I had no clue that a band with only four publicly released tracks would leave such an impression that their very existence would contribute to the birth of an entire blog. This blog. This one right here. When I started sharing tracks, I'd never planned to go in an interviewing direction. I just wanted to share my interest in obscure music with others and find a bunch of cool jams along the way. One thing I noticed consistently, however, was that many of these bands and artists I'd come to enjoy were pretty much faceless. Maybe one obfuscated photo here and there, or names that were seemingly untraceable, and Saturnalia was no exception.

Cover of Inside the Devil's Circle 7" single, previously the only identifiable image of the band online With only one black and white photo, as well as first initials and last names listed in one of their singles, Saturnalia were effectively... nobody. You had to know them to know them, pretty much. For some reason though, this anonymity intrigued me. It was just baffling that a band could drop 4 banger tracks, then disappear into the world without leaving so much as a foot print. Who were they, what was their inception like, and where were they now? This curiosity is almost singlehandedly what changed the direction of Cryptic Salutations. Every few months I would poke around online in attempt to get this thing rolling, but I hit road blocks time and time again. I'd already interviewed the likes of Steinhardt and Jonathan Lemon, so I figured I just wasn't looking hard enough... Until I stumbled upon, hilariously, a Facebook post. A Leek local was sharing his memories of Saturnalia, and also appeared to be part of their local music scene. It was the closest lead I'd ever gotten, so I contacted him, and it magically paid off! To make a long story short, I was put into contact with Simon, who played bass, sang backing vocals, and co-wrote Saturnalia's lyrics, and today he has offered to answer some of my burning questions regarding the how's, why's, and when's of the band. It was exciting enough for me to rise out of the coffin of hiatus-land, so I'm very pleased to bring you the interview here in full! Enjoy! Interview below

Cryptic Salutations: What is the story of Saturnalia’s beginnings?

Simon Edwards: The roots of Saturnalia came from four school friends jamming together in bedrooms and garages, learning to play our instruments, and figuring out how to play together. I played bass guitar, occasional double bass, and did backing vocals, Dave Woodcock played keyboards, Jonathan Kirk was on drums, and Steve 'Spacebat' Masters was on main vocals, guitar and sax.

In the last six months or so of the band's existence, we added a second guitarist, Martin Hedley.

CS: What first got you into music? Who were your inspirations?

Simon: Punk and new wave gave us the impetus to do something, without having to be virtuosos. A couple of the guys had also been into Pink Floyd previously, and later we were all quite open to all kinds of influences. Dave Woodcock and I got quite into jazz theory and tribal sounds. I'd say that some of the band's main contemporary influences were Ultravox (pre-Midge Ure), Psychedelic Furs, Japan, Joy Division, The Stranglers, Talking Heads and Chrome.

New photos courtesy of Simon CS: What was the band’s creative process like?

Simon: Ordinarily, someone would bring a chord sequence or a riff along to a rehearsal, and we'd jam around it, but on occasion Dave W or Spacebat would bring an almost complete idea. The lyrics were written by me or Spacebat, about half-and-half.

CS: Were there ever any live shows, if so, does footage exist, and did you enjoy playing live?

Simon: We played about fifteen or twenty live shows, mostly in our local area, in community halls, pubs, nightclubs, the local university student bar, but we also got to play one gig in London, at the iconic Marquee Club on Wardour Street. I don't believe any live footage exists, but I'd love to be proved wrong!

CS: Where has life taken you since the end of Saturnalia?

Simon: About a year after Saturnalia split up, I moved to London with Martin Hedley and my then girlfriend, and formed a band called Ask Virginia, which lasted a few years, played a few gigs and recorded loads of demos. I then joined Martin's resurrected band, Bible For Dogs, which was a frantic punk-jazz experience. I currently curate and present a specialist music show called Loose Canon, which is broadcast in the UK, Hong Kong and Bulgaria. I'm also a music promoter in my local area, specialising in alternative/indie/post-punk/punk.

Spacebat and Kirk now live about an hour from me, and we still get together now and again for a few drinks and a jam session. Dave Woodcock lives in Canada, but we see each other every couple of years. Martin Hedley lives on the south coast, and is in a horror swamp blues band called The Wattingers.

CS: In your own opinion, what do you think of the music industry then and now?

Simon: In the seventies and eighties, it was so much easier to get people to come out to gigs, at least in a small town, as there was so little else to do. Selling vinyl was so much easier, too – local bands like us would print a thousand or two thousand 7” singles, and easily sell most of them through local record shops.

CS: Of Saturnalia’s four tracks, did you have one that stood out to you as ‘the best?’

Simon: Of the four tracks on the Saturnalia singles, my favourite was 'Girl On The 8th Floor' - I think we'd all found our own musical voices by that point. All four of the original members had a creative hand in putting the song together, and I wrote the lyrics. I feel that the track still holds up well, is very evocative, yet still obviously of its time.

Lyrics from 'Girl On The 8th Floor / The Cold Night Air' 7" single CS: If you could give your past self any advice, what would it be?

Simon: I'd tell my younger self to stick to his guns, not compromise musically, and generally be a bit more pushy.

CS: How was the name ‘Saturnalia’ chosen?

Simon: I really can't remember how the name came about, to be honest, but a three out of four of us voted for it.

CS: Are there any unique stories behind the lyrics? ‘Inside the Devils Circle’ has a particularly interesting narrative.

Simon: 'Devils Circle' was one of Spacebat's lyrics – I seem to think that he got the idea from a film, but I don't remember which one. Most of my own lyrics were written using a variation on Bowie's cut-up technique.

Lyrics from 'Inside the Devil's Circle' 7" single CS: Anything else you’d like to share or promote?

Simon: I'm sending you rehearsal room demos of three more Saturnalia tracks (CS Note: Find the track 'Oh Tara' below!!), which I hope you'll enjoy – feel free to play any of them to your listeners, if you'd like to. I'll also include a studio demo from another band I mentioned, Ask Virginia, from around 1986. Anyone who's interested in current alternative/indie/post-punk etc might like to listen to my radio show, Loose Canon – here's a link to my Soundcloud account, where there are a large number of archive shows: Link

Never before seen 'Oh Tara' rehearsal room demo

[crypticsalutations]



Long time no see, my cryptic friends. I apologize for the absence. I appreciate those of you who've stuck around, and those of you who've magically found your way to my page during my time away. Thanks so much for following, or for having continued faith in my obscure little cause. In the next few days, something special is coming. Finally, right? Stay tuned🥀

GIF from Diary of a Lost Girl (1929)

[crypticsalutations]

"Preoccupied with superstitions of centuries past, he became a dreamer for whom the line between the real and the supernatural became blurred." Hello my beauties, how are you today? 🥀 We are so happy to announce that the third in our series of 'Best Of Season 1' mixes has finally manifested from the depths, this time shedding its gloom and grit to embrace a more danceable, graveyard-party-able sound. It's synthpop! One whole glorious hour of it! Lose yourself within the astral plane painted by artists such as Computer Sex, Snowy Red, Violet Eves, and more with this carefully curated genre-focused enigma! 🔮 Listen here!  Image from Vampyr (1932) directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer.

[crypticsalutations]

Introducing : LIMIT by G-SCHMITT -- 1985 / Japan / New Wave

Full: https://youtu.be/vMK1rIo2HIo

🦇 Welcome to CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS radio 🦇

We specialize in sharing forgotten tracks, abandoned singles, and private pressings, all curated into a monthly mix tape and presented to you on a sexy, gothy platter. We hope you kick back and stay a while! 👻

Schedule: 1 TRACK every other day 1 MIXTAPE at the end of every month

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[crypticsalutations]

👻 Another diverse mix curated by Cryptic Salutations is here. 👻 Listen HERE on MIXCLOUD: April 2022 Mix 🖤 All tracks picked from the deepest depths of the dark and gritty 1980’s! Surprise your family, get side eyed by your coworkers, and get banned from the aux cord for life with an eclectic hour long trip down the unpaved, overgrown trail only somewhat adjacent to memory lane, and stay tuned for next month’s spooky sounds starting May 1! + CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS RADIO + Instagram: @ cryptic.salutations Image from Journey Into the Night (1921) directed by F.W. Murnau 🦇

[crypticsalutations]

Introducing : SOLEIL DE NUIT by NEUTRAL PROJECT -- 1989 / France / Coldwave

Full: https://youtu.be/P9_aFu8tzxY

🦇 Welcome to CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS radio 🦇

We specialize in sharing forgotten tracks, abandoned singles, and private pressings, all curated into a monthly mix tape and presented to you on a sexy, gothy platter. We hope you kick back and stay a while! 👻

Schedule: 1 TRACK every other day 1 MIXTAPE at the end of every month

DM for removal 🖤

[crypticsalutations]

Introducing : FILTHY QUALITY by TOT -- 1987 / UK / Industrial

Full: https://youtu.be/vnebavidCfY

🦇 Welcome to CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS radio 🦇

We specialize in sharing forgotten tracks, abandoned singles, and private pressings, all curated into a monthly mix tape and presented to you on a sexy, gothy platter. We hope you kick back and stay a while! 👻

Schedule: 1 TRACK every other day 1 MIXTAPE at the end of every month

DM for removal 🖤

[crypticsalutations]

👻 Another diverse mix curated by Cryptic Salutations is here. 👻 Listen HERE on MIXCLOUD: October 2021 Mix 🖤 All tracks picked from the deepest depths of the dark and gritty 1980’s! Surprise your family, get side eyed by your coworkers, and get banned from the aux cord for life with an eclectic hour long trip down the unpaved, overgrown trail only somewhat adjacent to memory lane, and stay tuned for next month’s spooky sounds starting November 1! PS: Happy Halloween! 🎃 + CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS RADIO + Instagram: @ cryptic.salutations Image from Häxan (1922) directed by Benjamin Christensen 🦇

[crypticsalutations]

“Your wife is dead, your son your enemy, your daughter far from you. Has rulership of the Earth made you happy?” Hello my beauties, how are you today? 🥀 We are so happy to announce that the sixth in our series of 'Best Of Season 1' mixes has finally manifested from the depths vicious, vampiric, and smeared in black paint. An hour of indulgent underground goth rock lies ahead, if you dare proceed... Lose yourself within the astral plane painted by artists such as Radio Werewolf, The Naked and The Dead, Cipher, and more with this carefully curated genre-focused enigma! 🔮 Listen here! Image from Algol: Tragedy of Power (1920) directed by Hans Werckmeister

[crypticsalutations]

👻 The first of many diverse mixes curated by Cryptic Salutations is here.  👻 Listen HERE on MIXCLOUD: August 2021 Mix  🖤 All tracks picked from the deepest depths of the dark and gritty 1980's! Surprise your family, get side eyed by your coworkers, and get banned from the aux cord for life with an eclectic hour long trip down the unpaved, overgrown trail only somewhat adjacent to memory lane, and stay tuned for next month's spooky sounds starting September 1! + CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS RADIO + Instagram: @ cryptic.salutations Image from Hands of Orlac (1924) directed by Robert Wiene  🦇

[crypticsalutations]

Introducing : THREE SHADOWS by DA! -- 1982 / USA / Post Punk

Full: https://youtu.be/A20f0dXRupg

🦇 Welcome to CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS radio 🦇

We specialize in sharing forgotten tracks, abandoned singles, and private pressings, all curated into a monthly mix tape and presented to you on a sexy, gothy platter. We hope you kick back and stay a while! 👻

Schedule: 1 TRACK every other day 1 MIXTAPE at the end of every month

DM for removal 🖤

[crypticsalutations]

Introducing : WHITE FEATHER by CREW OF CORPS -- 1986 / Sweden / Death Rock

Full: https://youtu.be/ZEQj32EdqxQ

🦇 Welcome to CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS radio 🦇

We specialize in sharing forgotten tracks, abandoned singles, and private pressings, all curated into a monthly mix tape and presented to you on a sexy, gothy platter. We hope you kick back and stay a while! 👻

Schedule: 1 TRACK every other day 1 MIXTAPE at the end of every month

DM for removal 🖤

[crypticsalutations]

Introducing : THE FOREST by PARTS FOUND IN SEA -- 1986 / Canada / Post Punk

Full: https://youtu.be/9LXG_5GlarQ

🦇 Welcome to CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS radio 🦇

We specialize in sharing forgotten tracks, abandoned singles, and private pressings, all curated into a monthly mix tape and presented to you on a sexy, gothy platter. We hope you kick back and stay a while! 👻

Schedule: 1 TRACK every other day 1 MIXTAPE at the end of every month

DM for removal 🖤

[crypticsalutations]

Introducing : LIGHTS IN THE DEEP by F:A.R. -- 1981 / Italy / Industrial

Full: https://youtu.be/BMsqE-x4Dfg

🦇 Welcome to CRYPTIC SALUTATIONS radio 🦇

We specialize in sharing forgotten tracks, abandoned singles, and private pressings, all curated into a monthly mix tape and presented to you on a sexy, gothy platter. We hope you kick back and stay a while! 👻

Schedule: 1 TRACK every other day 1 MIXTAPE at the end of every month

DM for removal 🖤

[crypticsalutations]

"I have an enemy whom I have invited here tonight. He must not leave this house alive. Do you understand?" Hello my beauties, how are you today? 🥀 We are so happy to announce that the fifth in our series of 'Best Of Season 1' mixes has finally manifested from the depths as an ever-encapsulating aura of darkness, a romantic waltz with rumination and despair. This week we're giving you somber, beautiful post punk catharsis! Lose yourself within the astral plane painted by artists such as Tunnelvision, The Names, Saturnalia, and more with this carefully curated genre-focused enigma! 🔮 Listen here! Image from Destiny (1921) directed by Fritz Lang

[crypticsalutations]

V O N‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎M O R G E N‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‎‏‏‎ ‎B I S‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‎‏‏‎ ‎M I T T E R N A C H T S Hello my beauties, how are you today? 🥀 We are so happy to announce that the second in our series of 'Best Of Season 1' mixes has finally manifested from the depths, shrouding this incantation of itself in icy devotion and illusory beats of longing and despair. That's right... it's coldwave... and, er... ethereal! And also ritual!  Lose yourself within the astral plane painted by artists such as Horsemen, Analyse Logique, Intimate Obsessions, and more with this carefully curated genre-focused enigma! 🔮 Listen here! Image from From Morn to Midnight (1920) directed by Karlheinz Martin.