Dark Day

RECORD TURNOVER 80s HITS #162

Dark Day was formed at the end of the 70s by Robin Crutchfield of the unparalleled New York trio DNA. The first line-up of the band included Nina Canal from The Gynecologists on guitar and Nancy Arlen from Mars on drums. This version recorded the first Dark Day single, called “Hand In the Dark”. Following its release in 1979, Crutchfield left the Throbbing Gristle-inspired approach and worked more and more exclusively with synthesizers.

The sound of their first album Exterminating Angel (Lust/Unlust, 1980) and the succeeding Window (Plexus, 1982) became darker and more minimal, seemingly with some inspiration from Kraftwerk. The 9 tracks on Window were recorded by Crutchfield and Bill Sack – both on keyboards. Art was still as important influence an influence as in the DNA days with Leger, Bruegel, Malevich, Man Ray, Duchamp and Jean Cocteau cited as inspiration.

Dark Entries have reissued both albums, as well as the first single on vinyl. After 1982 Crutchfield took a break and re-emerged in 1984 with a different sound. The 1985-86 period is documented on Darkest Before Dawn, also reissued on Dark Entries in 2019.