45rpm single
Uploaded by Rich at http://aftersabbath.blogspot.com
Figures of Light was an American music band formed in 1970 by Wheeler Winston Dixon and Michael Downey. Their most iconic song is the signature protopunk classic, "It's Lame." The original line up of the band lasted until 1972, performing live concerts, and recording just one single, released in 1972 on Midnite Swan Records.
In 2006, Norton Records re-released the single of "It's Lame," which started the band on their second career, resulting in two full length CDs from Norton, the "vinyl only" release of the band's first concert in 1970, along with many more full length CDs and singles through their own label, FOL Records.
The band broke up amicably in March, 2015; with Dixon stating that "we've done everything we want to do with FOL; now it's time to move on." A permanent archive of FOL videos is on YouTube; their music is available on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and other content providers.
Despite the band's formal breakup, they continue to release new recordings, and are now a "studio band." Their latest singles, a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, are "We Ain't Goin' To Paris" and "Rude Awakening" (both 2020). Their single, "Good Riddance 2021" was released in January, 2022. Their most recent single, "Funny You Asked" b/w "No Backups for 13 Days" was released on July 5, 2023 - so we're still rockin'!
"Boiling Point!" was released on October 13, 2016; the single "Surfin' the Skies" dropped on February 2, 2017; and the single "Got It!" was released on March 5, 2017. On September 2, 2017, they released the single "Quixotic"; on December 18, 2017, the single "Rumbling"; and on June 18, 2018, the single "Midlife Crisis" - all on FOL Records. On January 12, 2019, they released a new instrumental single, "Breaking Through," and on January 25, 2019 the new single "Fire and Ice." All are available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and elsewhere.
In September 2016, they released a new digital album, "Maximum," featuring five new instrumentals from the band, ranging from uptempo rockers like "Sterling" to anthem rock songs - something for everyone who loves rock & roll.
Their CD maxi single "R U Ready?" which was released on July 19, 2015. On December 20, 2015, Figures of Light released a digital only compilation of their favorite instrumental cuts, with three brand new tunes - "Marianne," "Gotta Keep On", and "Surf's Up!" - entitled, appropriately enough, "The Instrumentals."
In January 2014, the band cut "Feedback Music," an experimental electronic music piece using 7 tuned guitars; and "Buy Before You Die," a rock & roll album with seven new tunes, both available on FOL Records.
On October 24, 2014, they released a new digital single, "Instant Drone," which, as Dixon noted, "represents a real shift in the band towards more mature, thoughtful, densely structured work - not just rock & roll, but almost experimental work -- much like the bands Joy Division, Section 25 and The Velvet Underground --this is Post-Rock/Experimental work, almost Musique Concrète."
On June 24, 2014, they released the instrumental cut, "Five Years Later" as a digital download. On July 31, 2014, they released "The Nebraska Sessions," featuring five previously unreleased demos recorded in 2007. On September 3, 2014, they released "Figures of Light - Greatest Hits," a 20 song digital download compilation of their best work on their own label, FOL Records, including a completely new track, "Hot Wax."
Their single "Leave Her Alone / Dreams of the Past," was released on November 22, 2013. The CD maxi single "The Open Door (For Lou Reed)" with DJ Chrisz was released on November 8, 2013. The maxi single "Great! Now We've Got Time to Party!" was released on September 24, 2013, containing the instrumental cut "Ninety-Nine," and premiered on WFMU's "Three Chord Monte" program with host Joe Belock the same day.
FOL's CD maxi-single "The Power," featuring the trance / garage rock title cut and three additional songs, was released on September 9, 2013. Their CD maxi-single "Gimme A Quarter," was released on August 21, 2013, featuring six new tracks from the group.
FOL's full-length CD "Lost & Found," was released on August 15, 2013, featuring 12 tracks, including unreleased demos, live performances, and outtakes from the group from 1972 to 2013. Their CD maxi-single "Too Many Bills, Not Enough Thrills," was released on June 15, 2013.
FOL's full-length CD "Drop Dead" was recorded in Brooklyn, New York at Mitro's Studios, June, 2011, and produced by Mick Collins of The Dirtbombs, featuring fifteen new tracks from the group, released on Norton Records on November 13, 2011.
Figures of Light appeared live with The Sonics, The A-Bones and others as part of the Norton Records 25th Anniversary All Star Spectacular at The Bell House, in Brooklyn, on November 13, 2011.
The CD of "Drop Dead" was released on May 18......see more at https://www.figuresoflight.com/music2222.html
About This Footage
The unassuming studio footage of Figures Of Light's 1972 proto-punk classic "It's Lame" is a rare gem that offers a glimpse into the nascent punk rock scene in America during the early 1970s. Captured at a pivotal moment in music history, this clip provides a unique window into the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the era.
Figures Of Light was one of the pioneering bands of the proto-punk movement, which predated the emergence of punk rock as we know it today. Formed in 1970 by Wheeler Winston Dixon and Michael Downey, the band's music was a fusion of garage rock, psychedelia, and avant-garde experimentation, laying the groundwork for the DIY ethos that would come to define punk. With their signature song "It's Lame," Figures Of Light embodied the anti-establishment sentiment and sonic chaos that characterized the proto-punk movement.
This clip is significant not only because it captures a rare moment in music history but also because it showcases the band's raw, unbridled energy. Filmed in a studio setting, the footage features the band performing "It's Lame" with a frenetic intensity that belies their relatively short tenure as a live act. The clip is all the more remarkable given the fact that Figures Of Light released only one single during their original run and subsequently disbanded amicably in 2015.
The band's re-emergence in the 2000s, courtesy of Norton Records' re-release of "It's Lame," marked a new chapter in their career. With Dixon at the helm, Figures Of Light continued to produce music that blended punk's irreverence with a more refined, experimental approach. Their subsequent releases on FOL Records have been met with critical acclaim, cementing their status as one of the most innovative and enduring proto-punk bands.
Watching this clip, viewers will be struck by the band's unbridled energy and the raw, unpolished sound that defined their early work. Figures Of Light's music is a testament to the power of punk's DIY ethos and the enduring influence of the proto-punk movement on contemporary music. As the band continues to release new material, including their latest singles in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's clear that their legacy extends far beyond the confines of their original run.
The clip's significance also lies in its historical context, providing a snapshot of the proto-punk scene in America during the early 1970s. Figures Of Light's music was part of a larger cultural shift, one that rejected the excesses of mainstream rock and sought to create something new, raw, and unapologetic. This clip serves as a poignant reminder of the power of music to capture the spirit of an era and inspire future generations.
In conclusion, the studio footage of Figures Of Light's "It's Lame" is a rare and precious artifact that offers a glimpse into the proto-punk movement's raw energy and rebellious spirit. As a testament to the enduring influence of this music on contemporary culture, it serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of punk rock.
Curated from public records and music databases.
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