Freur -

Freur was a Welsh synthpop band that released the 1983–85 CBS albums Doot-Doot and Get Us Out of Here. Drummer Bryn B. Burrows played earlier in the Fabulous Poodles. Freur’s nucleus morphed into Underworld.

Members: Rick Smith (keyboards, guitar), Karl Hyde (vocals, guitar), Bryn B. Burrows (drums), John Warwicker (synthesizer), Alfie Thomas (bass)

Background

Freur sprung from a musical partnership between guitarist Karl Hyde and bassist Alfie Thompson, who first collaborated in the Screen Gemz, a Welsh post-punk band that released the 1979 single “I Just Can’t Stand Cars” (b/w “Teenage Teenage”) on Inflatable Records.

In Cardiff, they teamed with guitarist–keyboardist Rick Smith. With a newfound focus on electro-pop, they named their act with a squiggle. The new band grew to five with synthesist John Warwicker and (ex-Fabulous Poodles) drummer Bryn Burrows. CBS signed the band but required a pronounceable name, hence Freur: their pronunciation of a squiggle.

Doot-Doot

Freur released their debut album, Doot-Doot, in 1983 on CBS.

The album contains ten originals by Hyde, Smith, and Thomas, including the hit title-track and the followup singles “Matters of the Heart,” “Runaway,” and “Riders in the Night.”

Doot-Doot features Karl Hyde on vocals and guitar, Rick Smith on keyboards and guitar, Alfie Thomas on bass, Bryn B. Burrows on drums, and John Warwicker on synthesizer. Additional musicians include Andy Sheppard on soprano and tenor saxophone, and Pino Palladino on fretless bass and Chapman Stick (“Theme from the Film of the Same Name”).

A1. “Doot-Doot” (4:03)
A2. “Runaway” (4:00)
A3. “Riders in the Night” (5:40)
A4. “Theme from the Film of the Same Name” (3:21)
A5. “Tender Surrender” (3:02)

B1. “Matters of the Heart” (4:08)
B2. “My Room” (3:27)
B3. “Whispering” (4:10)
B4. “Steam Machine” (2:56)
B5. “All Too Much” (4:54)

Freur and John Hudson produced the album. Freur and Alex Burak produced the title track, “Doot-Doot.” Freur also produced “Hold Me Mother.” John Hudson engineered the sessions.

CBS lifted “Doot-Doot” as the first single (b/w “Hold Me Mother”) in 1983. This was followed by “Matters of the Heart” (b/w “You’re a Hoover”) and “Runaway” in 1983. “Riders in the Night” was released as a single in 1984.

The music video for “Doot-Doot” is highly stylized and abstract, featuring the band members in a surreal, dreamlike environment. It often uses stark lighting, shadows, and geometric patterns, with the band members interacting with symbolic objects and their own distorted reflections, creating a visually striking and enigmatic atmosphere that complements the song’s distinctive synth-pop sound.

Get Us Out of Here

Freur released their second album, Get Us Out of Here, in 1985 on CBS.

The album contains ten Hyde–Smith–Thomas originals, including the pre-released a-side “The Devil and Darkness” and the followup singles “Look in the Back for Answers” and “The Piano Song.”

Get Us Out of Here features Karl Hyde on vocals and guitar, Bryn B. Burrows on drums, Rick Smith on keyboards, Alfie Thomas on bass and keyboards, and John Warwicker on keyboards. Guest musicians include Mr. Bowie on fretless bass and Andy Sheppard on tenor and soprano saxophone.

A1. “Look in the Back for Answers” (4:31)
A2. “Emeralds and Pearls” (5:17)
A3. “Kiss Me” (3:48)
A4. “A.O.K.O.” Freur (3:15)
A5. “The Devil and Darkness” (4:38)

B1. “The Piano Song” (4:23)
B2. “Happiness” (4:01)
B3. “Endless Groove” (3:25)
B4. “This Is the Way I’d Like to Live My Life” (3:41)
B5. “Bella Donna” (4:48)

Freur and John Hudson produced the album. Freur produced “Jazz Is King?”, “Major Motion”, “This Is the Way”, and the title track, “Get Us Out Of Here.”

CBS released “The Devil and Darkness” as a 1984 single, prior to the album’s release. This was followed by the 1985/86 releases of “Look in the Back for Answers” and “The Piano Song.”

The video for “The Devil and Darkness” by Freur features the band performing in a dimly lit, atmospheric setting, emphasizing shadows and dramatic contrasts. It often incorporates abstract imagery and theatrical elements, with the band members appearing somewhat enigmatic, which enhances the song’s darker and more mysterious tone.

Discography: