TRANSLATOR'S ROBERT DARLINGTON IS A PUBLISHED POET! WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT HIS BRAND NEW COLLECTION, "ETHER", IS NOW AVAILABLE. Click here for all the details
THE ALMACANTAR RECORDS RELEASE OF "DIFFERENT TIME" IS NOW AVAILABLE!! HAND-PICKED BY THE BAND, THIS 2-CD SET IS FULL OF OUTTAKES, DEMOS AND LIVE TRACKS. Click here to order
ALL 4 TRANSLATOR ALBUMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON CD!! THEY ARE RELEASED THROUGH WOUNDED BIRD RECORDS.
Click here to order Translator CDs from Amazon
Formed in Los Angeles in 1979, the band relocated to San Francisco and were swiftly signed to Howie Klein's independent label, 415 Records (which became part of Columbia Records as soon as the band signed), on the strength of their demo version of "Everywhere That I'm Not," the song that would remain the band's signature tune.
Their debut album, "Heartbeats and Triggers" (415/Columbia 1982), produced by David Kahne, was a college-radio hit. The second album, 1983's "No Time Like Now" was also produced by Kahne and included the hit single Un-Alone. Their third album from 1985, simply titled "Translator" was helmed by Ramones producer Ed Stasium, as was their final album, "Evening of the Harvest" (1986). "Everywhere That Im Not A Retrospective" was released by Columbia in 1986. Two CD retrospectives were released, 1995s "Translation" on Oglio Records and "Everywhere That We Were The Best of Translator" by Sony/Legacy in 1996. In the mid-90s they were paid the highest compliment when voracious Beatle fans alerted the world via the Internet and fanzines that the Fab Three had re-recorded a version of the Beatles instrumental "Cry For a Shadow" during the Anthology sessions. The tape was later found to be a track from a 1983 Translator EP!
All members of the band continue to play music in some form: Dave Scheff immediately joined Winter Hours for a brief spell and is currently the drummer in the house band at the world renowned San Francisco show Teatro Zinzanni, Larry Dekker has provided his powerful melodic bass playing with a variety of bands, Bob Darlington continues to perform his haunting evocative songs and Steve Barton released his first solo effort "The Boy Who Rode His Bike Around The World" in 2000, "Charm Offensive" in 2005 and his current album "Flicker Of Time" which features Steve and his band The Oblivion Click.
Translator's music is available for download via iTunes. All four members got together for a series of reunion shows in Austin for SXSW in 2006. Evangeline Records out of the UK has released "Translator Collection". Click here to order from Evangeline's website
Thanx for the add !!! Although always sadly underrated Translator is one of the few 80's new wave bands that really matters. Their unique sound and lyrics will always be an inspiration.
Thank you Thank you Thank you for the add! Translator rocks, always has! My friend and I last weekend were discussing what a great yet underated band Translator is.
Not sure if you guys realize this, but your song "You're Everywhere That I'm Not" delineates the relationship between the Prince Charles and the Canadian Bob Dobbs with respect to the Secret Council of Ten. (Charles is complaining to Bob.)
Now, aside from that secret historical connotation, I danced to this song every Friday night at the Foxtail Lounge in Lowell MA circa 1981-82! The video is outstanding as well in that it plainly shows the Android Meme on the stairwell! I know that's "IM-POSS" but I pointed it out to Bob and it's true. In short, Translator Rules the World!
Get it? Come over to TikiBunker and play a song for Jack Kerouac, birthday March 12, 1922. OH COME ON! YEAH YEAH!
Translator was my Grateful Dead. I traveled around seeing you guys in clubs all around Northern California. My first Translator show was as an opener for I believe the Split Enz at the Kabuki. And I saw you many times after that. Always a moving experience. Those were the days.
Hey guys...thanks for the 'add'. Whoever's in charge, let Bob know that Jim and Joey say "Hey!". Also shout outs to Steve, Larry and Dave. Hope everyone's doing well.
We've been in Portland since '94, and really think it was a good move for us. It's just a little bleak sometimes with the rain and cold.
Saw you played SXSW awhile back. How about coming up to PDX for NXNW? Would love to see you all again.
