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
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.
LITTLE STEVEN VAN ZANDT (of The Sopranos and Springsteen fame) and THE UNDERGROUND GARAGE say: "THE MOCKERS have one of the COOLEST SONGS IN THE WORLD!" Get the CD now!
That was a great show Sunday night! Your set was totally Electric! You guys still have it, I hope you’ll play again. I’m looking forward to another show I was stoked Sunday night! See you soon.
Gentlemen! So nice to have you here and on CD finally! Heartbeats and Triggers & No Time Like Now helped get me through high school just as much as Give 'Em Enough Rope and This Year's Model, so I thank you! And Steve, "Bike" is great too - so much energy! Fantastic! Hope all's well with all of you, and hope to see the four of you together outside of Austin and SF - at least occasionally . . . hint, hint.
All my best from Nashville, Kels - Million Sellers -
WooooHooooo! Thanks Guys for adding me on! I plan on revisiting my old neighborhood in SF either in October or December...any concerts in the works around that time??
I saw your amazing Cafe du Nord show last year (or was it two years ago alread?) and unfortunately I had to go alone as Tony couldn't come with. I moved up here from So Cal in the 80's and, while I left Dream Syndicate behind with the move, at least I found Translator through Tony! I've seen a lot of your shows but it is never enough. We miss the Farm.
Are there any LIVE vids that can be posted to youtube? Nothing rocks like those.
I was the bassist in another SF band, Elements of Style. We played a few dates with Translator, and shared rehearsal space for a while. Dave, you and I jammed a couple of times, including at my house-chilling (moving out party) in Bernal Hts, before I moved to L.A. Glad to see you guys are playing again....one of the few bands from that era I really missed. I'll be watching for ya.
I thought I saw you "Out on the avenues...but I guess it was someone who looked alot like I remember you do"....Happy chinese New year of the oink oink..Pig out anywhere ya like!
Off to the S.F. Parade-Mushoo and memories! Melissa
Great News on the CD's Well What to say this Valentines day..It's my heart it's your heart...on my mind on my mind....Heartfelt friendship best to you and yours....Colored candied hearts! M
It's about time we had the complete albums on CD! The "Translation" compilation in '95 was great, all the hits, but it'll be nice to hear 'em in context. Love "O'Lazarus" and "No Time Like Now"...hope you make it up to Portland sometime!
