BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“State of the Nation” is a song by American new wave band Industry taken from their final studio album Stranger to Stranger. The song peaked at #10 in Sweden and #1 in Italy. It also became a big hit in the Philippines. In the US, the song peaked at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, December 1983.
The song’s stinging anti-war lyrics made the track thought-provoking as well as catchy. “State of the Nation” wasn’t Industry’s only contribution to the pop world, but they aren’t remembered for anything else. Comprised of Jon Carin (synthesizer/keyboards/vocals), Mercury Caronia (synthesizer/percussion/drums), Rudy Perrone (guitar/bass/vocals), and Brian Unger (guitar/vocals), Industry formed in New York. In 1983, the group released an EP; it was followed by a full-length album, Stranger to Stranger, on Capitol Records in 1984. “State of the Nation” was a hit in dance clubs, especially in Asia. Stranger to Stranger was Industry’s only LP.
During the band’s Fab Four-esque popularity in the Philippines, rumors flew that most of the group perished in a plane crash, but it was never confirmed. On July 13, 1985, Carin played keyboards for Bryan Ferry at Live Aid. Carin has also worked with Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townsend, the Psychedelic Furs, and Corey Hart. In 1998, Carin recorded Meat the Honky with Honky Tonk, a band formed by former Love Spit Love guitarist Richard Fortus. Carin was also Roger Waters’ keyboardist for his 1999 tour.
SIDE A:
State Of The Nation (Album Version) 4:35
SIDE B:
State Of The Nation (Single Version) 3:40
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | State Of The Nation | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #81 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – SPRO 9002 98942
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – Rhett Davies
Written-By – J. Carin*, M. Caronia*
NOTES:
From the Mini LP “INDUSTRY”
Find the 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Industry is soooo underated
this single and “Still of the night” are really really catchy tunes!
Industry release 2 rare and expensive eps in early 80’s but sounds more like a 70’s Kraftwerk
Thanks again Paul!
One of the great “one-hit wonder” New Wave tracks. Is it just me, or were there more of those back then? Thanks again.
WOW good track! I was a bit late downloading this. So far I only had a bad vinyl album rip- from a very big obscure 80s collector on piratebay, so great to have this 12 inch in good quality!
This sort of track is similar to the one I keep on going about – Private Lives and Birch & Hallam! A great forgotten obscure 80s track, thanks a lot!
Hi paul, thank you thank you very much for this post, just wandering does this song ever had an extended version?
p.s.
And do you have Abandon Ship by April Shower? can you post it?
thanks
So you must remember another great dance track of the 80s (1987) Say When! “Save me”
recorded in Amsterdam and produced by Eric van Tijn,
(most popular for the production of Richenel).
Well, I hope that DjPaul got it and one day post it.
Another one I’m waiting for.
DjPaul forever.
Hi Paul,
another great synth-pop song of the 80s (1982),
that hasn’t got an extended version is Ad Visser & Sahuleka “Giddyap a gogo”,
have you got it too?
thanks.
Wow, i am from holland and remember that Giddyap-song. (Had it on a from-radio-recorded cassette.) But i never thought it would ever be requested again 😉 Have you seen the video from italian television, with the bat-wings-jacket? Freddie Mercury association, but then again, the song is an introduction to Queen’s radio gaga maybe? Makes lovely tv, novelty-nostalgia.
Oh yeah! More music of Queen in this blog 🙂
Hi Paul, Thank you uploading this song. I still have the 7″ single from way back. The video was played quite a bit here in Australia. It did chart here in Australia, as I remember it being a Chartbuster on one of our Music programmes.
Wow!! I’m reading some of the comments on here and I must agree that I was not expecting this post at.all.
This is one of my favorite 80’s songs and I want to say quite difficult to find a great quality sound version, of course, till now. 🙂
Thank you, thank you Dj PaulT for this post. 🙂
“We’re always fighting for the State of The Nation.”
Thank You….. ! Ive been looking for a clean copy for a long time. Thank you again. Brings so much memories past. By any chance you have the song Romantic Dreams by this same band? Keep up the good job.
Can’t recall hearing this before, catchy melody, excellent sound and production! Dunno why Jeff calls it alternative as it is a mainstream synth-pop song. Shame they didn’t make an extended version, without those annoying fade outs! Why it didn’t went global? That’s the way of the world. Charts don’t matter anyway, only if you like it or not. The usual kudos for Paul.
Amazing track, thank you so much =)
you’re welcome Carlinhos Kunde 🙂
This one has been a tent pole in my personal 80s playlist for years but can’t wait to replace it with this better sounding version. Thanks!
Enjoy Millcity7 🙂
LOVE this track! Thanks Paul!!! 😀
you’re very welcome Cory :0
Been waiting for this Paul! I hope you can post the Extended Version! So many great school memories from this song.
I don’t think there is an official extended version Gilbert.
Didn’t spect this. Thank you!
Expect, must write, expect.
Sorry!
Great music. Had never heard of.
Thanks for something new, Paul!
All day I listen to this song, it’s amazing.
Awesome choice, Paul!
another great song that I’ve been waiting for many many years,
also if it hasn’t a remix treatment.
I’m very proud to talk about one of yours favorites last weekend on this blog.
I’m waiting for the next one!
Thank you BE.D12”. As far as I know there is not an official remix.
Thanks Paul 🙂
you’re welcome Junior 🙂
Wow, this is a surprise. I’ve liked this song for quite a little bit now but never knew anything about the group itself. Funny how certain places in the world went particularly bonkers over certain groups. Seona Dancing (feat. Ricky Gervais on vocals) and The Lotus Eaters come to mind as also having been huge in the Philippines. I have some nice quality compilations (of dubious legality) from both groups that were produced there. Thank you Paul for what I’m certain is an excellent rip of this cool track!
It is interesting some groups can be so gig in certain areas but never go global. This band should have been huge 🙂
thanks so very much, i love you
you’re welcome Harry Wave. I love you back!
I can’t wait to go on home to hear this one Paul! I do remember it (sort of) but it’s really been years. Thanks for bringing it back to the masses in the way no one else can but you. You flat-out amaze me with your knowledge and possession of great alternative dance records. You da man my friend.
Jeff
Thank you Jeff. This has to be one of my personal favorites. Enjoy 🙂
Good choice, Paul.
Thanks!!
you’re welcome Diego 🙂