Multi-instrumentalist Ryan Patterson may not have been a firsthand witness to the ’80s-era blending of angular guitar Rock with atmospheric Synth Pop, but he certainly understands it. As Fotocrime, Patterson and his bandmates — bassist Shelly Anderson, guitarist Nick Thieneman and ever compliant drum machine Mother — create a Post Punk tumult that evokes a number of eras and sounds: the late ’70s gothic Synth Rock pulse of Human League (long before they fell under the sway of the Novelty Dance Corporation); the dark, driving vibe of early ’80s Psychedelic Furs; the cold yet visceral emotion of Depeche Mode; the chilly howl, crisp snap and blip-tastic Dark Wave of Cincinnati’s own Red Math.
Patterson, better known as R, has a high profile and long history within the Louisville music scene and well beyond, coming to prominence as the frontman for Post Punk thumpers Black God and Coliseum. Patterson began working as Fotocrime last year, self-releasing the well-received and quickly sold out Always Hell 7-inch and the Always Night EP. The project began with Patterson holed up in his home studio, writing and recording the material that would ultimately comprise Fotocrime’s initial releases and magnificent full-length debut — the just-released Principle of Pain, available through the band’s Bandcamp page (fotocrime.bandcamp.com) and various other online sources. Working virtually alone, with occasional input from Thieneman and Anderson (who ultimately became full-fledged band members), Patterson assembled his demos then headed to Baltimore to record with Jawbox/Burning Airlines guitarist J. Robbins.
The resulting sound throbs with the intensity of ’80s Dark Wave and churlish Goth, yet ripples with an infectious contemporary crackle, as Patterson and his Fotocrime cohorts glance back at the halcyon ’80s while hurtling full bore into their Synth Rock futures.
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This article appears in May 16-23, 2018.