Isolation Ward

coldwave

Formed in Brussels in 1979, Isolation Ward centred around musicians Stéphane Willocq,Jean-Pierre Everaerts, Thierry Heynderickx and Etienne Vernaeve. Following gigs at venues such as Plan K, the sextet recorded haunting classic Lamina Christus as their first single, produced by Peter Principle of Tuxedomoon, and released by Les Disques du Crépuscule in April 1982. Following live dates with diverse artists including The Birthday Party, Antena, 23 Skidoo and Siouxsie and the Banshees, the band released their second Crépuscule single Absent Heart a year later. However line-up changes troubled the band, and Isolation Ward played their final gig in May 1983. 1979 Stéphane Willocq and Jean-Pierre Everaerts, editors of Brussels punk fanzine Isolation Ward, sell their skateboards to purchase an electric guitar and a bass. 1980 Stéphane and Jean-Pierre decide to form a band with two friends attending the same high school: Thierry Heynderickx (also attending the Creative Electro-acoustic Music Workshop (ACME)) on keyboards and Etienne Vernaeve on drums. They agree to start rehearsing as soon as Thierry and Etienne purchase instruments. In the meantime, Stéphane and Jean-Pierre start playing as a duo, attempting some covers (including Closed Groove by Stiff Little Fingers) and writing a few songs of their own. The four members of the future band become close friends and spend much time in local record stores (Popper 21, Caroline and Casablanca Moon) and at local concert venues (Ancienne Belgique, Klacik and Plan K). The first rehearsal with four band members takes place on 7 September, each with their own instrument, in Etienne's basement on the outskirts of Brussels. After an initial period of exploration, the band writes a few instrumental pieces. Word gets out that the band is looking for a singer. 1981 Nathalie Bourlard joins as the band's first singer. Although fairly young, she comes with some experience, and also proposes to add her friend Nanou (Anne Kinna) as backup singer. Now rehearsing once or twice a week, the band is then approached by Eric Van Houte (one of Nathalie's friends) with an offer to record three songs for the free radio station FM Bruxel, his own band (Frozen Boys) having turned down the opportunity. Eric then joins Isolation Ward as second guitar player. On 13 August, the band, now consisting of seven members, finds itself in the Sega Studio, a modest four-track studio located in Ninove. Erik Wauters, guitarist for the band De Kre...