Information/Write-up
The Utopiate's lone 7-inch single, You’ve Been Warned b/w Actions or Misguidance, released in 1987, showcases a snapshot of late-80s Canadian synth-pop. Hailing from Richmond Hill, Ontario, the four-piece band combined an energetic, danceable A-side with a darker, introspective B-side. Both tracks highlight their appreciation for synth-driven music, drawing comparisons to acts like Depeche Mode, yet retaining their own charm.
You’ve Been Warned leads the charge with its upbeat tempo and layered synths, delivering a catchy, club-ready sound. The B-side, Actions or Misguidance, leans into moodier territory, offering a slower, atmospheric track that complements the single's overall tone.
While the Utopiate didn’t leave a broad mark in Canadian music history, their single has found renewed interest among collectors and synth-pop enthusiasts. Jeff Mielitz, one of the band members, still offers the last few remaining copies of the picture sleeve on Discogs for $CAD20. With its clean production and period-specific sound, this release remains an interesting artifact of Canada’s underground synth-pop scene.
-Robert Williston
Scott Ashton: vocals
James Aylesworth: keyboards, vocals
Jeff Mielitz: keyboards, vocals
Colin Reid: keyboards, vocals
Written by The Utopiate
Produced by The Utopiate and M.D. Productions with help from Iain Green
Engineered by M.D. Productions
Recorded at Open Sound Studio
Very Special Thanks To:
Iain Green: percussion
Harold Aylesworth: financing
Photography by Theodore Dragonieri
Liner notes:
Formed in November 1987, The Utopiate play a captivating and rhythmically complex layering of rich synthesizers with ethereal vocal stylings. The strong, steady beat coupled with the provocative and searching lyrical content give a distinctive Euro-beat feeling to The Utopiate's original music.
The band consists of lead vocalist Scott Ashton, and keyboardists James Aylesworth, Jeff Mielitz, and Colin Reid. The seed of the band germinated with Colin Reid and Jeff Mielitz when they met in early 1986. Their common interest in the music and the philosophies of such bands as Depeche Mode, Peter Gabriel, and The Beatles, inspired the development of the original stylings that have become The Utopiate.
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