Pseudocipher -- Demo -- Self Released, 2000

    The duet known as Pseudocipher was "conceived in 1997 by Christopher Anton and Rhonda Amber, both long time residents of Long Beach, California. Since its incarnation, Pseudocipher has played in reputable Los Angeles and Orange County venues such as The Roxy Theatre, The Dragonfly, Goldfingers, and The Galaxy with various artists including Cleopatra's Spahn Ranch, Astralwerks' Gearwhore, and the legendary Anything Box". -- Pseudocipher Web.
    Pseudocipher's demo material dubbed "Trenchant Darkwave" is a fresh and promising avant-garde sound in the electro-goth regions. Guitars are used sparingly in terms of being a driving force in the music and are drone background noise and have been replaced with synth and percussion rendering the beats and rhythms towards being dance material [rather than the straight "goth-melancholia" sound], on the first three tracks. The last track, "Rupert's Star" is a slow melodic piece with Rhonda on vocals, whiney guitar, bass guitar, organ (synth) and a mild but abrasive background rhythm guitar. This track gently moves into a high energy dance tune during the last minute.
    The music of Pseudocipher is very promising. I look forward to hearing their full length release soon. If you are in Southern California, support their live shows if you enjoy this type of sound.