single // Knock On Your Door
In 2001, as an extension of his work with Family Fantastic, Vince Clarke teamed up once again with Phil Creswick (ex Big Fun) as RadioActivators. The result was a seemingly one-off track entitled 'Knock On Your Door'. The track was initially picked up for release on the soundtrack for the Mary-Kate and Ashley movie Taking London.
The obscure Peanut Butter & Jam label, which doesn't appear to be a Mute subsidiary, released the track, coupled with the B-side 'Bopp' the same year. Available only as a limited edtition 7" large-centre single with no picture sleeve, this decidedly underground (self-financed?) Vince Clarke project is set to be one of the rarer releases to his name. 'Knock On Your Door' was written by Vince and Phil, with someone going by the name of 'N Lewis' contributing the lyrics. The same 'N Lewis' is co-author on the B-side, which does not feature a Clarke credit, however it's quite obvious that Vince provides the pulsing synthetic backdrop which strangely recalls his time with Depeche Mode.
Trademark VC elements abound within these tracks - rich electronic sounds and dense production - but the style is certainly something we haven't heard from Mr Clarke before. These tracks are upbeat, rock 'n' roll-inspired electro pop tracks, with vocals (by Phil I'm guessing) that are raw, distorted and dirty. However, these tracks are fun and funky with stalking basslines, stomping drums and some lively hissing electronic percussion. 'Knock On Your Door' (not to be confused with the Erasure track bearing a similar name) also features some harmonica which appears to have been processed through an analogue filter of some description. Essential, quirky electro pop.