Conspiracy Theory by Stress

STRESS were Alan Rider and Phil Clarke from Coventry, England formed in 1981 and combined electronic rhythms and keyboards with bass guitar, vocals, percussion, and cut-up samples. They created catchy electronic pop songs that fused accessible & experimental elements with a pointed lyrical edge in the vein of SPK, Cabaret Voltaire, Depeche Mode and Joy Division.

Their first two albums were released as cassettes on Alan’s own iconic Adventures in Reality Recordings label; "Help Comes Too Late" in 1982 followed by "Restraint" in 1984. In July 1985 Stress released "The Big Wheel" album and appeared on numerous compilations worldwide. More gigs and press followed and the album took the coveted Number 1 spot in the NME’s electronic charts. Stress split in September 1985 but re-formed briefly in 1991 to record two tracks (available on the re-issued Big Wheel LP, available through this site),

Alan Rider now records as half of dark electronic duo Senestra. senestra1.bandcamp.com/album/stanford

“Conspiracy Theory” is an 11-song ‘best of’ compilation album, originally released July 2012 on vinyl with fanzine insert (available here as a bonus PDF with download) on Dark Entries Records. Featuring selected tracks from the first two cassette albums along with "The Prayer Clock" from Third Mind Records ‘Life At The Top’ compilation LP and "Tear It Down" from the ’Compulsory Overtime’ compilation LP. Bonus live track included with full album download.

A full vinyl reissue of the first two albums is due late 2023 on German label Vinyl On Demand.

Electronic duo of Alan Rider and Phil Clarke formed in 1981 in Coventry, England and released two cassette albums and three Vinyl/CD albums. Stress split in 1986 but re-formed briefly in 1991 to record two new tracks.