Units

The Units were a pioneering synthpunk act emerging from San Francisco’s late-1970s DIY scene, blending raw punk energy with early synthesizer experimentation. Founded by Scott Ryser and Rachel Webber, the band became known for their minimalist electronic beats, deadpan vocals, and satirical takes on technology and consumer culture. Their 1979 single “Warm Moving Bodies” and 1980’s *Digital Stimulation* EP (featuring the cult classic “High Pressure Days”) cemented their reputation as innovators who dared to replace guitars with synths in punk’s rebellious framework.

Though short-lived, the Units left a lasting mark with their prescient critiques of digital alienation, performed in stark black-and-white aesthetics. After disbanding in 1983, their music gained new life through reissues like *History of the Units: The Early Years 1977-1983* and anniversary remixes, while Ryser revived the project for live shows in the 2010s. Their coldwave bangers and proto-cyberpunk vibes remain a touchstone for fans of underground electronic punk.

Genres

Post-punk

Cold Wave

New Wave

Latest Release

DEMOS 1977 (1978)

Units

Album - 16 Tracks - Released April 21, 2022