Modern Art

Before earning acclaim with the long-running psych outfit Sun Dial, Gary Ramon led the Modern Art, a project that ranged from stark post-punk to more psychedelic territory as the '80s unfolded. As a teen, Ramon listened to Pink Floyd, Can, and Ash Ra Tempel along with New Order and Echo & the Bunnymen. These acts informed the Modern Art's 1982 debut, Underwater Kites, which Ramon released on his own Color Disc & Tapes label. From there, the band issued a steady stream of music, including 1987's Stereoland and 1989's All Aboard the Mind Train. By the end of the decade, Ramon wanted to be in a group that could play live (despite their busy recording schedule, the Modern Art never performed a show), and so Sun Dial was born. ~ Heather Phares