Emerging from Melbourne’s underground scene, Schism 21C is the dark-wave reboot of the early 1980s post-punk-prog band Schism. The re-imagined duo—Simon “Circus” Rashleigh (vocals, synths, gadgets) alongside Gordon “Gordo” Graham (keyboards, programming, drums)—revitalise their former work by transforming early analog recordings into sophisticated, digitally reworked compositions with a darker edge.
Originally, Schism were recognized in Melbourne’s alternative music scene for their visually theatrical performances. They shared stages with influential bands including The Birthday Party, INXS, Hunters & Collectors, and Dead Can Dance, performing at notable venues like The Crystal Ballroom, Macys, and The Jump Club during the early 80s. Their 1982 self-titled cassette album gained attention domestically and internationally via indie record shops and community radio stations 3RRR and 3PBS, and was even exported to Japan and Germany.
In 2022, founding members reformed under the name Schism 21C, establishing two creative divisions: the Melbourne “Orthodoxy” (Simon and Gordon) adopting a darkwave/synthwave reinterpretation, and the Sydney “Heresy” (Christopher Gordon) exploring orchestral/symphonic rock versions of Schism’s catalog.
Their album Only the Shell Remains was released on 12 April 2025 across vinyl, CD, and digital formats, featuring visually rich packaging and a 32-page booklet. It incorporates standout tracks like the singles Think Tank (released October 2024), Prey / Pray (early 2025), and Delta V, released in July 2025 and inspired by Timothy Leary’s countercultural writing.
The album’s launch saw a live performance at Odeon Richmond on 2 May 2025—marking the first Schism live show in over 40 years—with a genre-spanning set blending darkwave, electronica, goth prog, synthwave, and post-punk-prog
Simon “Circus” Rashleigh, the charismatic frontman, continues to lead the project alongside Graham, maintaining a legacy of theatricality and forward-thinking sonic design that bridges their storied past with a modern darkwave resurgence.
Simon Rashleigh spoke with Paul Cashmere at Noise11.com
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