Originally released in 2006, Chen Yi's The 1978-1983 aims for a collective approach of art. As an isolated group of humans/numbers operating directly from a secret place in Chelmsford (UK), they developed a personal and bizarre utilization of guitars, machines, voices, and distortion, giving as a result an unconventional group of compositions from among a lot of lost/unreleased recordings. This is likely what got John Peel interested, which lead to an inexplicable CBS contract. The results couldn't be finalized, because CBS suddenly pulled out of the contract. Due to their raw and alternative "self-made" musical approach, they've been compared to the likes of Throbbing Gristle, Borghesia, and Severed Heads or more underground names such as Het Zweet and Biting Tongues.