Early demos reveal a sound not dissimilar to Joy Division, including prominent basslines, baritone vocals, dark lyrical themes and minimalist guitar.
[1] Spasmodique was formed in 1982 by singer/guitarist Mark Ritsema, guitarist Arjo Hijmans, bassist Martin Doctors van Leeuwen and drummer Reinier Rietveld (formerly of Quando Quango).
In 1987 Spasmodique released their full-length debut From the Cellar of Roses and toured with Umberto di Bosso e Compadres.
The band promptly replaced him with Niek den Braven and Hans Brusse and released the non-album single "Spilling".
That same year the book 20 Jaar Spasmodique, From the Cellar of Roses was published, detailing the band's history and discography.