Cinema Strange, often referred to as the Cinema Strange Project, is an American death rock group based in California. Their performances also incorporate film, dance, and visual art.
"The California-based Cinema Strange Project made headlines around the world when they completed a 1/20th scale model of Big Ben using toothpicks, fly legs, and fingernail clippings. The unpredictable ensemble commented, "We've played music in Europe a bunch of times, we've made films about zombies and dancing military men, and we made our last album like a story book. The Big Ben model was a logical next step."
The band is infamous in the North American gothic scene for their unique and theatrical stage shows, sometimes involving up to a dozen or more actors and performance artists. Their music, while originating humbly in 1994 as a high-tempo post-punk expression, has evolved into a bizarre and exciting species of musical storytelling, breaking new ground and taking over where bands like the Virgin Prunes left off.
After two self-released records and two albums with the German label, Trisol, they have left an unidentifiable but very real mark on the world gothic scene, and it's anyone's guess what they'll do, or where they'll be, or who they'll claim to be next."
The original line-up of the band was Anne-Marie Hurst (vocals), Stan Greenwood (guitar), Roger "Trotwood" Nowell (bass), Ian "Karl Heinz" Taylor (keyboard/sax), and Steve Crane (drums). In 1983, after their first single, the band signed on to the independent record label, Red Rhino Records, and recorded their first single for Red Rhino, "The Night", just after losing their original drummer Steve Crane. Crane was replaced by Howard Daniels. Daniels soon left, joining My Pierrot Dolls, and he was replaced by Martin Henderson (formerly of The Last Laugh). Skeletal Family's first album, Burning Oil, recorded in four days at a cost of £640, was released by Red Rhino in August 1984.It topped the UK Independent Chart, staying in the top 10 until the end of the year. The band began touring with The Sisters of Mercy during the Sisters' First and Last and Always tour. The group released "Futile Combat" in 1985, along with the "Promised Land" single.
The group then signed with Chrysalis Records, and Anne-Marie Hurst along with Martin Henderson left the band to develop new projects. Anne-Marie Hurst would eventually team up with Gary Marx in Ghost Dance. Martin Henderson teamed up with ex-The March Violets vocalist Simon D to create The Batfish Boys. Former Colourfield backing vocalist Katrina Phillips replaced Anne-Marie Hurst and Kevin Hunter replaced Martin Henderson. The remaining members of the group soon disbanded after being dropped from the Chrysalis label. Trotwood and Hunter formed a new band, Say You.
In 2002, Skeletal Family reformed, now with Claire Bannister on vocals. After reforming they played several high profile shows, including the Wave-Gotik-Treffen three times and Drop Dead New York.
Skeletal Family's last album, Songs of Love, Hope and Despair, was released in September 2009. Two months later the group announced that they had disbanded again.
Stan Greenwood and Roger Trotwood Nowell are currently recording and performing with Anne Marie Hurst as a Skeletal Family reunion.
Ian Karlheinz Taylor formed a band 'Sub Rosa' With Ashley Cartwright guitar and vox writer of the New Model Army Hit 51st State, Steve Wilson who stood in on bass for Skeletal Family on several occasions and was also in the Shakes with Ashley and Peter Kaberry drums of the cult metal band Dawn Watcher.
Xmal Deutschland was formed in 1980 by Anja Huwe (vocals), Manuela Rickers (guitar), Fiona Sangster (keyboards), Rita Simon (bass guitar) and Caro May (drums) in Hamburg, Germany. Their first single, "Schwarze Welt" was released a year later on Alfred Hilsberg’s ZickZack label. The band also contributed to the label compilation Lieber Zuviel Als Zuwenig (ZZ 45). Around this time Rita Simon was replaced by Wolfgang Ellerbrock.
In 1982 the band released the Goth classic "Incubus Succubus". Drummer Caro May left the band and formed a new band, and the vacant drummer position was filled by Manuela Zwingmann the same year. While German audiences were less than receptive at first, a United Kingdom tour opening for the Cocteau Twins resulted in a label deal with independent label 4AD Records. Their debut album, Fetisch and the singles "Qual" and "Incubus Succubus II" were released in 1983, all 3 making the UK Independent charts, even though the band wrote and performed in German.
Manuela Zwingmann left the band after one year, being replaced by Peter Bellendir. This lineup, Huwe/Rickers/Sangster/Ellerbrock/Bellendir proved to be the longest running. 1984 saw the release of the single "Reigen" and the album Tocsin, followed by a world tour through 1985.
The Sequenz EP was essentially a remake of a John Peel session, which had been originally recorded April 30, 1985, and was broadcast May 13, 1985. The EP contained the tracks Jahr Um Jahr II, Autumn (the band’s first English lyrics, apart from brief snatches of English that appeared in Qual, Young Man and Tag für Tag) and Polarlicht but omitted Der Wind, which was played at the Peel sessions.
1986 saw the release of Matador, produced by Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers. Xmal Deutschland also opened for The Stranglers at a concert at Wembley Arena in London. Their follow-up album, Viva was recorded in Hamburg and was released in 1987, followed by the single "Sickle Moon". Viva contains a large number of English lyrics, among others a poem by Emily Dickinson. It was during this time that the band were interviewed by Jamie Meakes for the infamous underground Goth Fanzine 'House Of Dolls'.
After the release of Viva, Manuela Rickers, Fiona Sangster and Peter Bellendir left the group. Anja Huwe and Wolfgang Ellerbrock continue to work with Frank Z. (Abwärts) on guitar. Producer Henry Staroste played keyboards, and German studio drummer Curt Cress completed the line-up that would record the 1989 LP Devils and the singles "Dreamhouse" and "I’ll be near you". This also proved to be the last release of Xmal Deutschland, showing a change of direction towards mainstream pop. 1990 saw a few scattered live appearances by the group, but eventually the group split up.
SIR HENRIK (Peter Out Records/Deathrock Radio/Gothenburg/UK)
DR DV8 ( DV8 Festival/York/UK)
SHEATLE (Minimalkompromis/Chemnitz)
ALEKS (Detonation Boulevard/Zwischenfall)
.England’s Vex were a short-lived post-punk band on a subsidiary label of Conflict’s Mortarhate Records. They only produced two albums one being the “Sanctuary” EP and a 3-song demo which has the only “studio” version of their song “Pain” on it. Vex seem to have been chiefly inspired by Killing Joke but teased out that band’s punkier elements a bit; though Vex are still post-punk, they definitely retain the “punk” part of that equation, unlike manybands labeled post-punk. “Pain” has a really nice militaristic drumming style of the kind pioneered by Penny Rimbaud in Crass (as in the drumming for “Do They Owe Us a Living?”) — a drumming style that I think is great, and surprisingly under-utilized by punk bands. In the 80s — and since then — punk bands went head-over-heels for the d-beat and thrashy drumming styles of Discharge and Minor Threat, and almost no bands have consistently used the more militaristic chops Rimbaud laid down, and which Vex exploit in “Pain.” A shame... - Information taken from "Radio Schizo" @ ..CULTPUNK.COM.. ..Vex hailed from London and the ’Sanctuary’ 12" is their one and only release. It was issued on Fight Back, a sublabel of Mortarhate, run by the people of Conflict. Vex played gigs with Conflict, so they were more associated with the anarchist punk scene than the Batcave fair. But contrary to most anarchopunk bands from that time, they were not influenced by CRASS or Conflict. Soundwise, the band was more inspired by Killing Joke or UK Decay. Another song called ’Rushing To Hide’ can be heard on the ’We Don’t Want Your Fucking Law’ comp. LP, also on Fight Back. ’It’s No Crime’ also appeared on the ’Who What Why When Where’ comp. LP on Mortarhate (and reissued on Get Back Records)... -Information taken from Phoenix Hairpins @ ..http://phoenixhairpins.blogspot.com..
The Swedish New Wave band Liket Lever transformed into Cortex 1979/80. Freddie Wadling is the only lasting member - the line up changed constantly.
On their debut album, Spinal Injuries (recorded 1981, released 1983), they were a quintet: Wadling, Wall, Svensson, Jörneryd and Örtendahl. Heavy on Kraut and Hawkwind influences, they didn't sound like the average New Wave band.
On their next release, Live at Urania (recorded October 1983, released as cassette 1983 and reissued as LP 1990), the line up had changed totally: Wadling, Westergren, Strauss and Hutha.
On their last album, You Can't Kill the Boogeyman, the line up was Wadling, Wall(again), Lidgaard, Andersson, Karlsson and Söderholm.
History:
"The band formed in 1980 in the small London over-spill town of Haverhill in Suffolk. The Chime was born out of the British Punk scene. Vocalist Mick Hand, guitarist Gary O'Connor and drummer Ricki cook were previously in a band called The Antix while bass player Terry Taylor, played with the hard hitting three piece The Wynd-ups.
The band released three independent singles: Coffin Maker, Cursed and Fire. But there are a number of unreleased demos and live recordings which hopefully will be available in the future"
The band Clan of Xymox, also known as Xymox, formed in the Netherlands in 1981. Clan Of Xymox featured a trio of songwriters - Pieter Nooten, Ronny Moorings and Anke [also Anka] Wolbert - and gained success in the 1980s, releasing their first two albums on a prestigious independent UK label, a third and fourth album on a major US label and scoring a hit single in the United States. Early pioneers of the dark and moody electronic music known as darkwave,their 1980s releases included synthpop/electronic dance music.
Though the band is still active and continues to tour and release records, of the original songwriters (Nooten, Moorings and Wolbert), only Moorings remains in the band today. After the departure of Nooten and Wolbert in the early 1990s, their music turned increasingly Goth (they have since been referred to as the "founding fathers of goth.")
Discography
Studio albums
Clan of Xymox (LP, 4AD, 1985)
Medusa (CD, 4AD, 1986)
Twist of Shadows (CD, Wing, 1989)
Phoenix (CD, Wing Records/Polydor, 1991)
Metamorphosis (CD, Mogull Entertainment/X-ULT, 1992)
Headclouds (CD, Zok/Off-Beat, 1993)
Hidden Faces (CD, Tess, 1997)
Creatures (CD, Metropolis/Pandaimonium, 1999; re-released, Gravitator, 2006)
Farewell (CD, Metropolis/Pandaimonium, 2003; re-released, Gravitator, 2007)
Breaking Point (CD, Gravitator/Metropolis/Pandaimonium/Vision Music, 2006)
Notes from the Underground, (CD, Metropolis/Pandaimonium, 2001; re-released, Gravitator, 2007)
In Love We Trust, (CD, Trisol/Metropolis/Gravitator, 2009)
Darkest Hour, (CD, Metropolis Records 2011)
Singles/EPs
"Subsequent Pleasures" (vinyl 12", self-released, 1983)
"A Day" (12", 4AD, 1985; re-released, Old Gold, 1998)
"A Day/Stranger" (12", Contempo, 1985)
"Louise" (7", Megadisc, 1986)
"Muscoviet Musquito" (promotional 7", Virgin France 1986)
"Blind Hearts" (12", 4AD/Rough Trade, 1987; re-released, Wing, 1989)
"Obsession" (12", Wing/PolyGram, 1989)
"Imagination" (12" and CD-single, Wing, 1989)
"Phoenix" (CS and LP, Polydor, 1991)
"Phoenix of My Heart" (Maxi CD and 12", Wing/Polydor, 1991)
"At the End of the Day" (Maxi CD and 12", Wing, 1991)
"Out of the Rain" (Maxi CD, Tess, 1997)
"This World" (Maxi CD, Tess, 1998)
"Consolation" (Maxi CD, Metropolis, 1999)
"Liberty" (Maxi CD, Metropolis/Pandaimonium, 2000)
"The John Peel Sessions" (CD EP, Strange Fruit, 2001; re-released, Celebration, 2003)
"There's No Tomorrow" (Maxi CD, Pandaimonium, 2002)
"Weak In My Knees" (Maxi CD, Pandaimonium, 2006)
"Heroes" (Pandaimonium, 2007)
"Emily" (Maxi CD, Trisol, 2009)
Rozz Williams founded Christian Death in Los Angeles in 1979, having grown up in the eastern suburb of Pomona in a Christian family. Originally, the 16-year-old Williams called his group the Upsetters, which also included guitarist Jay, bassist James McGearty, and drummer George Belanger. The band took off after they changed its name to Christian Death and added past Adolescents guitarist Rikk Agnew. In 1981, they made their recorded debut with several tracks on the L.A. scene compilation Hell Comes to Your House.
Their appearance on the Hell Comes to Your House compilation helped to get Christian Death signed to Frontier Records, which released their debut album Only Theatre of Pain in March 1982. Only Theatre of Pain was released in Europe by the French label L'Invitation au Suicide, which was followed by the record's release in Japan.
After having booked a European tour, the original lineup of Christian Death left the band due to fighting and drug abuse. Williams quickly assembled a new version of the band in 1983 by merging with their scheduled opening act, another L.A. deathrock band called Pompeii 99. This lineup included guitarist Valor Kand, keyboardist/vocalist Gitane Demone, and drummer David Glass. The band went on to record their next two albums, Catastrophe Ballet and Ashes, under this lineup.
In mid-1985, Rozz Williams left the band, partly due to his increasing interest in experimental music and surrealist performance art. Valor Kand took over leadership of Christian Death, now serving as lead vocalist and songwriter. The band then recorded an EP for the Italian label Supporti Fonografici called The Wind Kissed Pictures, which was credited to The Sin and Sacrifice of Christian Death. The EP was subsequently issued in the English-speaking world credited to Christian Death.
Their first post-Williams effort was 1986's Atrocities, a concept album about the aftereffects of World War II on the European psyche, which was followed by 1987's The Scriptures under the revamped lineup of Demone, Glass, guitarist James Beam, and bassist Kota. Longtime drummer David Glass left the group following the release of The Scriptures and returned to California, where he eventually worked with several of Rozz Williams' side projects.
Following the departure of Glass, the band had their biggest successes on the UK Independent Chart with the singles Sick Of Love, Church Of No Return and Zero Sex and the album Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ. Following the Zero Sex single, Demone opted to leave the band and Valor recorded the two-part All The Love, All The Hate concept album in collaboration with Nick the Bastard, which spawned the double A-side single We Fall Like Love/ I Hate You.
During the late '80s, Rozz Williams resurrected his own version of Christian Death with his wife Eva O contributing guitar as well as vocals. Billing themselves as the original Christian Death, they were rejoined by first-album guitarist Rikk Agnew for a 1989 tour of Canada. The band was signed to Cleopatra Records, which released The Iron Mask, Skeleton Kiss EP, The Path of Sorrows, and The Rage of Angels under the Christian Death name. A 1993 show featuring Only Theatre of Pain-era members Williams, Agnew and Belanger, along with bassist Casey Chaos, performing live from Los Angeles' Patriot Hall was recorded and later released in 2001 as a DVD by Cleopatra Records.
Williams' reclamation of the Christian Death name sparked a fierce court battle with Valor Kand, who eventually won trademark rights and forced Williams to bill his version of the band as "Christian Death Featuring Rozz Williams". After this, Williams' version would not release another full album of original material and went on to pursue other projects. Williams committed suicide on April 1, 1998.
Valor's Christian Death began recording again, offering the double live set Amen in 1995, and 1996's Nostradamus-themed Prophecies. In 2000, they added drummer Will Sarginson and toured Europe with Britain's Cradle of Filth in support of the Born Again Anti-Christian album. Valor's silence was broken again in 2007 with the American Inquisition album.
Discography
Fronted by Rozz Williams
Albums
Only Theatre of Pain - 1982
Catastrophe Ballet - 1984
Ashes - 1985
The Iron Mask - 1992
The Path of Sorrows - 1993
The Rage of Angels - 1994
EPs
Deathwish - 1981
Singles
Skeleton Kiss - 1992
Spiritual Cramp (split with Sex Gang Children) - 1992
Live
The Decomposition of Violets - 1986
Unofficial live releases
Catastrophe Ballet Live - 1984
Heavens and Hells - 1990
Iconologia - 1993
Sleepless Nights - 1993
The Doll's Theatre - 1994
Unofficial Compilations
Mandylion (released solely in Europe under the name Christ Death) - 1993
Invocations 1981-1989 (live and studio archival recordings) - 1993
The Best of Christian Death - 1999
Death Club 1981-1993 - 2005
Six Six Sixth Communion - 2008
Fronted by Valor Kand
Albums
Atrocities - 1986
The Scriptures - 1986
Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ - 1988
All the Love All the Hate (Part 1 - All the Love) - 1989
All The Love All The Hate (Part 2 - All the Hate) - 1989
Insanus, Ultio, Proditio, Misericordiaque - 1990
Sexy Death God - 1994
Prophecies - 1996
Pornographic Messiah - 1998
Born Again Anti-Christian - 2000
American Inquisition - 2007
EPs
The Wind Kissed Pictures - 1985
Singles
Believers of the Unpure - 1986
Sick of Love - 1987
Church of No Return - 1988
What's the Verdict - 1988
Zero Sex - 1989
We Fall Like Love / I Hate You - 1989
Live
Jesus Christ Proudly Presents - 1987
The Heretics Alive - 1989
Amen - 1995
Compilations
Anthology of Live Bootlegs Vol. 1 - 1988
Anthology of Live Bootlegs Vol. 2 - 1989
Past Present and Forever - 1988 (Re-release of The Wind Kissed Pictures)
Jesus Points the Bone at You? - 1991
The Bible - 1999
Love and Hate - 2001
Formed in August 1991 and taking their name from a song by the band The March Violets, Children on Stun appeared to enjoy a relatively large amount of success in a short space of time. Treen left within a year of the band forming. The band's first gig took place at a club called "The Crypt" in Hastings. In the same year, the band also recorded their first demo, entitled "Elegance", and also made an appearance in Mick Mercer's second book on the gothic rock genre: this boosted the band's popularity and gained them much publicity.
In 1992, the band supported the popular goth rock band Rosetta Stone on their UK tour. Later on that year, they released their second demo, "Choices".
The band went on to release two more demos in 1993, entitled "Monochrome I" and "Monochrome II". They used the profits from these demos to release their first single, "Hollow", which became a club hit throughout Europe and the UK. The band secured a record contract with Cleopatra Records in 1994 and released the album Tourniquets of Love's Desire. This album was well received within the UK goth scene and boosted the band's popularity.
Towards the end of the year, the band was approached by the label M&A and asked to produce an EP. This resulted in the Overland EP being released. Overland was the last release by the band to feature guitarist Pete Finnemore who "left the band to pursue other things in life."
Kyle Whipp (formerly of 'Soul Inside') joined the band in 1995 as their new Bass player with Manning moving to guitar. The band's first gig featuring Whipp took place at London's Camden Underworld. The EP Celebration Drug was released later on in the year and included the popular track "Whiskey a-go-go". In August of the same year, the band went on a tour of Scandinavia. As well as this, the band released another EP titled Celibacy and Anadin which included remixes by Rosetta Stone. After the release of this EP, the band ended their contract with Cleopatra.
1996 saw the band begin to record their new album, Mondo Weird, which was not released until 1997. The band also released the single "Pin ups, Soap Operas and Natural Disasters" in this year.
A remix LP called Outrageous, Outlawed, Outspoken was released by M&A in 1998: during the same year, the band announced that they would be splitting up. They played their final gig at the Camden Underworld on the 24 May 1998. M&A also released a CD of this gig, entitled Seven Year Itch.
In 2005 M&A released a compilation called Rough Trade on a Cheap Promotion, featuring the band's b-sides, alternate song versions and demos.
Discography
Hollow (1993)
Tourniquets of Loves Desire (1994)
Overland EP (1994)
Celibacy & Anadin (1995)
Celebration Drug (1995)
Mondo Weird (1997)
Pin Ups, Soap Operas and Natural Disasters (1997)
Outrageous, Outlawed, Outspoken (remix album) (1998)
Seven Year Itch (live album) (1998)
Rough Trade on a Cheap Promotion - Rare Stuff (2006)
Bootleg Television DVD (2008)
Cauda Pavonis are a UK Deathrock band founded in 1998, by Su Farr (later Wainwright) and Dave Wainwright. Originally conceived as a 'dark romantic' experience,
Cauda Pavonis broke onto the UK goth circuit supporting acts such as Star Industry and Inkubus Sukkubus. At the outset Cauda Pavonis were noted for their consciously-minimalist synthesized melodies and their use of live drums (uncommon during the late 1990s in UK goth music).
They were described by Mick Mercer in his book 21st Century Goth as a "Dark duo from UK with a bright future" and by Starvox as "The most old school sounding goth since Rozz Williams hung himself". Since then the line-up has grown and the band have appeared twice at the Whitby Gothic Weekend and the Wave-Gotik-Treffen.
In 2003 and again in 2007, Cauda Pavonis were the focus of the ITV television programme, Magick Eve.
Caelum Bliss was a goth band from Detroit, Michigan circa 1993-1999.
Formed by guitarist/producer Tony Hamera, Caelum Bliss took the Detroit underground by storm, gaining critical acclaim & gigging alongside artists such as Christian Death, Shadow Project, Chris Connelly & Placebo. The first incarnation of Caelum Bliss featured Tony Hamera on keyboards, William King on drums, Mark Nowakowski on bass, Dave Johnson on guitar, and Melissa Emily taking on vocal duties. Their early material was rooted in the early '80's goth movement which had punk influences as well. The band cites Christian Death, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Danielle Dax as early influences. With this line-up Caelum recorded their first demo at Tempermill Studios during the summer of 1993. It contained five songs and highlighted the bands early gothic-punk style of music.
As Caelum began to gig more, their sound started to evolve. Line-up changes and exposure to new European groups had nudged Caelum Bliss into a more Darkwave style and sound. Groups such as Miranda Sex Garden from the U.K., Collection d'Arnell-Andréa from France, and Dead Can Dance from the U.K., had a huge influence on the direction of Caelum as they moved toward more exotic instrumentation. Violins, cello, harp, and hammered dulcimer became staples of their evolving sound. This line-up included the core members of Hamera (now playing guitar and keys), King, and Emily, with newcomers Marvin Shaouni on bass, Kurt Marschke on guitar, Mary Madill and Kristin Toth on violins, Carolyn Nine on harp, and Mike Madill on cello. After recording a couple more demos, Caelum entered Tempermill Studios and recorded their eponymously titled debut CD which was released in 1995. Reviewer Victor Mejia gives his impressions of this CD: "Caelum Bliss seem like a descendant of what 4AD was doing 10 years ago. It is that kind of familiarity in their music that is so comforting and inviting. But they are far more than a copy of all those bands of yesteryear. The CD is well-produced, but not overly so which is often the case with bands of this nature. Their music is both powerful and gripping and stirs up several strong emotions."
As 1995 turned into 1996, Caelum's sound was evolving further. Gone was the string section and complex arrangements, and new elements were introduced - heavy, ambient guitar effects ala the shoegaze movement going on in the U.K., as well as electronic samples and loops. Caelum's line-up was stripped down to a five piece once again featuring the core of Hamera, King, Shaouni, Emily and Marschke. After several more recording sessions in 1997 and through 1998, Caelum continued to evolve and their style had completely changed. By the end of 1999, their sound was more akin to some electro-pop bands of the day like Garbage and Republica rather than the darkwave or gothic-punk sound that had defined them years earlier.
In 1999 Caelum Bliss, with its polished new sound and direction, opted to switch monikers and the electro-pop group Deathgirl.com was formed. Led by Caelum's core members Hamera, Emily, Shaouni, & King, Deathgirl.com released a self-titled CD in early 2001. The CD was met with enthusiasm and praise for its catchy, high energy electro-pop rock anthems. However, inner turmoil and unkept promises from management and higher-ups had shattered the bands confidence in their musical direction. Deathgirl.com finally disbanded in the fall of 2001.
Discography
Caelum Bliss (Demo) 1993
A New Rain of Sorrow (demo) 1994
Caelum Bliss (self titled) CD 1995
Pieces ep 1996
Deathgirl (demo) 1997
The band formed in 1984 in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The original lineup consisted of singer/guitarist Trevor Tanner, drummer Jan Kalicki, and bassist Nick Chown; Tanner and Kalicki had previously played together in the short-lived punk band Moskow, where Trevor performed as Trevor Flynn (his mothers maiden name). Early gigs supported the likes of The Cult, The March Violets, and Lords of the New Church. In 1985, the band released their debut single, Sob Story, followed by the mini-album, Giants and their hit song "Happy Boy". Word of mouth was such that the Bolshoi were able to sell out many of their early headlining performances.
The band migrated to London in 1985, and their lineup expanded to include Paul Clark on keyboards. In 1986, they released their first full-length album, Friends, and expanded their touring schedule to U.S., South America, and Poland. It was followed in 1987 by the album Lindy's Party, on which the sound was more pop-oriented. TC Wall, reviewing the album in Underground magazine, described Lindy's Party as "completely confident, commercial, professional, and dangerously catchy" and "a fine album that'll be caressed for generations".
Stylistically, The Bolshoi was difficult to categorize. It has been described as a proto-goth band, similar in their live act to fellow Beggars Banquet signees, Bauhaus. Tanner was recognized for his dark, pensive lyrics that belied a social responsibility and awareness.
After the release of Lindy's Party, the band recorded a fourth album, but problems with their record label management impeded its release, and they disbanded as the 1980s drew to a close. The unreleased fourth album, apparently titled "Country Life", is reportedly still in the vaults at Beggars Banquet.
Trevor Tanner started a new group, Kite, who sounded similar to the Bolshoi, with Jason Stainthorpe from Then Jericho on bass and Ian Whitehead on drums, and recorded an album with Adrian Borland from The Sound. This album still remains unreleased to this day.
Since the band disbanded Trevor Tanner moved across the Atlantic to the USA and has continued to record both as a solo artist and as a founding member of 'cult' Celtic Rock band Rathkeltair. Paul Clark also moved to the USA, to Seattle, and is currently the owner/editor of electronicmusic.com and working on a solo recording.
Discography
Studio albums
Giants (1985)
Friends (1986)
Lindy's Party (1987)
Country Life (c.1988, unreleased)
Compilations
Bigger Giants (1990)
A Way - Best of The Bolshoi (1999)
Bitter Grace is a Manhattan goth rock band active since around 1985. Formed by Gustavo Lapis Ahumad in New York City, the band is known for their live set that includes lighting, smoke and theatrical effects. Plagued with consistent line-up changes over the past two decades, the band still plays throughout Manhattan with the current line-up of Gustavo Lapis Ahumad (vocals), Dr. Avi (drums), and Brandon (guitar). The follow-up album, Shimmer is expected in mid-2006.
Bitter Grace has played numerous clubs, but concentrate mostly in Manhattan where they are located. They've taken the stage at CBGB, the Gallery, Club Rare, Downtime and Rothko's in recent years.
The Birthday Party (originally known as The Boys Next Door) were an Australian rock band, active from 1973 to 1983.
Despite being championed by John Peel, The Birthday Party found little commercial success during their career. Though often indirect, their influence has been far-reaching, and have been called one of "the darkest and most challenging post-punk groups to emerge in the early '80s."
Their music was classified by critic Simon Reynolds as gothic rock. In his lyrics, Nick Cave combined "sacred and profane" things, using old testament imagery, with stories about sin, curses and damnation. Their 1981 single "Release the Bats" was particularly influential in the gothic scene. Some of their material was also qualified as no wave.
Despite their limited commercial success, the creative core of the Birthday Party have gone on to acclaimed careers: singer and songwriter Nick Cave, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Mick Harvey, and singer, songwriter and guitarist Rowland S. Howard.
Discography
Albums
The Boys Next Door
Door, Door (LP, 1979)
The Boys Next Door/The Birthday Party
The Birthday Party (LP 1980). Originally credited to the Boys Next Door. Later re-released and attributed to The Birthday Party. Re-released on CD in 1988 with the band's early recordings, under the title "Hee Haw" (see below; not to be confused with the "Hee Haw" EP of 1979).
The Birthday Party
Prayers on Fire (LP, 1981)
Junkyard (LP, 1982) (UK #73)[14]
A Collection ... (CD, after Junkyard)
It's Still Living (LP, 1985)
Best and Rarest (LP, 1985)
Hee Haw (CD, 1988)
Mutiny/The Bad Seed (CD, 1989)
Hits (CD, 1992)
Live 1981–82 (CD, 1999)
The John Peel Sessions (CD, 2001)
Singles and EPs
The Boys Next Door
"These Boots Are Made For Walking/Boy Hero" (7" single, 1978)
"Shivers/Dive Position" (7" single, 1978)
Hee Haw (EP, 1979)
The Birthday Party
"Mr Clarinet" (7" single, 1980)
"The Friend Catcher" (7" single, 1980)
Hee Haw re-edition The Boys Next Door single as The Birthday Party (EP, 1980)
"Nick the Stripper" (12" EP, 1981)
"Release the Bats/Blast Off!" (7" single, 1981)
Drunk on the Pope's Blood/The Agony Is The Ecstasy (12" EP; music by Lydia Lunch on one side)
The Bad Seed (12" EP, 1983)
Mutiny (12" EP, 1983)
The Peel Sessions (12" EP, 1987)
The Peel Sessions (12" EP, 1988)
Video and DVD
Pleasure Heads Must Burn (VHS, 1984)(DVD, 2003)
Mutiny! The Last Birthday Party (Directed by Heiner Muhlenbrock, DVD release 2008)
Big Electric Cat is a gothic rock group from Sydney, Australia, formed by musicians Paul Sadler and Deborah Denton, who had moved from London to Sydney in 1989. In 1991, inspired by Philip K. Dick's sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and the future noir movie Blade Runner, and inspired by the film's dark, futuristic and other themes, they formed Big Electric Cat.
In 1993 they were joined by local bassist David Block, and live drumming was dropped in favour of a drum machine named "Dr.Ruth" after the famous sex therapist; thus the band's sound was born.
After sell-out gigs across Australia and the resurgence of the gothic scene, the band recorded their 4-track demo "Suspira." After several attempts to get signed to an Australian record label, they sent a demo to the newly formed Goth label Cleopatra Records in Los Angeles, and were immediately offered a three-album deal.
The bands first full album was titled "Dreams of a Mad King" and was released in 1994. Recorded at Damien Gerrard Studios in Sydney and engineered by Russ Pilling it featured the hits "Christabel", "Orchid Dreaming", "Paris Skyes" and "Red Roses" which defined their sound.
At the suggestion of Cleopatra Records label boss Brian Perera, their second release, in October 1995, was the seven-track remix EP Burning Embers, overseen by Q/Uberzone/Death Method.
In 1997 the band embarked on the 40-city "Congregation Tour" of the USA with labelmates Christian Death and Switchblade Symphony. On their return to Australia, Denton left the band while Sadler and Block continued to write and record the second full-length album, Eyelash. Recorded at Powerhouse Studios, Sydney, and released in August 1997, the songs took a darker,electronic journey; the title track "Eyelash" was dedicated to Sadler's father, who had recently died.
With more live commitments and increasing popularity William Jackson was recruited for live keyboard duties, and when David Block quit unexpectedly later that year, he was replaced by Damien Gillette on bass.
Discography
Suspira (1993, 4-track demo)
Dreams of a Mad King (1994)
Burning Embers (1995, remix EP)
Eyelash (1997)
Balaam and the Angel is a rock band formed in Cannock, England, during 1984.
The three founding members members of the band, the Morris brothers, are Scottish. As children in Motherwell, they worked in the entertainment industry as part of a cabaret act. They moved south to England to Cannock, Staffordshire, where they formed Balaam and the Angel.
Initially the band self-released a series of EP's via their own Chapter 22 label and played some tour dates opening for The Cult. This saw Balaam and the Angel catch the attention of Virgin Records, who signed them and released their debut album, The Greatest Story Ever Told. It peaked at #67 in the UK Albums Chart in August 1986.[1] They toured in the United States with The Mission, Kiss and label mate Iggy Pop.
A second guitarist, and the first non-sibling, Ian McKean, was added to the band in 1988. The band began to move away from gothic rock music styles into a sound that had more in common with hard rock. With their new found style, they recorded the album Live Free or Die. This was soon followed up in similar style when they recorded Days of Madness, before being dropped by Virgin Records. Their song "I'll Show You Something Special" appeared on the soundtrack for the film, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
Since 1994, Balaam have used keyboard player Chris Williams (also known as Chris P Notes) in their live shows. Chris also plays keyboards on Jason Bonham's first band Airrace's second album, Back to the Start, released in 2011.
Albums
The Greatest Story Ever Told1986
Live Free or Die1988
Days of Madness1989
Prime Time1993
EPs
World Of Light - (1984)
Love Me - (1985)
Day and Night - (1985)
She Knows - (1986) - UK #70[1]
Slow Down - (1986)
No More Innocence - (1991)
Singles
"I Love the Things You Do to Me" - (1987)
"I'll Show You Something Special" - (1987)
"Live Free or Die" - (1988)
"I Took a Little" - (1989)
Bauhaus were an English rock band formed in Northampton in 1978. The group consisted of Peter Murphy (vocals), Daniel Ash (guitar), Kevin Haskins (drums), and David J (bass guitar). The band was originally Bauhaus 1919 before they dropped the numerical portion within a year of formation. With their dark and gloomy sound and image, Bauhaus are generally considered the first gothic rock group. Bauhaus first broke up in 1983. Peter Murphy began a solo career while the other members continued as Tones on Tail and, later, Love and Rockets. Both enjoyed greater commercial success in the United States than Bauhaus had, but disappeared from the charts in their homeland. The band reunited for a 1998 tour and on a more permanent basis in 2005. The group announced plans to disband again following the release of their final album, Go Away White, in 2008.
Discography
Studio albums
In the Flat Field (1980) Mask (1981) The Sky's Gone Out (1982) Burning from the Inside (1983) Go Away White (2008)
Burning Image are an American deathrock band formed in Bakersfield, California in 1982. Burning Image first released a 7" single with the songs "The Final Conflict" and "Burning Image, Burning" in the summer of 1984. The compilation 1983-1987 in 2004 and album Fantasma (2009) were both released on Alternative Tentacles, record label owned by former Dead Kennedys singer, Jello Biafra, with album Oleander (2011) being self-published.
Burning Image is one of the original bands of the early eighties California Deathrock scene, along with 45 Grave and Christian Death, playing shows with bands including Specimen, Dead Kennedys, Butthole Surfers, and Timothy Leary.
The band was founded in 1997 by Rosa Iahn, Tim Schande, Björn Henningson and Wolfgang Reetz. In the year 2000 founding member Wolfgang Reetz died in a motorcycle accident and was replaced by guitar player d'hAmm. After some years of touring in Europe and contributing songs to compilations (most well known is the song "Bloody Rose"), Bloody Dead And Sexy signed to the well-known German goth-label Alice In... and released two albums ("Paint It Red" and "Narcotic Room"). In 2004 Bloody Dead And Sexy toured the USA. Their popularity among the followers of the deathrock-scene worldwide became clear, when they were asked to headline the Wave Gotik Treffen, the world's biggest goth-festival in Leipzig, two years in a row (2005 and 2006). After some exchanges of the guitar player in the following years, Matias 13 joined the band in 2006.
Discography
7" Here Come the Flies (2002)
CD Paint It Red (2003)
CD Narcotic Room (2005)
CD Narcotic Room (2005) + Bonus EP (4 Tracks)
CD Paint It Red ReRelease (2006) (+ 4 Extra-Tracks)
CD An Eye On You (2010)
SINGLE Liquid Grey (2011)
Bella Morte is a gothic band that was formed in 1996 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They also incorporate elements of metal, darkwave, deathrock, alternative, and synthpop. The name is Italian for "beautiful death."
Currently signed
to Metropolis Records, they previously released albums through their own label, Some Wear Leather, and also through Cleopatra Records. In early Fall of 2006, Metropolis Records confirmed that Bella Morte had reached number one on the Metropolis Records Preorder sales list with their new album Bleed the Grey Sky Black, which was released on October 10, 2006.
Bassist and co-founder Gopal Metro decided to leave the band, playing his last show on March 10, 2007 in the band's hometown of Charlottesville. At the same show, vocalist Andy Deane announced that Tony Pugh would replace Gopal on bass.
Bella Morte has gained a strong following in the underground music scene via word-of-mouth and their still-growing street team, lovingly called "The Fallen."
At the beginning of summer 2008 it was announced that Jordon Marchini would not be touring with the band any longer. He is no longer listed as the drummer on their MySpace page and all promotional pictures do not include him. Whether this is a permanent change remains to be seen.
Discography
Remorse (cassette only, demo) (1996)
Remains (1997)
Where Shadows Lie (2000)
The Death Rock EP (Vinyl - limited to 300) (2001)
The Quiet (2002)
The Death Rock EP (CD w/ bonus tracks) (2002)
Remains (Remastered Version) (2002)
As the Reasons Die (2004)
Songs for the Dead (2004)
Bleed The Grey Sky Black (2006)
Beautiful Death (October 7, 2008)
Before the Flood June 14, 2011
Rare and Unreleased, volume 1 February 14, 2012
Balzac (typeset as BALZAC) is a Japanese punk band formed in 1992 in Osaka. The band was founded by singer and songwriter Hirosuke Nishiyama, who has remained the only constant member of the band since its creation. Since the beginning, Balzac was highly influenced by the sound and image of the famous horror punk band The Misfits and, especially during the very early years, Glenn Danzig's Samhain, adopting and combining the musical and visual style of both bands to create their own. The band often stays away from the "campy" horror lyrics and image found in most horror punk bands, as the lyrics by Hirosuke tend to be more like dark poetry and, though not always serious, deal with themes of darkness, loneliness and fear.
The band has gained a certain amount of recognition and exposure outside of their native country, where they are well known. Currently they have five official clothing brands (Shocker!!!, Dementia 13, Culture, XXXxxx and Balzac) with one store in Japan, plus three online stores (Shocker Webstore, Shocker World Wide and Shocker EU). They also have their own official record label called Evilegend 13 Records on which they have released EPs, singles and videos. Balzac is also well known for its toy releases, some created by the companies T.W.I.M. and Secret Base, and its extensive discography and side-projects.
The current lineup of the band consists of Hirosuke Nishiyama (vocals), Atsushi Nakagawa (guitar/chorus), Akio Imai (bass/chorus) and Takayuki Manabe (drums/digital effects/chorus). Musically the band has drawn from punk, pop, industrial and noise, across their various releases.
Studio albums
1995The Last Men on Earth
1997Deep – Teenagers from Outer Space
199813 Stairway – The Children of the Night
2000Zennou-Naru Musuu-No Me Ha Shi Wo Yubi Sasu
2002Terrifying! Art of Dying – The Last Men On Earth II
2003Beyond the Darkness
2003Out of the Light of the 13 Dark Night
2004Came Out of the Grave
2005Dark-Ism
2005Out of the Grave and into the Dark
2006Deep Blue: Chaos from Darkism II
2006Paranoid Dream of the Zodiac
2007Deep Blue: Chaos from Darkism
2008Hatred: Destruction = Construction
2008The Birth of Evil
2009Paradox
2010Judgement Day
Anders Manga (born May 15, 1973) is an American recording artist with a loyal underground following of fans worldwide. He was nominated for "Best Band" in 2006 by Gothic Beauty Magazine and has released 6 albums since 2005, most recently, "Infinite Gaze to the Sun" in winter 2009.
Anders was eleven years old when he first began teaching himself Bass guitar, after borrowing a bass from a neighborhood friend. Anders identifies Alice Cooper as having been his main musical influence as a child, and has said that he was the reason why he wanted to pursue music. Other artists such as David Bowie, Pentagram (band), Gary Numan, Nick Cave and Marc Bolan also had a major influence on his musical tastes.
Discography
Singles
There Will Be Blood" (2008) (Vampture Records/Hardbeat Promotion)
At Dawn They Sleep" (2007) (Vampture Records/Hardbeat Promotion)
Science Fiction" (2007) (Vampture Records)
Beautiful" (2006) (Vampture Records)
Welcome to the Horror Show" (2006) (Vampture Records)
Gypsy" (2006) (Vampture Records)
Empire On the Sun" (2006) (Vampture Records)
Glamour" (2006) (Vampture Records)
Solitary Heaven" (2006) (Vampture Records)
Heart of Black" (2005) (Vampture Records)
Burn" (2005) (Vampture Records)
Shiver" (2005) (Vampture Records)
We Won't Stay Dead" (2005) (Vampture Records)
Albums
One Up for the Dying (2005) (Vampture)
Left of an All-Time Low (2006) (Vampture)
Welcome to the Horror Show (2006) (Vampture)
Blood Lush (2007) (Vampture)
X's & the Eyes (2008) (Vampture)
Infinite Gaze to the Sun (2010) (Vampture, USA, Danse Mababre Records, Europe)
Other releases
Interbreeding VIII: Elements of Violence (2006) (BLC Productions)
Ausgang are a gothic rock band formed in Birmingham in 1983.
Ausgang formed from the ashes of previous band Kabuki.Some members had also been members of another band, The Solicitors.Max (vocals), Cub (bass guitar) and Matthew (guitar) were all previously in Kabuki, the band releasing one single ("I Am a Horse") before splitting up. With drummer Ibo they formed Ausgang and played their first gig in September 1983 at the Powerhouse in Birmingham.
They toured with The Wonder Stuff and The Cult before signing to Criminal Damage Records.
Cub was replaced by Stu and the band signed to FM Revolver Records, with their debut album Manipulate released in 1986.
The band and label parted ways and after a tour with Gene Loves Jezebel, the band set up their own Shakedown label, returning with the "King Hell" 12-inch single later that year.
Inspired by a friend who had painted the slogan on his jacket, the band briefly lengthened their name to Ausgang-a-Go-Go in an attempt to break away from their goth reputation, releasing a mini-LP under that name in 1987 before splitting up. They reformed in 2003.
DISCOGRAPHY
The Teachings of Web 12" EP (1984), Criminal Damage
Solid Glass Spine 7" single (1984), Criminal Damage - (UK Indie #28)[3]
Head On! 12" EP (1984), Criminal Damage
Hunt Ya Down 12" EP (1985), Heavy Metal FM
Manipulate (album)|Manipulate LP (1985), Heavy Metal FM
King Hell 12" EP (1986), Shakedown
Los Descamisados mini-LP (1987), Shakedown - as Ausgang-A-Go-Go
Last Exit... The Best of Ausgang LP/CD (2001), Anagram
Licked LP (2005),
Anti, formed in early 80s. A synth punk band with political lyrics. They released 2 tapes and a split in 1990 with the punk band social waste. Also participated in various compilations "Anti" took their name when a member of the band tried to write on his jacket "anti nowhere league" and because of little space wrote only the word "anti" .... Kwstas Aggelidis(vox, keyboards) Dimitris Diplas(bass) Kwstas Panagopoulos(keyboards)
The Adicts are an English punk band from Ipswich, Suffolk, England. One of the more popular punk rock bands in the 1980s, they were often in the indie charts at that time.
Their song "Viva La Revolution" was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Underground.
It was also featured in a commercial for the E! channel advertising their reality television show Pop Fiction. It remains one of the band's most well known songs.
The Adicts originated as Afterbirth & The Pinz in late 1975.
They soon changed their name to The Adicts and became known for their distinctive Clockwork Orange droog image, which, along with their urgent, uptempo music and light-hearted lyrics, helped set them apart from other punk bands. In the 1980s, they temporarily changed their name to 'Fun Adicts' and 'ADX', mainly to coincide with children's TV appearances.
Their music has catchy melodies and lyrics, and often features extra instruments and sound clips, such as carousel music in "How Sad", violin played by Derick Cook in "Joker in the Pack", and gongs and keyboard percussion by Anthony Boyd in "Chinese Takeaway".
The musicians wear all white[disambiguation needed ], with black boots and black bowler hats. The singer, Keith "Monkey" Warren, wears joker make-up, and his clothes were usually wild, patterned suits (such as checkerboard or polkadot), flared trousers and colorful dress shirts. He also tends to wear a bowler hat and gloves. Along with the look come stage shows involving items such as streamers, confetti, playing cards, beach balls, joker hats, toy instruments, bubbles and glitter.
Still an active and popular live act, they will appear in the 2012 addition of Punk-n-Bowl music festival over Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
DISCOGRAPHY
Studio Albums
Songs of Praise1982
Sound of Music1982
Smart Alex1985
Fifth Overture1986
Twenty-Seven1992
Rise and Shine2002
Rollercoaster2004
Songs of Praise: 25th Anniversary Edition2008
Life Goes On2009
Live albums
1987 - Live and Loud Link
1990 - Rockers into Orbit Fall Out
2004 - Joker in the Pack Anagram
Compilations
1984 - This Is Your Life Fall Out (UK Indie #12)[5]
1992 - Totally Adicted Dojo
1994 - The Complete Adicts Singles Collection Anagram
Re-released as The Complete Singles Collection
1996 - The Best of The Adicts Dojo
Re-released by Anagram in 1998 as The Very Best of The Adicts
1997 - The Collection (Sound of Music and Smart Alex with bonus tracks) Taang!
1997 - Ultimate Adiction - The Best Of Cleopatra
1999 - Joker in the Pack Harry May
2005 - Made in England SOS
2005 - Clockwork Punks: The Collection Anarchy
Singles/EPs
Lunch with The Adicts (1979) Dining Out
"Viva la Revolution" (1981) Fall Out
"Chinese Takeaway" (1982) Razor
"Bad Boy" (1983) Razor (UK #75)[6]
"Tokyo" (1984) Sire (as ADX)
"Falling In Love Again" (1985) Sire (as ADX)
Bar Room Bop (1985) Fall Out
Triple B Sides (2008) (People Like You Records)
Adam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era. By the end of 1979, this early line-up featured musicians Dave Barbarossa, Matthew Ashman and Leigh Gorman – all of whom would later leave the band on 26 January 1980, at the suggestion of then-de facto manager Malcolm McLaren, to form the instrumentalist personnel of Bow Wow Wow. The second incarnation of Adam and the Ants – which featured guitarist Marco Pirroni and drummer/record producer Chris Hughes – existed from about February 1980 to January 1982 and achieved major commercial success in the UK as early leaders of the burgeoning New Romantic movement there. Both versions of the band were led by singer and chief songwriter Adam Ant.
Discography
Dirk Wears White Sox (1979)
Kings of the Wild Frontier (1980)
Prince Charming (1981)
Astrovamps were an American deathrock group. It was formed in the early 1990s by Daniel Ian and Eyajo Joseph.
Astrovamps released their first two records on cassette from 1991–1993, "Savage Garden" and "Blood And Flowers." In 1992, the band wrote the lyrical content for "Pixies And Daggers," a mysterious album that was never recorded. The self-titled album Astrovamps appeared later in 1995.
Manifesto was intended to be re-released in 1994, but the plan was withdrawn due to bankruptcy of the band's record label. Later in 2002, Astrovamps signed a record deal with German label Alice In... of the Dark Dimensions label group.
In 2003, the Manifesto EP was re-released on the new label.
Amerikan Gothick, the first-ever full-length album from Astrovamps appeared in 2004. The nineteen-track album features a live track, as well as exclusive tracks that have appeared on various compilations of notable German fanzines such as Orkus and Zillo.
Astrovamps performed at the 2005 Wave-Gotik-Treffen Festival in Leipzig, Germany with other notable industrial artists such as Apoptygma Berzerk and Die Krupps.
Gods & Monsters, the latest album from Astrovamps was released in May 2007.
The band officially disbanded September 29, 2007.
And Also The Trees are an English rock band, formed in 1979 in the United Kingdom.
They are most notable for their poetic lyrics and evocative music which is strongly influenced by their native English countryside
And Also The Trees started in Inkberrow, a small village in Worcestershire. A home demo tape was sent to The Cure which led to a friendship between the two bands. In 1981 And Also The Trees played several shows in support of The Cure's UK tour. Their second demo tape From Under the Hill (1982) was partly co-produced with Robert Smith and Mike Hedges.
Their first two single releases ("Shantell" and "The Secret Sea") and their debut album, And Also The Trees, were produced by The Cure's Lol Tolhurst and released in 1983. They got the attention of BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, and were invited to do a session in April 1984, which was produced by Dale Griffin for broadcast on 24 April.
The EP A Room Lives In Lucy (1985) introduced the mandolin-like guitar sound which became their trademark for the next few years. The next album Virus Meadow (1986), was followed by their first European tour, from which came the live album The Evening of the 24th (1987). Another EP The Critical Distance was released in 1987. The singles "Shaletown" and "The House of the Heart", and the next album The Millpond Years (1988) saw the usage of the record producer Mark Tibenham.
Farewell to the Shade (1989), was followed by the single releases of "Lady D'Arbanville", a completely revised Cat Stevens cover and the French only release "Misfortunes".
In 1990 they changed their management. The following year the band made a US tour and reactivated contact with The Cure, which resulted in the US only release of the EP The Pear Tree, featuring a remix by Robert Smith and Mark Saunders.
In 1992 the band released the last album produced by Tibenham, Green is the Sea. They promoted it with a two-leg European tour including Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and France. Fan pressure resulted in a digital remastering of their singles and EPs, and From Horizon to Horizon, a CD collection of primarily single and non-album tracks between 1983–1992, was released.
By 1993 The Klaxon was issued, and the following year the band toured which resulted in the release of the live album Le Bataclan and a tour video from the concert in Hamburg.
In 1995 a project called G.O.L. between Justin Jones and Mark Tibenham, along with Antonia Reiner, resulted in the release of the album Sensations of Tone and the single "Soma Holiday". The album featured a cover version of the early And Also The Trees song "There Were No Bounds". The band's seventh studio album Angelfish (1996) created a British perception of "Americana".
DISCOGRAPHY
Studio Albums
And Also The Trees (1984, Reflex Records)
Virus Meadow (1986, Reflex Records)
The Millpond Years (1988, Reflex Records)
Farewell To The Shade (1989, Reflex Records)
Green Is The Sea (1992, Normal)
The Klaxon (1993, Normal)
Angelfish (1996, Mezentian)
Silver Soul (1998, And Also The Trees)
Further From The Truth (2003, And Also The Trees)
(Listen For) The Rag and Bone Man (2007, And Also The Trees)
When The Rains Come (2009, And Also The Trees)
Driftwood (2011, Mini-Album, limited to 1000 copies)
Hunter Not the Hunted (2012)
Singles and EPs
Shantell 7" (1983, Future Records)
The Secret Sea 7"/12" (1984, Reflex Records)
A Room Lives in Lucy 12" (1985, Reflex Records)
The Critical Distance 12" (1987, Reflex Records)
Shaletown 7"/12" (1987, Reflex Records)
House of the Heart 7"/12"/CDS (1988, Reflex Records)
Lady D'Arbanville 7"/12"/CDS (1989, Reflex Records)
Misfortunes 7" (1989, Reflex Records)
The Pear Tree 12" (1991, Troy Records)
Nailed CDS (1998, And Also The Trees)
And Also The Trees 10"+CDS (2009, Les Disques Du 7ème Ciel, limited to 500 numbered copies)
Live Albums
The Evening of the 24th (1987, Reflex Records)
Le Bataclan (1994, self-released, limited to 1,000 numbered copies)
Compilations
Et Aussi Les Arbres (1986, New Rose)
A Retrospective 1983-1986 (1986, Reflex Records)
Boxed Set (all 7"/12") (1990, Reflex Records)
From Horizon to Horizon (1993, Normal)
Best of 1980-2005 (CD) (2005, And Also The Trees)
Videos
Bielefeld PC 69 1992 (VHS PAL) (1994)
Hamburg Markthalle 1994 (VHS PAL) (1994)
Live 89-98 (VHS PAL) (1998)
Live in Geneva (DVD, limited to 1,000 numbered copies) (2006)
Books
Lyric Book (limited to 300 copies of which 150 red and 150 green) (1993)
Demo tapes
First Demo Cassette (1980)
From Under The Hill (Demo-Cassette limited to 200, Produced by Robert Smith and Mike Hedges)(1982)
Alien Sex Fiend is a deathrock band from the UK, composed of the married couple Nik Fiend (Nik Wade) and Mrs. Fiend (Christine Wade). Currently the band is based in Cardiff, Wales
Formed in late 1982 at the Batcave club in London (where Nik worked) by the Wades along with David James (aka Yaxi Highrizer, guitar) and Johnny "Ha Ha" Freshwater (drums), the band became known in the gothic scene for its psychobilly, dark electronic, industrial sound, heavy samples and loops and manic vocals. Wade had previously been a member of the Alice Cooper-influenced bands The Earwigs and Mr. & Mrs. Demeanour, and later the punk band Demon Preachers (later known as The Demons). They recorded a cassette (The Lewd, The Mad, the Ugly and Old Nick) with Youth of Killing Joke, which brought them to the attention of the UK music press.They signed to Cherry Red label Anagram Records, releasing their first single, "Ignore The Machine" in August 1983. The band was immediately successful on the UK Independent Chart with this single reaching number six and a further eleven singles and five albums reaching top-twenty positions in the chart in the period up to 1987. The band also became popular in Japan and in 1985 released a live album recorded there.Freshwater left in 1985, the band continuing as a three-piece and supporting Alice Cooper on his The Nightmare Returns tour in 1986. The band was reduced to a duo of the Wades in 1988 after James left. They recorded a one-off single as The Dynamic Duo before continuing as Alien Sex Fiend, using electronics and sampling more as part of their sound. They reverted to a four-piece with the addition of Rat Fink Jr. (drums and guitar) and Doc Milton (keyboards). Following the departure of Milton and Fink (the latter going on to play drums in UFX and Starfish), the Wades became a duo once again and launched their own 13th Moon label in 1996.
The band has had limited mainstream success in the UK; in October 1985, its album Maximum Security reached No. 100 on the UK Albums Chart and remained there for the week of 12 October. They also had two top-100 singles, with "Dead and Buried" in August 1984 (#91) and a reissued "Ignore the Machine" in March 1985 (#99). However, throughout the early 1980s their work was frequently in the UK Indie Chart and remained a fixture on college radio.
The band recorded two BBC Peel Sessions in 1984. In May, they recorded "Attack!!!", "Dead And Buried", "Ignore The Machine" and "Hee Haw"; in August "In God We Trust", "E.S.T Trip To The Moon" and "Boneshaker Baby".
The band released the world's first 11" single, "E.S.T. (Trip To The Moon)" in October 1984. Their video for "Now I'm Feeling Zombified" was featured on an episode of the MTV animated series Beavis & Butt-head. The band also provided the soundtrack for the Digital Image Design game Inferno.
The band produced its own publication, the Fiendzine.
DISCOGRAPHY
Studio albums
Alien Sex Fiend live in Paris (2007)
''The Lewd, The Mad, the Ugly and Old Nik (1983) – cassette only
Who's Been Sleeping in My Brain? (1983), Anagram – UK Indie No. 10
Acid Bath (1984), Anagram – UK Indie No. 4
Maximum Security (1985), Anagram – UK #100, UK Indie No. 5
It – The Album (1986), Plague – UK Indie No. 7
Here Cum Germs (1987), Plague – UK Indie No. 22
Another Planet (1988), Anagram
Curse (1990), Anagram
Open Head Surgery (1992), Anagram
Inferno (1994), Anagram
Nocturnal Emissions (1997), 13th Moon
Nocturnal Emissions (Special Edition) (2000), 13th Moon
Information Overload (2004), 13th Moon
Death Trip (2010), 13th Moon
[edit]Live albums
Liquid Head in Tokyo (1985), Anagram – UK Indie No. 7
Too Much Acid? (1989), Anagram
The Altered States of America (1993), Anagram
Flashbacks! (Live 1995–1998) (2001), Yeaah
Zombified (2002)
Compilation albums
The First Alien Sex Fiend Compact Disc (1986), Anagram
The Impossible Mission Mini-LP (US release) (1987), PVC
All Our Yesterdays (1988), Plague
The Legendary Batcave Tapes (1993), Anagram
Drive My Rocket (USA) (1994), Cleopatra
I'm Her Frankenstein (USA) (1995), Cleopatra
The Singles 1983–1995 (1995), Anagram
War Dance of the Alien Sex Fiend (1997), Snapper – 2CD-set
The Batcave Masters (USA) (1998), Cleopatra
Fiend at the Controls Vols 1 & 2 (1999), Anagram
The Best of Alien Sex Fiend (2001), Anagram
Fiend Club (2005), Cleopatra
The Very Best of Alien Sex Fiend (2005)
Para-Abnormal (2006), 13th Moon
R.I.P. – A 12" Collection (2008), Anagram
Bat Cave Anthems (2009), Cleopatra
Singles
"Ignore the Machine" (1983), Anagram – UK Indie No. 6
"Lips Can't Go" (1983), Anagram – UK Indie No. 12
"R.I.P. (Blue Crumb Truck)" (1984), Anagram – UK Indie No. 4
"Dead and Buried" (1984), Anagram – UK #91, UK Indie No. 4
"E.S.T. (Trip to the Moon)" (1984), Anagram – UK Indie No. 3
"I'm Doing Time in a Maximum Security Twilight Home" (1985), Anagram – UK Indie No. 6
"Ignore the Machine" (re-issue) (1985), Anagram – UK #99, UK Indie No. 22
"Ignore the Machine Electrode Mix" (1985), Anagram
"I Walk the Line" (1986), Flicknife – UK Indie No. 12
"Get Into It" (1986), VAT
"Smells Like..." (1986), Plague – – UK Indie No. 7
"Hurricane Fighter Plane" (1987), Plague – UK Indie No. 12
"The Impossible Mission" (1987), Plagiarism – UK Indie No. 11
"Here Cum Germs" (1987), Plague – UK Indie No. 14
"Stuff the Turkey" (1987), Plague – UK Indie No. 14
"Where are Batman and Robin?" / "Batman Theme" (released as Dynamic Duo) (1988), Anagram
"Bun Ho!" (1988), Anagram
"Haunted House" (1989), Anagram
Box Set of 5 Singles (1990)
"Now I'm Feeling Zombified" (1990), Anagram
"Magic" (1992)
"Inferno – The Youth Mixes" (1994), Cherry Red
"Inferno – The Mixes" (1995), Anagram
"Evolution" 12" (1996), 13th Moon
"Evolution" CD (1996), 13th Moon
"Evolution Remixes" 12" (1996), 13th Moon
"On a Mission Remixes" 12" (1997), 13th Moon
"Tarot Mixes" 12" (1998), 13th Moon
Video
A Purple Glistener (1984), Jettisoundz
Edit (1987), Jettisoundz
Overdose (1988), Jettisoundz
Liquid head in Tokyo (1991), ReVision
Re-Animated – The Promo Collection (1994), Visionary
The Making Of Inferno – The Odyssey Continues (1994), Visionary Comms Ltd
