Wonderland Burlesque's
Down The Rabbit Hole:
Shriekback
Down The Rabbit Hole merely places a spotlight on something slightly unusual that's caught my interest. With the help of Wikipedia, YouTube, and other sites, I gather information and learn something new.
Today, we take a look at the adventurous musical stylings and history of the collaborative known as Shriekback.
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Shriekback are an English rock band formed in 1981 in Kentish Town by Barry Andrews, formerly of XTC and the League of Gentlemen (keyboards/synthesizers/vocals), and Dave Allen, formerly of Gang of Four (bass guitar), with Carl Marsh, formerly of Out on Blue Six (guitars/vocals) soon added to the line-up. The band's early music was a funk-influenced version of new wave and post-punk, later moving towards art rock and always featuring "insidiously weird vocals".
The band enjoyed some success on the dance chart on its original Y Records label and had a string of hits on the UK Indie Chart, while its first album, Care (1983), was picked up by Warner in the United States. The band left Y for Arista Records for Jam Science (1984), also recruiting the drummer Martyn Barker. The album reached #85 on the UK Albums Chart and Hand on my Heart managed to hit #52 on the UK singles chart. Marsh left Shriekback during the recording of their next album, Oil and Gold (1985) and was replaced on guitar by Mike Cozzi. At that point, Andrews took over lead vocals. Shriekback then left Arista and signed to Island Records for whom they recorded Big Night Music (1986), after which Allen left to rejoin Gang of Four.
The band enjoyed some success on the dance chart on its original Y Records label and had a string of hits on the UK Indie Chart, while its first album, Care (1983), was picked up by Warner in the United States. The band left Y for Arista Records for Jam Science (1984), also recruiting the drummer Martyn Barker. The album reached #85 on the UK Albums Chart and Hand on my Heart managed to hit #52 on the UK singles chart. Marsh left Shriekback during the recording of their next album, Oil and Gold (1985) and was replaced on guitar by Mike Cozzi. At that point, Andrews took over lead vocals. Shriekback then left Arista and signed to Island Records for whom they recorded Big Night Music (1986), after which Allen left to rejoin Gang of Four.
Film director Michael Mann was a fan of the band and used several Shriekback songs in his films Manhunter and Band of the Hand and in his television series Miami Vice, affording the group broader exposure, especially in the United States.
Going forward, Shriekback remained a collaborative centered on Andrews.
After another album in 1988, Go Bang!, the band officially split up. Andrews continued working on other projects before re-forming Shriekback in 1992, although after the single The Bastard Sons of Enoch and album Sacred City, there were no further releases until 2000.
After another album in 1988, Go Bang!, the band officially split up. Andrews continued working on other projects before re-forming Shriekback in 1992, although after the single The Bastard Sons of Enoch and album Sacred City, there were no further releases until 2000.
Shriekback are still actively producing music and releasing studio album.
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My Spine Is The Bassline - Shriekback
Lined Up - Shriekback
Nemesis - Shriekback
Get Down Tonight - Shriekback
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