Shriekback - Nemesis. Really? Sorry, I had to. My pal Greg, my first pal with his own apartment - it was very cool, had records by this band and played them frequently. He should be doing the guest post here, but he won't if I ask. Too busy. All I know is that I had to buy these records when I saw them in the fifty cent bin. Since I only know that I don't care for the band - I will let Mr. Wiki write the guest post here: "Shriekback are an English rock band, formed in 1981 in Kentish Town by Barry Andrews, formerly of XTC and League of Gentlemen (keyboards/synthesizers/vocals), and Dave Allen, formerly of the Gang of Four (bass), with Carl Marsh, formerly of Out On Blue Six (guitars/vocals) soon added to the line-up. They were joined by Martyn Barker on drums in 1983. Other members included: Linda Nevill, Emma Burnham, Brian Nevill, Pedro Ortiz, Clare Hirst, Lu Edmunds, Wendy and Sara Partridge (from Electric Guitars), Steve Halliwell, Eve Moon, Ivan Julian, Mike Cozzi, and Jessica Palin/Jose Fina Cupido." With all that talent - I think they were a bust, but hey - they made it in to my blog, so they got that going for them I guess.
Really Cus? Never too busy for you. Shriekback is one of those bands that just doesn't sound like anybody else. For those of you who remember the original "Manhunter" movie by Michael Mann starring William Peterson, the film had a great, eerie soundtrack (including Iron Butterfly) that featured three songs by Shriekback. (Rent this movie by the way, if you like crime dramas. It is bases on Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon", which went on to spawn "Silence of the Lambs", and two other big budget films.) Anyway, since you have already pointed out my bachelor pad, I knew I had to have "Coelocanth" and "This Big Hush" (from Oil and Gold) for shall we say, mood music. (Trust me, there is no better-with the possible exception of "Bolero"). Unfortunately, Shriekback never made it big, with it's top chart position in the US coming in at 20 with a bad rap/dance version of KC's "Get Down Tonight". Through it all, though I think what I remember most about Shriekback is when Ronnie, after hearing some of their cool tracks, went out and bought Shriekback's greatest hits volume II CD, and then never played it because it didn't have any good songs on it. Love you guys. Greggo.
ReplyDeleteyou are most awesome, Greggo - thanks pal...
ReplyDelete"Coelocanth"? What's that song about? Biologically speaking a coelocanth is an obscure marine fish that is an evolutionary offshoot the fish line that gave rise to 4-limbed animals walking on land (including us 2 legged version). It's fins are kinda like arms, but with no digits, just your typical fin!
ReplyDeleteSpencer