Beatnik Filmstars
Encyclopedia
Beatnik Filmstars were a British Lo-fi
pop
group formed in Bristol
in 1990. After splitting up in 1998, going on to side projects Kyoko and Bluebear, they re-formed in 2004, releasing several more albums before splitting again in 2008.
The bands first album Maharishi was released in 1991. It found them getting lumped into the shoegazing
scene, with songs that featured loud/quiet/loud passages, and swirly guitar sounds. But Jarrett was more influenced by US sounding bands and the band soon broke away from their 'shoegaze' phase.
Their second and third albums (Laid Back & English and Astronaut House) found them experimenting with more Lo-Fi
sounds and guitar noise. Released on the UK indie label La Di da Records, and newly formed La Di Da/Caroline Records
in the USA. The band had now changed line up with John Austin and Tim Rippington (formerly of The Flatmates
and 5 Year Plan) both joining as guitarists replacing Kent. And Ian Roughley taking over drums. While Henderson was replaced by Jerry Francis on bass. By the time the band had released their next album Beezer (a collection of singles and sessions) on the US label Slumberland
, Tom Adams had replaced Roughley on drums. The bands first US tour was supporting The Flaming Lips
after hooking up with US management Hellfire.
The next album Phase 3 was to be one of the band's biggest sellers. Released on their own Mobstar label in the UK and the independent No Life Records in the US, reviews commented on the lo-fi recording quality and the pop style songs, with one reviewer calling the band "the English Guided By Voices", and others making similar comparisons. The band were also compared to Sebadoh
, Pavement
, Sonic Youth
, and The Fall. John Peel
was a big supporter of the band on their home turf and between 1994 and 1998 they recorded five Peel sessions, as well as once being invited to sit in and chat with him during one of his broadcasts. The next album In Hospitalable was released on US label Merge Records
. Again reviews were mostly positive, although most referred to the album title as In Hospitable!.
This was followed by one more album Boss Disque again released on Merge Records and also the German label Noise-o-lution. Their second tour of the US found them supporting Merge label mates and label owners Superchunk
. As well as one show with Guided by Voices
. The bands albums were selling well, and making headway in the college radio charts, but the band were finding it a struggle back on home ground. During a tour of Germany in 1998 the band cracked and fell to pieces. Jarrett, Adams and Austin went on to record three albums of lo-fi quietcore music under the name Kyoko. But these failed to sell well despite getting good reviews. Jarrett also recorded as Bluebear, releasing an album and two EP
s in 2002.
Indie label. Jarrett later described it as 'a half successful album'.
Another collection album Barking followed on The International Lo-Fi Underground, collecting together various singles and unused tracks. The next album Shenaniganism (Tape Hiss & Other Imperfections) was released in 2007, with the first 500 CD's each coming with a hand made sleeve. But the band was once again beginning to feel boxed into style and the band's final album The Purple Fez Club 72 saw them breaking away to a more mellow sound, with hints of alt country seeping into their pop songs, the band now being compared with Lamchop
. Again reviews were mostly favourable, but the band were finding it hard to connect with any labels or people with clout enough to help them move forward, so after one final download only album, Broken Bones, Jarrett called time for good.
Now working under the name Our Arthur, Jarrett continues to write and perform pop songs and includes in live shows, songs from his time with both Beatnik Filmstars and The Groove Farm.
Compilations:
Singles:
Lo-fi music
Lo-fi is lower quality of sound recordings than the usual standard for music. The qualities of lo-fi are usually achieved by either degrading the quality of the recorded audio, or using certain equipment. Recent uses of the phrase have led to it becoming a genre, although it still remains as an...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
group formed in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
in 1990. After splitting up in 1998, going on to side projects Kyoko and Bluebear, they re-formed in 2004, releasing several more albums before splitting again in 2008.
History
Singer Guitarist Andrew Arthur Jarrett started Beatnik Filmstars when the band he was previously in (The Groove Farm) split up. Formed in 1990, the first line up also featured former Groove Farm members John Kent (guitar) and Jeremy (Jez) Butler (Drums) along with bass player Andy Henderson.The bands first album Maharishi was released in 1991. It found them getting lumped into the shoegazing
Shoegazing
Shoegazing is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged from the United Kingdom in the late 1980s. It lasted there until the mid 1990s, with a critical zenith reached in 1990 and 1991...
scene, with songs that featured loud/quiet/loud passages, and swirly guitar sounds. But Jarrett was more influenced by US sounding bands and the band soon broke away from their 'shoegaze' phase.
Their second and third albums (Laid Back & English and Astronaut House) found them experimenting with more Lo-Fi
Lo-fi music
Lo-fi is lower quality of sound recordings than the usual standard for music. The qualities of lo-fi are usually achieved by either degrading the quality of the recorded audio, or using certain equipment. Recent uses of the phrase have led to it becoming a genre, although it still remains as an...
sounds and guitar noise. Released on the UK indie label La Di da Records, and newly formed La Di Da/Caroline Records
Caroline Records
Caroline Records started out as a subsidiary of Richard Branson's Virgin Records label during the early to mid 1970s. The label originally specialized in putting out budget price LPs by mainly progressive rock and jazz artists generally not considered to have a great deal of 'mainstream' or...
in the USA. The band had now changed line up with John Austin and Tim Rippington (formerly of The Flatmates
The Flatmates
The Flatmates, part of the mid 1980s British indie pop boom, were part of The Subway Organization, a Bristol record label formed by Martin Whitehead, who was also guitarist and main songwriter for the band....
and 5 Year Plan) both joining as guitarists replacing Kent. And Ian Roughley taking over drums. While Henderson was replaced by Jerry Francis on bass. By the time the band had released their next album Beezer (a collection of singles and sessions) on the US label Slumberland
Slumberland Records
Slumberland Records is an American independent record label formed in 1989 in Washington, D.C. area and currently based in Oakland, CA. The label has released recordings from artists including Velocity Girl, Honeybunch, Lilys, Stereolab, St...
, Tom Adams had replaced Roughley on drums. The bands first US tour was supporting The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
after hooking up with US management Hellfire.
The next album Phase 3 was to be one of the band's biggest sellers. Released on their own Mobstar label in the UK and the independent No Life Records in the US, reviews commented on the lo-fi recording quality and the pop style songs, with one reviewer calling the band "the English Guided By Voices", and others making similar comparisons. The band were also compared to Sebadoh
Sebadoh
Sebadoh is an American indie rock band, formed in 1986 in Westfield, Massachusetts by Eric Gaffney and Dinosaur Jr bass player Lou Barlow. Along with such bands as Pavement and Guided by Voices, Sebadoh helped pioneer lo-fi music, a style of indie rock characterized by low-fidelity recording...
, Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
, Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, and The Fall. John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
was a big supporter of the band on their home turf and between 1994 and 1998 they recorded five Peel sessions, as well as once being invited to sit in and chat with him during one of his broadcasts. The next album In Hospitalable was released on US label Merge Records
Merge Records
Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
. Again reviews were mostly positive, although most referred to the album title as In Hospitable!.
This was followed by one more album Boss Disque again released on Merge Records and also the German label Noise-o-lution. Their second tour of the US found them supporting Merge label mates and label owners Superchunk
Superchunk
Superchunk is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, consisting of singer/guitarist Mac McCaughan, guitarist Jim Wilbur, bassist Laura Ballance, and drummer Jon Wurster. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s...
. As well as one show with Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
. The bands albums were selling well, and making headway in the college radio charts, but the band were finding it a struggle back on home ground. During a tour of Germany in 1998 the band cracked and fell to pieces. Jarrett, Adams and Austin went on to record three albums of lo-fi quietcore music under the name Kyoko. But these failed to sell well despite getting good reviews. Jarrett also recorded as Bluebear, releasing an album and two EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s in 2002.
Reformation
In 2004 Jarrett brought Beatnik Filmstars back to life with Rippington and Adams back in place along with new members Geoff Gorton (bass) and Maurice Roache (keyboards). The band released their attempt at a pure pop record on the UK's Track & FieldThe Track & Field Organisation
The Track & Field Organization is a London based independent record label, founded in 1999 by Steven Drew and Paul Wright. The label's first release was Kicker's "Said and Done" / "Chancifer" single, in April 2000, and The Tyde's debut album, Once, in March 2001.-Artists:* Beatnik Filmstars* The...
Indie label. Jarrett later described it as 'a half successful album'.
Another collection album Barking followed on The International Lo-Fi Underground, collecting together various singles and unused tracks. The next album Shenaniganism (Tape Hiss & Other Imperfections) was released in 2007, with the first 500 CD's each coming with a hand made sleeve. But the band was once again beginning to feel boxed into style and the band's final album The Purple Fez Club 72 saw them breaking away to a more mellow sound, with hints of alt country seeping into their pop songs, the band now being compared with Lamchop
Lambchop (band)
Lambchop, originally Posterchild, is a band from Nashville, Tennessee. Lambchop is loosely associated with the alternative country genre...
. Again reviews were mostly favourable, but the band were finding it hard to connect with any labels or people with clout enough to help them move forward, so after one final download only album, Broken Bones, Jarrett called time for good.
Now working under the name Our Arthur, Jarrett continues to write and perform pop songs and includes in live shows, songs from his time with both Beatnik Filmstars and The Groove Farm.
Albums
- Maharishi (1991), Big Sky
- Laid-back and English (1993), La-Di-Da
- Astronaut House (1994), La-Di-Da
- Phase 3 (1997), Mobstar
- All Pop Stars Are Talentless Slags (1997), Mobstar/Scratch
- In Hospitalable (1997), MergeMerge RecordsMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
- Boss Disque (1998), Merge
- Forensic Evidence Suggests Foul Play (2006), Zenith Consol Tone
- In Great Shape (2006), The Track & Field OrganisationThe Track & Field OrganisationThe Track & Field Organization is a London based independent record label, founded in 1999 by Steven Drew and Paul Wright. The label's first release was Kicker's "Said and Done" / "Chancifer" single, in April 2000, and The Tyde's debut album, Once, in March 2001.-Artists:* Beatnik Filmstars* The...
- Shenaniganism (Tape Hiss and Other Imperfections) (2007), The International Lo-Fi Underground
- Left Hooks (Songs That Got Nowhere) (2007), The International Lo-Fi Underground
- Cat Scan Aces (2007), Panda
- The Purple Fez 72 Club Social (2008), Satisfaction
Compilations:
- Beezer (1995), SlumberlandSlumberland RecordsSlumberland Records is an American independent record label formed in 1989 in Washington, D.C. area and currently based in Oakland, CA. The label has released recordings from artists including Velocity Girl, Honeybunch, Lilys, Stereolab, St...
/Mobstar - Barking (A Collection Of Oddities) (2007), The International Lo-Fi Underground
Singles, EPs
- "Clothes" (1992), Summershine
- Summer Party II Bomb EP (1993), Tranquil (flexi-disc)
- Revolt Into Style EP (1993), La-Di-Da
- Lap Dog Kiss EP (1993), La-Di-Da
- "Bigot Sponger Haircut Policy" (1994), Mobstar
- "Apathetic English Swine" (1994), La-Di-Da
- Bridegrooms EP (1995), Lo-Fi Recordings
- New Boyfriend And Black Suit EP (1995), Mobstar
- Pink Noize EP (1995), SlumberlandSlumberland RecordsSlumberland Records is an American independent record label formed in 1989 in Washington, D.C. area and currently based in Oakland, CA. The label has released recordings from artists including Velocity Girl, Honeybunch, Lilys, Stereolab, St...
- Blue Noize EP (1996), Happy Go Lucky
- Supremer Queener EP (1996), Mobstar
- Off-White Noize EP (1998), MergeMerge RecordsMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
- Curious Role Model EP (2007), The International Lo-Fi Underground
- Boyracer/Beatnik Filmstars split EP (2007), 555 Recordings - split with Boyracer
- "Slow Decay"/"Hospital Ward" (2008), The International Lo-Fi Underground
- "Slow Decay"/"Crushed" (2009), Satisfaction
Kyoko
Albums:- One:Mini (1999), Mobstar (mini-album)
- Co-incidental Music (2001), 555 Music
- Unpure Disco (2001), Pet Sounds
Singles:
- "17 Stitches" (1999), Mobstar
Bluebear
- Brain Dead A&R Man Blues EP (2002), Mobstar
- Food Fight at the Last Chance Saloon (2002), Mobstar
- Lo-Fidelity Radio Friendly Summer Hit (2002), Mobstar