Gary Clail
Encyclopedia
Gary Clail is an English
singer and record producer
. He was part of On-U Sound Records
(and also the On-U Sound System) and led Gary Clail's Tackhead Sound System.
, but during the mid to late 1980s based in Bristol
, he became a warm up act for On-U
gigs
. Clail first released a record
in 1985. Several 12" singles
were issued between 1985 and 1987, before Clail's first LP for Nettwerk, Tackhead Tape Time, a split effort between Clail and Tackhead
. "Television: The Drug of the Nation" by The Beatnigs
was remix
ed by Clail, Adrian Sherwood
and Mark Stewart
, on the Alternative Tentacles
record label
in 1988.
In 1989, Clail issued his own album
, billed as Gary Clail & On-U Sound System, on On-U Sound, which marked Clail's entrance to the electronic
underground scene in Bristol, eventually leading him to work with RCA
a couple of years later. This output incorporated several singles and EPs
, as well as The Emotional Hooligan album (1991).
Clail released a further album on Yelen Records, entitled Keep the Faith (1996).
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
singer and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. He was part of On-U Sound Records
On-U Sound Records
On-U Sound Records is an English record label best known for releasing its own unique flavour of dub music since the 1980s. The label is owned by producer Adrian Sherwood and home to acts such as Tackhead, Dub Syndicate, African Head Charge, The London Underground, Little Annie, Creation Rebel,...
(and also the On-U Sound System) and led Gary Clail's Tackhead Sound System.
Biography
Clail worked originally as a rooferRoofer
A roofer specializes in roof construction, concentrating on the application of materials that water proof and / or weather proof buildings,designed material—as a substrate for the roofing materials to be installed on. The rafters, beams, and trusses are the frame or skeleton for the roof to be...
, but during the mid to late 1980s based 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...
, he became a warm up act for On-U
On-U Sound Records
On-U Sound Records is an English record label best known for releasing its own unique flavour of dub music since the 1980s. The label is owned by producer Adrian Sherwood and home to acts such as Tackhead, Dub Syndicate, African Head Charge, The London Underground, Little Annie, Creation Rebel,...
gigs
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
. Clail first released a record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
in 1985. Several 12" singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
were issued between 1985 and 1987, before Clail's first LP for Nettwerk, Tackhead Tape Time, a split effort between Clail and Tackhead
Tackhead
Tackhead are an industrial hip-hop group that were most active during the 1980s and early 1990s, and briefly reformed in 2004 for a tour. Their music occupies the territory where funk, dub, industrial music and electronica intersect...
. "Television: The Drug of the Nation" by The Beatnigs
The Beatnigs
The Beatnigs were a San Francisco band, which combined hard-core punk, industrial and hip hop influences, described as "a kind of avant-guard industrial jazz poets collective". The band was the initial collaboration of Michael Franti and Rono Tse, who would later form Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy...
was remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed by Clail, Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood is an English record producer best known for his work with dub music as well as for remixing a number of popular acts such as Coldcut, Depeche Mode, The Woodentops, Primal Scream, Pop Will Eat Itself, Sinéad O'Connor, and Skinny Puppy...
and Mark Stewart
Mark Stewart (musician)
Mark Stewart is a British musician and founding member of The Pop Group. A pioneer of industrial hip-hop, he has recorded for On-U Sound Records and Mute Records.-Career:...
, on the Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
in 1988.
In 1989, Clail issued his own album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, billed as Gary Clail & On-U Sound System, on On-U Sound, which marked Clail's entrance to the electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
underground scene in Bristol, eventually leading him to work with RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
a couple of years later. This output incorporated several singles and EPs
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...
, as well as The Emotional Hooligan album (1991).
Clail released a further album on Yelen Records, entitled Keep the Faith (1996).
Singles
- Gary Clail and the Occult Technology of Power - "Half Cut for Confidence"
- Gary Clail (and Tackhead) - "Hard Left"
- Gary Clail On-U Sound System featuring Bim Sherman - "Beef" (1990) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#64 - Gary Clail On-U Sound System - "Human Nature" (1991) - UK #10
- Gary Clail On-U Sound System - "Escape" (1991) - UK #44
- Gary Clail On-U Sound System - "The Emotional Hooligan"
- Gary Clail On-U Sound System - "Who Pays The Piper?" (1992) - UK #31
- Gary Clail On-U Sound System - "These Things Are Worth Fighting For" (1993) - UK #45
- Gary Clail On-U Sound System - "Speak No Evil"
- Gary Clail - "Another Hard Man"
- Gary Clail - "Promotional Sampler"
- Gary Clail - "Gary Clail"
Albums
- Gary Clail On-U Sound System - End Of The Century Party (1989)
- Gary Clail On-U Sound System - The Emotional Hooligan (1991) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#35 - Gary Clail On-U Sound System - Dreamstealers (1993)
- Gary Clail - Keep The Faith (1996)
- Gary Clail - Human Nature: The Very Best Of Gary Clail - compilationCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...