Indigo Listen
Encyclopedia
Indigo Listen was a electronic band based in Bristol
in the 1980s.
s. In the duo days the band was simply known as 'Listen' and they performed live with the aid of backing tapes in local venues. In 1984 Steve Thomas was brought in as keyboard player. Thomas was very different to the existing members and considered slightly wild . Thomas's songwriting skills changed the direction of the music towards dance music. The live performances consisted of: Thomas playing synthesizers, drum programming and bass; Bailey on guitar; and Patterson-Fox vocals. By 1985 the band were pulling in large audiences at all the best local venues.
At this point the band decided to use a live drummer
- John Furlong. Furlong proved that he could outperform the best digital drum technology and the high energy music remained. The band released their first single 'Whatever' in 1985 which was featured on the Radio 1 John Peel show.
Late 1985 and 1986 the band change the name to Indigo Listen and they started headlining at the major gigs. Unlikely gigs happened (such as support band for King Kurt
on the Cocking All Over the World tour) and venues such as Ashton Court Festival
and Glastonbury Festival
. Johnnie Walker
introduced Indigo Listen live on stage at The Thekla in July 1986 as 'an amazing and original bunch of musicians'. However, at this time band members were to keen to explore other styles and amicably went their own ways.
, two albums: Zanzi and Temennu. Thomas has released three solo albums including 'More People Have Been to the Moon' and formed Musicave Productions. He has written television and film music and in 1997 formed Musicave Productions.
The other Indigo Listen members have since joined various local bands.
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 the 1980s.
History
Originally (1983) the band had only two members, Ally Patterson-Fox vocals and Neil Bailey guitars and synthesizerSynthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s. In the duo days the band was simply known as 'Listen' and they performed live with the aid of backing tapes in local venues. In 1984 Steve Thomas was brought in as keyboard player. Thomas was very different to the existing members and considered slightly wild . Thomas's songwriting skills changed the direction of the music towards dance music. The live performances consisted of: Thomas playing synthesizers, drum programming and bass; Bailey on guitar; and Patterson-Fox vocals. By 1985 the band were pulling in large audiences at all the best local venues.
At this point the band decided to use a live drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
- John Furlong. Furlong proved that he could outperform the best digital drum technology and the high energy music remained. The band released their first single 'Whatever' in 1985 which was featured on the Radio 1 John Peel show.
Late 1985 and 1986 the band change the name to Indigo Listen and they started headlining at the major gigs. Unlikely gigs happened (such as support band for King Kurt
King Kurt
King Kurt was a 1980s psychobilly rock band from the UK. They formed in 1981 and split up in 1988, although they have reformed sporadically and played a reunion concert in 2010...
on the Cocking All Over the World tour) and venues such as Ashton Court Festival
Ashton Court Festival
The Ashton Court Festival was an outdoor music festival held annually in mid-July on the grounds of Ashton Court, just outside Bristol, England. The festival was a weekend event which featured a variety of local bands and national headliners...
and Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
. Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker (DJ)
Johnnie Walker MBE is a popular British veteran radio disc jockey and broadcaster....
introduced Indigo Listen live on stage at The Thekla in July 1986 as 'an amazing and original bunch of musicians'. However, at this time band members were to keen to explore other styles and amicably went their own ways.
Later Years
Thomas wrote and performed a single with DJ Dave Barrett and has played several gigs with a very large synthesizer and computer set-up along with Tad Korbusz who took care of the lighting and visuals. During this time Thomas worked with many other artists, such as Cindy Stratton (ex-Joy Poloi) and contributed to Steve Jolliffe, ex Tangerine DreamTangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream is a German electronic music group founded in 1967 by Edgar Froese. The band has undergone many personnel changes over the years, with Froese being the only continuous member...
, two albums: Zanzi and Temennu. Thomas has released three solo albums including 'More People Have Been to the Moon' and formed Musicave Productions. He has written television and film music and in 1997 formed Musicave Productions.
The other Indigo Listen members have since joined various local bands.