It's Immaterial
Encyclopedia
It's Immaterial were a band
from Liverpool
, England
, formed in 1980. They were best known for their 1986 single
"Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune)", which reached number 18 in the UK Singles Chart
.
- Mancunian John Campbell vocals
, Martin Dempsey guitar
, and Henry Priestman
keyboards
- in addition to Paul Barlow, drums
. By 1984, the band had been reduced to a duo - Campbell and Jarvis Whitehead, guitar and keyboards, who joined in 1982.
On 11 November 1981, around the time of the release of the band’s third single
, It's Immaterial recorded
the first of four sessions for John Peel
at BBC Radio 1
. The track listing was "A Gigantic Raft (in the Philippines)", "Imitate The Worm", "White Man's Hut", and "Rake". "A Gigantic Raft" has since been featured on the soundtrack
of Jonathan Demme
's 2004 remake of the Manchurian Candidate.
In April 1985, the band recorded their fourth and final John Peel session (track listing: "Rope", "Hang On Sleepy Town", "Space", and "Festival Time"). In the same month, the band's Fish Waltz E.P.
reached number 30 in the UK Indie Chart
. Within a year of Fish Waltz, It's Immaterial had a hit single
, "Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune)". John Campbell puts his foot down on the pedal – ever so gently – to cruise out along the M62
. A Mini-Midwestern road movie transported to Liverpool. "Driving Away From Home" has since been featured widely on television advertisement
s and 1980s based compilation album
s.
Another minor hit followed, "Ed's Funky Diner (Friday Night, Saturday Morning)", with accompanying video, before the release of the band's debut album, Life's Hard Then You Die, in September 1986. In 1990 they released Song. As before, the music was of a subdued, understated nature, with wry wit in the manner of an indie Pet Shop Boys
. The album was a commercial flop, despite receiving positive reviews in the music press. The album was produced by Calum Malcolm
, best known for his work with The Blue Nile
, and had similar production values to The Blue Nile's first two albums.
In the same year as Song, former It's Immaterial keyboard player, Henry Priestman, had a UK
number one album with The Christians.
(Track listing: "Driving Away From Home", "Happy Talk", "Rope", "The Better Idea", "Space", "The Sweet Life", "Festival Time", "Ed's Funky Diner", "Hang on Sleepy Town", and "Lullaby")
(Track listing: "New Brighton", "Endless Holiday", "An Ordinary Life", "Heaven Knows", "In the Neighbourhood", "Missing", "Homecoming", "Summer Winds", "Life on the Hill", and "Your Voice")
The group also recorded a third full album with the working title of "House for Sale". According to John Campbell it is finished and still in the vault. They shopped it around but could not find a label to release it. He said they were told it was too "dark". Since 2010 four so far unreleased songs from the album have appeared on different internet music channels. (Track listing (in order of their appearing): "Just North of Here", "New Moon", "Is it Alright (Between us)" and "House for Sale")
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, formed in 1980. They were best known for their 1986 single
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...
"Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune)", which reached number 18 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The 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 ...
.
Career
It's Immaterial were formed by three former members of YachtsYachts (band)
Yachts were a British pop/rock band, best remembered for their 1977 single, "Suffice To Say", and “minor new wave classic”, "Love You, Love You".-Career:...
- Mancunian John Campbell vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, Martin Dempsey guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, and Henry Priestman
Henry Priestman
Henry Priestman is an English rock singer, keyboardist, record producer and songwriter.-Biography:...
keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- in addition to Paul Barlow, drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. By 1984, the band had been reduced to a duo - Campbell and Jarvis Whitehead, guitar and keyboards, who joined in 1982.
On 11 November 1981, around the time of the release of the band’s third single
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...
, It's Immaterial recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
the first of four sessions for 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...
at BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
. The track listing was "A Gigantic Raft (in the Philippines)", "Imitate The Worm", "White Man's Hut", and "Rake". "A Gigantic Raft" has since been featured on the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
of Jonathan Demme
Jonathan Demme
Robert Jonathan Demme is an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. Best known for directing The Silence of the Lambs, which won him the Academy Award for Best Director, he has also directed the acclaimed movies Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, the Talking Heads concert movie Stop...
's 2004 remake of the Manchurian Candidate.
In April 1985, the band recorded their fourth and final John Peel session (track listing: "Rope", "Hang On Sleepy Town", "Space", and "Festival Time"). In the same month, the band's Fish Waltz E.P.
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...
reached number 30 in the UK Indie Chart
UK Indie Chart
The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
. Within a year of Fish Waltz, It's Immaterial had a hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
, "Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune)". John Campbell puts his foot down on the pedal – ever so gently – to cruise out along the M62
M62 motorway
The M62 motorway is a west–east trans-Pennine motorway in Northern England, connecting the cities of Liverpool and Hull via Manchester and Leeds. The road also forms part of the unsigned Euroroutes E20 and E22...
. A Mini-Midwestern road movie transported to Liverpool. "Driving Away From Home" has since been featured widely on television advertisement
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
s and 1980s based compilation album
Compilation album
A 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...
s.
Another minor hit followed, "Ed's Funky Diner (Friday Night, Saturday Morning)", with accompanying video, before the release of the band's debut album, Life's Hard Then You Die, in September 1986. In 1990 they released Song. As before, the music was of a subdued, understated nature, with wry wit in the manner of an indie Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
. The album was a commercial flop, despite receiving positive reviews in the music press. The album was produced by Calum Malcolm
Calum Malcolm
Calum Malcolm is a Scottish record producer, sound engineer and keyboardist based in Edinburgh.He started his rock music career with the band The Headboys in 1977....
, best known for his work with The Blue Nile
The Blue Nile
The Blue Nile is an adult alternative/pop band from Glasgow. The music of The Blue Nile is built heavily on synthesizers and electronic instrumentation and percussion, although later works featured acoustic guitar more prominently.-Early years:...
, and had similar production values to The Blue Nile's first two albums.
In the same year as Song, former It's Immaterial keyboard player, Henry Priestman, had a UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
number one album with The Christians.
Reviews for the debut album
- “Musically, the LP is all over the place — new wave, country, blues, folk, and synth pop. Somehow the smorgasbord of styles works, because the band members aren't being eclectic just for the sake of it; they simply have a wide canvas, keeping the album fresh from beginning to end”.
- “This is an intelligent and extremely well-realised album that belies its simplistic origins. For those of you who are genuinely moved by soaring harmonised vocals (courtesy of The Christians), ironic folk rendition, rolling Spanish guitars and tongue-in-cheek meanderings, I would seriously recommend this to you”.
- “A fascinating musical hybrid that touches variously on synth-pop, atmospheric art-rock, recitation and a unique brand of English country music. It may remind you of early OMDOrchestral Manoeuvres in the DarkOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England...
”.
Singles
- "Young Man (Seeks Interesting Job)" / "Doosha (A Success Story)" (Hit Machine, HIT 001, July 1980)
- "A Gigantic Raft (in the Philippines)" / "No Place For A Prompter" (Inevitable, INEV 9, July 1981)
- "Imitate the Worm" / "The Worm Turns" (L.H.M., IHM 002, November 1981)
- "A Gigantic Raft (in the Philippines)" / "No Place For A Prompter" (Wonderful World Of..., WW4, 1982)
- "White Man's Hut" / "The Worm Turns" (Eternal, JF 2, October 1983)
- "A Gigantic Raft (in the Philippines)" / "The Mermaid" (Eternal, JF 4, February 1984)
- Fish Waltz E.P.: "Fish Waltz" / "Several Brothers" / "The Better Idea" / "Lullaby" (Ark, DOVE 3, March 1985)
- "Ed's Funky Diner" / "Washing the Air" (Siren, SIREN 8, October 1985)
- "Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune)" / "Trains, Boats, Planes" (Siren, SIREN 15, March 1986) #18 UK Singles ChartUK 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 ...
- "Ed's Funky Diner (Friday Night, Saturday Morning)" / "Only the Lonely" (Siren, SIREN 24, July 1986) #65
- "Space" / "Washing the Air" (rub a dub mix) (Siren, SIREN 34, October 1986)
- "Rope" / "Festival Time" (Siren, SIREN 38, February 1987)
- "Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune)" / "Ed's Funky Diner" / "Driving Away From Home (I Mean After All It's Only 'Dead Man's Curve')" (Virgin, CDT 26, November 1988) 3" CD-EP
- "Heaven Knows" / "River" (Siren, SIREN 129, August 1990)
Albums
- Life's Hard and Then You Die (Siren, September 1986) #62 UK Albums ChartUK 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...
(Track listing: "Driving Away From Home", "Happy Talk", "Rope", "The Better Idea", "Space", "The Sweet Life", "Festival Time", "Ed's Funky Diner", "Hang on Sleepy Town", and "Lullaby")
- Song (Siren, June 1990)
(Track listing: "New Brighton", "Endless Holiday", "An Ordinary Life", "Heaven Knows", "In the Neighbourhood", "Missing", "Homecoming", "Summer Winds", "Life on the Hill", and "Your Voice")
The group also recorded a third full album with the working title of "House for Sale". According to John Campbell it is finished and still in the vault. They shopped it around but could not find a label to release it. He said they were told it was too "dark". Since 2010 four so far unreleased songs from the album have appeared on different internet music channels. (Track listing (in order of their appearing): "Just North of Here", "New Moon", "Is it Alright (Between us)" and "House for Sale")