Primitive Instinct
Encyclopedia
Primitive Instinct are a Progressive
/Classic Rock band, formed in 1987 in Maidstone, Kent, England, by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Nick Sheridan, who still fronts the band today. To the uninitiated, a ballpark description of PI would be modern-day Marillion
meets Pink Floyd
. Importantly though, PI have developed their own distinctive and individual approach, thus ensuring their own sound.
constantly, building up an ever-increasing fan base in the south east of England, later to spread around Great Britain
and abroad. During this period they released 4 cassette
-only fan albums (A Primitive Instinct, Once Round Your Ear, On A Rainy Night and Into The Ocean). The early 1990s heralded the arrival of bassist "Pic" Hayes, who remains today, as the nucleus of the band with Sheridan. Nick Brown also left the band around the same time.
In 1994, PI secured a deal with Cyclops Records, releasing their first CD album, Floating Tangibility. Meeting with widespread critical acclaim from all quarters, it sold several thousand copies with very little promotion. The 1990s saw them securing support slots with the likes of IQ, Pendragon, and John Wetton, with the latter musician being particularly impressed by their live show. Richard Culham was replaced by Chris Brown (drums) in 1995. In a similar manner to Tom Scholz of Boston
, principal songwriter Sheridan does not rush to follow up albums, and to stem the demand from fans waiting for a follow up to Floating Tangibility, PI released a cherry-picked selection of early demos as "Ice For Eskimos" in 1998. Andy Quinnell left to pursue a career in banking leaving PI to continue as a three-piece.
and The Yardbirds
. Belief has also been re-packaged and re-released, and is available from the band's official website. PI are also recording a new album for release in late 2007. Early indications suggest that PI have maintained the high standards set by Belief, with several songs already included in the live set. Long standing drummer Chris Brown left the band in Spring 2006, to emigrate to the USA. However, Sheridan and Hayes have been joined by long term fan Stuart Bailey on drums and have vowed a long-term strategy for the band, asserting themselves as one of the premier "Nu Prog
" bands in the United Kingdom. 2007 marks the 20th anniversary for the band, quite an achievement and must make them one of the longest lived unsigned bands in the country.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
/Classic Rock band, formed in 1987 in Maidstone, Kent, England, by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Nick Sheridan, who still fronts the band today. To the uninitiated, a ballpark description of PI would be modern-day Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
meets Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
. Importantly though, PI have developed their own distinctive and individual approach, thus ensuring their own sound.
History
Formed in 1987 the original line up consisted of Nick Sheridan (guitar and vocals) Andy Quinnel (keyboards) Billy Geddes (bass) Nick Brown (guitar) and Richard Culham (drums). In the late 1980s and early 1990s, they giggedGig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...
constantly, building up an ever-increasing fan base in the south east of England, later to spread around Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and abroad. During this period they released 4 cassette
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
-only fan albums (A Primitive Instinct, Once Round Your Ear, On A Rainy Night and Into The Ocean). The early 1990s heralded the arrival of bassist "Pic" Hayes, who remains today, as the nucleus of the band with Sheridan. Nick Brown also left the band around the same time.
In 1994, PI secured a deal with Cyclops Records, releasing their first CD album, Floating Tangibility. Meeting with widespread critical acclaim from all quarters, it sold several thousand copies with very little promotion. The 1990s saw them securing support slots with the likes of IQ, Pendragon, and John Wetton, with the latter musician being particularly impressed by their live show. Richard Culham was replaced by Chris Brown (drums) in 1995. In a similar manner to Tom Scholz of Boston
Boston (band)
Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists...
, principal songwriter Sheridan does not rush to follow up albums, and to stem the demand from fans waiting for a follow up to Floating Tangibility, PI released a cherry-picked selection of early demos as "Ice For Eskimos" in 1998. Andy Quinnell left to pursue a career in banking leaving PI to continue as a three-piece.
Belief
The long wait for a new album proved to be worth it, when in 2000 PI released Belief. Setting the benchmark for future releases by the band, it combines great songwriting, memorable choruses and a sense of the epic. The early "Noughties" saw PI promoting Belief extensively with gigs across the UK and Europe and the Belief album received many excellent reviews and much critical acclaim from across the world.Current status
In 2005 the band concentrated on rehearsing for what would become dubbed the "Flurry" tour in 2006, which has already taken in dates with Wishbone AshWishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...
and The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
. Belief has also been re-packaged and re-released, and is available from the band's official website. PI are also recording a new album for release in late 2007. Early indications suggest that PI have maintained the high standards set by Belief, with several songs already included in the live set. Long standing drummer Chris Brown left the band in Spring 2006, to emigrate to the USA. However, Sheridan and Hayes have been joined by long term fan Stuart Bailey on drums and have vowed a long-term strategy for the band, asserting themselves as one of the premier "Nu Prog
New prog
New prog is a term used to describe a number of recent alternative rock/experimental bands who incorporate elements from progressive rock.Most notable bands described as new prog include:...
" bands in the United Kingdom. 2007 marks the 20th anniversary for the band, quite an achievement and must make them one of the longest lived unsigned bands in the country.