Shriekback are a
rock bandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
formed in 1981 in
Kentish TownKentish Town is an area of north west London, England in the London Borough of Camden.-History:Kentish Town is first recorded during the reign of King John as kentisston...
by
Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews was once a member of the bands XTC and League of Gentlemen with Robert Fripp, and was co-founder of Shriekback. He has collaborated with Brian Eno on several projects, most recently guesting on keyboards for the 2005 album Another Day On Earth...
, formerly of
XTCXTC were a New Wave/Alternative rock band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. Though the band enjoyed some significant chart success, including the UK hits "Making Plans For Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , they are better known for their long-standing critical success than...
and
League of GentlemenThe League of Gentlemen was a band active during March-December 1980 that featured guitarist Robert Fripp of King Crimson fame. Other members included bass guitarist Sara Lee , keyboardist Barry Andrews and percussionist Johnny Toobad, replaced late in the band's tenure by Kevin Wilkinson...
(keyboards/synthesizers/vocals), and
Dave AllenDave Allen was the bass guitarist for the post-punk band, Gang of Four. In 1981, he left Gang of Four to found Shriekback. He later founded World Domination Recordings and two of its bands, The Elastic Purejoy and Low Pop Suicide...
, formerly of the
Gang of FourGang of Four are an English post-punk group from Leeds. Original personnel were singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham. They were fully active from 1977 to 1984, and then re-emerged twice in the 1990s with King and Gill...
(bass), with Carl Marsh, formerly of Out On Blue Six (guitars/vocals) soon added to the line-up. They were joined by
Martyn BarkerMartyn Barker is an English drummer, best known as the drummer for Shriekback. He has also been a member of King Swamp, and worked with Paula Rae Gibson, Billy Bragg and Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man....
on drums in 1983. Other members included: Linda Nevill, Emma Burnham, Brian Nevill, Pedro Ortiz, Claire Hirst,
Lu EdmundsRobert "Lu" Edmonds is an English rock and folk musician. Edmunds has played in Public Image Ltd, The Damned, The Spizzles and The Mekons as well as on tracks by Shriekback, Billy Bragg, The Waterboys, and Kirsty MacColl...
, Wendy and Sara Partridge, Steve Halliwell, Even Moon,
Ivan JulianIvan Julian is a guitarist and bassist, founding member of the seminal Punk/ New Wave group Richard Hell and the Voidoids, The Outsets and LoveliesHe has performed with the Isley Brothers, The Clash, Matthew Sweet, and Shriekback....
, Mike Cozzi, and Jessica Palin/Jose Fina Cupido.
Shriekback was originally formed in 1981 by
Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews was once a member of the bands XTC and League of Gentlemen with Robert Fripp, and was co-founder of Shriekback. He has collaborated with Brian Eno on several projects, most recently guesting on keyboards for the 2005 album Another Day On Earth...
, and
Dave AllenDave Allen was the bass guitarist for the post-punk band, Gang of Four. In 1981, he left Gang of Four to found Shriekback. He later founded World Domination Recordings and two of its bands, The Elastic Purejoy and Low Pop Suicide...
, expanding to a trio with the addition of Carl Marsh.
Shriekback are a
rock bandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
formed in 1981 in
Kentish TownKentish Town is an area of north west London, England in the London Borough of Camden.-History:Kentish Town is first recorded during the reign of King John as kentisston...
by
Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews was once a member of the bands XTC and League of Gentlemen with Robert Fripp, and was co-founder of Shriekback. He has collaborated with Brian Eno on several projects, most recently guesting on keyboards for the 2005 album Another Day On Earth...
, formerly of
XTCXTC were a New Wave/Alternative rock band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. Though the band enjoyed some significant chart success, including the UK hits "Making Plans For Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , they are better known for their long-standing critical success than...
and
League of GentlemenThe League of Gentlemen was a band active during March-December 1980 that featured guitarist Robert Fripp of King Crimson fame. Other members included bass guitarist Sara Lee , keyboardist Barry Andrews and percussionist Johnny Toobad, replaced late in the band's tenure by Kevin Wilkinson...
(keyboards/synthesizers/vocals), and
Dave AllenDave Allen was the bass guitarist for the post-punk band, Gang of Four. In 1981, he left Gang of Four to found Shriekback. He later founded World Domination Recordings and two of its bands, The Elastic Purejoy and Low Pop Suicide...
, formerly of the
Gang of FourGang of Four are an English post-punk group from Leeds. Original personnel were singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham. They were fully active from 1977 to 1984, and then re-emerged twice in the 1990s with King and Gill...
(bass), with Carl Marsh, formerly of Out On Blue Six (guitars/vocals) soon added to the line-up. They were joined by
Martyn BarkerMartyn Barker is an English drummer, best known as the drummer for Shriekback. He has also been a member of King Swamp, and worked with Paula Rae Gibson, Billy Bragg and Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man....
on drums in 1983. Other members included: Linda Nevill, Emma Burnham, Brian Nevill, Pedro Ortiz, Claire Hirst,
Lu EdmundsRobert "Lu" Edmonds is an English rock and folk musician. Edmunds has played in Public Image Ltd, The Damned, The Spizzles and The Mekons as well as on tracks by Shriekback, Billy Bragg, The Waterboys, and Kirsty MacColl...
, Wendy and Sara Partridge, Steve Halliwell, Even Moon,
Ivan JulianIvan Julian is a guitarist and bassist, founding member of the seminal Punk/ New Wave group Richard Hell and the Voidoids, The Outsets and LoveliesHe has performed with the Isley Brothers, The Clash, Matthew Sweet, and Shriekback....
, Mike Cozzi, and Jessica Palin/Jose Fina Cupido.
History and member changes
Shriekback was originally formed in 1981 by
Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews was once a member of the bands XTC and League of Gentlemen with Robert Fripp, and was co-founder of Shriekback. He has collaborated with Brian Eno on several projects, most recently guesting on keyboards for the 2005 album Another Day On Earth...
, and
Dave AllenDave Allen was the bass guitarist for the post-punk band, Gang of Four. In 1981, he left Gang of Four to found Shriekback. He later founded World Domination Recordings and two of its bands, The Elastic Purejoy and Low Pop Suicide...
, expanding to a trio with the addition of Carl Marsh. They enjoyed some success on the dance chart on their original Y Records label, and had a string of hits on the
UK Indie ChartThe 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...
, and their debut album,
Care (1983) was picked up by
WarnersWarner Music Group is the third-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the "big four" record companies. The current incarnation of the company was formed in 2004 when it was spun off by Time Warner, and as a result, Time Warner no longer...
in the United States. They left Y for
Arista RecordsArista Records is an American record label. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operates under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
for 1984's
Jam ScienceJam Science is the second full-length Shriekback album, released in 1984 as a followup to the Care album. It was modestly successful, though unlike Care was not released on CD in any market....
, also recruiting drummer Martyn Baker. The album reached number 85 on the
UK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website ; the full Top 200 is published exclusively in ChartsPlus.To qualify for the UK albums...
, and the single, "Hand on my Heart" charted in the Top 60 in the UK. Finding little success, they switched to
Island RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in England for many years, but is now owned by Universal Music Group and is operated in the United States through The Island Def Jam Music Group and in the UK through Island Records Group...
for the 1985 album
Oil & GoldOil & Gold, the third full-length Shriekback album, is widely considered the band's highest moment. Released in 1985 on Island Records after the failure of 1984's Jam Science on Arista Records, Oil & Gold saw the band metamorphose from contemplative to rocking...
; Marsh left during the recording of the album, to be replaced by Mike Cozzi. After the follow-up,
Big Night MusicBig Night Music was the fourth full-length Shriekback album, released in 1986. The album is impeccably recorded, making the use of no sequenced electronic rhythms notable. Barry Andrews dominates the writing and performing on the album, with remaining original member Dave Allen fading into the...
, Allen left to rejoin Gang of Four, and Shriekback remained a collaborative centred around Andrews. Allen would also go on to play in
King SwampKing Swamp was a rock band consisting of Walter Wray , Dave Allen , Steve Halliwell , Dominic Miller , and Martyn Barker . The band was formed in 1988 in London, after Allen and Barker had parted ways with Shriekback and recruited Wray as frontman...
and
The Elastic PurejoyThe Elastic Purejoy was Dave Allen's own band on the label he founded, World Domination Recordings. Their sound can be characterized as bass-driven, progressive indie rock and pop.After their first release, Allen's name appeared on the records' packaging...
. Marsh was also in the band, Happyhead.
After a further album in 1988,
Go Bang!, the band split up. Andrews continued working on other projects before re-forming Shriekback in 1992, although after the single "The Bastard Sons of Enoch" and album
Sacred City, there would be no further releases until 2000's
Naked Apes & Pond Life album.
Both Allen and Marsh returned to the studio to contribute to the recording of Shriekback's 2003 release,
Having a MomentHaving a Moment, self-released in 2003, saw the original Shriekback trio of Barry Andrews, Carl Marsh, and Dave Allen return to the studio with longtime collaborators Martyn Barker and Lu Edmonds...
. Since
Having a Moment Andrews has recorded two albums for Malicious Damage (Killing Joke's original label) under the Shriekback moniker.
FilmFilm encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. Films are produced by recording images from the world with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects....
directorA film director, or filmmaker is a person who directs the making or production of a film. Some also consider a film producer to be a filmmaker....
Michael MannMichael Kenneth Mann is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. For his work, he has received nominations from international organizations and juries, including those at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Cannes and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
, was a
fanA fan, aficionado, or supporter is someone who has an intense, occasionally overwhelming liking and enthusiasm for a sporting club, person , group of persons, company, product, activity, work of art, idea, or trend. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
of Shriekback, and used several of their songs in his films
ManhunterManhunter is a thriller film based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon. Written and directed by Michael Mann, it features Brian Cox as the popular character Hannibal Lecter and stars William Petersen, Joan Allen, Kim Greist, Dennis Farina and Tom Noonan...
and
Band of the HandBand of the Hand is a 1986 crime film, released by TriStar Pictures. It was directed by Paul Michael Glaser and stars Stephen Lang, Lauren Holly, Laurence Fishburne and Leon. Michael Mann served as its executive producer. The film turned into a theatrical release after it failed as a television...
.
Studio albums
- Tench
Tench is the first Shriekback album, an EP released in 1982. It spawned one single: "Sexthinkone".-Track listing:#"Sexthinkone"#"A Kind Of Fascination"#"All The Greek Boys "#"Accretions"#"Moth Loop"#"Here Comes My Hand: Clap"...
(EPAn extended play is a vinyl record, CD, or music download which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as an LP. Usually, a CD single has around 10–28 minutes of music, an EP has up to 36 minutes, and an album generally has 30–80 minutes. Mini-LPs generally contain 20–30...
) (1982) Y (UK IndieThe 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...
#9)
- Care
Care is the first full-length Shriekback album, released in 1983 as a follow-up to the Tench EP. The single "Lined Up" was a minor club hit.- Track listing :All tracks by Dave Allen, Barry Andrews, Carl Marsh...
(1983) Y (UK Indie #7)
- Jam Science
Jam Science is the second full-length Shriekback album, released in 1984 as a followup to the Care album. It was modestly successful, though unlike Care was not released on CD in any market....
(1984) Arista (UKThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website ; the full Top 200 is published exclusively in ChartsPlus.To qualify for the UK albums...
#85)
- Oil & Gold
Oil & Gold, the third full-length Shriekback album, is widely considered the band's highest moment. Released in 1985 on Island Records after the failure of 1984's Jam Science on Arista Records, Oil & Gold saw the band metamorphose from contemplative to rocking...
(1985) Arista
- Big Night Music
Big Night Music was the fourth full-length Shriekback album, released in 1986. The album is impeccably recorded, making the use of no sequenced electronic rhythms notable. Barry Andrews dominates the writing and performing on the album, with remaining original member Dave Allen fading into the...
(1986) Island
- Go Bang!
Go Bang!, the fifth full-length Shriekback album produced a significant number of Billboard modern rock hits Get Down Tonight, Intoxication and Shark Walk. Released in 1988 after the departure of founding member and iconic bassist, Dave Allen, the album revolves around Barry Andrews...
(1988) Island
- The Dancing Years
The Dancing Years is a musical with book and music by Ivor Novello and lyrics by Christopher Hassall. The piece is one of Novello's most popular musicals...
(1990) Island
- Sacred City
Sacred City, the sixth full-length Shriekback album, looked like the end for the band. Released in 1992 after the failure of 1988's Go Bang!, the album was much more experimental, returning to the original Shriekback sound. Barry Andrews was again joined by founder, Dave Allen, and longtime...
(1992) World Domination/Capitol
- Naked Apes and Pond Life
Naked Apes and Pond Life was the seventh full-length Shriekback album. This 2000 release was a surprise resurfacing for the band, after almost a decade of quiet...
(2000) Mauve/Mushroom
- Having a Moment
Having a Moment, self-released in 2003, saw the original Shriekback trio of Barry Andrews, Carl Marsh, and Dave Allen return to the studio with longtime collaborators Martyn Barker and Lu Edmonds...
(2003)
- Cormorant
Cormorant is the tenth album from Shriekback, released in 2005. It centers around Barry Andrews with former shrieks, Martyn Barker, Wendy Partridge, and Mark Raudva, Andrews' son, Finn, and fellow XTC alum, Andy Partridge.-Track listing:# Ronny - 4:22...
(2005)
- Glory Bumps
Glory Bumps is the eleventh full-length album by the long-standing rock band Shriekback.-Track listing:# Hooray For Everything - 4:46# The Bride Stripped Bare - 4:06# Burying the Bunny - 3:40# Bittersweet - 4:09# Amaryllis in the Sprawl - 5:07...
(2007)
Compilations
- The Infinite (The Best of Shriekback) (1984) Kaz
- Evolution - Best of Shriekback vol. 2 (1988) Kaz
- The Best of Shriekback (1990) Island
- Natural History - The Very Best of Shriekback (1994) Essential
- Priests and Kannibals: The Best of Shriekback (1994) Arista
- Aberrations 81-84 (2001) Weatherbox
Singles
| Year |
Title |
Chart positions |
Album |
| 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...
|
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 200 singles based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 of this list...
|
U.S.The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Dance/Club |
U.S. Modern Rock |
U.S. Mainstream Rock |
| 1982 |
"Sexthinkone" |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| "My Spine Is the Bassline" |
15 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 1983 |
"Lined Up" |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Care |
| "Working on the Ground" |
5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| "Lined Up (remix)" |
7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Care |
| 1984 |
"Hand On My Heart" |
- |
52 |
22 |
- |
- |
Jam Science |
| "Mercy Dash" |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Knowledge, Power, Truth and Sex EP |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 1985 |
"Nemesis" |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Oil and Gold |
| "Fish Below the Ice" |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 1986 |
"Gunning for the Buddha" |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Big Night Music |
| 1988 |
"Intoxication" |
- |
- |
- |
6 |
- |
Go Bang! |
| "Shark Walk" |
- |
- |
- |
19 |
- |
| "Get Down Tonight" |
- |
- |
20 |
- |
- |
| The Peel Sessions EP |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 1992 |
"The Bastard Sons of Enoch" |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Sacred City |
External links