Thighpaulsandra
Encyclopedia
Thighpaulsandra is a Welsh
experimental
musician and multi-instrumentalist
known mostly for performing on synthesizer
s and keyboard
s. As Tim Lewis, he began his career working with Julian Cope
. A collaboration with Cope in 1993 followed, as the experimental duo Queen Elizabeth. This project completed just the two albums, 'Queen Elizabeth' (ESP Records 1994) and 'Elizabeth Vagina' (Head Heritage 1997), each containing extremely long spacey tracks of between 20–47 minutes in duration. In 1997, former Cope guitarist Mike Mooney invited Lewis to fill for the departing Kate Radley
on a Spiritualized
tour, where he remained until early 2008. He later joined the experimental band Coil
. He has subsequently released several solo albums.
. Stuck in S. Wales, Lewis was at first unable to capitalize on his real influences, such as krautrock
and improvised electronic music. Eventually, his work with Julian Cope provided the right atmosphere, and Lewis was invited to contribute synthesizers to Cope's Def American albums Autogeddon and 20 Mothers. As Thighpaulsandra, Lewis has also produced and appeared on other records, such as 'Zero Beats Per Minute' by Anal (on Cope's KAK label 1995), RocketGoldStar, and 'Love Peace & Fuck' by Brain Donor
(Impresario 2001)
In 1997, Thighpaulsandra joined the band Spiritualized
for a U.S. tour and survived the cuts to the band made shortly thereafter, his band mate Mike Mooney quitting to form Lupine Howl with bassist Sean Cook and drummer Damon Reece. Thighpaulsandra can be heard on the records Live At The Albert Hall, Let It Come Down, Amazing Grace and Songs In A&E. He also joined Coil
the next year and performed on such albums as Astral Disaster
, Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 1
and Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 2
.
During the same period, Thighpaulsandra also worked on The Waterboys
' album A Rock in the Weary Land
. The artwork for his Double Vulgar album caused some controversy with several printers not willing to reproduce the homoerotic imagery. Double Vulgar II was delayed, possibly for the same reason, along with the passing of friend and colleague John Balance
.
His first three solo releases came out via the Coil label, Eskaton
. John Balance
provided vocals for Thighpaulsandra's first release Some Head EP
, and Peter Christopherson
designed the artwork for the I, Thighpaulsandra double album and for the following "Double Vulgar" albums. London based Austrian photographer Ruth Bayer took the front cover image for "I, Thighpaulsandra". Bayer was the official photographer for many of the first London Coil shows.
He is currently working on his next solo album and recording with Elizabeth Fraser
while finishing off future releases for the now defunct Coil
. He has also recorded with Cyclobe
and The Waterboys
.
Compilation appearances
Remixes
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
musician and multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
known mostly for performing on synthesizer
Synthesizer
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 and keyboard
Electronic keyboard
An electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
s. As Tim Lewis, he began his career working with Julian Cope
Julian Cope
Julian Cope is a British rock musician, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet and cultural commentator...
. A collaboration with Cope in 1993 followed, as the experimental duo Queen Elizabeth. This project completed just the two albums, 'Queen Elizabeth' (ESP Records 1994) and 'Elizabeth Vagina' (Head Heritage 1997), each containing extremely long spacey tracks of between 20–47 minutes in duration. In 1997, former Cope guitarist Mike Mooney invited Lewis to fill for the departing Kate Radley
Kate Radley
Kate Radley was a keyboard player for the British rock band Spiritualized, and was, for part of her tenure with the band, in a long-term relationship with the band's frontman and principal creative force, Jason Pierce...
on a Spiritualized
Spiritualized
Spiritualized are an English space rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Jason Pierce after the demise of his previous outfit, space-rockers Spacemen 3...
tour, where he remained until early 2008. He later joined the experimental band Coil
Coil (band)
Coil were an English cross-genre, experimental music group formed in 1982 by John Balance—later credited as "Jhonn Balance"—and his partner Peter Christopherson, aka "Sleazy". The duo worked together on a series of releases before Balance chose the name Coil, which he claimed to be...
. He has subsequently released several solo albums.
Career
Beginning his career in the early 1980s with the hair metal band Temper Temper, Lewis next became the house engineer and studio manager at Loco Studios near NewportNewport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
. Stuck in S. Wales, Lewis was at first unable to capitalize on his real influences, such as krautrock
Krautrock
Krautrock is a generic name for the experimental music scenes that appeared in Germany in the late 1960s and gained popularity throughout the 1970s, especially in Britain. The term is a result of the English-speaking world's reception of the music at the time and not a reference to any one...
and improvised electronic music. Eventually, his work with Julian Cope provided the right atmosphere, and Lewis was invited to contribute synthesizers to Cope's Def American albums Autogeddon and 20 Mothers. As Thighpaulsandra, Lewis has also produced and appeared on other records, such as 'Zero Beats Per Minute' by Anal (on Cope's KAK label 1995), RocketGoldStar, and 'Love Peace & Fuck' by Brain Donor
Brain Donor
Brain Donor are an English power trio, formed in July 1999 by Julian Cope and two Spiritualized members, Doggen Foster and drummer Kevin 'Kevlar' Bales...
(Impresario 2001)
In 1997, Thighpaulsandra joined the band Spiritualized
Spiritualized
Spiritualized are an English space rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Jason Pierce after the demise of his previous outfit, space-rockers Spacemen 3...
for a U.S. tour and survived the cuts to the band made shortly thereafter, his band mate Mike Mooney quitting to form Lupine Howl with bassist Sean Cook and drummer Damon Reece. Thighpaulsandra can be heard on the records Live At The Albert Hall, Let It Come Down, Amazing Grace and Songs In A&E. He also joined Coil
Coil (band)
Coil were an English cross-genre, experimental music group formed in 1982 by John Balance—later credited as "Jhonn Balance"—and his partner Peter Christopherson, aka "Sleazy". The duo worked together on a series of releases before Balance chose the name Coil, which he claimed to be...
the next year and performed on such albums as Astral Disaster
Astral Disaster
Astral Disaster is an album by Coil, which has been released in two distinct versions.The original pressing of the album was released in an edition of 99 copies on 12" vinyl via the record label Acme/Prescription with catalogue number Drug 8...
, Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 1
Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 1
Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 1 is a CD in its third pressing, as well as a 12" vinyl, by Coil.Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 1 was one of two albums attributed purely to a style called "moon music", which signified their change from a "solar" to a "moon" group. Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 2...
and Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 2
Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 2
Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 2 is an album by Coil currently in its third pressing in CD format; it was also released in double 12" vinyl format....
.
During the same period, Thighpaulsandra also worked on The Waterboys
The Waterboys
The Waterboys are a band formed in 1983 by Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from Scotland, Ireland and England. Edinburgh, London, Dublin, Spiddal, New York, and Findhorn have all served as homes for the group. The band has played in a...
' album A Rock in the Weary Land
A Rock in the Weary Land
A Rock in the Weary Land was an album released in 2000 by The Waterboys. It was their first album after a seven year break...
. The artwork for his Double Vulgar album caused some controversy with several printers not willing to reproduce the homoerotic imagery. Double Vulgar II was delayed, possibly for the same reason, along with the passing of friend and colleague John Balance
John Balance
John Balance , born in Mansfield, England, was the founder of the experimental music group Coil, along with his partner Peter Christopherson...
.
His first three solo releases came out via the Coil label, Eskaton
Eskaton
Eskaton is a defunct vanity record label created by Coil, exclusively for albums put out by the group and their friends. Its brother labels are Threshold House and Chalice....
. John Balance
John Balance
John Balance , born in Mansfield, England, was the founder of the experimental music group Coil, along with his partner Peter Christopherson...
provided vocals for Thighpaulsandra's first release Some Head EP
Some Head EP
Some Head is the first release by Thighpaulsandra. The CD was released via Coil's label Eskaton. The EP was limited to 1000 copies and was packaged in a black clamshell case.- Track listing :All tracks by Thighpaulsandra.# "Black Nurse" – 16:23...
, and Peter Christopherson
Peter Christopherson
Peter Martin Christopherson, a.k.a. Sleazy was a musician, video director and designer, and former member of the influential British design agency Hipgnosis....
designed the artwork for the I, Thighpaulsandra double album and for the following "Double Vulgar" albums. London based Austrian photographer Ruth Bayer took the front cover image for "I, Thighpaulsandra". Bayer was the official photographer for many of the first London Coil shows.
He is currently working on his next solo album and recording with Elizabeth Fraser
Elizabeth Fraser
Elizabeth Davidson Fraser is a Scottish singer best known as the vocalist for the pioneer alternative rock group Cocteau Twins...
while finishing off future releases for the now defunct Coil
Coil (band)
Coil were an English cross-genre, experimental music group formed in 1982 by John Balance—later credited as "Jhonn Balance"—and his partner Peter Christopherson, aka "Sleazy". The duo worked together on a series of releases before Balance chose the name Coil, which he claimed to be...
. He has also recorded with Cyclobe
Cyclobe
Cyclobe are a music duo based in London, formed by Stephen Thrower and Ossian Brown. They make hallucinatory electronic soundscapes by mixing sampled and heavily synthesized sounds with acoustic arrangements for strings and woodwind. Their approach draws upon diverse forms, including acousmatic,...
and The Waterboys
The Waterboys
The Waterboys are a band formed in 1983 by Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from Scotland, Ireland and England. Edinburgh, London, Dublin, Spiddal, New York, and Findhorn have all served as homes for the group. The band has played in a...
.
Discography
- Some Head EPSome Head EPSome Head is the first release by Thighpaulsandra. The CD was released via Coil's label Eskaton. The EP was limited to 1000 copies and was packaged in a black clamshell case.- Track listing :All tracks by Thighpaulsandra.# "Black Nurse" – 16:23...
- (2000) - I, ThighpaulsandraI, ThighpaulsandraI, Thighpaulsandra is the debut album by Thighpaulsandra. I showcased Thighpaulsandra's interests in krautrock, experimental and industrial music and featured his only single to date, "Michel Publicity Window"...
- (2001) - The Michel Publicity Window E.P.The Michel Publicity Window E.P.The Michel Publicity Window E.P. is a CD by Thighpaulsandra. The title track is a radio-friendly edit of the 27-minute epic from I, Thighpaulsandra, excising the ambient suites that bookend the rock midsection. The rest of the EP features forays into electronica and hard rock, and remains...
- (2001) - Double VulgarDouble VulgarDouble Vulgar is the second album by Thighpaulsandra. The album is notable for its packaging: the artwork consists of sexually explicit, homoerotic imagery featuring bondage and edgeplay, and was initially refused by several printers...
- (2003) - Rape SceneRape SceneRape Scene is the third album by Thighpaulsandra. The album was recorded live in the studio, and is credited to "Thighpaulsandra with Siôn Orgon and Martin Schellard". As a trio, Thighpaulsandra musically explores a sexual scenario involving rape fantasy and medical fetishism by way of a Gomco...
- (2004) - Double Vulgar IIDouble Vulgar IIDouble Vulgar II is the fourth album by Thighpaulsandra. Like its predecessor, Double Vulgar, it contains sexually explicit, homoerotic artwork, though it is slightly toned down by comparison. One insert contains a double-sided image of model Chris Jones' erection...
- (2005) - Chamber MusicChamber Music (Thighpaulsandra album)Chamber Music is the fifth album by Thighpaulsandra. The album is the first to be pressed to both CD and vinyl since The Michel Publicity Window E.P....
- (2005) - The Lepore ExtrusionThe Lepore ExtrusionThe Lepore Extrusion is a 2006 release by Thighpaulsandra. The album was released via Brainwashed Recordings in a limited CD edition of 500 letterpress sleeves, handmade by Michael Babcock of Interrobang Letterpress....
- (2006) - The Clisto E.P. - (2007)
Compilation appearances
- "Heaven Lies About Us In Our Infancy" on Brain in the WireBrain in the WireBrain In The Wire is a compilation by Brainwashed Recordings, which is a collection of mostly rare, unreleased alternate versions of songs by many influential groups that Brainwashed's website promotes hosting for...
(2002) - "Christ's Teeth" on ...It Just Is (2005)
- "Star Malloy" on Not Alone (2006)
- "Am Smear Challenger" on BrainwavesBrainwaves (compilation)Brainwaves is a compilation album put together by Brainwashed.com to commemorate the Brainwaves festival. The album is a 3 CD set, limited to 500 copies and comes with a Brainwaves logo badge...
(2006)
Remixes
- "At the Crossroads Motel" on Cadaverous ConditionCadaverous ConditionCadaverous Condition are an extreme Metal band from Austria, founded in 1990 by René Kramer and Wolfgang Weiss.Their style ranges from old school Death Metal to acoustic guitar songs with typical Deathmetal growl vocals the band themselves describe as "Death Folk".-Albums:* In Melancholy * "For...
: Destroying the Night Sky (2008) - "Moses (Thighpaulsandra Remix)" on Elizabeth FraserElizabeth FraserElizabeth Davidson Fraser is a Scottish singer best known as the vocalist for the pioneer alternative rock group Cocteau Twins...
: Moses (2009)
with Coil
- Astral DisasterAstral DisasterAstral Disaster is an album by Coil, which has been released in two distinct versions.The original pressing of the album was released in an edition of 99 copies on 12" vinyl via the record label Acme/Prescription with catalogue number Drug 8...
- Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 1Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 1Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 1 is a CD in its third pressing, as well as a 12" vinyl, by Coil.Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 1 was one of two albums attributed purely to a style called "moon music", which signified their change from a "solar" to a "moon" group. Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 2...
- Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 2Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 2Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 2 is an album by Coil currently in its third pressing in CD format; it was also released in double 12" vinyl format....
- Coil Presents Time MachinesCoil Presents Time MachinesCoil Presents Time Machines was a live CD by Coil. This CD was produced in a limited amount of 1,000 copies and was given away with the initial mail orders of Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 2. The CD is a live performance which took place on April 2, 2000 at the Cornucopia festival in the Royal...
- Queens of the Circulating LibraryQueens Of The Circulating LibraryQueens of the Circulating Library is a 2000 album by the experimental British group Coil. It is unusual in the sense that it is perhaps the only release without participation from Peter Christopherson. On this album, Coil were: "Thighpaulsandra & John Balance with Dorothy Lewis as the queen of the...
- Constant Shallowness Leads to EvilConstant Shallowness Leads To EvilConstant Shallowness Leads To Evil is a CD by Coil, released the same year as Queens of the Circulating Library. Like Queens, this album comes packaged in a pink c-shell case....
- Live One
- Live TwoLive TwoLive Two was a CD by Coil which documents their live performance on 15 September 2001 at DK Gorbunova in Moscow, Russia. This CD was one of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Four, Live Three and Live One...
- Live FourLive FourLive Four was a compilation CD of live Coil songs. This CD was the first of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Three, Live Two and Live One. This album was later released as part of Coil's box set The Key To Joy Is Disobedience.The performance dates for "Bang Bang" and "An...
- Megalithomania!Megalithomania!Megalithomania! was an official CD-R release by Coil limited to a pressing of 230 copies, 123 of which were available in their box set The Key To Joy Is Disobedience...
- The Key to Joy is DisobedienceThe Key To Joy Is DisobedienceThe Key To Joy Is Disobedience was a box set released by the group Coil. It contains the following releases: Live Four, Live Three, Live Two, Live One, ANS and Megalithomania!. The set is often incorrectly referred to as "Live Box". Upon its release, the set cost just under $200...
- Black AntlersBlack AntlersBlack Antlers was originally released in CD-R format by Coil in 2004 in a limited edition. The album was later re-edited by Peter Christopherson and expanded to include a second CD of two new tracks, as well as a new track on the first disc. The second edition was released in 2006 August on the...
- Selvaggina, Go Back into the WoodsSelvaggina, Go Back Into The WoodsSelvaggina, Go Back Into The Woods was originally released in CD-R format by Coil in a limited edition of 230 copies. The release is a live performance in Jesi, Italy on 11 June 2004...
- ANS
- The Ape of NaplesThe Ape Of NaplesThe Ape of Naples is the final album from Coil. It was released after the death of lead vocalist John Balance, who died on 13 November 2004. The title of this album was originally intended to be "Fire of the Mind"....
with Spiritualized
- The Abbey Road EP
- Royal Albert Hall October 10, 1997Royal Albert Hall October 10, 1997Royal Albert Hall October 10 1997 is a live album by space rock group Spiritualized from their 1997 tour of the United Kingdom, recorded during an October show at the Royal Albert Hall in London...
- Stop Your Crying
- Let It Come DownLet It Come Down (Spiritualized album)Let It Come Down is the fourth album by the space rock group Spiritualized, released in 2001. It was recorded and produced at Abbey Road and AIR Studios. It took Jason Pierce, Spiritualized's lead singer, guitarist and sole constant member four years to write, perform, produce and release...
- Out of Sight
- Do It All Over Again
- Amazing Grace
- She Kissed Me (It Felt Like a Hit)
- Cheapster
- Songs In A&ESongs in A&ESongs in A&E is the sixth studio album by the group Spiritualized and is their first since 2003's Amazing Grace. It was released on May 26, 2008 in the UK on Sanctuary Records and on May 27 in the USA on Fontana Records. It was released on standard CD worldwide, as well as a limited edition book ...
with Julian Cope
- AutogeddonAutogeddonAutogeddon is an album by Julian Cope released in 1994 via The Echo Label. According to the album's sleeve notes, written by Cope, it was "inspired by Heathcote Williams' epic poem of the same name and a little incident concerning my pregnant wife and £375,000 of yellow Ferrari in St...
- Paranormal in the West Country
- 20 Mothers20 Mothers20 Mothers is a 1995 album by Julian Cope. The sub-title is "Better To Light A Candle Than To Curse The Darkness".-Track listing:-Poetic notes:The album includes a booklet with descriptions of the music and a number of poems:...
- Ambulence
- I Come From Another Planet, Baby
- InterpreterInterpreter (album)Interpreter is a 1996 album by Julian Cope, particularly inspired by Cope's involvement and observations at the 1995-96 Newbury bypass protest.-Track listing:#"I Come from Another Planet, Baby" - 3:29#"I've Got My TV & My Pills" - 2:22...
- Planetary Sit-In
- Propheteering
- Odin
- An Audience with Julian Cope
- Rite Now
with Queen Elizabeth
- Queen Elizabeth
- QE2: Elizabeth Vagina
- Queen Elizabeth Hall - Live
with Cyclobe
- The Visitors
- Angry Eelectric Finger Part Two: Paraparaparallelogramattica
- Wounded Galaxies Tap at the Window