Venus Fly Trap (band)
Encyclopedia
Venus Fly Trap are a British alternative rock
band formed in Northampton
in the late 1980s. They released five studio albums between 1988 and 1997, and released another in 2004.
of Suicide
's "Rocket USA" . A Czechoslovakia
-only live album was released in late 1991 and Pandora's Box followed in 1992, their last studio album for Danceteria, although the label issued a compilation of the band's work later that year. The original lineup split up, although Novak reformed the band with Gary Lennon (guitar), Neil Ridley (bass) and Andy Denton (drums), releasing the album Luna Tide in early 1995. They toured extensively in Europe where they had a large fanbase, and released their last album for seven years, Dark Amour, in 1997.
Novak also released more electronic-oriented music under the names Nova Galaxie Robotnik and Novak State Conspiracy (with Simon Coleby).
By the 2000s the permanent members were down to Novak and Denton, and they released their latest album, Zenith, in 2004.
, also being compared to Joy Division
, with goth rock influences. Novak's vocals were often compared to Jim Morrison
. Allmusic described their sound as "darkened noise that's accompanied by a flowing of sense of bleak, electronic rhythm".
Live albums:
Compilations:
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
in the late 1980s. They released five studio albums between 1988 and 1997, and released another in 2004.
History
The band was formed by Alex Novak (vocals, formerly of Religious Overdose, Attrition, and The Tempest) and John Novak(guitar, vocals), and Tony Booker on bass guitar prior to their debut twelve-inch single "Morphine" in March 1988. A further single followed later that year before they signed to French label Danceteria and released their debut mini album Mars in April 1989, collecting tracks from the earlier singles. The band's lineup changed frequently, include guitarists Curtis Johnson and John Novak. Their next album, Totem, was released in January 1990, preceded by a single featuring a cover versionCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Suicide
Suicide (band)
Suicide is an American electronic protopunk musical duo, intermittently active since 1970 and composed of vocalist Alan Vega and Martin Rev on synthesizers and drum machines. They are an early synthesizer/vocal musical duo....
's "Rocket USA" . A Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
-only live album was released in late 1991 and Pandora's Box followed in 1992, their last studio album for Danceteria, although the label issued a compilation of the band's work later that year. The original lineup split up, although Novak reformed the band with Gary Lennon (guitar), Neil Ridley (bass) and Andy Denton (drums), releasing the album Luna Tide in early 1995. They toured extensively in Europe where they had a large fanbase, and released their last album for seven years, Dark Amour, in 1997.
Novak also released more electronic-oriented music under the names Nova Galaxie Robotnik and Novak State Conspiracy (with Simon Coleby).
By the 2000s the permanent members were down to Novak and Denton, and they released their latest album, Zenith, in 2004.
Musical style
The band described their sound as "Bladerunner sci-fi rock 'n' roll mixed with acidic cinematic visions". They have been characterised as experimental rock, drawing comparisons to Christian DeathChristian Death
Christian Death is an American deathrock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band was founded and fronted by Rozz Williams. Christian Death is most notable for their first album Only Theatre of Pain....
, also being compared to Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
, with goth rock influences. Novak's vocals were often compared to Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison
James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American musician, singer, and poet, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band The Doors...
. Allmusic described their sound as "darkened noise that's accompanied by a flowing of sense of bleak, electronic rhythm".
Albums
- Mars (1989), Danceteria - expanded edition released 2007
- Totem (1990), Danceteria
- Pandora's Box (1992), Danceteria
- Luna Tide (1995), Spectre
- Dark Amour (1997), Soundbuster
- Zenith (2004), Big Blue
Live albums:
- Jewel - Live In Prague (1991), A.Z.Y.L.
Compilations:
- Shedding Another Skin (1992), Danceteria
- Anthology of the Food (2001), Spiral Archive
- Metamorphosis 1987 - 2007 (2007), Big Blue
Singles, EPs
- "Morphine" (1988), Tuesday
- "Desolation Railway" (1988), Tuesday
- "Rocket USA" (1990), Danceteria
- Europa EP (1990), Danceteria
- "Achilles Heel" (1991), Danceteria