The Brilliant Corners were one of many British jangle pop acts in the '80s that never managed to corral a mainstream audience. It wasn't for a lack of trying, either. The Brilliant Corners injected many of their early records with finger-snapping hooks, but they were mainly applauded by a cult of devotees. The Brilliant Corners were formed by David Woodward (vocals, guitars), Chris Calvin (bass), and Bob Morris (drums) in Bristol, England, in 1984. The group released their first album, Growing up Absurd, on SS20 Records in September 1985. In 1988, the Brilliant Corners released their most critically acclaimed LP, Somebody up There Likes Me, on McQueen Records. Despite hummable tunes such as "Brian Rix" and "Your Feet Never Touch the Ground," the Brilliant Corners were denied a commercial breakthrough. In 1990, the band veered from its buoyant mix of jangling guitars and trumpet for the album Hooked, instead directing its sound toward the shoegazer movement. The record disappointed many of the Brilliant Corners' fans with its creative shift. The group returned to their original formula on A History of White Trash in 1993; however, it was their last album as the Brilliant Corners called it quits. Woodward later joined Experimental Pop Band.
Just to let you know about an extra-special New Root gig on Saturday 31st May @ The Croft, Bristol.
We're doing a headline set featuring Visual Projections from VJ James Bragg and everyone gets a FREE copy of our new 'Sick of Me' EP on the door. Venue Magazine described it as '...an extraordinary sound...a sort of power pop/goth/rock opera hybrid...the most exhilarating thing we've heard all week'.
There also support from Sally-Anne Langton - 'one of Bristol's most promising singer/songwriters' - plus Special Guests. All for £5. You can buy tickets in advance from www. thenewroot. com
Thanks and hopefully see you there on Sat 31st May!
i remember purchasing your "somebody there up likes me" lp back in the late 80s in a record shop in paris called "danceteria", which of course closed down a long time ago...
"with a kiss": such a brilliant saucy adorable song... take care/david from paris
Hi Guys - we supported you at The Thekla in Bristol a while back, probably the biggest gig we'd done at the time - it was awesome. Got some old tracks on our site if you wanna have a listen. By the way - WHO ARE YOU?
I work as a landscape gardener now and found myself working for Amelia from Talulah Gosh a year or so ago sorting out her patio. It's a funny old world!
I saw the Brilliant Corners at The Edinburgh Venue back in the late 80s. There was another gig in town that took away most of the target audience, and iirc there were 9 people in the band and only 8 in the audience!
Most bands having travelled so far to play to such a small audience would have stormed off stage in a rage, but not the Brilliant Corners, who played a fantastic intimate gig with style, panache and warmth.
Bob Morris is my uncle, Still see him alot. He plays drums in a band with his brothers Michael and Martin Morris, called Hooper. Mainly doing covers but they have a few of their own songs.
I'll let him know about this space when I see him next. Im sure he'd be glad to hear people still think of the Corners.
Before I started farming I was an alternative and saw you lads play a couple of times in Lincoln - remember them gigs, one at the teacher training college where my mate Andy Wall played air guitar on stage in a paislet tie (bloody hippy) and one in town somewhere? Got to say you were a very tight unit. If you're ever up in the Rasen area pop in for a cuppa and slice of haslet.
Saw you many, many times particularly on the What's in a Word and SUTLM tours and had the pleasure of meeting you backstage several times and you were all top fellas. Rather embarrassingly named my son after Davey, he's now nearly 18! Was really sad to hear about Chris, great bassist and a lovely bloke, I remember him being very reasonable about me vomiting on his shoes at the Boardwalk, Manchester in 1986. He is sadly missed.
thankyou to the most wonderful brilliant corners , love you still ,saw you at burberries with mc carhty back in 88 fantastic , many memorys check out my site , your the best
Thanks for the add. I still treasure my 12" copy of "Why Do You Have To Go Out With Him When You Could Go Out With Me" - which is the only artefact I have of BC :(
the best band in the world ever, i have everything they released, plus all of the experimental pop band.
A lyrical genius, with groovy tunes. I managed to catch them live once and it was fantastic.
I'm curious how many times over the years if you've heard or guessed how many times 'Why Do You Have to Go Out With Him...' was used on a mixed tape for a girl?
The Brilliant Corners were the pride of Bristol during their time and I have fond memories of so many wonderful gigs. 'Growing Up Absurd' still remains one of my favourite albums EVER! It still sounds fantastic today. Glad to see Davey still keeping up the good work with EPB too. Best Wishes.
