Becki Doe - Violin
Robert Spriggs - Viola
Becca Ware - Violin
Ollie Kraus - Cello
Roxanna Shirley - Strumpet
Knuckles - Trumpet
Ben Spencer - Saxophone
Liz Palmer - Flute
The Crow - Bass
Roger More - Guitar
Jake Shillingford - Vocals
Simon Wray - Drums, Timpani
Danny Turner -Keys
Influences
Big Strings, Glam, all the things you're afraid to admit, Anthony Newley, The Pale Fountains, Chapeau Melon et Bottes de Cuir, Scott Walker, Marc and the Mambas, Bond Movies, Jimmy Webb, PJ Proby on daytime TV, Les Bicyclette de Belsize, Dexy's, Punk Rock, Southend-on-Sea v's Venice Beach, The Teardrop Explodes, Phil Spektor, Ken Nordine, Writing poems on the District line, The Dice Man, Johnny Boy, The Prisoner, Boating Blazers, Jason King, Yes..Tommy Steele, John Steed, Dressing up on a Monday night and staying in just for the thrill of dressing up, Both Elvi, Girls with Boys, Boys with Girls, Girls with Girls, Boys with Boys.
Please support Exilophone Records , to ensure future releases any donations are welcome
New Album
We are pleased to announce that Jake has just completed his fantastic new solo acoustic album entitled Written Large.
Jake said: "There's something old, new, borrowed and blue in there with all 3 My Life Story albums and both ExileInside long players represented alongside 3 new titles".
"The intention of the record is to strip back the arrangements of many songs I have recorded over the past 15 years . Get the essential spirit of the song out there".
The album is available in all good record stores or directly from our online store
For a special message on the album please email Helen and I'll arrange Jake to get his silver pen and sign it for you.
Written Large costs just £11.99 inc postage and packing in UK, only slightly more outside UK (Go here for details).
The full track listing is:
1. Butterfly Wings
2. Hurt You
3. Claret
4. Written Large
5. Antiques
6. One More Time
7. Exile Inside
8. You Can't Uneat The Apple
9. Sunday Tongue
10. Neverland
11.The Waiting Room
12. Under The Ice
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Biography
In 1993, MLS were spotted by Giles Martin, (the son of Beatles legend George) who offered them free time at his fathers studio. The debut single Girl A, Girl B, Boy C was born, a tale of a bizarre love triangle with a big band soundtrack. All foxy horns and horny foxes, it was released by indie label Mother Tongue and possessed a sassy swing which sounded gloriously out of place in the year of grunge. NME and Melody Maker made it their Single of the Week.
Their debut album Mornington Crescent was released to critical acclaim on the same label and MLS toured extensively in the UK and France, headlining over Oasis and supporting both Blur and Pulp. In 1996, MLS signed to Parlophone and released their second album,The Golden Mile. All five singles from the album became top forty hits including 12 Reasons Why I Love Her, Sparkle and Strumpet.
The My Life Story orchestra were in high demand during the Britpop era, with notable appearances on the Morrissey track Interlude, and collaborations with Marc Almond and PJ Proby on the 1996 album Legend.
1999 saw the release of If You Cant Live Without Me Then Why Arent You Dead Yet the first ever internet single.
The third and final album Joined Up Talking was released in 2000, and the band called it a day shortly after their sixth top forty hit Its a Girl Thing.
Now Jake runs his own label Exilophone Records and has begun to re-release much of the now deleted back catalogue. To support these releases Shillingford reassembled 13 original members for three reunion concerts at London's Mean Fiddler, Astoria and The Shepherds Bush Empire in 2006/7.
Jake is currently touring the UK promoting his acoustic album Written Large.
Also Available: Sex & Violins (The Best of My Life Story) contains 17 tracks in chronological order including 2 previously unreleased songs.
Exilophone Records/Shellshock Cat: Ei066
www.jakeshillingford.com
Thanks for the add :)! I love your music! You know,12 reasons why are one of the most popular songs in my favourite radio station here in Greece for about 4-5 years!
What?! No London date? Suppose we all have to squeeze into the car and make the journey to Brighton then... Roll on April. Its like celebratin X-mas all over again! xxx
OMG!!! How much am I looking forward to seeing you at The Horn!? This much........................................................................................................................................Gonna be AWESOME! Well good venue, for a well good band! Jess xxx
Hurt You Antiques Written Large Butterfly Wings Claret Exile Inside You Can't Uneat The Apple ---------------------------
Forever Girl A Motorcade IYCLWMTWAYDY History of the World on ice King of Kissingdom Neverland Empire Line Suited and Booted Funny Ha Ha Strumpet Penthouse... Sparkle Encore: Nothing 4 Nobody, Its a girl thing, 12 reasons Encore 2: Angel
Absolutely flipping fantastic night last night. Thank you so much, I haven't stopped smiling since. Not a lot of sparkle going on in the crowd I was disappointed to find, felt like a bit of a Christmas tree! The show was completely fantastic, and Jake, don't stop wearing your Sparkle suit - you look as gorgeous as ever in it :)
Me n the boy Yearley got our tickets, but unfortunately due to unforseen cicumstances, neither of us can go. I live in Scotland and Chris lives in Cyprus and unlike last year's Astoria gig, our plans don't allow trips to London this year. Anyhow, we have two tickets going spare. I will send them to the first person to ask and give me a postal address, FREE of charge. As long as you are a genuine fan and will not sell them on e-bay. To ensure this doesn't happen I'll post them to said genuine fan on Tuesday, not giving recipient enough time to forward. This is a genuine offer by a real person who unfortunately cannot go, having ordered tickets way back in June. Tickets are numbered 27 and 28. If recipient wants to donate a sum to charity in return for their good fortune, feel free. Happy Christmas.
