GOODBYE CLOR
Clor, a band for whom musical differences surely seemed to be the whole point, have nonetheless succumbed to this hoariest of rock'n'roll fates and decided not to be a pop group anymore. Unable to reconcile the yin and yang of wanting to be both wildly creative and chart-bothering, they will leave a big, uniquely C.L.O.R.-shaped hole in the all-too-generic world of guitar/electronic music.
Formed by dual/duel guitarists Barry Dobbin and Luke Smith a couple of years back out of the ashes of various unlamented coulda-bin contenders, Clor were signed to Regal/Parlophone on the strength of the demos for what would become their debut EP, 'Welcome Music Lovers'.
The dynamic tension between the pair fuelled their forays into club running via the chaotic and often brilliant Club Clor in Brixton, where they played host to the nascent careers of Tom Vek, The Rakes, The Research, Envelopes, Young Knives, Maximo Park, Shit Disco and, sadly, Hard-fi. Wisely, however, they turned down the Kaiser Chiefs. On their way they also did remixes for the Prodigy, the Envelopes, Le Tigre, Tom Vek, Shit Disco and someone else I can¹t remember right now.
They self-titled, self-produced debut album was met with a mixture of plaudits and bemusement when it emerged last summer, but, as people got acclimatised to its strange new energy, became a strong cult classic, particularly among fellow musicians, and spawned the spazzy dancing freak hit-let, 'Love and Pain'.
The band toured extensively round the UK and slightly beyond in support of the album, augmented by the doughty pairing of Max Taylor and Harry Bennett, from Roots Manuva, on bass and drums, as well as the Ron Mael for the beaten generation, Bob Earland, ..s.
It is poignant that, as they split, Clor's star is arguably at its zenith, with Clor¹ about to be released in America and their future work eagerly anticipated by anyone with a keen interest in new music. Still, they leave a jewel of album for future generations to discover among the land-fill and rock detritus of so many of their peers.
At the time of writing the future career paths of Dobbin and Smith are unclear, though both are likely to continue making music along their divergent routes.
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THIS THURSDAY!!!THIS THURSDAY!!! THIS THURSDAY!!! THIS THURSDAY!!!
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Join us for another Big City Redneck Presents! Another wonderful eruption, nay, ejaculation of good music at the Buffalo Bar this month!
What can I say? We won’t disappoint.
Buffalo Bar June 19th £6 on the door… 8.30pm till they kick us out…
Mama Shamone http://www. myspace. com/mamashamone “Put Mama Shamone on at any venue and they are likely to take the roof off, this was one of the best live shows I’ve seen in years - certainly one of the best in London. In my opinion these guys are destined for greatness, it felt like I was witnessing history being shaped-something was just so right about what they were doing up there.” Vibe Bar
We Yes You No www. myspace. com/weyesyouno “We Yes You No sing about the end of the world, the end of everything. But in an apocalypse that would sound like this I would buy god’s last EP” – Big City Redneck
Language http://www. myspace. com/languageuk “"The verbosity of funk, the poetic twang of intelligent pop. The bridge between Franz Ferdinand and Smashing Pumpkins perhaps" – Bugbear
dear clor, you appeared from oblivion to deliver only the 2nd 5-star album of this millenium. you put on some great shows with tom vek and fischerspooner. and then you disappeared into oblivion and, yes, left a clor-shaped hole. nobody else can scratch my itch like you....
considering the amount of shite bands that seem to be getting back together these days, don't you think its about time for the Clor revival? y'r sorely missed
wow, thanx 4 da add!!!
glad that i still can have u
as a friend!!! the album on my
desk is not covered with dust,
yet! hey, luke when will u give
me the secret of yr guitar playing?!!!
In proper Clor related news, Luke has been given production duties on a new song by Charlotte Hatherley (formerly of Ash) and also remixes another track on her forthcoming EP. Might be worth checking out.
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