One of the pivotal groups to emerge from the Liverpool neo-psychedelia community during the late '70s, the Teardrop Explodes was a showcase for Julian Cope, a notoriously eccentric figure whose unfashionable love of Krautrock and hallucinogenic drugs set him distinctly apart from the prevailing punk mentality of the era. Cope formed the band in 1978 after a tenure in the Crucial Three (also comprised of Echo and the Bunnymen's Ian McCulloch and Wah!'s Pete Wylie); taking their name from a panel in a Marvel comic book, the premiere lineup of the Teardrop Explodes also featured guitarist Mick Finkler and drummer Gary Dwyer as well as keyboardist Paul Simpson, with whom Cope previously played in the short-lived A Shallow Madness.
Upon signing to Bill Drummond and David Balfe's fledgling Zoo label, the quartet issued their 1979 debut single "Sleeping Gas," a surreal electro-pop effort distinguished by its swirling keyboard washes; Simpson exited the Teardrop Explodes' ranks in the wake of the record's release, allowing Balfe to assume keyboard and production duties for the bizarre follow-up "Bouncing Babies." After touring with Echo and the Bunnymen, the group concentrated on steamlining the more excessive elements of its sound: the result, the buoyant "Treason (It's Just a Story)," nearly reached the pop charts.
After Finkler was replaced by former Dalek I Love You guitarist Alan Gill, the Teardrop Explodes issued 1980's infectious "When I Dream," which hit the U.K. Top 50 and even garnered some airplay in the U.S. Finally, in October the band's debut LP Kilimanjaro appeared to rave reviews and respectable sales; early in 1981, the single "Reward" hit the Top Ten, and a subsequent reissue of "Treason (It's Just a Story)" surged into the Top 20. Still, the Teardrop Explodes' roster continued to fluctuate wildly, and soon Gill exited to make room for guitarist Troy Tate in time to record 1981's ambitious Wilder, highlighted by the smash "Passionate Friend."
A tour of the States followed, with disastrous results; Tate quickly broke ranks to join Fashion, leaving the remaining trio to begin work on a planned third LP, to be dubbed Everybody Wants to Shag the Teardrop Explodes. In the midst of recording, however, Cope dissolved the band; only a 1983 EP dubbed You Disappear from View appeared on schedule, although the unfinished sessions were finally released in full in 1990 under their projected title. In the wake of the Teardrop Explodes' breakup, Balfe later re-emerged as the founder of the Food Records label, while Cope embarked on a successful and occasionally brilliant solo career.
On a side note: This site is run by a fan of the band, not by the band themselves. Just letting some of you who don't know that know.
Hello!!!Next week I'll be in Liverpool for six days:can you advise and recommend me any gig,club,pub,local and generally any place to have a grat r'n'r/alternative night?
After an absence of 20 years, Liverpool post-punk legends The Wild Swans are back with an epic new single. You can’t fake authenticity and as you might expect from the creators of the astonishing Revolutionary Spirit, English Electric Lightning is an breathtaking tour de-force; 5-minutes 56 seconds of coruscating Blakean incandescence. By their works shall ye know them. The very best of British.
Available on Rhapsody, Amazon, Trackitdown etc. in mp3 format and on Juno in wav/mp3 format. By the september 15th it should be available in all major digital stores including our website.
Their live performance projected an angry punk teenage outlook, short hair, crushing volume and lightning-fast tempos,with a clear 1960's Brit rock influence. Moreover, they hung onto their original Mod style tailored suits, where, the punks wore ripped clothes, Dr Marten's and leather jackets. These guys also sang and played professionally, where others sometimes shouted and were defiantly amateurish.
Thanks for the add. And if your out there hello to Gary and Andy Dwyer (Haven't been to the drum shop for a while.) Here's my updated web site. http://www. solitairemusic. net/news. html All The Best, Solitaire
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