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Lightning Seeds

Lightning Seeds Radio

General Info

  • Genre: Other

    Location Northeast, Un

    Profile Views: 123106

    Last Login: 5/29/2011

    Member Since 3/11/2009

    Website http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmxpZ2h0bmluZ3NlZWRzLm5ldA==

    Record Label Universal

    Type of Label Major

  • Bio

    The Lightning Seeds were formed by Ian Broudie in 1989. After being involved with numerous bands in post-punk Liverpool, including "Big in Japan " with, amongst others, Budgie and Holly Johnson, and a collaboration with Paul Simpson called "Care" which resulted in an album and several singles, he decided to go it alone. Initially, it was just him; he produced and wrote and recorded most of the first album, "Cloudcukooland" alone. He chose the name "Lightning Seeds" after mis-hearing a Bowie lyric ("The thunder hides what the lightning sees") and also because, one day, he dreamed of forming a group. "Pure", the first single from Cloudcukooland, charted at number 16 and became the feel-good summer hit of 1989. The album followed to critical acclaim, followed by further singles "Joy" and "All I Want". In 1991 Ian returned to writing and recording under the Lightning Seeds name. The album "Sense" saw the start of a fruitful writing relationship with Terry Hall, of The Specials, Fun Boy Three and numerous others. The album was recorded in a different way to Cloudcukooland, in a living room (Broudie mentions having to re-record certain parts after someone rung the doorbell during recording!) using drum loops and beats. "The Life of Riley", one of the Lightning Seeds' most popular tracks (eventually used as the "Goal of the Month" theme on Match of the Day) was released prior to the album hitting number 24 in the UK chart. The album followed, as did the title track "Sense" which also hit the top 40. "Jollification" followed 2 years later in 1994. Epic, the Lightning Seeds' new record label, were keen on Ian not just recording the albums but do a lot of promotion and forming a band to tour. Ian jumped at the chance and after the first release of "Lucky You" reached number 43, the newly formed band of Ian Broudie, Martyn Campbell, Chris Sharrock, Paul Hemmings and Ali Kane started touring the world. The release of "Change" saw the Lightning Seeds return to the big time at the start of 1995, hitting number 13 and the album "Jollification" is widely regarded as one of the best albums of the 1990s. The band toured extensively, and the singles "Perfect" and "Marvellous" were also released. "Lucky You" was re-released and hit the top 20. The live band sound was added to the recorded Lightning Seeds in 1996, where the single "Ready Or Not" was released. The first to feature the full band sound it charted top 20, and following it's success Ian began writing and recording what would become the Lightning Seeds fourth album. Ian Broudie, Martyn Campbell, Chris Sharrock & Paul Hemmings, 1994 Ian Broudie, Frank Skinner, David Baddiel Later that year, Ian was approached by the England Football Association to produce the official song of Euro 96, the Football European championships which was to be held in England that year. Ian initially turned down the offer, before later accepting as long as Frank Skinner and David Baddiel of Fantasy Football fame were involved. They wrote the lyrics, he wrote the music and "Three Lions" was born and went to number 1 in Summer 1996 in England, and also charted in Germany. After the disappointment of the football tournament itself, Ian, Martyn and Chris returned to recording tracks for the fourth Lightning Seeds album, with numerous songs not making the final cut of twelve tracks. Prior to the fourth album's release – by then entitled " Dizzy Heights " – a preview single was released in the form of "What If…". A full band affair plus full use of strings and brass made this an instant hit with fans and press alike and was a fitting start to the Lightning Seeds fourth album. "Sugar Coated Iceberg" and a cover of the Turtles classic "You Showed Me" lead to another top 20 and top 10 hit respectively in 1997. Later in the year, after numerous festival appearances and a slight change of personnel (Angie Pollock replaced Ali Kane on keyboards and Zak Starkey replaced Chris Sharrock on Drums) both Ian and Epic decided it was time to release the Lightning Seeds first "Best Of" compilation. Containing all the singles (apart from "Joy") plus new single "What You Say", new track "Brain Drain" and a re-recorded version of the Dizzy Heights track "Waiting for Today to Happen". This reached number 5 and was one of the most-purchased albums for Christmas 1997 and went platinum. "Three Lions '98" was recorded and released in 1998, along with festival dates, and Ian returned to working on the Lightning Seeds' fifth album "Tilt". This was a more dance related affair, with the excellent single "Life's Too Short" released prior to the album. Despite being described by Chris Moyles as "their strongest single to date", Life's Too Short only went into the top 30; the second single, "Sweetest Soul Sensations" was ignored by Radio 1. The Lightning Seeds toured the UK once more to promote "Tilt", taking in numerous venues across the UK with one change – Paul Hemmings was no longer in the group. Martyn Campbell, Ian Broudie, Angie Pollock, 1999 In 2000 after several live dates, now with Mat Priest on drums, the Lightning Seeds took an elongated break. Ian returned to producing for four years, making fame for the Coral and the Zutons to name but two. 2004 and Ian Broudie releases his solo album "Tales Told" with lead track "Song For No One" featuring on Radio 2's playlist and a video made for the track. Again, critical acclaim was given to this stripped down and simple approach, often recorded with help from the Skelly brothers from the Coral. A small tour was announced; four dates in small pubs and a tour with the Beautiful South and then Ian returned to silence. "The Very Best of the Lightning Seeds" was released in 2006. This was more a collection if Broudie's favourite tracks rather than necessarily a singles collection, though the majority of the singles were on there. A whole new band were put together and a small tour and festival dates took place. Ian returned to writing about 2008. After a lot of turmoil in the past decade, including the break up of his marriage, the death of his Sister from cancer; his Brother's suicide and the death of both of his parents his next album was always going to be a more sombre affair. Many anticipated a second solo album but "Four Winds" came out in 2009 under the Lightning Seeds name, though it was originally conceived as a solo album. Numerous festival dates followed in 2009 with both Martyn Campbell and Angie Pollock reprising their roles in what was now once again a four piece group, with the position on the drum stool taken by Rob Allum. In a tour that took in numerous dates, including Dockfest, Cornbury, Guilfest, Cardiff big Weekend (where Angie contracted swine flu so the band performed for the only time to date as a three piece) Liverpool Philarmonic Hall and the V Festival, they played old and new tracks together to promote the new album. Later in the year, Ian, Angie, and Ian's son Riley went on an acoustic tour with the lead singer of Starsailor James Walsh. They played stripped down version of some of the classics in a selection of all seated, relaxed, laid back venues across the country. In early 2010 a full tour was announced, 8 dates, full band as the Lightning Seeds Easter Tour. The band consisted of Ian Broudie, Angie Pollock, Riley Broudie (guitar), Didz Hammond (Bass) and Stephen Gilchrist (Drums) and the tour was well received by fans and new attendees alike. Again, the venues were unique, all seated and mostly classical concert halls. A string of summer dates followed, taking in dates across the country as far as York's Galtres Festival, Hampton Pool, Wychwood Festival, a gig at the Gloucester Guildhall as an approach to two Glastonbury Festival shows amongst many others. The line up changed again; Riley remained on guitar, Martyn Campbell returned on the Bass, Raife Burchill on drums and James Bagshaw (of The Moons) on keyboards. A one-off gig in Thailand at the Jakarta festival, coupled with a long flight home was the Lightning Seeds based highlight of October and the lineup had changed slightly; the band returned to a 4 piece, with Rob Allum again replacing Raife on drums and Riley having gone to university. The Lightning Seeds embarked on a 22 date tour as special guests of Squeeze before taking a well earned rest over Christmas, planning to return in the Spring with a tour and some new material. Watch this space!

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    Ian Broudie

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