Modern Romance (band)
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| Modern Romance | |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Genre(s) | Pop |
| Years active | 1980–1985 2001– |
| Label(s) | WEA, RCA |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| Andy Kyriacou | |
| Former members | |
| Geoffrey Deane David Jaymes Robbie Jaymes Paul Gendler John Du Prez Michael J. Mullins |
|
Modern Romance was a pop music band, with a distinctive trumpet driven sound, formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk band, The Leyton Buzzards.
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[edit] Band members (Classic Line-Up)
- Geoff Deane - Vocalist - (born 10 December 1954, London).[1]
- David Jaymes - Bassist - (born 28 November 1954, London)[1]
- Robbie Jaymes - Keyboards - (born 3 October 1961).[1]
- Paul Gendler - Guitarist - (born 11 August 1960).
- Tony Gainsborough - Drummer - (Unknown).
- John Du Prez - Trumpet (Featured from 'Everybody Salsa' onwards)- (born Trevor Jones, 14 December 1946, Sheffield).
[edit] Band members (Later Members)
- Michael J. Mullins - Vocalist (after departure of Deane) - (born 9 November 1956).[1]
(Although he is thanked on the sleeve of debut album 'Adventures In Clubland')
- Andy Kyriacou - Drummer (after departure of Gainsborough)- (born Andrew Kyriacou, 18 April 1958, London).[1]
[edit] Biography
Geoffrey Deane and David Jaymes formed Modern Romance in 1981, having previously been the mainstays of the punk parody band the Leyton Buzzards. Following hot on the heels of their début UK chart success "Everybody Salsa" in 1981, Modern Romance reached the Top Ten of the UK Singles Chart with "Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey" - an eponymous chorus chanting salsa linked lyrics. After this, they scored a #2 hit on the Billboard Dance chart in the U.S.A., with the single "Can You Dance", backed with a "Clubland Mix" of the same track and another song, called "Bring On the Funkateers". After covering the 1955 Number one hit, "Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White", having already introduced Michael Mullins, he took the mantle of lead vocalist following the departure of Geoff Deane. Their next release saw the band reach their highest UK position with "Best Years Of Our Lives" during the summer of 1982. Further hits followed in 1983, "High Life" and "Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" both made the UK Top 20, and their final hit was the uncharacteristic ballad, "Walking In The Rain". Modern Romance released a final album, Burn It!, in 1985, but it was received poorly and the band called it quits after releasing the non-album single "Tarzan Boy", a cover of the Baltimora hit.
In 2001 Andy Kyriacou reformed the band, joining the burgeoning British 1980s revival scene. Although the new version of the band features no original members it could be argued that Kyriacou, having first appeared on the bands fourth single 'Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey', is a member of the bands most famous configeration. In 2002, the new lineup released the album Back on Track, which consisted mostly of re-recorded Modern Romance hits. Back on Track was also released as Moves 2 Fast, with a slightly different track listing.
Morrissey once said of the band "There are indeed worse groups than Modern Romance. But can anyone seriously think of one?"[citation needed]
Former band vocalist, Geoff Deane, went on to write the gay dance anthem "You Think You're A Man" for Divine. He later became a writer and producer, scripting for television programs such as Birds of a Feather, Babes in the Wood,"Tonight With Jonathan Ross" "Chef" Last Man Standing and A Many Splintered Thing. In 2005 he wrote the film 'Kinky Boots' starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and a year later 'It's A Boy Girl Thing' for Sir Elton John's Rocket Pictures.[2]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Adventures in Clubland (1981)
- Trick of the Light (1983) - UK #53
- Party Tonight (1983) - UK #45 (Compilation)
- Burn It! (1985)
- Back on Track (2002) (aka Moves 2 Fast)
- The Platinum Collection (2006) (Compilation)
[edit] Singles (Deane / Jaymes Era)
| Title A | Title B | Year | Cat. Number | UK Singles Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Modern Romance" | "I Believe In Me" | 1980 | WEA K18329 | - |
| "Tonight" | "Fever" | 1981 | WEA K18467 | - |
| "Everybody Salsa" | "Salsa Rappsody" | 1981 | WEA K18815 | 12 |
| "Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey" | "Moose On The Loose" | 1981 | WEA K18883 | 10 |
| "Queen Of The Rapping Scene (Nothing Ever Goes The Way You Plan)" | "Can You Move (American Mix)" | 1982 | WEA K18928 | 37 |
| "By The Way... (I'm Still In Love With You)" | "By The Way (Trumpet Voluntary)" | 1982 | WEA K19185 | - |
| "Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White" | "Who Is John Du Prez" | 1982 | WEA K19245 | 15 |
- "By The Way.." Is the first credit on a single for future lead singer Micheal J. Mullins
- "Cherry Pink..." Was a showcase for trumpet player John Du Prez and was the last involvement of Geoffrey Deane. Deane was one of the bands founding members and creator of the bands distinctive clever, witty but stupid lyrical stylings. After his departure the band become a more conventional pop outfit but continued to enjoy chart success.
[edit] Singles (Post Deane Era)
- "Best Years of Our Lives" (1982) - UK #4
- "High Life" (1983) - UK #8
- "Don't Stop that Crazy Rhythm" (1983) - UK #14
- "Walking in the Rain" (1983) - UK #7
- "Just My Imagination" (1983)
- "Good Friday" (1983) - UK #96
- "Burn It!" (1984)
- "Move On" (1984)
- "That's What Friends Are For" (1984)
- "Tarzan Boy" (1985)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Schiffers.fm - wie is er jarig?
- ^ Geoff Deane at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 373. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
