These Animal Men
| These Animal Men | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brighton, England |
| Genres | Alternative rock, Britpop |
| Years active | 1989–1998 |
| Labels | Hut Records Virgin Records (Parent label) |
| Past members | |
| Alexander Boag Julian Hewings Patrick Murray Steve Hussey Craig Warnock Rob Hague |
|
These Animal Men were an English band who achieved minor fame in the 1990s as part of the New Wave of New Wave before splitting up after releasing two albums, in 1998.
Contents |
[edit] History
These Animal Men formed in Brighton circa 1990, signing to Hut Records, an offshoot of Virgin Records in 1993. They gained some notoriety with their first few singles, which featured drug references in both the sleeve artwork and the song lyrics.
Their first album (Come on Join) The High Society was described by the music press, notably the NME, as being part of the New Wave of New Wave, (alongside contemporaries S*M*A*S*H with whom they shared their first significant release, "Wheelers, Dealers, Christine Keelers").[citation needed]
Although this press attention undoubtedly contributed to their initial success (including a spot on Top of the Pops) the band tried to distance themselves from this movement in interviews.[citation needed] This was perhaps because they realized that when the press interest moved on to the next big thing, Britpop they would be left behind.[citation needed]
After a three year hiatus, punctuated by only one EP, Taxi for These Animal Men, they returned with their second album in 1997, Accident and Emergency. Despite reported difficulties encountered during recording, including the firing of Hussey, Accident and Emergency received some critical acclaim, but little commercial success. In 1998, the band broke up.
Later in 1998, Boag, Hewings, Warnock and Hague formed "Mo Solid Gold" with a new singer, K, (a.k.a. K.A. Hepburn) taking over vocals from Boag and Hewings. The output, a hybrid of the TAM sound and Northern soul, was the 2001 album Brand New Testament released on EMI/Chrysalis records. Singles for the tracks "David's Soul," "Personal Saviour," "Safe from Harm," and the self-titled "Mo Solid Gold" followed, but despite initial good reviews, the group broke up less than a year later.
In 2007, Hewings and Boag formed the band The Orphans with drummer Kev (since replaced by Paul Emons) and producer/keyboardist Tim Howarth. The Orphans released their first album Muff, a blend of glam, punk and garage rock, in 2008 on the Hail Mary label.
The Orphans continue to gig and are currently putting the finishing touches on the follow-up to Muff.
Original TAM drummer Stevie is currently drumming with former Beta Band front man Steve Mason.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- (Come on Join) The High Society (1994) - UK #62
- Accident and Emergency (1997) - UK #192
[edit] EPs
- Too Sussed (1994) - UK #39
- Taxi For These Animal Men (1995) - UK #64
[edit] Singles
- "Wheelers, Dealers, Christine Keelers" (split release with S*M*A*S*H) (1993)
- "Speed King" (1994) - UK #95
- "You're Not My Babylon" (1994) - UK #77
- "This is the Sound of Youth" (1994) - UK #72
- "Life Support Machine" (1997) - UK #62
- "Light Emitting Electrical Wave" (1997) - UK #72
[edit] Band members
- Alexander Boag - vocals, guitar
- Julian Hewings (aka Hooligan) - backing vocals, guitar
- Patrick Murray - bass
- Steve Hussey (until 1996) - drums
- Craig Warnock (from 1996) - keyboard
- Rob Hague (from 1996) - drums
[edit] References
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 555. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Chart Log UK". http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_T.HTM. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
