When in Rome (band)
| When in Rome | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Genres | Dance New Wave |
| Years active | 1988–1990; 2006–present |
| Labels | Virgin, 10 |
| Members | |
|
(UK version)[1] Michael Floreale John Ceravolo (vocals) Chris Willett (drums) T Bone (bass) |
|
| Past members | |
| (US version) Rob Juarez David Noble Dave Schulz Collyer Spreen Hayes Smith Jayden Frost (vocals) |
|
When in Rome are an English New Wave trio, originally consisting of vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, and keyboards player Michael Floreale. They are best known for their 1988 single, "The Promise".
Contents |
History
Michael Floreale and Andy O'Connell were recruited by Clive Farrington to replace departed members of his Manchester-based group Beau Leisure.[2] Floreale and Farrington began to write songs together. Later, Farrington and Floreale saw Andrew Mann, a beat poet and had him join their performances.[2] O'Connell left the group; the remaining trio recorded some demos—sometimes including Mann's friend Corinne Drewery -- while seeking a recording deal.[2]
The group was signed by Virgin UK subsidiary 10 Records. Producers Ben Rogan (who had worked with Sade) and Richard James Burgess (Five Star, Living in a Box, Colonel Abrams, Spandau Ballet) took special interest in the trio's song "The Promise," issued first as a 12" dance disk. When the song became popular, hitting the top of Billboard's Dance Club Play chart, Virgin ordered an album. A remixed version of "The Promise" was the first single from their self-titled debut album. It was an instant success, barely missing the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #11.[3] Months later, the trio reached Billboard's pop chart's lower reaches for the last time with "Heaven Knows" (#95, 1990).[3] Additional singles did little on the charts, and the group ultimately faded away.
"The Promise" was also featured in the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite. The band Anberlin included a cover version of "The Promise" on the special edition of their 2007 album Cities. The song was covered again the same year by New Found Glory. In addition, Holly Miranda covered the song on her EP Choose to See, which was included with the purchase of her 2010 album The Magician's Private Library.[4]
In 1990 the band broke up over musical differences. Floreale now lives in Dallas, Texas, where he composes music for television and film.[5] In 2006 Floreale reformed When in Rome,[2] with singer/songwriter John Ceravolo, apparently at the behest of booking agent Rob Juarez.[6] Since then, the group has toured all over the United States and South America with various other 80s groups.[2][7] The band has completed work on a new album with a planned release date for 2011,[citation needed] with a tour to follow. In 2009 Farrington and Mann reformed using the name When in Rome UK having spent the intervening years out of the music business.[8]
Floreale trademarked the name "When in Rome" when forming his new group with the name,[9] which was unsuccessfully challenged by Farrington and Mann.[10] Subsequently, Rob Juarez, who was a member of the US group and handled their booking, left the band and chose to join with the UK version. According to a Pollstar article in May 2011 the US trademark has been acknowledged "In order to comply with the legal claim, the UK members, are billed as "Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann formerly of When In Rome" for US gigs. [9][11]
Discography
Albums
- When in Rome (1988)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions[3] | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Hot Dance Club Play | US Hot Dance Singles Sales | |||
| 1988 | "The Promise" | 11 | 1 | 19 | When in Rome |
| 1989 | "Heaven Knows" | 95 | 14 | 10 | |
| "Everything" | - | - | - | ||
| 1990 | "Sight of Your Tears" | - | 40 | - | |
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
References
- ^ "press release - The Boss Booking Agency". http://www.thebossbookingagency.com/wheninromeuk/. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Back to the 80s: Interview with Michael Floreale & Clive Farrington of When In Rome". Kickin' it Old School. February 10, 2011. http://oldschool.tblog.com/post/1970110112.
- ^ a b c Billboard.com Artist Chart History, When In Rome
- ^ "Holly Miranda - Choose To See EP (CD) at Discogs". Discogs (Zink Media, Inc.). http://www.discogs.com/Holly-Miranda-Choose-To-See-EP/release/2254301. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
- ^ L.A.S.Y.S. Inc. Artist Summary: Jayden Frost. Frost's album Blue was produced by Floreale.
- ^ Comments by Ceravolo (as "Johnny of WIR") on Pollstar article
- ^ Jacquelyn Carberry (2007-09-21). "Musical memories: It's time for the 1980s to get the nostalgia treatment with the Lost '80s Live tour". Honolulu Star Bulletin. http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/09/21/features/story03.html. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ Manchester Direct Music Archive: When In Rome (submitted by Clive Farrington)
- ^ a b Tina Amendola (Friday May 27, 2011). "When In Rome Name Dispute". Pollstar. http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2011/05/27/768990.aspx.
- ^ Comments by Farrington (as "DJ Evil.C") on the Pollstar article.
- ^ Comments from Floreale (as "When in Rome" and "When in Rome 2") and Farrington (as "DJ Evil.C") on the Pollstar article.
