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Michael Aston (vocals) was the poetic, [[Goth subculture|goth]]-leaning side of the twin brothers while Jay Aston’s distinctive banshee-like, wailing vocals supplied Gene Loves Jezebel with one of their many trademark quirks.
Michael Aston (vocals) was the poetic, [[Goth subculture|goth]]-leaning side of the twin brothers while Jay Aston’s distinctive banshee-like, wailing vocals supplied Gene Loves Jezebel with one of their many trademark quirks.

==The Early Years: 1980-1989==


==The Early Years: 1980-1989==
==The Early Years: 1980-1989==
Line 30: Line 28:
Originally called Slav Aryan, Gene Loves Jezebel began in 1980 with the Aston brothers, guitarist Ian Hudson and a [[drum machine]]. The Astons grew up in [[Porthcawl]], [[South Wales]], making the move to London in 1981. With a new home, and shortly thereafter, the new name, the trio played several live shows and was signed by [[Situation Two]]. In May 1982, the label released Gene Loves Jezebel's demo single "Shaving My Neck." The band then added bassist [[Julianne Regan]] followed, briefly, by a keyboardist, [[Jean-Marc Lederman]]. Regan left within a year to form [[All About Eve (band)|All About Eve]], leaving Ian Hudson briefly playing bass until Stephen Marshall joined. This line up went on to perform some 100 gigs and recorded the first album ''Promise'', along with their first John Peel Session and the beautifully bizarre B-side "Stephen", often considered to be an homage to the man himself. Peter Rizzo joined in 1984. Gene Loves Jezebel underwent a dozen or so line up changes between 1981-1985.
Originally called Slav Aryan, Gene Loves Jezebel began in 1980 with the Aston brothers, guitarist Ian Hudson and a [[drum machine]]. The Astons grew up in [[Porthcawl]], [[South Wales]], making the move to London in 1981. With a new home, and shortly thereafter, the new name, the trio played several live shows and was signed by [[Situation Two]]. In May 1982, the label released Gene Loves Jezebel's demo single "Shaving My Neck." The band then added bassist [[Julianne Regan]] followed, briefly, by a keyboardist, [[Jean-Marc Lederman]]. Regan left within a year to form [[All About Eve (band)|All About Eve]], leaving Ian Hudson briefly playing bass until Stephen Marshall joined. This line up went on to perform some 100 gigs and recorded the first album ''Promise'', along with their first John Peel Session and the beautifully bizarre B-side "Stephen", often considered to be an homage to the man himself. Peter Rizzo joined in 1984. Gene Loves Jezebel underwent a dozen or so line up changes between 1981-1985.


The band released two more singles in 1983 before ''Promise'' peaked at number 8 in the [[UK Indie Chart]]. In 1984, the group recorded a [[John Peel]] radio session for BBC and toured America with fellow Welsh artist [[John Cale]]. The second album, ''Immigrant'', was released in mid-1985. However, during an agonizing American tour for ''Immigrant'', founding member Ian Hudson left the band and was replaced by former [[Gen X) [not to be confused with Generation X]] and [[Chelsea (band)|Chelsea]] guitarist [[James Stevenson (musician) (Kim Wilde band)|James Stevenson]], (who later also played rhythm guitar on tour with [[The Cult]]).<ref name="Strong">{{cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography |year= 1999 |publisher=Canongate |isbn=0-86241-913-1 }}</ref>
The band released two more singles in 1983 before ''Promise'' peaked at number 8 in the [[UK Indie Chart]]. In 1984, the group recorded a [[John Peel]] radio session for BBC and toured America with fellow Welsh artist [[John Cale]]. The second album, ''Immigrant'', was released in mid-1985. However, during an agonizing American tour for ''Immigrant'', founding member Ian Hudson left the band and was replaced by former [[Generation X (band)|Generation X]] and [[Chelsea (band)|Chelsea]] guitarist [[James Stevenson (musician)|James Stevenson]], (who later also played rhythm guitar on tour with [[The Cult]]).<ref name="Strong">{{cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography |year= 1999 |publisher=Canongate |isbn=0-86241-913-1 }}</ref>


During 1986, the group moved its contract to Situation Two's parent company, [[Beggar's Banquet Records]] and distribution rights in USA to [[Geffen Records]]. The subsequent promotion increased pop-chart success for the group. The single "Sweetest Thing" briefly hit the Top 75 in UK and the album, ''Discover'', reached number 32 in [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="Strong" /> At this time, the group also found heavy rotation on college and countercultural radio stations across America. The band had slowly turned their attention to [[dance music]]. The slick and catchy guitar hooks of singles "Desire" and "Heartache" leapt to #6 and #72, respectively, on Los Angeles' [[New Wave music|New Wave]] station, [[KROQ]]. Later that year, former [[Spear of Destiny]] member Chris Bell became the band's fifth drummer.<ref name="Strong" />
During 1986, the group moved its contract to Situation Two's parent company, [[Beggar's Banquet Records]] and distribution rights in USA to [[Geffen Records]]. The subsequent promotion increased pop-chart success for the group. The single "Sweetest Thing" briefly hit the Top 75 in UK and the album, ''Discover'', reached number 32 in [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="Strong" /> At this time, the group also found heavy rotation on college and countercultural radio stations across America. The band had slowly turned their attention to [[dance music]]. The slick and catchy guitar hooks of singles "Desire" and "Heartache" leapt to #6 and #72, respectively, on Los Angeles' [[New Wave music|New Wave]] station, [[KROQ]]. Later that year, former [[Spear of Destiny]] member Chris Bell became the band's fifth drummer.<ref name="Strong" />


Gene Loves Jezebel's fourth album, ''The House of Dolls'', was released late in 1987 and yielded the singles, "20 Killer Hurts" and "The Motion of Love" that grazed the U.S. pop charts. "Motion of Love" was the band's biggest UK hit single after the original version of Desire (1985), reaching number 56.<ref name="Strong" /> The third single from The House of Dolls, "Suspicion", for the first time surfaced on [[The Billboard Hot 100]]. Despite rising [[mainstream]] success, the new pop-oriented direction proved to be too polished and commercial for Michael. He left during the recording of the album and only appears on two songs,<ref name="goldmine">{{cite web |url=http://www.gljonline.com/yesterday/words/articles/goldmine010199.html |title=Gene Loves Jezebel: From Celtic hums and Gothic drones to sibling rivalry, it's a twin thing... |accessdaymonth=09 April |accessyear=2008 |author=Jo-Ann Greene |year=1999 |month=January |work=Goldmine |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> leaving Jay as the main songwriter of the band's songs. Even though he ended up returning, Michael parted ways with Jay in 1989 and later moved to Los Angeles.
Gene Loves Jezebel's fourth album, ''The House of Dolls'', was released late in 1987 and yielded the singles, "20 Killer Hurts" and "The Motion of Love" that grazed the U.S. pop charts. "Motion of Love" was the band's biggest UK hit single, reaching number 56.<ref name="Strong" /> The third single from The House of Dolls, "Suspicion", for the first time surfaced on [[The Billboard Hot 100]]. Despite rising [[mainstream]] success, the new pop-oriented direction proved to be too polished and commercial for Michael. He left during the recording of the album and only appears on two songs,<ref name="goldmine" /> leaving Jay as the main songwriter of the band's songs. Even though he ended up returning, Michael parted ways with Jay in 1989 and later moved to Los Angeles.

==The Split & Brief Reunion: 1990-1997==

While Michael went solo, the rest of the band continued as Gene Loves Jezebel, which Michael was not happy about,<ref name="goldmine">{{cite web |url=http://www.gljonline.com/yesterday/words/articles/goldmine010199.html |title=Gene Loves Jezebel: From Celtic hums and Gothic drones to sibling rivalry, it's a twin thing... |accessdaymonth=09 April |accessyear=2008 |author=Jo-Ann Greene |year=1999 |month=January |work=Goldmine |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and recorded two albums, ''Kiss of Life'' [[1989 in music|in 1989]], followed by ''Heavenly Bodies''. The band's highest-charting American single emerged in August 1990 when "Jealous," the major single from ''Kiss of Life'', reached #68 on Billboard's Hot 100. Three years later, Jay Aston and company released ''Heavenly Bodies'', which did well in Europe and on American college radio. Unfortunately, the group's American label folded one year later, and, after a few more live shows, so did Gene Loves Jezebel.

While Jay performed occasional acoustic shows under his own name, Michael played with members of Scenic, then formed a new band called the Immigrants (re-named Edith Grove) and later released a pimarily acoustic solo album, ''Why Me, Why This, Why Now''.<ref name="zero">Owen, Daniel (2005) [http://www.genelovesjezebel.co.uk/images/Zero-Issue3-Nov05.pdf "Over The Rooftops"], Zero Magazine, November 2005</ref> Michael and Jay began working together again that same year, and recorded two songs with Stevenson, Bell and Rizzo for a GLJ best-of compilation, released in September 1995.

The brothers were reconciled in the mid-1990s, writing some new songs together, and sharing a house in Los Angeles.<ref name="zero" /> They initially used Michael's band from the ''Why Me'' album era to back them up.<ref name="goldmine" /> In 1997 Michael organized a tour for the brothers under the name "The Pre-Raphaelite Brothers", the idea being to perform Gene Loves Jezebel material and material from each of the brothers' solo careers, with a new set of musicians, although the financial incentives of touring under the band identity meant that they performed under the Gene Loves Jezebel name.<ref name="goldmine" /> A new Gene Loves Jezebel album was planned, but Jay insisted that the other members of the band from prior to the tour were involved rather than the LA musicians, which Michael agreed to.

The album, ''VII'', was recorded and a US tour undertaken to support it, but the brothers' reconciliation was short-lived. Towards the end of the tour, a dispute over how the profits from the tour would be shared out (Michael keeping most of the money as he had organized the tour), led to a fight between the two brothers, and the tour was finished without Michael.<ref name="zero" />

==Two Gene Loves Jezebels: 1997-Present Day==

Although Michael had again left the band, he began performing with the band from the earlier US tour using the Gene Loves Jezebel name.<ref name="zero" /> According to Michael, he refused to be pushed out of the band after all of the work he put into the reunion. When Jay and the band returned to the UK, they released ''VII'' without the three tracks that Michael had sung on.<ref name="zero" />

In October 1997, Jay sued his twin brother over rights to the name "Gene Loves Jezebel", and after a protracted court battle, Jay eventually dropped all charges. According to Jay, he dropped the suit after receiving assurances that Michael would not use the name. Jay Aston then continued using the name,<ref name="bbcwales" /> and Michael subsequently trademarked the "Gene Loves Jezebel" name in the United States,<ref name="zero" /><ref name="bbcwales">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/jay_aston/pages/biography.shtml |title=Jay Aston biography |accessdaymonth=09 April |accessyear=2008 |author= |year= |month= |work=BBC Wales |publisher=[[BBC]] |quote= }}</ref> while Jay owns the UK trademark.

Since the late 90's, there have been two versions of Gene Loves Jezebel, causing confusion among fans.<ref name="zero" /><ref name="aversion">{{cite web |url=http://www.aversion.com/bands/interviews.cfm?f_id=72 |title=Interview With Gene Loves Jezebel |accessdaymonth=09 April |accessyear=2008 |author=Schild, Matt |year=2000 |month=June |work=Aversion.com |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Michael leads the U.S. version of the band and has toured both the U.S. and the UK supporting releases such as ''Love Lies Bleeding'' (1999), ''Giving Up the Ghost'' (2001) and ''Exploding Girls'' (2003).<ref name="bbcwales" /> Jay Aston leads the U.K. version of the band, also featuring James Stevenson and Pete Rizzo, and has toured both the U.S. and the UK extensively as well to support releases such as ''Accept No Substitutes'' (2002),''The Thornfield Sessions'' (2003) and ''The Anthology, Vols. 1-2'' (2006).

While the battle to determine who actually owns the Gene Loves Jezebel name continues, fan support seems to favor Jay Aston's version of the band. For example, while the MySpace page for Michael Aston's version has more than 2,000 friends, the page for Jay's version boasts roughly three times as many friends, at more than 6,000.

==Discography==
===Albums===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1"
!width="30"|
!width="30"|'''Year'''
!width="175"|'''Title'''
!width="70"|'''UK Indie Chart Position'''
!width="70"|'''[[UK Albums Chart|UK Chart Position]]'''
|-
|Oct
|[[1983 in music|1983]]
|''Promise''
|align="center"|#8<ref name="Lazell">{{cite book |last=Lazell |first=Barry |title=Indie Hits 1980-1999 |year= 1997 |publisher=Cherry Red Books |isbn=0-9517206-9-4 }}</ref>
|align="center"|#74{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
|-
|Jun
|[[1985 in music|1985]]
|''Immigrant''
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|Jul
|[[1986 in music|1986]]
|''Discover''
|
|align="center"|#32
|-
|Oct
|[[1988 in music|1988]]
|''The House Of Dolls''
|
|align="center"|#81
|-
|Jul
|[[1990 in music|1990]]
|''Kiss Of Life''
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|Jun
|[[1993 in music|1993]]
|''Heavenly Bodies''
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|Nov
|[[1995 in music|1995]]
|''In the Afterglow (live)''
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|
|[[1997 in music|1997]]
|''VII''
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|
|[[1999 in music|1999]]
|''Love Lies Bleeding''¹
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|
|[[2001 in music|2001]]
|''Giving Up The Ghost''¹
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|
|[[2003 in music|2003]]
|''Exploding Girls''¹
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|
|[[2003 in music|2003]]
|''The Thornfield Sessions''²
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|
|}

===Singles===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1"
!width="30"|
!width="30"|'''Year'''
!width="175"|'''Title'''
!width="70"|'''[[UK Indie Chart|UK Indie Chart Position]]'''<ref name="Lazell" />
!width="70"|'''[[UK Singles Chart|UK Chart Position]]'''
!width="70"|'''[[Billboard Hot 100|US Chart Position]]'''
|-
|May
|[[1982 in music|1982]]
|"Shaving My Neck"
|align="center"|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|
|-
|May
|[[1983 in music|1983]]
|"Screaming for Emmalene"
|align="center"|#18
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|
|-
|Sep
|[[1983 in music|1983]]
|"Bruises"
|align="center"|#7
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|
|-
|Apr
|[[1984 in music|1984]]
|"Influenza (relapse)"
|align="center"|#11
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|
|-
|Jun
|[[1984 in music|1984]]
|"Shame (Whole Heart Howl)"
|align="center"|#14
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|
|-
|Jun
|[[1985 in music|1985]]
|"Cow"
|align="center"|#9
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|
|-
|Nov
|[[1985 in music|1985]]
|"Desire"
|align="center"|#4
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|Mar
|[[1986 in music|1986]]
|"Sweetest Thing"
|
|align="center"|#75
|
|-
|Jun
|[[1986 in music|1986]]
|"Heartache"
|
|align="center"|#71
|
|-
|Oct
|[[1986 in music|1986]]
|"Desire (Come and Get It)"
|
|align="center"|#95
|
|-
|Aug
|[[1987 in music|1987]]
|"The Motion Of Love"
|
|align="center"|#56
|
|-
|Dec
|[[1987 in music|1987]]
|"Gorgeous"
|
|align="center"|#68
|
|-
|Jan
|[[1988 in music|1988]]
|"Every Door" (withdrawn)
|
|align="center"|
|
|-
|Jan
|[[1988 in music|1988]]
|"The Motion of Love"
|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|#87
|-
|Jun
|[[1990 in music|1990]]
|"Jealous"
|
|
|align="center"|#68
|-
|Dec
|[[1990 in music|1990]]
|"Tangled Up In You"
|
|
|align="center"|
|-
|May
|[[1993 in music|1993]]
|"Josephina"
|
|
|align="center"|
|-
|
|[[2006 in music|2006]]
|''Survive This'' EP (promo only)¹
|
|
|align="center"|<small>''dnc''</small>
|-
|}

:¹ Michael Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel
:² Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
Reunion:
*[http://www.genelovesjezebel.co.uk/ (Jay Aston's) Gene Loves Jezebel Official Site]
While Michael went solo http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?dept_id=&sku=TXX51205, the rest of the band continued as Gene Loves Jezebel and recorded two albums, ''Kiss of Life'' [[1989 in music|in 1989]], followed by ''Heavenly Bodies''. Three years later after being dropped by Geffen records, Jay Aston and company released ''Heavenly Bodies' on Savage records', which did well in Portugal. Unfortunately, after very disappointing record sales and poorly attended live shows, Gene Loves Jezebel called it quits.
*[http://www.genelovesjezebel.com/ (Michael Aston's) Gene Loves Jezebel Official Site]
*[http://www.jaston.com/ Jay Aston Official Site]
*[http://www.legendsmagazine.net/99/intaston.htm Interview with Michael Aston @ Legends]
*[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:pnec97i7kr5t~T0 Gene Loves Jezebel] at [[All Music Guide]]
* {{musicbrainz artist|id=d72c9ab4-0b73-44e3-8601-c4da02a43b25|name=Gene Loves Jezebel}}
* {{discogs artist|artist=Gene+Loves+Jezebel}}


[[Category:Welsh rock music groups|Gene Loves Jezebel]]
While Jay went solo and performed occasional acoustic shows under his own name, Michael played with members of Scenic, then formed a new band called the Immigrants (re-named Edith Grove) and later released a primarily acoustic solo album, ''Why Me, Why This, Why Now''.<ref name="zero">Owen, Daniel (2005) [http://www.genelovesjezebel.com/ "Over The Rooftops"], Zero Magazine, November 2005</ref> Michael and Jay began working together again that same year, and recorded two songs with Stevenson, Bell and Rizzo for a GLJ best-of compilation, released in September 1995.
[[Category:Gothic rock groups]]


The brothers were reconciled in 1994., Jay and Michael signing Gene Loves Jezebel to Carl Leighton Pope and Clive Corcoran's management company Bonnaire writing new songs together touring Portugal and putting new line ups together, and sharing a house in Los Angeles.<ref name="zero" /> They initially used Michael's guitar player Francois Perez (Edith Grove) album era to back them up replacing James Stevenson (Kim Wilde band http://www.wilde-life.com/discography/album/00001/03769/ on Guitar.<ref name="goldmine" /> In 1997 Michael and Jay unveiled yet another new line up (Michael Ciravolo (Human Drama) (Guitar) Slobo (Bass) and Pete Parada (Drums) for the "The Pre-Raphaelite Brothers", with a new set of musicians http://genelovesjezebel.com/fans.html
The brothers were reconciled in after the collapse of Savage records and poor record sales., Jay and Michael signing Gene Loves Jezebel to Carl Leighton Pope and Clive Corcoran's management company Bonnaire writing new songs together touring Portugal and putting new line ups together, and sharing a house in Los Angeles.<ref name="zero" /> They initially used Michael's guitar player Francois Perez (Edith Grove) album era to back them up replacing James Stevenson (Kim Wilde band http://www.wilde-life.com/discography/album/00001/03769/ on Guitar.<ref name="goldmine" /> In 1997 Michael and Jay unveiled yet another new line up (Michael Ciravolo (Human Drama) (Guitar) Slobo (Bass) and Pete Parada (Drums) for the "The Pre-Raphaelite Brothers", with a new set of musicians http://genelovesjezebel.com/fans.html
After the tour the twins recorded what became 7 before Jay had Michaels's songs and contributions removed and in a brazen attempt to deny his brother reward for his endeavors and fool the public into the belief that Michael had no part in GLJ for many years and that his role was marginal. Gene Loves Jezebel released Love Lies Bleeding in 1999-Giving up the Ghost in 2001 and Exploding Girls in 2004.
After the tour the twins recorded what became 7 before Jay had Michaels's songs and contributions removed and in a brazen attempt to deny his brother reward for his endeavors and fool the public into the belief that Michael had no part in GLJ for many years and that his role was marginal. Gene Loves Jezebel released Love Lies Bleeding in 1999-Giving up the Ghost in 2001 and Exploding Girls in 2004.
Michael trademarked the name in 2003 and has worked the mark in the US and Uk for many years. Jay has not released a new recording since the fall out in 1997, There have been compilations on beggars banquet and James Stevenson's Pink Gun records.
Michael trademarked the name in 2003 and has worked the mark in the US and Uk for many years. Jay has not released a new recording since the fall out in 1997, There have been compilations on beggars banquet and James Stevenson's Pink Gun records.

Revision as of 18:22, 1 July 2008

Gene Loves Jezebel

Gene Loves Jezebel is a gothic rock band from the early 1980s founded by twin brothers, Michael and Jay Aston (born John Peter Aston).

Michael Aston (vocals) was the poetic, goth-leaning side of the twin brothers while Jay Aston’s distinctive banshee-like, wailing vocals supplied Gene Loves Jezebel with one of their many trademark quirks.

The Early Years: 1980-1989

Originally called Slav Aryan, Gene Loves Jezebel began in 1980 with the Aston brothers, guitarist Ian Hudson and a drum machine. The Astons grew up in Porthcawl, South Wales, making the move to London in 1981. With a new home, and shortly thereafter, the new name, the trio played several live shows and was signed by Situation Two. In May 1982, the label released Gene Loves Jezebel's demo single "Shaving My Neck." The band then added bassist Julianne Regan followed, briefly, by a keyboardist, Jean-Marc Lederman. Regan left within a year to form All About Eve, leaving Ian Hudson briefly playing bass until Stephen Marshall joined. This line up went on to perform some 100 gigs and recorded the first album Promise, along with their first John Peel Session and the beautifully bizarre B-side "Stephen", often considered to be an homage to the man himself. Peter Rizzo joined in 1984. Gene Loves Jezebel underwent a dozen or so line up changes between 1981-1985.

The band released two more singles in 1983 before Promise peaked at number 8 in the UK Indie Chart. In 1984, the group recorded a John Peel radio session for BBC and toured America with fellow Welsh artist John Cale. The second album, Immigrant, was released in mid-1985. However, during an agonizing American tour for Immigrant, founding member Ian Hudson left the band and was replaced by former Generation X and Chelsea guitarist James Stevenson, (who later also played rhythm guitar on tour with The Cult).[1]

During 1986, the group moved its contract to Situation Two's parent company, Beggar's Banquet Records and distribution rights in USA to Geffen Records. The subsequent promotion increased pop-chart success for the group. The single "Sweetest Thing" briefly hit the Top 75 in UK and the album, Discover, reached number 32 in UK Albums Chart.[1] At this time, the group also found heavy rotation on college and countercultural radio stations across America. The band had slowly turned their attention to dance music. The slick and catchy guitar hooks of singles "Desire" and "Heartache" leapt to #6 and #72, respectively, on Los Angeles' New Wave station, KROQ. Later that year, former Spear of Destiny member Chris Bell became the band's fifth drummer.[1]

Gene Loves Jezebel's fourth album, The House of Dolls, was released late in 1987 and yielded the singles, "20 Killer Hurts" and "The Motion of Love" that grazed the U.S. pop charts. "Motion of Love" was the band's biggest UK hit single, reaching number 56.[1] The third single from The House of Dolls, "Suspicion", for the first time surfaced on The Billboard Hot 100. Despite rising mainstream success, the new pop-oriented direction proved to be too polished and commercial for Michael. He left during the recording of the album and only appears on two songs,[2] leaving Jay as the main songwriter of the band's songs. Even though he ended up returning, Michael parted ways with Jay in 1989 and later moved to Los Angeles.

The Split & Brief Reunion: 1990-1997

While Michael went solo, the rest of the band continued as Gene Loves Jezebel, which Michael was not happy about,[2] and recorded two albums, Kiss of Life in 1989, followed by Heavenly Bodies. The band's highest-charting American single emerged in August 1990 when "Jealous," the major single from Kiss of Life, reached #68 on Billboard's Hot 100. Three years later, Jay Aston and company released Heavenly Bodies, which did well in Europe and on American college radio. Unfortunately, the group's American label folded one year later, and, after a few more live shows, so did Gene Loves Jezebel.

While Jay performed occasional acoustic shows under his own name, Michael played with members of Scenic, then formed a new band called the Immigrants (re-named Edith Grove) and later released a pimarily acoustic solo album, Why Me, Why This, Why Now.[3] Michael and Jay began working together again that same year, and recorded two songs with Stevenson, Bell and Rizzo for a GLJ best-of compilation, released in September 1995.

The brothers were reconciled in the mid-1990s, writing some new songs together, and sharing a house in Los Angeles.[3] They initially used Michael's band from the Why Me album era to back them up.[2] In 1997 Michael organized a tour for the brothers under the name "The Pre-Raphaelite Brothers", the idea being to perform Gene Loves Jezebel material and material from each of the brothers' solo careers, with a new set of musicians, although the financial incentives of touring under the band identity meant that they performed under the Gene Loves Jezebel name.[2] A new Gene Loves Jezebel album was planned, but Jay insisted that the other members of the band from prior to the tour were involved rather than the LA musicians, which Michael agreed to.

The album, VII, was recorded and a US tour undertaken to support it, but the brothers' reconciliation was short-lived. Towards the end of the tour, a dispute over how the profits from the tour would be shared out (Michael keeping most of the money as he had organized the tour), led to a fight between the two brothers, and the tour was finished without Michael.[3]

Two Gene Loves Jezebels: 1997-Present Day

Although Michael had again left the band, he began performing with the band from the earlier US tour using the Gene Loves Jezebel name.[3] According to Michael, he refused to be pushed out of the band after all of the work he put into the reunion. When Jay and the band returned to the UK, they released VII without the three tracks that Michael had sung on.[3]

In October 1997, Jay sued his twin brother over rights to the name "Gene Loves Jezebel", and after a protracted court battle, Jay eventually dropped all charges. According to Jay, he dropped the suit after receiving assurances that Michael would not use the name. Jay Aston then continued using the name,[4] and Michael subsequently trademarked the "Gene Loves Jezebel" name in the United States,[3][4] while Jay owns the UK trademark.

Since the late 90's, there have been two versions of Gene Loves Jezebel, causing confusion among fans.[3][5] Michael leads the U.S. version of the band and has toured both the U.S. and the UK supporting releases such as Love Lies Bleeding (1999), Giving Up the Ghost (2001) and Exploding Girls (2003).[4] Jay Aston leads the U.K. version of the band, also featuring James Stevenson and Pete Rizzo, and has toured both the U.S. and the UK extensively as well to support releases such as Accept No Substitutes (2002),The Thornfield Sessions (2003) and The Anthology, Vols. 1-2 (2006).

While the battle to determine who actually owns the Gene Loves Jezebel name continues, fan support seems to favor Jay Aston's version of the band. For example, while the MySpace page for Michael Aston's version has more than 2,000 friends, the page for Jay's version boasts roughly three times as many friends, at more than 6,000.

Discography

Albums

Year Title UK Indie Chart Position UK Chart Position
Oct 1983 Promise #8[6] #74[citation needed]
Jun 1985 Immigrant dnc
Jul 1986 Discover #32
Oct 1988 The House Of Dolls #81
Jul 1990 Kiss Of Life dnc
Jun 1993 Heavenly Bodies dnc
Nov 1995 In the Afterglow (live) dnc
1997 VII dnc
1999 Love Lies Bleeding¹ dnc
2001 Giving Up The Ghost¹ dnc
2003 Exploding Girls¹ dnc
2003 The Thornfield Sessions² dnc

Singles

Year Title UK Indie Chart Position[6] UK Chart Position US Chart Position
May 1982 "Shaving My Neck" dnc
May 1983 "Screaming for Emmalene" #18 dnc
Sep 1983 "Bruises" #7 dnc
Apr 1984 "Influenza (relapse)" #11 dnc
Jun 1984 "Shame (Whole Heart Howl)" #14 dnc
Jun 1985 "Cow" #9 dnc
Nov 1985 "Desire" #4 dnc dnc
Mar 1986 "Sweetest Thing" #75
Jun 1986 "Heartache" #71
Oct 1986 "Desire (Come and Get It)" #95
Aug 1987 "The Motion Of Love" #56
Dec 1987 "Gorgeous" #68
Jan 1988 "Every Door" (withdrawn)
Jan 1988 "The Motion of Love" #87
Jun 1990 "Jealous" #68
Dec 1990 "Tangled Up In You"
May 1993 "Josephina"
2006 Survive This EP (promo only)¹ dnc
¹ Michael Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel
² Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel

References

  1. ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
  2. ^ a b c d Jo-Ann Greene (1999). "Gene Loves Jezebel: From Celtic hums and Gothic drones to sibling rivalry, it's a twin thing..." Goldmine. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Owen, Daniel (2005) "Over The Rooftops", Zero Magazine, November 2005
  4. ^ a b c "Jay Aston biography". BBC Wales. BBC. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help); Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Schild, Matt (2000). "Interview With Gene Loves Jezebel". Aversion.com. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ a b Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.

The brothers were reconciled in after the collapse of Savage records and poor record sales., Jay and Michael signing Gene Loves Jezebel to Carl Leighton Pope and Clive Corcoran's management company Bonnaire writing new songs together touring Portugal and putting new line ups together, and sharing a house in Los Angeles.[1] They initially used Michael's guitar player Francois Perez (Edith Grove) album era to back them up replacing James Stevenson (Kim Wilde band http://www.wilde-life.com/discography/album/00001/03769/ on Guitar.[2] In 1997 Michael and Jay unveiled yet another new line up (Michael Ciravolo (Human Drama) (Guitar) Slobo (Bass) and Pete Parada (Drums) for the "The Pre-Raphaelite Brothers", with a new set of musicians http://genelovesjezebel.com/fans.html After the tour the twins recorded what became 7 before Jay had Michaels's songs and contributions removed and in a brazen attempt to deny his brother reward for his endeavors and fool the public into the belief that Michael had no part in GLJ for many years and that his role was marginal. Gene Loves Jezebel released Love Lies Bleeding in 1999-Giving up the Ghost in 2001 and Exploding Girls in 2004. Michael trademarked the name in 2003 and has worked the mark in the US and Uk for many years. Jay has not released a new recording since the fall out in 1997, There have been compilations on beggars banquet and James Stevenson's Pink Gun records. Michael is currently suing Jay Aston/James Stevenson/Robert Adam and their US Agent Libertalia in the US for TM infringement. It is worth noting that Michael successfully petitioned icann the domain http://www.genelovesjezebel.com/trademark.html http://genelovesjezebel.com from Jay and also successfully petitioned against jay for the trademark in the U.S and that he prevailed in the lawsuit brought by Stevenson/Jay Aston/Rizzo. He is recognized by the industry magazine PollStar as the legitimate Gene Loves Jezebel. Despite a decade long campaign of revision and disinformation. James Stevenson is a member and is currently performing with The Alarm http://thealarm.com http://www.livedaily.com/artists/899.html

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference zero was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference goldmine was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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