Endgames (band): Difference between revisions

Endgames
Endgames
Also known as	The Enjoyment Club
Origin	Glasgow, Scotland
Genres	New wave, synthpop, Dance-pop
Years active	1980–1985
Labels	Mercury, Virgin, MCA
Members	David Rudden
Past members	Paul Wishart; David Murdoch; Douglas Muirden; Willie Gardner; David Wilde; Brian McGee

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Endgames is a Scottish Dance-pop band, who had some success in the 1980s with singles such as "First-Last-For Everything", "Waiting For Another Chance", and "Ecstasy". Not being among the power players in their day, they are still a charming reminder of the New Wave heyday.

History

Origins and early years

Endgames were formed in Glasgow by David Rudden, former bass player in the Scottish "Futurist" band Berlin Blondes. They were signed to EMI Records and moved to London, but Rudden left in Summer 1980 after the recording of their debut album has been completed.^[1] He went back to Scotland and formed his own band, becoming its vocalist and bassist. He was joined by his school friends, noted local musicians: Paul Wishart (Saxophone, Flute), who earlier that year, by Rudden's suggestion, accompanied Simple Minds on their "Empires and Dance" tour and later also guested with Skids; and David Murdoch (Keyboards). David Wilde (Drums) completed this line-up.

The new band started to gig in clubs and colleges around London area. Their early style is represented on several various artists compilations released during 1980-1981: Beyond the Groove^[2] and Live Letters^[3]^[4] (both on Polydor Records), which documented bands that played in the well-known South London club 101; and Heat from the Street (on Charisma).^[5] They also attracted interest of the famous BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel and recorded their first session for his show (which was broadcast in March 1981).^[6] Recordings were done not only in London, but in Glasgow, too - for example, Endgames were the last band to do recording session at the second home of Ca Va Studios on 25 May 1981.^[7] During this time they played a "Futurist" synth-rock characterised by cold-sounding synths, stiff rhythms and dark, brooding vocals.^[8]

File:Endgames, the UK New Wave band, in 1982.png

Endgames in 1982

Soon, however, their style changed to a more commercial approach, and in Spring 1982 Endgames signed a contract with Mercury (a subdivision of Phonogram). "Our aims are to make aggressively commercial music - that means aggressive and commercial in equal measures", - commented Paul Wishart.^[9] By that time the line-up changed and expanded, with Wilde being replaced by Brian McGee (who left Simple Minds late in 1981), and classically-trained Douglas Muirden (Saxophone, Keyboards) being added.

In April their debut single "We Feel Good (Future's Looking Fine)" was released. Credited to The Enjoyment Club (their short-lived moniker), it was produced by John Leckie (famed for his work with Simple Minds, Magazine, Bill Nelson, XTC etc). The single received support from ABC's Martin Fry who commented on its "tremendous potential that might borrow from Chic's "I Want Your Love" but maintains interest from start to finish... when Endgames get a mix that gives them more clarity they'll enjoy chart success".^[10] The band also recorded the second "Peel Session", showcasing their new direction.^[11]

The Fall saw the release of their second single, catchy synthpop "First-Last-For Everything" (featured in their second "Peel Session"), produced by Steve Levine (soon famed for the production work with Culture Club). It found success in clubs in Europe and North America, receiving significant airplay in Canada, especially on the "alternative" radio station CFNY-FM (Toronto),^[12] while in the US it was a club success, with the DJ-oriented remix service Disconet choosing it for a dance edit treatment. Eventually it charted in the Billboard magazine Disco/Dance Chart, peaking at No. 31.^[13]

Still, the hoped mass commercial success wasn't forthcoming and the band parted company with Mercury. Soon offers came flooding in from the other major record companies, creating a "bidding war". It was won by Virgin Records, with which Endgames signed for the UK and Europe. The US labels also sought to contract the band - among the "power players" that showed enough interest to travel to Glasgow to meet the band were Tommy Mottola (then of The Champion Entertainment Organization, later president of Sony Music), Ed Leffler and Bill Aucoin (manager of Kiss and Billy Idol).^{[citation needed]} Eventually MCA Records succeeded in signing them for the North-American market with Aucoin becoming their manager. By that time the line-up expanded to sextet with the addition of Willie Gardner (Guitar, Vocals) - former leader of the promising Scottish Power pop/New Wave band Zones, who also released a couple of solo singles.^[14]

Commercial semi-success and break-up

File:Endgames, the UK New Wave band, 1983.jpg

Endgames on both sides of their shaped single "Love Cares"

The first single in this third phase of the band's carrier was "Waiting for Another Chance", released in July 1983. It became a substantial hit in Scotland, but didn't appear on the UK charts (Scotland is treated as a regional market so anything that sells strongly there but has little success elsewhere isn't allowed to appear on the national chart^[15]). However, the song was well-received in West Germany where, after the appearance on the TV music show Formel Eins^[16] and aided by a colourful videoclip (modelled after the UK 12" cover with the Japanese fan motif), it became a sizeable hit (No. 21 in September).^[17]

In October 1983 Virgin released their first album, "Building Beauty", produced by Colin Campsie and George McFarlane of the Dance-Pop duo The Quick. It was a polished pop album album with the sentimental but upbeat sound in vein of the "technologically enhanced blue-eyed soul and funk" of ABC, Heaven 17 and Spandau Ballet^[18] (who themselves sought to update the classic Motown sound for the 80s), with vocal stylings recalling Michael Jackson at times. The album's liner notes reveal heavy use of the lastest advancements in music technology to augment and enhance the "standard" instrumentation (like piano, drums, guitars, saxophone): electronic drums and drum machines (Simmons, LinnDrum), synthesizers (Korg Polysix, PPG Wave, Roland Jupiter, Mini Moog, Oberheim OB-Xa), computers (J.J. Jeczalik of The Art of Noise is credited with Fairlight programming).^[19]

Endgames went on two German tours - first as a supporting band to Depeche Mode (December 1983), then as "special guests" of Eurythmics (February 1984). Unfortunately, they weren't able to hold the public interest abroad for long - their next single "Love Cares"^[20] only hit No. 66 in Germany (late 1983)^[21] and the album sold modestly (No. 48 there).^[22] Subsequent singles, "Miracle in My Heart" and "Desire", went unnoticed altogether, both in Britain and elsewhere.

"Building Beauty" was released in the USA in February 1984 with a slightly different running order.^[23] "Waiting for Another Chance" and "Love Cares" were serviced to radio stations (mainly New Wave-oriented ones) and clubs as promos. The latter actually charted in Billboard, reaching No. 47 on the Disco/Dance Chart.^[24] Additionally, their songs "Desire" and "Ecstasy" received attention from the R&B radio (especially the latter - in the form of a "Centurion Mix", released on the B-side of the UK-only "Miracle in My Heart" 12", which became popular as an import). But MCA didn't promote the band enough so the actual sales weren't strong with album failing to chart.

File:Endgames, the UK New Wave band, in 1985.jpeg

Endgames in 1985

Back in the UK, Endgames toured as a support to Howard Jones during his sold-out first national tour in March–April 1984.^[25]^[26]^[27] Then they started work on the second album - by which time the problem arose. While retaining loyal following in Scotland and consistently selling out gigs there, low record sales and public disinterest elsewhere dampened their relationship with Virgin. The resulting LP, "Natural", was recorded by a truncated line-up of Rudden, Gardner, McGee and Murdoch. It was helmed by four different producers - Julian Mendelsohn, Stewart Levine, John Potoker and Ian Taylor, with several notable guests like drummer Mel Gaynor (then of Simple Minds) and Anne Dudley (The Art of Noise).^[28] The sound became a lot more organic after the high gloss of its predecessor. But the LP was only released in West Germany, preceded by its lone single "Shouting out for Love". No real promotion efforts were made, so it sold poorly. Virgin then ended their contract and not long afterwards Endgames disbanded.

Revival

In 2006 the band's page appeared on MySpace maintained by David Rudden, who in the meantime pursued carriers as a music producer, artist, actor and clothing designer. Unconfirmed rumor had it that the band is working on a new album featuring some of the original members; CD reissues of the back catalogue were also touted, but to this day nothing came out of it. Still, Rudden continues to produce music and remixes under the Endgames alias.^[29]

After the band

Of his fellow band members, Gardner now resides in Scotland; after the demise of Endgames he tried his hand at producing other artists, but currently works as English teacher. Wilde played with Altered Images in 1983 (interestingly, that band featured Rudden's one-time colleague in Berlin Blondes, keyboard/guitar player Jim McKinven aka Spender). McGee joined Propaganda in 1985 - first as a session and live player, next as a full-time member (there he was reunited with his Simple Minds colleague Derek Forbes). Muirden played with the Alternative rock band Bloomsday.^[30] Wishart joined Fiction Factory for their second (and also German-only) album "Another Story".^[31]

Legacy

The band's most enduring song proved to be "Waiting for Another Chance", which regularly appears on various European compilations of 80s pop and New Wave. Another favourite is "First-Last-For Everything", now considered a cult underground dance hit, meanwhile occasionally getting played by radio stations like CFNY during "retro" shows.^[32] Finally, "Ecstasy"'s enduring popularity on R&B radio turned it into a source of samples in the field of Hip-Hop. In 1994 the song was sampled by Rap group Heavy D & The Boyz on the title track of their album "Nuttin' But Love", which became a noticeable hit (No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, Top 20 on R&B and Hot Rap Tracks charts), while the album reached No. 11 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and was certified Double Platinum. In 2007 "Ecstasy" was sampled by rapper Lil' Flip on his track "Flippin'" from the album "I Need Mine" (which reached No. 15 on the Billboard Top 200 and Top 5 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop and Top Rap Albums charts).

Discography

Albums

Building Beauty (1983) [LP: V 2287 / Cassette: TCV 2287]
Natural (1985) [LP: 206 975-620]

Singles

on Mercury/Phonogram:

"We Feel Good (Future's Looking Fine)" (1982) [7": GAME 1 / 12": GAME 12]
"First-Last-For Everything" (1982) [7": GAME 2 / 12": GAME 12]

on Virgin Records:

"Waiting for Another Chance" (June 1983) [7": VS 605 / 12": VS 605-12]
"Love Cares" (1983) [7": VS 617 / Shaped Picture Disc: VSS 617 / 12": VS 617-12]
"Miracle in My Heart" (31 October 1983)^[33] [7": VS 640 / 12": VS 640-12]
"Desire" (1984) [7": VS 651 / 12": VS 651-12]
"Shouting out for Love" (1985) [7": VS 751 / 12": VS 751-12]

References

External links

Endgames at MySpace.com with songs and videos
David Rudden's World of Found site (WoF is an online merchant of art and clothing as well as a creative platform based on anonymity, where artists, musicians, designers and other creators may or may not reveal their identity.)
David Rudden's G42 page at MySpace.com (G42 is Rudden's platform for songwriting and producing in collaboration with other artists, particularly in rap and hip hop.)

[1] "The Blitz Kids - Berlin Blondes".

[2] "Various - Beyond the Groove at Discogs".

[3] "Various - Live Letters at Discogs".

[4] "Live Letters by Various Artists (Compilation)".

[5] "Various - Heat from the Street at Discogs".

[6] "Peel Session 17 March 1981".

[7] "Ca Va Sound Studios - History".

[8] "A 101 on 101 Club".

[9] "Scottish band signs top recording deal, The Glasgow Herald, 4 May 1982".

[10] "Singles reviewed by Martin Fry (of ABC), Smash Hits, 29 April - 12 May 1982".

[11] "Peel Session 10 May 1982".

[12] "CFNY's Top 102 of 1021 songs of the 1980s".

[13] "Endgames - Billboard Charts & Awards".

[14] "Willie Gardner at Discogs".

[15] "Shakespears Sister - Stay at Freaky Trigger discussion".

[16] "Endgames perform "Waiting for Another Chance" on Formel Eins".

[17] "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Endgames - Waiting for Another Chance".

[18] "Electricity Club - 45 lost songs of the 45 RPM era".

[19] "Techno Pop Goes Around the World - European Ultra-minor - Endgames".

[20] "Endgames - Love Cares video".

[21] "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Endgames - Love Cares".

[22] "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Endgames - Building Beauty".

[23] "Endgames - Building Beauty (US LP)".

[24] "Endgames - Billboard Charts & Awards".

[25] "Newcastle City Hall - 18 March 1984 - Howard Jones".

[26] "Glasgow Apollo - 19 March 1984 - Howard Jones, Endgames".

[27] "Friars Aylesbury - 7 April 1984 - Howard Jones plus Endgames".

[28] "Endgames - Natural at Discogs".

[29] "Endgames on Soundcloud".

[30] "Bloomsday - Fortuny at Discogs".

[31] "Fiction Factory - Another Story at Discogs".

[32] "Endgames - Compilation Appearances at Discogs".

[33] "Single advert in Smash Hits, 27 October - 9 November 1983".

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@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 '''Origins and early years'''
-Endgames were formed in Glasgow by David Rudden, former bass player in the Scottish "Futurist" band Berlin Blondes. They were signed to [[EMI Records]] and moved to London, but Rudden left in Summer 1980 after the recording of their debut album has been completed.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Blitz Kids - Berlin Blondes | url =http://www.theblitzkids.com/site_archive/wide_boy_awake/berlinblondes.html}}</ref> He went back to Scotland and formed his own band, becoming its vocalist and bassist. He was joined by his school friends, noted local musicians: Paul Wishart (Saxophone, Flute), who earlier that year, by Rudden's suggestion, accompanied Simple Minds on their "Empires and Dance" tour and later also played with [[Skids (band)|Skids]]; and David Murdoch (Keyboards). David Wilde (Drums) completed this line-up.
+Endgames were formed in Glasgow by David Rudden, former bass player in the Scottish "Futurist" band Berlin Blondes. They were signed to [[EMI Records]] and moved to London, but Rudden left in Summer 1980 after the recording of their debut album has been completed.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Blitz Kids - Berlin Blondes | url =http://www.theblitzkids.com/site_archive/wide_boy_awake/berlinblondes.html}}</ref> He went back to Scotland and formed his own band, becoming its vocalist and bassist. He was joined by his school friends, noted local musicians: Paul Wishart (Saxophone, Flute), who earlier that year, by Rudden's suggestion, accompanied Simple Minds on their "Empires and Dance" tour and later also guested with [[Skids (band)|Skids]]; and David Murdoch (Keyboards). David Wilde (Drums) completed this line-up.
 The new band started to gig in clubs and colleges around London area. Their early style is represented on several various artists compilations released during 1980-1981: ''Beyond the Groove''<ref>{{cite web | title=Various - Beyond the Groove at Discogs | url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Beyond-The-Groove/release/994032}}</ref> and ''Live Letters''<ref>{{cite web | title=Various - Live Letters at Discogs | url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Live-Letters/release/942352}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Live Letters by Various Artists (Compilation) | url=http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/various_artists_f2/live_letters/}}</ref> (both on [[Polydor Records]]), which documented bands that played in the well-known South London club 101; and ''Heat from the Street'' (on [[Charisma Records|Charisma]]).<ref>{{cite web | title=Various - Heat from the Street at Discogs | url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Heat-From-The-Street/master/381637}}</ref> They also attracted interest of the famous [[BBC Radio 1]] DJ [[John Peel]] and recorded their first [[John Peel#Peel sessions|session for his show]] (which was broadcast in March 1981).<ref>{{cite web | title=Peel Session 17 March 1981 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/1980s/1981/Mar17endgames/}}</ref> Recordings were done not only in London, but in Glasgow, too - for example, Endgames were the last band to do recording session at the second home of Ca Va Studios on 25 May 1981.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ca Va Sound Studios - History | url =http://www.cavasound.com/Cavasound/History.html}}</ref> During this time they played a "Futurist" [[Electronic rock|synth-rock]] characterised by cold-sounding synths, stiff rhythms and dark, brooding vocals.<ref>{{cite web | title=A 101 on 101 Club | url =http://www.lostturntable.com/?p=1483}}</ref>
@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 [[File:Endgames,_the_UK_New_Wave_band,_1983.jpg|thumb|right|Endgames on both sides of their shaped single "Love Cares"]]The first single in this third phase of the band's carrier was ''"Waiting for Another Chance"'', released in July 1983. It became a substantial hit in Scotland, but didn't appear on the UK charts (Scotland is treated as a regional market so anything that sells strongly there but has little success elsewhere isn't allowed to appear on the national chart<ref>{{cite web | title=Shakespears Sister - Stay at Freaky Trigger discussion | url =http://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2011/06/shakespears-sister-stay/comment-page-4/}}</ref>). However, the song was well-received in West Germany where, after the appearance on the TV music show ''Formel Eins''<ref>{{cite web | title=Endgames perform "Waiting for Another Chance" on ''Formel Eins'' | url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWOuDzpjdj8}}</ref> and aided by a colourful videoclip (modelled after the UK 12" cover with the Japanese fan motif), it became a sizeable hit (No. 21 in September).<ref>{{cite web | title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Endgames - ''Waiting for Another Chance'' | url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-10921}}</ref>
-In October 1983 Virgin released their first album, ''"Building Beauty"'', produced by Colin Campsie and George McFarlane of the Dance-Pop duo [[The Quick (UK band)|The Quick]]. It was a polished pop album album with the sentimental but upbeat sound in vein of the "technologically enhanced blue-eyed soul and funk" of ABC, [[Heaven 17]] and [[Spandau Ballet]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Electricity Club - 45 lost songs of the 45 RPM era | url=http://www.electricity-club.co.uk/esperanto-45-lost-songs-of-the-45rpm-era/}}</ref> (who themselves sought to update the classic [[Motown#Motown Sound|Motown]] sound for the 80s), with vocal stylings recalling [[Michael Jackson]] at times. Endgames went on two German tours - first as a supporting band to [[Depeche Mode]] (December 1983), then as "special guests" of [[Eurythmics]] (February 1984). Unfortunately, they weren't able to hold the public interest abroad for long - their next single ''"Love Cares"''<ref>{{cite web | title=Endgames - ''Love Cares'' video | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDVXqq9tJIA}}</ref> only hit No. 66 in Germany (late 1983)<ref>{{cite web | title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Endgames - ''Love Cares'' | url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-159832}}</ref> and the album sold modestly (No. 48 there).<ref>{{cite web | title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Endgames - ''Building Beauty'' | url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-33372}}</ref> Subsequent singles, ''"Miracle in My Heart"'' and ''"Desire"'', went unnoticed altogether, both in Britain and elsewhere.
+In October 1983 Virgin released their first album, ''"Building Beauty"'', produced by Colin Campsie and George McFarlane of the Dance-Pop duo [[The Quick (UK band)|The Quick]]. It was a polished pop album album with the sentimental but upbeat sound in vein of the "technologically enhanced blue-eyed soul and funk" of ABC, [[Heaven 17]] and [[Spandau Ballet]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Electricity Club - 45 lost songs of the 45 RPM era | url=http://www.electricity-club.co.uk/esperanto-45-lost-songs-of-the-45rpm-era/}}</ref> (who themselves sought to update the classic [[Motown#Motown Sound|Motown]] sound for the 80s), with vocal stylings recalling [[Michael Jackson]] at times. The album's liner notes reveal heavy use of the lastest advancements in music technology to augment and enhance the "standard" instrumentation (like piano, drums, guitars, saxophone): electronic drums and drum machines ([[Simmons (electronic drum company)|Simmons]], [[LinnDrum]]), synthesizers ([[Korg Polysix]], [[PPG Wave]], [[Roland Jupiter]], [[Mini Moog]], [[Oberheim OB-Xa]]), computers ([[J.J. Jeczalik]] of [[The Art of Noise]] is credited with [[Fairlight CMI|Fairlight]] programming).<ref>{{cite web | title=Techno Pop Goes Around the World - European Ultra-minor - Endgames | url=http://park10.wakwak.com/~techno/oultraminor.html#End%20Games}}</ref>
+Endgames went on two German tours - first as a supporting band to [[Depeche Mode]] (December 1983), then as "special guests" of [[Eurythmics]] (February 1984). Unfortunately, they weren't able to hold the public interest abroad for long - their next single ''"Love Cares"''<ref>{{cite web | title=Endgames - ''Love Cares'' video | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDVXqq9tJIA}}</ref> only hit No. 66 in Germany (late 1983)<ref>{{cite web | title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Endgames - ''Love Cares'' | url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-159832}}</ref> and the album sold modestly (No. 48 there).<ref>{{cite web | title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Endgames - ''Building Beauty'' | url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-33372}}</ref> Subsequent singles, ''"Miracle in My Heart"'' and ''"Desire"'', went unnoticed altogether, both in Britain and elsewhere.
 ''"Building Beauty"'' was released in the USA in February 1984 with a slightly different running order.<ref>{{cite web | title=Endgames - Building Beauty (US LP) | url=http://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/mca39013}}</ref> ''"Waiting for Another Chance"'' and ''"Love Cares"'' were serviced to radio stations (mainly New Wave-oriented ones) and clubs as promos. The latter actually charted in ''Billboard'', reaching No. 47 on the Disco/Dance Chart.<ref>{{cite web | title=Endgames - Billboard Charts & Awards | url =http://www.allmusic.com/artist/endgames-mn0000195493/awards}}</ref> Additionally, their songs ''"Desire"'' and ''"Ecstasy"'' received attention from the R&B radio (especially the latter - in the form of a "Centurion Mix", released on the B-side of the UK-only ''"Miracle in My Heart"'' 12", which became popular as an import). But MCA didn't promote the band enough so the actual sales weren't strong with album failing to chart.
-[[File:Endgames,_the_UK_New_Wave_band,_in_1985.jpeg|thumb|left|Endgames in 1985]]Back in the UK, Endgames toured as a support to [[Howard Jones (musician)|Howard Jones]] during his sold-out first national tour in March–April 1984.<ref>{{cite web | title=Newcastle City Hall - 18 March 1984 - Howard Jones | url =https://vintagerock.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/howard-jones-newcastle-city-hall-march-1984/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Glasgow Apollo - 19 March 1984 - Howard Jones, Endgames | url =http://www.glasgowapollo.com/index.asp?s_id=1&m_id=9&action=show&band_ID=1304&searchtext=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Friars Aylesbury - 7 April 1984 - Howard Jones plus Endgames | url =http://www.aylesburyfriars.co.uk/howardapr84.html}}</ref> Then they started work on the second album - by which time the problem arose. While retaining loyal following in Scotland and consistently selling out gigs there, low record sales and public disinterest elsewhere dampened their relationship with Virgin. The resulting LP, ''"Natural"'', was recorded by a truncated line-up of Rudden, Gardner, McGee and Murdoch. It was helmed by four different producers - [[Julian Mendelsohn]], [[Stewart Levine]], John Potoker and Ian Taylor, with several notable guests like drummer [[Mel Gaynor]] (then of Simple Minds) and [[Anne Dudley]] ([[The Art of Noise]]).<ref>{{cite web | title=Endgames - Natural at Discogs | url=http://www.discogs.com/Endgames-Natural/release/1337462}}</ref> The sound became a lot more organic after the high gloss of its predecessor. But the LP was only released in West Germany, preceded by its lone single ''"Shouting out for Love"''. No real promotion efforts were made, so it sold poorly. Virgin then ended their contract and not long afterwards Endgames disbanded.
+[[File:Endgames,_the_UK_New_Wave_band,_in_1985.jpeg|thumb|left|Endgames in 1985]]Back in the UK, Endgames toured as a support to [[Howard Jones (musician)|Howard Jones]] during his sold-out first national tour in March–April 1984.<ref>{{cite web | title=Newcastle City Hall - 18 March 1984 - Howard Jones | url =https://vintagerock.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/howard-jones-newcastle-city-hall-march-1984/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Glasgow Apollo - 19 March 1984 - Howard Jones, Endgames | url =http://www.glasgowapollo.com/index.asp?s_id=1&m_id=9&action=show&band_ID=1304&searchtext=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Friars Aylesbury - 7 April 1984 - Howard Jones plus Endgames | url =http://www.aylesburyfriars.co.uk/howardapr84.html}}</ref> Then they started work on the second album - by which time the problem arose. While retaining loyal following in Scotland and consistently selling out gigs there, low record sales and public disinterest elsewhere dampened their relationship with Virgin. The resulting LP, ''"Natural"'', was recorded by a truncated line-up of Rudden, Gardner, McGee and Murdoch. It was helmed by four different producers - [[Julian Mendelsohn]], [[Stewart Levine]], John Potoker and Ian Taylor, with several notable guests like drummer [[Mel Gaynor]] (then of Simple Minds) and [[Anne Dudley]] (The Art of Noise).<ref>{{cite web | title=Endgames - Natural at Discogs | url=http://www.discogs.com/Endgames-Natural/release/1337462}}</ref> The sound became a lot more organic after the high gloss of its predecessor. But the LP was only released in West Germany, preceded by its lone single ''"Shouting out for Love"''. No real promotion efforts were made, so it sold poorly. Virgin then ended their contract and not long afterwards Endgames disbanded.
 '''Revival'''

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