London After Midnight (band): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox_band | |
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{{Infobox musical artist |
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band_name = London After Midnight| |
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image = [[Image:Sean brennan.gif|200px]]| |
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|Img = Sean_brennan.gif |
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caption = Sean Brennan| |
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|Background = group_or_band |
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status = | |
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years_active = 1990–present| |
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|Instruments = |
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music_genre = [[Darkwave]]<br>[[Alternative rock]]<br>[[Gothic rock]]<br>[[Deathrock]]<br>| |
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|Years_active = 1990–present |
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|URL = [http://www.londonaftermidnight.com/ Official site] |
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<br /> |
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}} |
}} |
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'''London After Midnight''' (otherwise known as, '''LAM''') is a [[rock music]] band formed in [[1990]]<ref>[http://uk.music.yahoo.com/ar-287263-bio--London-After-Midnight Yahoo - Date Formed]</ref> by frontman and instrumentalist [[Sean Brennan]]. For the majority of the band's history it featured keyboardist player Tamlyn. |
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'''London After Midnight''' (LAM) is a [[rock music]] project formed in the 1990s by singer/songwriter/bandleader and multi-instrumentalist [[Sean Brennan]]. LAM has retained and nurtured the political and socially aware element of the punk scene that died in the early 90s (listen to LAM songs like "Revenge", released in 1991, as an example or take note of the huge amount of literature handed out at concerts and online supporting animals rights and various progressive social and political causes). LAM can be defined as a passionate and political dark rock music entity as noted by virtually every magazine review. LAM has a large worldwide following, with many [[Gothic Rock]] fans (LAM outspokenly shuns artistic limitations via labels such as "gothic", however) [http://www.londonaftermidnight.com/interviews.html "Gothic Beauty Magazine" (USA, Autumn 2005)] [http://www.orkus-online.de/ "Orkus Magazine" (Germany, Autumn 2000)], [http://www.gothic-magazine.de/ "Gothic Magazine" (Germany, Sep 2002)]. |
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The group are considered a part of the [[gothic rock]] movement<ref>[http://www.darkzone.opole.pl/ Dark Zone magazine - (Poland, Summer 1998)]</ref> and this is where their largest fanbase lies. However, in interviews the band's frontman has shunned the classification, as "''artistically limitating''".<ref>[http://www.londonaftermidnight.com/interviews.htmlGothic Beauty Magazine - (USA, Autumn 2005)]</ref> |
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==Themes== |
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Despite rejecting genre labels, LAM has been credited with reviving the faltering Gothic music scene in the early 90s (Dark Asylum magazine, New York City, 1995). [http://www.darkzone.opole.pl/ "Dark Zone magazine (Poland, Summer 1998)"] writes ''"This is the worlds biggest goth band who reactivated the whole genre"''. LAM is also a controversial entity to some other bands, mainly due to their popularity and shunning of genre labels. [[Mick Mercer]], UK goth author of "The Hexe FIles: The Goth Bible" writes that LAM is ''"the coolest band, establishing a big reputation and invoking an alarming amount of petty jealousies [among contemporaries]... they don't just have the songs, image, the intelligence (lyrics hardly disposable), there's humor and passion squeezed into the torment and delightful tristes".'' |
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Since the late [[1990s]], London After Midnight have developed political elements, this however has yet to manifest itself into the band's music as they have not released an album since [[1998]]. Brennan is known for his support of [[animal rights]], [[Environmentalism|pro-environmental]] and [[human rights]] issues, anti-corporate control of media, and progressive, and [[Liberalism|liberal politics]]. |
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The majority of London After Midnight's music follow personal, emotional and romantic themes. The music often contains a sense of morbid irony with songs like "''Your Best Nightmare''", an [[Edward Gorey]]-esque tale.<ref>[http://www.londonaftermidnight.com/selectedlyrics.html Your Best Nightmare]</ref> |
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==History== |
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Brennan is known for his support of [[animal rights]], [[Environmentalism|pro-environmental]] and [[human rights]] issues, anti-corporate control of media, and progressive, and [[Liberalism|liberal politics]]. However, Brennan's music ranges from the intensely personal to broader issues ranging from racism, social and political issues, animal rights, etc. (the new London After Midnight music in particular, played in concert since 1998, is very political). [http://www.zillo.de/ "Zillo magazine"] wrote in 2000 that LAM's music is ''"very sensuous and unique...that creates an atmosphere of inexpressible haunting beauty"''. The lyrics are even sometimes presented with a sense of morbid wit - with songs like [http://www.londonaftermidnight.com/selectedlyrics.html"Your Best Nightmare"], an [[Edward Gorey]]-esque tale. |
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London After Midnight formed in [[Los Angeles, California]] during 1990, and were a part of the [[gothic rock]] club scene in the area. After garnering a fanbase via the release of a self-titled demo, the band released their debut album "''[[Selected Scenes from the End of the World]]''" in 1992. |
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===Touring=== |
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From [http://www.darkentries.be/ "Dark Entries Magazine" (Belgium 1999)]: |
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Following the release of their debut album the band expanded their L.A. fanbase to an international one, by touring [[Europe]] and parts of [[Latin America]] along with [[Mexico]], unlike many bands in the goth movement. Coinciding with the release of their follow up album ''"[[Psycho Magnet]]"'' in 1996, London After Midnight headlined the [[Whitby Gothic Weekend]] in [[England]]. |
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:'''Dark Entries''': '' "Tell me about some of your songs. Many of our readers are curious about "Your Best Nightmare". What was the inspiration for this unique song? To me it reminds me of Edward Gorey's writing. Has Edward Gorey ever appealed to your artistic sense?" '' |
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By the time Psycho Magnet was released however, they had began to mix their traditional [[gothic rock]] stylings, implomenting elements of [[darkwave]] and [[industrial rock]] (which was popular at the time with acts such as [[Nine Inch Nails]] and [[Marilyn Manson]]. The band continued on in this style for the their third and latest album "''Oddities''" released in [[1998]], the album features a cover of a track featured in the [[Nightmare Before Christmas]] movie named "''Sally's Song''". |
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:'''Brennan''': ''"At one point as a child I was very interested in drawing and Gorey was always a guilty pleasure with his morbid, cynical humor. "Your Best Nightmare" was actually a spoof of an Edward Gorey type story. Its a black comedy."'' |
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Around this time the band featured on the cover of many magazines and even score a co-headlining slot at Zillo summer festival, with one of their influences; [[the Cure]]. There were nearly 25,000 people in attendance. London After Midnight have also played dates with other popular bands such as [[Green Day]], [[HIM]] (who have cited LAM as an influence <ref>[http://www.orkus-online.de/ Orkus Magazine - Germany, May 2003]</ref>), [[Rammstein]], [[Soft Cell]], and others. |
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===Recent times=== |
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[[Image:lampromo.gif|thumb|right|Text/photo courtesy of [http://www.londonaftermidnight.com/ London After Midnight].]] |
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The last London After Midnight album of new material was released in [[1998]], the band have since claimed they are working on a new, as yet untitled album, but after 8 years little has surfaced, frustrating some sections of their fanbase. It is planned for release in [[2007]]. They have however, re-released all three of their previous albums in the 2000s, adding bonus tracks. |
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Since leaving the band, original bassist Michael Areklett has gone on to create an [[alternative rock]] project named Covet during the [[2000s]], it was originally planned as a sideproject, but after he left LAM it became a full-time project. Covet band claim to feature songs which were original planned to be used in London After Midnight (something Brennan denies{{fact}}), but for whatever reason didn't surface.<ref>[http://www.myspace.com/officialcovet Official Covet - MySpace Bio]</ref> [[As of 2006]], they have released one EP titled, "''Angel''". |
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London After Midnight has headlined and co-headlined concerts and major festivals with bands like [[The Cure]], [[Green Day]], [[HIM]] (HIM often cites LAM as a favorite artist) [http://www.orkus-online.de/ "Orkus Magazine, Germany, May 2003" (also stated in several previous HIM interviews)], [[Rammstein]], [[Soft Cell]], and many more, headlining and co-headlining to crowds of over 30,000 in Latin America, the US and Europe. London After Midnight maintains a strong underground and independent "personality" despite being popular sellers (charting in the top 10 European DAC charts with each of 3 CDs released, verified via [[Deutsche Alternative Charts]]) and a major draw at music festivals year after year. |
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In 2006 a new London After Midnight song was released on the "''[[Saw II]]''" motion picture soundtrack, it featured bands such as [[Queens of the Stone Age]], [[Skinny Puppy]] and others<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Saw-2-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B000AYEIM2 Amazon.com - Saw II soundtrack]</ref>, it reached number one on the [[Deutsche Alternative Charts]]. |
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==Members== |
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In 2006 a new London After Midnight song was released on the "[[Saw II]]" motion picture soundtrack (Trisol Records, Europe), which went to number one on the German Alternative Charts (DAC). LAM's new CD is scheduled for release in 2007. |
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===Current=== |
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*[[Sean Brennan]] - vocals, guitar |
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*Tamlyn - keyboards |
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*Eddie Hawkins - guitar |
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:''Does not include original cassette releases, singles or compilations'' |
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*Joe S. - drums |
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===Former=== |
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*Michael Areklett - bass |
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*[[2006 in music|2006]] - ''[[Saw II soundtrack]] with the song ''Fear'' (European release) |
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===Albums=== |
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*[[1992 in music|1992]] - ''[[Selected Scenes from the End of the World]]'' |
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*[[1996 in music|1996]] - ''[[Psycho Magnet]]'' |
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[[Image:lampromo.gif|thumb|right|London After Midnight in recent times.]] |
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===EPs=== |
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*[[1991 in music|1991]] - ''London After Midnight'' |
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*[[1994 in music|1994]] - ''Ruins'' |
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===Single=== |
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*[[1995 in music|1995]] - ''Kiss'' |
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===Videography=== |
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*[[1994 in music|1994]] - ''Ruins'' |
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*[[1997 in music|1997]] - ''Innocence Lost'' |
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== References == |
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<references/> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.londonaftermidnight.com/ Official London After Midnight website] |
*[http://www.londonaftermidnight.com/ Official London After Midnight website] |
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*[http://www.myspace.com/lam Official London After Midnight MySpace] |
*[http://www.myspace.com/lam Official London After Midnight MySpace] |
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*[http://www.vampirefreaks.com/u/lam London After Midnight Vampirefreaks] |
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[[Category:American rock music groups]] |
[[Category:American rock music groups]] |
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[[Category:Darkwave]] |
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[[Category:Death rock]] |
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[[Category:Goth]] |
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[[Category:California musical groups]] |
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[[de:London After Midnight (Band)]] |
[[de:London After Midnight (Band)]] |
Revision as of 04:03, 17 November 2006
London After Midnight | |
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File:Sean brennan.gif Sean Brennan | |
Background information | |
Origin | California, United States |
Years active | 1990–present |
London After Midnight (otherwise known as, LAM) is a rock music band formed in 1990[1] by frontman and instrumentalist Sean Brennan. For the majority of the band's history it featured keyboardist player Tamlyn.
The group are considered a part of the gothic rock movement[2] and this is where their largest fanbase lies. However, in interviews the band's frontman has shunned the classification, as "artistically limitating".[3]
Themes
Since the late 1990s, London After Midnight have developed political elements, this however has yet to manifest itself into the band's music as they have not released an album since 1998. Brennan is known for his support of animal rights, pro-environmental and human rights issues, anti-corporate control of media, and progressive, and liberal politics.
The majority of London After Midnight's music follow personal, emotional and romantic themes. The music often contains a sense of morbid irony with songs like "Your Best Nightmare", an Edward Gorey-esque tale.[4]
History
London After Midnight formed in Los Angeles, California during 1990, and were a part of the gothic rock club scene in the area. After garnering a fanbase via the release of a self-titled demo, the band released their debut album "Selected Scenes from the End of the World" in 1992.
Touring
Following the release of their debut album the band expanded their L.A. fanbase to an international one, by touring Europe and parts of Latin America along with Mexico, unlike many bands in the goth movement. Coinciding with the release of their follow up album "Psycho Magnet" in 1996, London After Midnight headlined the Whitby Gothic Weekend in England.
By the time Psycho Magnet was released however, they had began to mix their traditional gothic rock stylings, implomenting elements of darkwave and industrial rock (which was popular at the time with acts such as Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson. The band continued on in this style for the their third and latest album "Oddities" released in 1998, the album features a cover of a track featured in the Nightmare Before Christmas movie named "Sally's Song".
Around this time the band featured on the cover of many magazines and even score a co-headlining slot at Zillo summer festival, with one of their influences; the Cure. There were nearly 25,000 people in attendance. London After Midnight have also played dates with other popular bands such as Green Day, HIM (who have cited LAM as an influence [5]), Rammstein, Soft Cell, and others.
Recent times
The last London After Midnight album of new material was released in 1998, the band have since claimed they are working on a new, as yet untitled album, but after 8 years little has surfaced, frustrating some sections of their fanbase. It is planned for release in 2007. They have however, re-released all three of their previous albums in the 2000s, adding bonus tracks.
Since leaving the band, original bassist Michael Areklett has gone on to create an alternative rock project named Covet during the 2000s, it was originally planned as a sideproject, but after he left LAM it became a full-time project. Covet band claim to feature songs which were original planned to be used in London After Midnight (something Brennan denies[citation needed]), but for whatever reason didn't surface.[6] As of 2006, they have released one EP titled, "Angel".
In 2006 a new London After Midnight song was released on the "Saw II" motion picture soundtrack, it featured bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Skinny Puppy and others[7], it reached number one on the Deutsche Alternative Charts.
Members
Current
- Sean Brennan - vocals, guitar
- Tamlyn - keyboards
- Eddie Hawkins - guitar
- Joe S. - drums
Former
- Michael Areklett - bass
Discography
Albums
- Revised CD released in 1995 in Europe, 1998 USA, and extended CD released in 2003 in Europe and Russian Federation.
- 1998 USA release and extended CD released in 2003 in Europe and Russian Federation.
- 1998 - Oddities
EPs
Single
- 1995 - Kiss