Venus Fly Trap (band)
Venus Fly Trap | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Northampton, England |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels | Tuesday, Danceteria, Spectre, Soundbuster, Big Blue |
| Members | Alex Novak Andy Denton |
| Past members | Tony Booker Dave Freak Chris Evans John Novak Tim Perkins Curtis Johnson Nigel Jones Lucci Nathan Bundy Gary Lennon Neil Ridley Alex Ward Brian Ansell Matt Felce Simon Alexander |
| Website | www |
Venus Fly Trap are a British alternative rock band formed in Northampton in the late 1980s. They released five studio albums between 1988 and 1997, and released another in 2004.
History
The band was formed by Alex Novak (vocals, formerly of Religious Overdose, Attrition, and The Tempest) and John Novak (guitar, vocals), and Tony Booker on bass guitar prior to their debut twelve-inch single "Morphine" in March 1988.[1] A further single followed later that year before they signed to French label Danceteria and released their debut mini album Mars in April 1989, collecting tracks from the earlier singles.[1] The band's lineup changed frequently, include guitarists Curtis Johnson and John Novak, Dave Freak (guitar, percussion, vocals) and Chris Evans (bass). Their next album, Totem, was released in January 1990, preceded by a single featuring a cover version of Suicide's "Rocket USA" [1] produced by Kevin Haskins (Love & Rockets/ Bauhaus) and featuring The Jazz Butcher. A Czechoslovakia-only live album was released in late 1991 and Pandora's Box followed in 1992, their last studio album for Danceteria, although the label issued a compilation of the band's work later that year.[1] The original line-up split up, although Novak reformed the band with Gary Lennon (guitar), Neil Ridley (bass) and Andy Denton (drums), releasing the album Luna Tide in early 1995.[2] They toured extensively in Europe where they had a large fanbase, and released their last album for seven years, Dark Amour, in 1997.
Novak also released more electronic-oriented music under the names Nova Galaxie Robotnik and Novak State Conspiracy (with Simon Coleby).[1]
By the 2000s the permanent members were down to Novak and Denton, and they released their latest album, Zenith, in 2004.
Musical style
The band described their sound as "Bladerunner sci-fi rock 'n' roll mixed with acidic cinematic visions".[2] MC5 and The Stooges were other reference points while the use of drum-machine on early singles recalls Sisters Of Mercy. They have been characterised as experimental rock, drawing comparisons to Christian Death,[2] also being compared to Joy Division, with goth rock influences.[1] Novak's vocals were often compared to Jim Morrison.[2] Allmusic described their sound as "darkened noise that's accompanied by a flowing of sense of bleak, electronic rhythm".[3]
Discography
Albums
- Mars (1989), Danceteria - expanded edition released 2007
- Totem (1990), Danceteria
- Pandora's Box (1992), Danceteria
- Luna Tide (1995), Spectre
- Dark Amour (1997), Soundbuster
- Zenith (2004), Big Blue
- Nemesis(2011), Big Blue
- Live albums
- Jewel - Live In Prague (1991), A.Z.Y.L.
- Compilations
- Shedding Another Skin (1992), Danceteria
- Anthology of the Food (2001), Spiral Archive
- Metamorphosis 1987 - 2007 (2007), Big Blue
Singles and EPs
- "Morphine" (1988), Tuesday
- "Desolation Railway" (1988), Tuesday
- "Rocket USA" (1990), Danceteria
- Europa EP (1990), Danceteria
- "Achilles Heel" (1991), Danceteria
DVD
- Celluloid (2006)
References
External links
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