Everything about Shriekback totally explained
Shriekback is a
rock band formed in the early
1980s by
Barry Andrews, formerly of
XTC and
League of Gentlemen (keyboards/synthesizers/vocals),
Carl Marsh (guitars/vocals), and
Dave Allen, formerly of the
Gang of Four (bass). They were joined by
Martyn Barker on drums in
1983. Other members included: Linda Nevill, Emma Burnham, Brian Nevill, Pedro Ortiz, Claire Hirst,
Lu Edmunds, Wendy & Sara Partridge, Steve Halliwell, Even Moon,
Ivan Julian, Mike Cozzi, and Jessica Palin/Jose Fina Cupido.
Style
Shriekback are popular for their exploration of the darker, funkier side of rock music, usually featuring Dave Allen's driving basslines. Self-described as an "avant-garde musical outfit", they're popular among a limited audience, both for their poetic, often intellectual lyrics, and for their dance-worthy music which range from disco and new wave (
New Romantic) to an edgy, pre-
grunge hard rock.
History and member changes
Shriekback was originally an artistic trio of
Barry Andrews,
Carl Marsh, and
Dave Allen. They enjoyed some success on the dance chart on their original
Y Records label, but left for the big time on
Arista Records for
1984's
Jam Science. Finding little success, single Hand on my Heart charted in the top 60 in the UK, they switched to
Island Records for the next year's breakout,
Oil & Gold. This album signalled a shift for the band, with Carl Marsh leaving the band and rockers
Martyn Barker and
Lu Edmonds joining what was now Andrews' vehicle. Indeed, Allen left the band after the followup,
Big Night Music, and Shriekback remained a collaborative around Andrews.
Dave Allen would go on to play in
King Swamp,
The Elastic Purejoy, and most recently in the reformed
Gang of Four. Carl Marsh was in the band
Happyhead. Both Allen and Marsh did return to the studio to contribute to the recording of Shriekback's
2003 release,
Having a Moment.
Director
Michael Mann was a fan of Shriekback and used several of their songs in his films
Manhunter and
Band of the Hand.
Their best-known song is "Nemesis", which received wide airplay on the
indie/college circuit. The song was notable among the hard rock of its day for its use of unusual imagery and lyrics including the use of the word "
parthenogenesis" in the chorus, and an appearance in the music video clip of "
Nemesis the Warlock" from the UK comic book
2000AD.
Discography
Singles
| Year |
Title |
Chart positions |
Album |
| US Dance/Club |
US Modern Rock |
US Mainstream Rock |
UK |
| 1982 |
"My Spine Is The Bassline" |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 1983 |
"Lined Up" |
- |
- |
- |
#89 |
Care |
| 1983 |
"Lined Up (remix)" |
- |
- |
- |
#78 |
Jam Science |
| 1984 |
"Hand On My Heart" |
#22 |
- |
- |
#52 |
Jam Science |
| 1985 |
"Nemesis" |
- |
- |
- |
#94 |
Oil and Gold |
| 1985 |
"Fish Below The Ice" |
- |
- |
- |
#88 |
Oil and Gold |
| 1988 |
"Intoxication" |
- |
#6 |
- |
- |
Go Bang! |
| 1988 |
"Shark Walk" |
- |
#19 |
- |
- |
Go Bang! |
| 1988 |
"Get Down Tonight" |
#20 |
- |
- |
- |
Go Bang! |
Further Information
Get more info on 'Shriekback'.
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