Moist

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This article is about the band and not to be confused with the Moist, followers of Moism.
Moist
Background information
Origin Vancouver, BC, Canada Canada
Genre(s) Alternative Rock
Years active 1992 – 2000
Label(s) EMI
Website http://www.moist.ca
Members
David Usher
Mark Makoway
Jeff Pearce
Kevin Young
Paul Wilcox

Moist was a five-piece Canadian alternative rock band that was popular in the mid-to-late-1990s. The band was led by lead singer David Usher, along with Mark Makoway (guitars), Jeff Pearce (bass), Kevin Young (keyboards) and Paul Wilcox (drums).

Contents

[edit] Biography

Moist formed in the early 1990s and eventually released an independent cassette in 1993. The cassette caught the attention of EMI, who released their first full-length studio CD, Silver, in 1994. The album went on to sell 400,000 copies in Canada on the strength of hard-hitting singles like "Push", "Silver" and "Believe Me".

In late 1996, Moist released their sophomore album Creature to favourable reviews. The album included the hits "Leave It Alone", "Resurrection", and "Gasoline", all being placed on high rotation on MuchMusic.

Following the band's second album, David Usher released his first solo album, Little Songs.

In early 1999, the band regrouped to record one more album, the melancholic and soft-toned Mercedes 5 and Dime. The album was released in the summer of 1999 in Canada and later in 2000 in the United States. Singles included "Breathe", "Underground", and "Comes and Goes". This album is Moist's last album to date.

David Usher has continued to record, releasing Morning Orbit in 2001, Hallucinations in 2003 and If God Had Curves in 2005. Jeff Pearce formed the band RYE, which released its first record, Wolves, in 2004, and Mark Makoway published a guide to the music industry, called The Indie Band Bible.

Moist are currently on an indefinite hiatus and show no signs of a reunion.

[edit] Other uses of "Moist" band name

For a brief period in 1993-94 there was another, unrelated band using the name Moist. Based in Brighton, United Kingdom, and performing in a loosely folk-rock style, the band was somewhat lower-profile than their Canadian namesakes and upon learning of the name clash, they arranged to change their name; however, they disbanded soon afterwards (for unrelated reasons). One eponymous cassette with 8 songs is known to have been produced, including original compositions "Crave" and "Brighton Song", and a cover version of "It's All Mine", originally by World Party. Some members of the band went on to be involved with another Brighton-based band, Flannel.

Also in the mid-1990s another unrelated band used the name Moist. Based in London, United Kingdom, and performing in a pop-rock style, the band consisted of founder member Lyndon Courtney on keyboards, Stuart Lovett (vocals), Dave Young (guitar), Ian (Bass) and Nigel (Drums). Whilst no official recordings were made, various demos and concert videos exist including their two popular live favourites, "Free" and "Fly". On stage the members sported a memorable image: long hair, hippy shirts and black lycra cycle shorts. Their final gig was at the Red Lion, West London in 1994.

And the name was taken up again in 2005 by a group of London Jazz metallers, a power quartet that features Ralf Littlejohn on sax, Peter Marsh on bass, Andy Cato on drums and Simon Hopkins on guitar. This group of highly accomplished musicians are all ex-members of LOB (a band which operated from the late 90s-2004 in London, purveyors of a rather noisy free-jazz meets breakbeat electronica sound, spiritual cousins of Sping Hill Jack and co).

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

  • "Push" (1994)
  • "Silver" (1994)
  • "Believe Me" (1995)
  • "Leave It Alone" (1996)
  • "Resurrection" (1996)
  • "Tangerine" (1997)
  • "Gasoline" (1997)
  • "Breathe" (1999)
  • "Underground" (1999)
  • "Comes and Goes" (1999)

[edit] Trivia

  • The video for Push is featured in an episode of Beavis and Butt-head.
  • The songs "Push" and "Resurrection" have both appeared on separate episodes of the Canadian television programme Due South.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../m/o/i/Moist.html"