London After Midnight (band)
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| London After Midnight | |
|---|---|
 Left to right: Joe S, Sean Brennan, Tamlyn and Eddie Hawkins |
|
| Origin | California, United States |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Genres | Alternative rock Darkwave Deathrock Gothic rock Industrial rock |
| Labels | Metropolis Records (North America) Trisol Music Group (Germany/Europe) Iron D (Russia) |
| Members | Sean Brennan Tamlyn Eddie Hawkins Joe S. |
London After Midnight (sometimes abbreviated as, LAM) is a project formed in the 1990s[1] by songwriter and instrumentalist Sean Brennan. The project continues on to the present day. The project and its members are considered by many as a prominent act of the second generation gothic rock movement,[2] some critics have credited the band with reviving the Gothic music scene in the early 90s.[3] One publication even stated; "This is the worlds biggest goth band who reactivated the whole genre".[4] London After Midnight has a following worldwide, with is largest fanbase in the goth subculture. However, in interviews the projects members have shunned the use of this label and others to describe their music, calling it "artistically limitating".[5]
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[edit] Ideology and Themes
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. He voices this support through London After Midnight internet outlets, such as their official website. The majority of the music released by London After Midnight so far follows personal and emotional themes which are often romantic or sexual (see "The Bondage Song" for an example of this). The lyrics are sometimes presented with morbid wit, with songs like "Your Best Nightmare" being akin to an Edward Gorey-esque tale.[6][7] Since the late 1990s, London After Midnight have developed a heightened political focus. This however has yet to manifest itself into music as they have not released an album since 1998. Earlier albums shown small shades of political leanings; for example, their 1991 track "Revenge" featured political elements, along with an Adolf Hitler introduction sound clip. (Politically, the track was not geared towards or sympathetic of nazism). Newer (and unreleased) London After Midnight music, which has been performed in concert, has a high level of political focus, with songs like "Feeling Fascist", "The Pain Looks Good on You", "America's a Fucking Disease", and others.
[edit] History
London After Midnight formed in Los Angeles, California during 1990, and played at several club's in the area. Debuting live at premier Los Angeles Gothic rock club; "Helter Skelter". During the earliest stages, London After Midnight had varying non-permanent live members who joined Brennan when performing live. Tamlyn a keyboardist was an early recurring member who played live and periodically tours with the band to this day. It has been claimed by Brennan that such members do not contribute or play on recordings for London After Midnight[8][9] This is not entirely true though as Tamlyn for example later wrote the song "Ice" for the 1998 release of "Oddities" at Brennan's request. After garnering a fanbase aided by the release of a self-titled demo, the project released their début album "Selected Scenes from the End of the World" in 1992. 1992 saw bassist Michael Areklett join the projects line-up. Like Tamlyn he appeared live as a recurring member, rather than a guest. Around this period, Douglas Avery and Eddie Hawkins also joined the project.
[edit] Touring and releases
In their earliest days the project would play mainly on the west coast of the United States. Following the release of their debut LAM gradually expanded on their Californian fanbase; eventually traveling to Mexico in 1994 (something few alternative acts were doing at the time[10] progressing to tour the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, South America and further in the United States. Coinciding with the release of the follow up album "Psycho Magnet" in 1996, London After Midnight headlined the Whitby Gothic Weekend in England and amongst other concerts in the UK, Europe, Mexico and the US. At this time, London After Midnight had began to expand beyond the traditional elements of gothic rock which they played early on, implementing elements of darkwave and industrial rock both in their appearance and music. The band continued on in this style for the their third and latest album "Oddities" released in 1998, featuring a cover of a track named "Sally's Song" from the movie Nightmare Before Christmas. Around this time the project featured on the cover of many magazines and even played a co-headlining slot at Zillo summer festival, with The Cure. LAM has since toured the world extensivelyplaying alongside other popular bands such as Green Day, HIM (who have cited LAM as an influence[11]), Rammstein, Soft Cell, and others, headlining and co-headlining to crowds of over 30,000 in Latin America, the US and Europe.
[edit] Recent times
The last London After Midnight album of new material was released in 1998. Brennan has stated that a new, as yet untitled album is in the works, but after 8 years only one song has been released, frustrating some sections of their fanbase. The new London After Midnight CD is planned for release in 2007. They have however, in 2003 re-released Two of their past 3 releases in Europe and the Russian Federation, (which charted on the Deutsche Alternative Charts) adding previously unreleased bonus tracks. Since leaving the project in 2005, original bassist Michael Areklett has continued with his alternative rock project named Covet, which he created earlier in the 2000s. Coevet was originally planned as a side-project, but after leaving LAM it became a full-time project. Covet have claimed to feature songs written by Areklett which were offered up for use in London After Midnight, but for whatever reason were not recorded.[12] (Something Brennan denies[citation needed]) As of 2006, they have released one EP titled, "Angel". In 2004 the singer of Covet decided to leave and join the US military, being sent to Iraq.[13] 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, Lore and others,[14] it reached number one on the Deutsche Alternative Charts.
[edit] Members
[edit] Current members
- Sean Brennan - vocals, guitar
- Tamlyn - keyboards (live performance only)
- Eddie Hawkins - guitar (live performance only)
- Joe S. - drums (live performance only)
[edit] Former Members
Dave Herman- Bass 1990
Ian Haas- live drums 1990
John Koviak- Live Bass 1990
Armondo-Live bass 1990
Jeremy Meza - live guitar for only 2 shows in 1991
Stacy - live guitar 1992
Michael Areklett - live bass 92'-98'
Douglas Avery - live drums 92'-98'
William Skye - live guitar 93'-98'
Janus - drums never played live
[edit] Discography
Does not include the various compilations on which LAM have been featured
[edit] 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.
[edit] EPs
[edit] Single
- 1995 - Kiss
