The Livewire
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| The Livewire | |
|---|---|
| Country | Chichester, England |
| Years active | 1998–2005 |
| Genres | Post-Grunge |
| Labels | Tainted Records |
| Members | Timmy O'Hearth - Vocals/Bass Benford McCloud - Rhythm Guitar Fee A'roumbére - Lead Guitar Pete Spears - Keyboard/Washboard Fern Bayroot - Drums |
The Livewire were once cited as Britain’s front runners in the ever explosive Nu-Grunge scene. Taking influence from Grunge’s walk of fame and their American Post-Grunge contemporaries, The Livewire created a backlash to the ever increasing boy band and girl band pop scene.
Contents |
[edit] History
History is a familiar word to all members of The Livewire, most of all to front man O’Hearth. Coming from troubled background O’Hearth spent most of his youth as a drug mule for the many dealers in the area of which he grew up. This job finally made him enough money to buy a bass and after studying the instrument for some time O’Hearth got snapped up by the up and coming Shoegazer outfit The Drive. Although his time with them was short lived he played on their debut album 'Put It In Reverse' and his influence remained clear in their music until their demise. In 1998 after a few years littered with rumours of collaborations behind closed doors (Including those linking him to underground electro-funk trio, The Secret Seven), O’Hearth discovered the Nu-Grunge scene. Putting an advertisement in the paper the very next day, O’Hearth found exactly what he was looking for in McCloud, A'roumbére, Spears and Bayroot.
With an E.P recorded just 3 months after their initial meeting, The Livewire were picked up fairly quickly by Post Grunge label Tainted Records. This led to them supporting already established acts like Dirt Generator and Grog Depot at a very early stage in their career. The E.P. was named ‘I’m Not Chair’ and was christened as the ‘first real British Nu-Grunge record’ and sky-rocketed them to fame.
Their meteoric rise to success however did not come easy for all the members. After a turbulent six months it became clear that A'roumbére had problems. His high drug intake was having an uneasy effect on the band. Knowing that this could jeopardise everything the band went on a shock hiatus. A'roumbére was booked into The Priory to help him get over his problems. This was also where he penned the much loved hit ‘Hate/Skag/Hate’.
It had been one year since A'roumbére had played with the band so a reunion was not going to be as easy as he would have wanted. Yet due to O’Hearth’s overwhelming compassion he accepted his estranged band mate back with open arms. Unbeknownst to A'roumbére one of these arms was behind his back, with crossed fingers on both hands.
In 2000 back in the studio The Livewire penned their sophomore effort, the album ‘Hypocrat Democrite?’ It was received with much the same reaction. The country loved it and filled the void that was left by Britpop. Choosing to stay away from most of the lime light and to cut ribbons, The Livewire went on another hiatus.
In this time Bayroot, Spears and McCloud fell in love with the British Indie Rock scene. And started touring under the name of ‘Jan-Gal’. The band was met with mixed reaction. The confused public just wanted more Livewire. With O’Hearth having no luck in America with his solo album ‘Not I, Said The Truth’ he called off the Hiatus.
With The Livewire back in the studio the country waited. Tension in the studio however made progress difficult. Jan-Gal’s influence on Bayroot, Spears and McCloud changed the dynamic of the group considerably. After many arguments 2003 saw their 3rd album ‘End Over’. This saw The Livewire take a new more Indie influenced direction. This was seen by many hardcore fans as them 'selling out'. It was also the album that found them small commercial success in America with the hit song ‘Half-Single to Boxgrove’.
Overwhelmed with the new commercial success The Livewire headed back to the studio six months later with Bayroot, Spears and McCloud in complete creative control with their ‘Jan-Gal’ experience fresh in their mind. The result was ‘Monopoly Bored’. The album bombed and made most reviewer’s ‘Miss of the Week’. Devastated O’Hearth once again called for indefinite Hiatus.
In 2005 after the realization The Livewire were no more the band reformed as ‘The Flatliners’. McCloud refused to join them after stating ‘Music is dead!’ Despite this, The Flatliners spent two months in the studio recording the Post-Crust Punk album ‘Cardiac Arrest’ to which little attention was paid. The Flatliners followed the same path as their previous incarnation, The Livewire and became no more.
[edit] Current Status
After The Livewire Bayroot, Spears and A'roumbére joined forces once again with a new musical ideal. This saw them form the much loved 'Keane' tribute band 'Keen'. As of 2006 they still tour.
McCloud's prediction of music's death saw him turn to visual art. He is now the operator of a popular Art Museum in Tangmere's buzzing metropolis.
Not much is known about O’Hearth’s current activities. After a brief swing into the world of Lounge-Core he went into hiding following allegations of treason. These have since been discredited. In a recent and rare radio interview with Cfyn Markwick-Day on his popular show 'Mother Leopard' O'Hearth revealed that the real reason for The Livewire's demise was the other members 'short sightedness', '[their]limited understanding of new ideas' and crack.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
As The Flatliners
- Cardiac Arrest (2005)
[edit] Singles
- "Time 2 Tie" (1998)
- "Sickle-Bric" (1998)
- "Scruff Stuff" (2000)
- "Hate/Skag/Hate" (2001)
- "Half-Single to Boxgrove" (2003)
- "Trippin' Out" (2004)
- "Indie Mindy" (2004)
As The Flatliners
