Figures on a Beach

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Figures on a Beach was a musical band formed in Detroit, Michigan in the early 1980s out of the prior band Razor 1922. Figures on a Beach played in an artistic New Romantic/techno-pop style that was hard to pin down. The group recorded an independent EP, Swimming, in 1983, and the Don Was-produced single "Breathless" in 1984. Figures moved to Boston in 1985 and was signed by Seymour Stein of Sire Records soon after. Figures released their first full length LP in 1987, entitled Standing on Ceremony. A self-titled LP (Figures on a Beach) followed in 1989, containing a minor hit cover of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet," and a popular hit among the club scene entitled, "Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)." The group disbanded in 1991.

Figures on a Beach consisted of vocalist Anthony Kaczynski, guitarist John Rolski, keyboardist Christopher Ewen, bassist Perry Tell, and drummer, multimedia designer, animator and illustrator Michael "Smitty" Smith.

Figures on a Beach has a web site at Figures on a Beach

Christopher Ewen went on to form Future Bible Heroes, and to collaborate with Stephin Merritt and Claudia Gonson from The Magnetic Fields.

Anthony Kaczynski and Michael Smith went on to form Fireking.

"Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)" was covered by The Echoing Green on the band's self-titled album.

Contents

[edit] Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Mainstream Rock UK
1989 "Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)" - #14 - - Figures on a Beach

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

  • "Swimming" (Metro America, 1983)
  • "Breathless" (Metro America, 1984)
  • "In Camera Obscura" (Metro America, 1985)
  • "No Stars" (Sire, 1987)
  • "Accidentally 4th St. (Gloria)" (Sire, 1989)
  • "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" (Sire, 1989)

[edit] Albums

  • Standing On Ceremony (Sire, 1987)
  • Figures on a Beach (Sire, 1989)

[edit] Pertinent Compilations

  • Just Say Yes.. (Sire, 1987)
  • Just Say Mao (Sire, 1989)