The Band of Holy Joy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Band of Holy Joy | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New Cross, London, UK |
| Genre(s) | Indie, Folk |
| Years active | 1984 - 1993, 2002 - 2003, 2007 - present |
| Label(s) | Pleasantly Surprised Flim Flam Rough Trade Equador |
| Associated acts | Superdrug, Society of Imaginary Friends, Morton Valence. |
| Members | |
| Johny Brown Alfie Thomas Chris Brierley |
|
| Former members | |
| Franny Armstrong Andy Astle John Atrocity Adrian Bailey Emrys Baird Karel van Bergen Marek Budzynsky Mark Cavener David Coulter Wendy Dunleavy Gus Ferguson Caroline Gaskin Rob Hacker Steve Hands Jub Jenkins Hilary Jeffery Caroline Jewkes Big John Alex Keen Oscar Khan Louise Kleboe Robert Lee Bill Lewington George Lovell John Moore Paul O'Donnell Howard Rickard Peter Rollinson Paul Sampson Janie Shorter Tom Smith Anne Solomon Neil Starr Mike Thomas Brett Turnbull Adele Chess Emmet Fitz Howard Leo Mairie Malou Martine Max Maxine Terry |
|
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Fiddle, accordion, harmonium, piano, trombone | |
The Band of Holy Joy are an English band formed in New Cross, London, and initially active between 1984 and 1993, releasing several albums. In 1992, they abbreviated their name to Holy Joy. They reformed in 2002,back under the name of Band of Holy Joy, releasing a new album called "Love never fails",They concentrated on other musical projects during 2003 to 2006. They began performing live again in 2007 and released a best of on Cherry Red records.
Contents |
[edit] History
The band was formed in 1984 by geordie Johny Brown, along with friends including Brett Turnbull. After two self-issued cassettes, they signed to South London indie label Flim Flam for a string of singles and two 1987 albums, More Tales From The City and the compilation When Stars Come Out To Play.[1] After a 1988 album on the Cause For Concern label, they signed to Rough Trade Records, increasing their exposure including an appearance on BBC 2's Snub TV. The move to Rough Trade prompted Flim Flam to threaten to sue for breach of contract, but after six months of legal wrangling, this was settled out of court, Brown commenting "We'd given those people three years of our lives and all they did was bugger us about".[2] Their first album for Rough Trade, Manic, Magic, Majestic was released in 1989, with Positively Spooked following in 1990, supported by a tour of the U.S.S.R..[3] The band re-emerged in 1992 as Holy Joy, with the album Tracksuit Vendetta. They split up in 1993, with Brown working as a freelance journalist, and subsequently forming the band Superdrug in 1995.[3] The Band of Holy Joy reformed in 2002 with Johny Brown,Alfie Thomas and Chris Brierley,releasing an album, Love Never Fails.After a number of live dates the band became inactive between 2003 and 2006,pursuing other musical projects. In may 2007 the band began playing live again. October 2007 saw the release of "Leaves that fall in spring" A best of released on the cherry red label. 2008.. After playing 9 warm up gigs in and around London during April,May and June...Band of Holy Joy are off to The States for a mini tour of New York. A 6 track cd will be available only at the US dates entitled "Punklore".
[edit] Musical style
The band had influences from folk music and European cabaret, with Jacques Brel and Bertold Brecht identified as influences.[1] They have been compared to The Pogues, Dexys Midnight Runners, and The Waterboys. They were described by Trouser Press as "emotional and articulate, using tasteful understatement and rustic simplicity to sell songs with unpredictably offbeat lyrical concerns".[4]
[edit] Discography
Chart placings are from the UK Independent Chart.[5]
[edit] Albums
- More Favourite Fairy Tales (1984) Pleasantly Surprised (cassette)
- Into The City Of Tales (1985) Pleasantly Surprised (cassette)
- The Big Ship Sails (1986) Flim Flam (10" mini-LP)
- More Tales From The City (1987) Flim Flam #8
- When Stars Come Out To Play (1987) Flim Flam
- The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (1988) Cause For Concern
- Manic, Magic, Majestic (1989) Rough Trade #7
- Positively Spooked (1990) Rough Trade
- Tracksuit Vendetta (1992) Equador
- Love Never Fails (2002) Rough Trade
- Leaves That Fall In Spring - Seminal Moments (2007) Cherry Red
[edit] Singles/EPs
- "Had a Mother Who Was Proud" (1985) Flim Flam (12" EP)
- "Who Snatched My Baby" (1986) Flim Flam #25
- "Rosemary Smith" (1987) Flim Flam #17
- "Tactless" (1988) Rough Trade
- "Evening World Holiday Show" (1989) Rough Trade
- "Real Beauty Passed Through" (1990) Rough Trade (12" EP)
- "Claudia Dreams" (1992) Equador (12")
- "It's Lovebite City" (1992) Rough Trade
[edit] References
- ^ a b Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
- ^ George, Iestyn (1989). "Emotional Tangles". Zine (10): 38-40. Zine.
- ^ a b Jason Ankeny. The Band of Holy Joy Biography. allmusic.com. AMG. Retrieved on 20 January 2008.
- ^ Ira Robbins. BAND OF HOLY JOY. TrouserPress.com. Retrieved on 20 January 2008.
- ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.
