The Devils (band)

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For the 1971 film, see The Devils (film).
The Devils (Stephen Duffy (L) & Nick Rhodes (R) in 2002.
The Devils (Stephen Duffy (L) & Nick Rhodes (R) in 2002.

The Devils is the name of an odd electronic pop project formed by Nick Rhodes and Stephen Duffy.

The first incarnation of the band Duran Duran in 1978 included Rhodes as keyboardist and Duffy as songwriter/vocalist (along with John Taylor and Simon Colley). The band performed live for almost a year before Duffy left the band, moving on to a solo career and The Lilac Time. Duran Duran went on to super stardom, fame, and fortune with singer Simon Le Bon in the 1980s.

In the year 1999, Duffy came across an old tape recording of a live Duran Duran concert from a 1979 show. Shortly afterwards, Rhodes and Duffy met by chance at a fashion show, and began talking about the old music. They decided it might be fun to re-record some of those original, dark, art-school, pre-Le Bon Duran Duran songs.

A few months later they took to the studio, using vintage analog instruments but modern production techniques to recreate the early Duran Duran sound. The lyrics remained unchanged.


Contents

[edit] Dark Circles

Dark Circles
Dark Circles cover
Studio album by The Devils
Released July 15, 2002 (UK)
May 6, 2003 (U.S.)
Recorded 2001, 2002
Genre Electronic
Label Tape Modern
Producer Andy Strange/
Nick Rhodes/
Stephen Duffy
Professional reviews

The resulting album, Dark Circles is an odd blend of past and future. The lyrics are dark and arty, often inspired by Duffy's esoteric reading habits; the music is quirky and futuristic, but it is the electronic, robotic-tinged future of 1979, breathed back into life more than twenty years later.

The band played live only two times, in London and Cologne, before both members returned to their normal careers.

In early June 2008, Rhodes and Duffy were extensively intervieved by music journalist Pete Paphides for Radio BBC 4, and relived the whole "Dark Circles" experience. Duffy also publicy stated through his website that a Devils DVD could be released, presumably at the end of the year.

[edit] Track listing

[edit] CD: TPCD001 (UK, US)

  1. "Memory Palaces" - 2:27
  2. "Big Store" - 5:50
  3. "Dark Circles" - 3:09
  4. "Signals In Smoke" - 4:03
  5. "Come Alive" - 4:10
  6. "Hawks Do Not Share" - 4:51
  7. "Newhaven-Dieppe" - 3:36
  8. "World Exclusive" - 3:28
  9. "Aztec Moon" - 4:26
  10. "Lost Decade" - 4:09
  11. "Barbarellas" - 4:49
  12. "The Tinsel Ritual" - 3:14

Comes in digipack. Marketed by Fulfill and Universal Music Operations.

[edit] CD: CTCR-18062 (Japan, Avex Inc.)

  1. "Memory Palaces"
  2. "Big Store"
  3. "Dark Circles"
  4. "Signals In Smoke"
  5. "Come Alive"
  6. "Hawks Do Not Share"
  7. "Newhaven-Dieppe"
  8. "World Exclusive"
  9. "Aztec Moon"
  10. "Lost Decade"
  11. "Barbarellas"
  12. "The Tinsel Ritual"
  13. "Come Alive (Tiga Swear Lies Remix)" (bonus track) - 6:14

Comes in jewel case. Marketed by Cutting Edge. Track 13 also appears on "Headman Dance Modern", Eskimo Records, Belgium (CD 541416 501230, 2xLP 541416 501231, released 2004).

[edit] CD: TPCD7 (UK, 2004 reissue)

  1. "Memory Palaces"
  2. "Big Store"
  3. "Dark Circles"
  4. "Signals In Smoke"
  5. "Come Alive"
  6. "Hawks Do Not Share"
  7. "Newhaven-Dieppe"
  8. "World Exclusive"
  9. "Aztec Moon"
  10. "Lost Decade"
  11. "Barbarellas"
  12. "The Tinsel Ritual"

Comes in jewel case and has different sleeves. Marketed by Fulfill and Universal Music Operations.

[edit] Promotional releases

  • "Dark Circles" (UK radio promo, 1 track only. Ld promotions, cd acetate)
  • "Dark Circles" (UK album promo with Dark Circles, Big Store, Come Alive, Newhaven-Dieppe. Ld promotions)
  • "Dark Circles" (UK album promo, 12 tracks, Universal BC3606)

[edit] Promo videos

  • "The Devils EPK" - produced by Stephen Duffy, edited by Gary Oldknow, graphics by Andrew Day
  • "Dark Circles" (track) - directed and produced by Gary Oldknow
  • "Hawks Don't Share" - directed by Nick Rhodes, produced by Gary Oldknow
  • "Big Store" - produced by Gary Oldknow

[edit] Personnel

  • Nick Rhodes - keyboards and synthesizer
  • Stephen Duffy - vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards & synthesizer
  • Mark Tinley - additional programming, amorphic resonances
  • Ben Georgiades - drums, loops and assistance
  • Sally Boyden - vocals (tracks 2, 3, 8, 10 & 11)
  • Evie - vocals (tracks 2, 3 & 8)

Also credited:

  • Engineered by Andy Strange assisted by Adam Noble at Air Studios, London
  • Mastered by Tony Cousins at Metropolis
  • Art & design: Andrew Day
  • Photograph of The Devils: Retts Wood
  • Make up: Paola Recabarren

[edit] External links

[edit] Official Websites

[edit] Information sites

[edit] Fansites