| The Bible | |
|---|---|
| Origin | UK |
| Genres | New Wave Rock |
| Years active | 1985-1989, 1993-1994 |
| Labels | Backs Chrysalis Ensign Cooltempo Haven Records Red Grape Records |
| Associated acts | The Great Divide |
| Members | |
| Boo Hewerdine Tony Shepherd Neill MacColl |
|
| Past members | |
| Kevin Flanagan Clive Lawson Leroy Lendor David Larcombe Constance Redgrave Greg Harewood Callum MacColl |
|
The Bible are an English rock band. The band released two critically acclaimed albums in the mid 1980s and are best known for the independent chart hits "Graceland" and "Mahalia". Lead singer Boo Hewerdine has also maintained a solo career since the band's first split in 1990.
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In 1985 Hewerdine and his bandmate Kevin Flanagan from earlier ensemble The Great Divide, formed The Bible, recruiting jazz drummer Tony Shepherd (who had previously drummed for Freddie Starr)[1] and bassist Clive Lawson.[2] The band released the mini-LP Walking the Ghost Back Home in 1986 on the independent record label, Backs Records, giving them a top-ten hit on the UK Independent Chart, staying in the chart for ten weeks.[1] This was followed by the first release of "Graceland" as a single, which gave them a minor hit in the UK, after which Lawson was replaced by Leroy Lendor.[2]
After follow-up single "Mahalia", which reached number 15 on the UK Independent Chart,[1] Flanagan left, to be replaced by Dave Larcombe, with guitarist Neil MacColl (brother of Kirsty MacColl and formerly a member of The Roaring Boys) also joining.[2][3] The album was well received by music pundits, and this brought the band to the attention of Chrysalis Records. Signing to Chrysalis, "Graceland" was re-released as a single in February 1987, but only charted slightly higher than the original release.[2] Greg Harewood joined on bass guitar, replacing temporary member Constance Redgrave.
In January 1988, the band's second album, Eureka, was released. It peaked at number 71 on the UK Albums Chart.[2] Two singles taken from the album failed to chart, but a re-recorded "Graceland" gave them their highest charting single, reaching number 51 in the UK in April 1989.[2] "Honey Be Good" gave them a second hit later that year, reaching number 54.[2] In 1989, Hewerdine decided to leave the group and pursue solo projects. The remainder of the group renamed themselves Liberty Horses.
In 1993, The Bible reformed for a tour and released the Dreamlife EP in 1994.[3] Tracks for a new album were recorded but the band split up again before this could be released. The album was eventually released posthumously in 2000, under the name of Dodo.
In late 2011, The Bible announced that they had reformed again (with a lineup including Boo Hewerdine, Tony Shepherd and Neill MacColl) and performed two concerts (at the ABC 1/2 in Glasgow on September 29 and The Grand in Clapham, London on September 30) to promote the new Red Grape Records reissue of Walking the Ghost Back Home. The band are also apparently writing new material together.