The Mobiles
| The Mobiles | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Eastbourne, East Sussex |
| Genres | Synthpop, new wave |
| Years active | 1981–1984 |
| Labels | Rialto, RCA |
| Associated acts | The Avengers |
| Past members |
David Blundell Chris Downton Russ Madge Anna Maria Eddie Smithson John Smithson |
The Mobiles were a British 1980s synthpop band, whose existence was notable for their one major hit single in early 1982, with the song "Drowning in Berlin". It reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] The follow-up single "Amour, Amour" (No. 45 in the UK) continued the European flavour.
Career
The Mobiles were based in Eastbourne,[2] with band members hailing from Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea and Eastbourne, and were led by Anna Maria. Following the band's dissolution Maria and Madge worked together as "The Avengers", releasing a couple of singles for RCA. They were signed by Nick Heath and Tim Heath, sons of British bandleader Ted Heath, who owned the successful record label Rialto.
Band members
|
Post Mobiles
Blundell now lives in Madrid, Spain, and Maria, who lives in Seaford, East Sussex and works in the health profession, said they were delighted the album was now available on CD. "Back in the 1980s CDs weren't around", said Dave. "Everything was on vinyl. It was all such an adventure for us. We were just a band practicing in The Drive pub." The first week "Drowning in Berlin" was released, it appeared in their local record shop, Max Records at the bottom of Grove Road.
Blundell said, "One minute we were doing gigs in Eastbourne and the next minute we got a call saying they wanted us to do Top of The Pops. They were very exciting times for us all and we had a wonderful time doing it all."[3]
Russ Madge now lives on the Orkney island of South Ronaldsay and is a councillor on Orkney Islands Council.[4]
The reissue of the original album includes their best known hit along with further singles "Amour Amour" and "Partners in Fiction", the first time on CD. The video for "Drowning in Berlin" is still a fixture on MTV to this day. The comprehensive reissue features their debut album in its entirety, and a wide selection of rare bonus material including remixes and b-sides. Drowning In Berlin - The Best of The Mobiles also encompasses comprehensive packaging, with track by track liner notes from bass player David Blundell, a history, interviews with the band's one-time record label manager, numerous photographs and a complete discography.[5]
Discography
Singles
- "Drowning in Berlin" / (b/w) "Tiptoe In Paradise" - 1981 (UK No. 9[1] - Rialto RIA 3)
- "Amour Amour" / (b/w) "Skeleton Dance" - 1982 (UK No. 45[1] - Rialto RIA 5, included four Mobiles stickers)
- "Partners in Fiction" / (b/w) "Snow Man" - 1982 (did not chart - Rialto RIA 10)
- "You're Not Alone" / (b/w) "Struth" - 1982 (did not chart - Rialto MOB3, limited edition Mobiles 3-Pack included first 2 singles Buy 1 Get 2 Free)
- "Build Me Up Buttercup" / (b/w) "Don't Pay The Axeman" - 1983 (did not chart - Rialto RIA 15)
- "Fear" / (b/w) "Longtime" - 1983 (did not chart - Rialto RIA 20)
- "Lost Without Your Love / (b/w) "Remember" - 1984 (did not chart - MCA/Panther Records PAN 10)[6]
Albums
- Drowning in Berlin - 1982
- "Drowning In Berlin"
- "Better Late Than Never"
- "Amour Amour"
- "Fear"
- "Long Time"
- "Climbing Frame"
- "Partners In Fiction"
- "Struth"
- "Tamarind Man"
- "You're Not Alone"
- Drowning in Berlin: The Best of The Mobiles - 2006 (Cherry Red label - CDM RED 309)[7]
References
- 1 2 3 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 43. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ Annemarie Field (28 December 2006). "EIGHTIES BAND'S ALBUM REVIVAL". Eastbourne Today. Archived from the original on 6 March 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ↑
- ↑ "Russ Madge". Orkney.gov.uk. 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
- ↑ Archived November 10, 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Mobiles Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
- ↑ "Mobiles | Discography". AllMusic. 2006-11-20. Retrieved 2014-01-30.