Figures on a Beach
| Figures on a Beach | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | New wave, synthpop, pop rock |
| Years active | 1981–1991 |
| Labels | Sire |
| Past members |
Anthony Kaczynski Christopher Ewen John Richard Rolski Michael "Smitt E. Smitty" Smith Perry Tell Ricci Ara |
Figures on a Beach was a 1980s musical band that played in a style that drew influences from new wave, techno and pop music.
History
Figures on a Beach was formed in Detroit, Michigan, in the early 1980s from the ashes of the band Razor 1922. The group was composed of vocalist Anthony Kaczynski, guitarist John "Rik" Rolski, keyboardist Christopher Ewen, bassist Perry Tell and drummer Michael Smith. 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 afterward. They released their first full-length album in 1987, titled 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 single titled "Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)". The group disbanded in 1991.
Chris Ewen went on to form Future Bible Heroes, a collaboration with Stephin Merritt and Claudia Gonson from The Magnetic Fields. Kaczynski performed Merritt's vocals on Future Bible Heroes' 2013 tour, which Merritt opted to skip. Ewen and Kaczynski are performing on the Magnetic Fields 2017 tour for Merritt's 50 Song Memoir.
Anthony Kaczynski and Michael Smith went on to form Fireking.
Michael Smith currently performs as Smitt E. Smitty.
"Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)" was covered by The Echoing Green on the band's self-titled album.
Charting 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 |
| 1989 | "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" | 67 | - | - | - | Figures on a Beach |
Discography
Albums
- Paradise And Other Four Letter Words (Metro America, 1985)
- Standing On Ceremony (Sire, 1987)
- Figures on a Beach (Sire, 1989)
Singles
- Swimming EP (Metro America, 1983)
- "Breathless" (Metro America, 1984)
- "In Camera Obscura/Paradise" (Metro America, 1985)
- "No Stars" (Sire, 1987)
- "Accidentally 4th St. (Gloria)" (Sire, 1989)
- "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" (Sire, 1989)
Pertinent compilations
- Just Say Yes.. (Sire, 1987)
- Just Say Mao (Sire, 1989)