Bradford | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Blackburn, Lancashire, England |
| Genres | Indie pop |
| Years active | 1987–1991, 2019-present |
| Labels | Foundation, Foundation II, Midnight Music, Sire Warner Bros, Village Records |
| Members | Ian Hodgson Ewan Butler Stephen Street |
Bradford is an English indie band originally from Blackburn, Lancashire, England. Current members of the group include vocalist-lyricist Ian Hodgson and musicians Ewan Butler and Stephen Street.
The original line-up from 1987 to 1991 was Ian Hodgson (vocals), Ewan Butler (guitar), John Baulcombe (Keyboards), Jos Murphy (bass guitar), and Mark McVittie (drums). [1] The band's debut single, "Skin Storm", was released in 1988 on the Village Records label, and had the distinction of being the first independently financed recording to be released on compact disc. [2] Midnight Music released a self-titled mini-LP for the French market, which was later withdrawn due to copyright issues. [1] The band signed to Smiths producer Stephen Street's Foundation label. [3] Street produced the major share of Bradford's material during their two-year association before the band signed with Sire Records/Warner Bros. Records. The band opened for Morrissey at his first post-Smiths concert at Wolverhampton Civic Hall. [2] 1989 [1] saw two further singles, both hits on the UK Independent Singles Chart, and an album, Shouting Quietly, produced by Stephen Street and released in 1989 on his Foundation Records label in the UK, the Sire Records label in the United States and the Rough Trade Records throughout Europe. The band would part ways with Sire the following year before disbanding in 1991. That same year Morrissey recorded a cover version of "Skin Storm", released as a B-side on his "Pregnant for the Last Time" single and featured on the "My Love Life" US single and The CD Singles '88-91' album. [1] In 2018 A Turn Table Friend records reissued the majority of Bradford's back catalogue along with many previously unheard demo recordings on the album entitled Thirty Years of Shouting Quietly. 2019 saw Butler and Hodson re-unite with former label boss, producer and friend Stephen Street with the latter becoming a permanent member of Bradford. The now three piece went on to release the 2021 album Bright Hours on the Foundation II label.
The band toured extensively during their early years and supported artists including Primal Scream, Joe Strummer, The Sugarcubes and James. In the interim years Hodgson formed the band Acoustic Uprising, and played guitar for On Parole, a tribute to The Clash. Guitarist Ewan Butler wrote and performed with Californian alternative hip-hop artist Ithaka. Bass-player Jos Murphy is currently playing with Morrissey tribute act Viva Morrissey, John Baulcombe was recently the keyboardist with Bolton indie pop band Merchandise, who released their third album, For The Masses, in June 2010. Since August 2011 he has been playing keyboards, guitar and mandolin for Northern-folk-rooted rock band Dave Rowley's Black Country.
On 19 February 2021, the band released new album Bright Hours.
Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart. [3]
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982 and composed of singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. Morrissey and Marr formed the band's songwriting partnership. The Smiths are regarded as one of the most important acts to emerge from 1980s British independent music.
The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the English rock band the Smiths. It was released on 16 June 1986 in the UK by Rough Trade Records, and on 23 June 1986 in the US by Sire Records.
Stephen Anthony James Duffy is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He was a founding member, vocalist, bassist, and then drummer of Duran Duran. He went on to record as a solo performer under several different names, and is the singer and songwriter for The Lilac Time with his older brother Nick. He has also co-written with Robbie Williams and Steven Page.
Stephen Brian Street is an English music producer best known for his work with the Smiths, the Cranberries and Blur. Street collaborated with Morrissey on his debut album Viva Hate following the split of the Smiths.
Viva Hate is the debut solo studio album by English singer Morrissey. It was released on 14 March 1988 by HMV, six months after the final studio album by the Smiths, Strangeways, Here We Come (1987).
The Smiths is the debut studio album by English rock band the Smiths, released on 20 February 1984 by Rough Trade Records. After the original production by Troy Tate was felt to be inadequate, John Porter re-recorded the album in London, Manchester and Stockport during breaks in the band's UK tour during September 1983.
...Best II is a compilation album by the Smiths. It was released on November 2, 1992, by the new owner of their back catalogue, WEA. Its highest British chart position was #29; it did not chart in the U.S.
Singles is the seventh compilation album by the English rock band the Smiths, pitched as a compilation of previously issued singles. It was released in February 1995 by the new owner of their back catalogue, WEA. Its highest British chart position was #5; it did not chart in the United States. Blender magazine listed the album among the "500 CDs You Must Own" on their website.
Loop are an English rock band, formed in 1986 by Robert Hampson in Croydon. The group topped the UK independent charts with their albums Fade Out (1989) and A Gilded Eternity (1990). Their dissonant "trance-rock" sound drew on the work of artists like the Stooges and Can, and helped to resurrect the concept of space rock in the late 1980s.
Poster Children is an American indie rock band formed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1987. They have issued nine studio albums and two EPs. Known for their strong DIY ethic, the band members continue to drive their own tour bus, create their own artwork and T-shirt designs, and operate their own record label. Poster Children were also pioneers in several forms of electronic technology relating to performance art, including enhanced CDs, webcasts, and blogs.
Hipsway are a Scottish pop/new wave band.
Damaged Goods is a British independent record label.
"Hand in Glove" is the debut single by English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was released in May 1983 on independent record label Rough Trade. It peaked at No. 3 on the UK Indie Chart but did not make the top 75 of the UK Singles Chart, settling outside at No. 124.
"Pregnant for the Last Time" is a song by Morrissey, released as a non-album single in July 1991. This was the first time Morrissey worked with guitarist Boz Boorer, who consistently worked with him until 2020. The single reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. B-side "Skin Storm" was originally written and performed by Bradford, while another B-side, "Cosmic Dancer", is a cover of a T. Rex song.
"My Love Life" is a song by Morrissey released in September 1991. It was a stand-alone single rather than taken from any studio album, although it was included on the compilation albums World of Morrissey (1995) and Suedehead: The Best of Morrissey (1997).
The Parlotones are a renowned South African indie rock band hailing from Johannesburg, formed in 1998. The ensemble features Kahn Morbee on vocals and rhythm guitar, Paul Hodgson as lead guitarist, Glen Hodgson handling bass guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals, and Neil Pauw on drums and percussion. Originally rooted in Britpop, The Parlotones' music has evolved to encompass a diverse range of genres, with lyrics centered on relatable themes such as love and everyday life, complemented by engaging and memorable melodies.
Amore is the debut studio album by American rock band the Hooters, released in 1983.
Maximum Joy are an English post-punk band from Bristol, England, formed in 1981 and reunited in 2015.
The Caretaker Race were an English indie pop band formed in East London in 1986 when singer/guitarist Andy Strickland left The Loft. Strickland recruited Dave Mew (drums), Henry Hersom, and Sally Ward (keyboards). The band's name came from a Star Trek paperback adventure. Gaining comparisons with The Go-Betweens, they initially released a brace of singles on their own Roustabout Records label before signing to the Foundation label in 1989. Hersom left to join Bob, his replacement being ex-Flatmates bassist Jackie Carrera, After two more singles on Foundation, the Stephen Street-produced album Hangover Square was released in 1990. Sally Ward left to take up teaching, to be replaced by Andrew Deevey. The band split up in 1991.
Alex Lusty is an English rapper.