Kiss of the Gypsy

Last updated

Kiss of the Gypsy
Origin Fleetwood, England
Genres Rock
Years active1990-1993 (as Kiss of the Gypsy)
2004 to date (as XGypsy)
LabelsAtlantic
Associated actsXGypsy
Boneyard Zombies
One Way System
UFX
Kingdom of Dead Men
Rick Wakeman
Stealers Wheel
Website http://www.kissofthegypsy.co.uk
MembersKiss of the Gypsy:
Tony Mitchell
Daz Rice
Martin Talbot
Scott Elliott
George Williams
XGypsy:
Tony Mitchell
Dawn Mitchell

Kiss of the Gypsy (XGypsy) is an English rock band, formed by Tony Mitchell, Darren Rice, George Williams, Scott Elliott and Martin Talbot in Fleetwood, Lancashire in 1990. [1]

Contents

History

In 1991, Fleetwood, Lancashire, England, blues rock band Kiss of the Gypsy, led by singer-songwriter, Tony Mitchell, released their only album, Kiss of the Gypsy. [2] The band lasted three years, released one album and three singles, after being signed to Atlantic Records USA in 1991. [2] When Atlantic UK folded that same year, Kiss of the Gypsy was passed over to East West UK and, in 1992, began work on a new album. The album was never released, and with the lack of record company support, Kiss of the Gypsy disbanded in 1993.

In 1993, Daz Rice opened a music store in Cleveleys, Blackpool, called Dazamakiz. Rice put all of his efforts into the shop and family but continued to write/record and perform. In 2010, he joined as lead guitarist and vocalist with well-known Blackpool and Fylde Coast local band The Blue Pig Orchestra. More recently Rice has a new side project/originals band, Phantom Voices.

In 2004, Mitchell formed the XGypsy music production company with his wife Dawn, intended as a direct continuation of Kiss of the Gypsy and, since then, he has run his own recording studio and written for numerous bands and artists, as well as soundtracks for TV/film and media, specialising in the horror/goth genre.

After director Quentin Tarantino had used the track "Stuck in the Middle" by Stealers Wheel, in the soundtrack of his debut film Reservoir Dogs , there had been renewed interest in Stealers Wheel. Tony Williams re-formed Stealers Wheel and in 2008, Mitchell was brought into the band to write and record songs for a new Stealers Wheel album.

In 2010, Mitchell released his own album, Black Rhapsody, as Kingdom of Dead Men. In 2011, under the pseudonym Syd Zilla, Mitchell joined forces with fellow Fleetwood musicians: Dunk Rock, vocalist with UFX, with whom Mitchell had previously collaborated in Gothic Metal band, Puppet Master, and bassist Andy Wilkinson and drummer Tommy Couch, the rhythm section of the punk rock group One Way System, to form psychobilly band, Boneyard Zombies, to an excited press response. [3] [4] Boneyard Zombies released the limited edition "vinyl" CD album, Death Rattle and Roll, in 2012.

Reception

Kiss of the Gypsy received mixed reviews. Their 1991 debut single, "Whatever It Takes" was Single of the Week on release in Kerrang! magazine and reached number 4 in the UK Rock Chart. The band also played the single live on TV on ITV's James Whale Show, [5] and were featured in Kerrang! on several other occasions (issues 362, 378, 382 and 406 all carried lengthy articles on the band, including a three page interview in Issue 378). [6] [7] Despite the critical acclaim, sales of the group's albums were not especially high, particularly in the United States, [8] and some critics criticized their music as "passionless", [9] whereas others have praised the group and noted the influence of blues music in their songs. [1] [10] [11] Generally, their first eponymous album was received positively. [12] [13]

Discography

Albums

Kiss of the Gypsy

Kingdom of Deadmen

Boneyard Zombies

Singles

Related Research Articles

White Zombie (band) American heavy metal band

White Zombie was an American heavy metal band that formed in 1985. Based in New York City, White Zombie was originally a noise rock band, and was known for its later heavy metal-oriented sound. Their best-known songs include "Thunder Kiss '65", "Black Sunshine" and "More Human than Human". The group officially disbanded in 1998. In 2000, White Zombie was included on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock, ranking at No. 56.

Stevie Nicks American singer and songwriter

Stephanie Lynn Nicks is an American singer, songwriter and producer known for her work with the band Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist. She is known for her distinctive voice, mystical stage persona and poetic, symbolic lyrics.

Queen (band) British rock band formed in 1970

Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1970. Their classic line-up was Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon (bass). Their earliest works were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works by incorporating further styles, such as arena rock and pop rock.

Bob Welch (musician) American musician

Robert Lawrence Welch Jr. was an American musician who was a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1974. He had a successful solo career in the late 1970s. His singles included "Hot Love, Cold World", "Ebony Eyes", "Precious Love", "Hypnotized", and his signature song, "Sentimental Lady".

Stealers Wheel Scottish rock band

Stealers Wheel were a Scottish folk rock/rock band formed in 1972 in Paisley, Scotland, by former school friends Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty. Their best-known hit is "Stuck in the Middle with You". The band broke up in 1975 and re-formed briefly in 2008.

Fleetwood Human settlement in England

Fleetwood is a coastal town in Lancashire, England, at the northwest corner of the Fylde, with a population of 25,939 at the 2011 census.

Skindred Welsh heavy metal band

Skindred are a Welsh heavy metal band formed in Newport, Wales in 1998. Their musical style mixes heavy metal, alternative rock, and ragga. The band also integrate elements of punk rock, hardcore punk, reggae, dancehall, jungle, ska, hip hop, drum and bass, dubstep, and various other influences into their music. They are well known for their energetic and involving live performances, and have won several awards including "Best Live Band" at the 2011 UK Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards and the "Devotion Award" at the 2011 Kerrang! Awards.

Aynsley Dunbar British musician

Aynsley Thomas Dunbar is an English drummer. He has worked with John Mayall, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Journey, Jefferson Starship, Nils Lofgren, Eric Burdon, Shuggie Otis, Ian Hunter, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Whitesnake, Pat Travers, Sammy Hagar, Michael Schenker, UFO, Michael Chapman, Jake E. Lee, Leslie West, Kathi McDonald, Keith Emerson, Mike Onesko, Herbie Mann and Flo & Eddie. Dunbar was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Journey in 2017.

Badlands was a blues rock band founded by former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee, former Black Sabbath members Ray Gillen (vocals), Eric Singer (drums), as well as former Surgical Steel bass player Greg Chaisson. After the first Badlands album, Eric Singer was replaced by Jeff Martin. The group lasted from 1988 to 1993 and released three albums. Badlands (1989) and Voodoo Highway (1991) were released before Gillen left and was replaced by singer John West from New York. Gillen's death in 1993 effectively ended any hopes of re-uniting the project. The album Dusk was released in 1998 with the then deceased Gillen on vocals.

It Bites

It Bites are an English progressive rock and pop fusion band, formed in Egremont, Cumbria, England, in 1982 and best known for their 1986 single "Calling All the Heroes", which gained them a Top 10 UK Singles Chart hit. Initially fronted by Francis Dunnery, the band split in 1990, eventually returning in 2006 with new frontman John Mitchell.

<i>Creatures of the Night</i> 1982 studio album by Kiss

Creatures of the Night is the 10th studio album by American rock band Kiss, released in 1982. It was the band's last for Casablanca Records, the only label for which Kiss had recorded up to that point. The album was dedicated to the memory of Casablanca founder and early Kiss supporter Neil Bogart, who had died of cancer during the recording sessions. It is also the band's last album recorded with Ace Frehley credited as an official member and their first album with Vinnie Vincent as the initially-uncredited lead guitarist. It was also Kiss' last album to feature the band with their trademark makeup until the 1998 release, Psycho Circus.

Whale was a Swedish alternative rock group active from 1992 to 1999.

Thunder Kiss 65 1992 single by White Zombie

"Thunder Kiss '65" is a song by White Zombie from the album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One (1992). The song was released as a single and was later included on compilations, such as Rob Zombie's Past, Present & Future (2003) and The Best of Rob Zombie (2006). Actor's lines from the 1965 film Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! are included in the song.

<i>Alive III</i> 1993 live album by Kiss

Alive III is a live album released by the American hard rock band Kiss in 1993. It was certified gold in 1994. It is the third installment of the Alive series. The recording of Alive III took place over multiple dates during the band's 1992 tour in support of Revenge.

Circus of Power is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1986. They disbanded in 1995 and reformed in 2014. To date, they have released four studio albums and three EPs/albums.

One Way System are an English punk rock band formed in the Fleetwood area of Lancashire, England, in 1979.

You Me at Six English rock band

You Me at Six are an English rock band from Weybridge, Surrey. Formed in 2004, the group achieved success in 2008 with the release of their debut album, Take Off Your Colours, which included the singles "Save It for the Bedroom", "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell", with the latter two peaking at number 33 and number 42 respectively in the UK Singles Chart. Their second album Hold Me Down (2010) debuted at number 5 in the UK, while third album Sinners Never Sleep (2011) peaked at number 3, was certified Gold, and spawned the band's fifth top 50 single "Loverboy".

Anthony Williams is an English musician who plays bass guitar in the folk rock/rock band Stealers Wheel and who also played with Jethro Tull.

Engine were a British boogie rock band formed in July 1979 in Birkenhead, near Liverpool, England.

UFX

UFX are an English alternative rock band formed in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, in 2000.

References

  1. 1 2 Rivadavia, Eduardo (13 December 2007). "Kiss of the Gypsy". AllMusic . Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 255. ISBN   0-7535-0257-7.
  3. ↑ "Monster article". Weekly News.
  4. ↑ "Ghouls article". Evening Gazette.
  5. ↑ "James Whales Show". ITV.
  6. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ "KERRANG 401 - 500". 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "KISS OF THE GYPSY". MusicMight. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  9. ↑ "Kiss of the Gypsy Kiss of the Gypsy (Atlantic) (STAR... - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 25 June 1992. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Quickies: Kiss of the Gypsy". The Post and Courier. 7 May 1992. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Kiss Of the Gypsy review". SleazeRoxx. Archived from the original on 18 November 2011.
  12. ↑ Paton, Richard (15 March 1992). "Brash Blooms Blossom – Sounds: Kiss of the Gypsy". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  13. ↑ "Amazon reviews". Amazon.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.