Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

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Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
LC2.jpg
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions performing in London, 2004
Background information
Origin Glasgow, Scotland
Genres
Years active
  • 1982–1989
  • 2004
  • 2009
Labels
Members

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions were a British rock and pop band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1982. Between 1984 and 1989, the band scored four Top 20 albums and five Top 40 singles in the UK; it also had success in several other countries including Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden and New Zealand. After they broke up in 1989, Cole embarked on a solo career but the band reformed briefly in 2004 to perform a 20th anniversary mini-tour of the UK and Ireland.

Contents

Band history

The band were formed whilst Cole (who was born in Derbyshire, England) was studying at the University of Glasgow. They signed a recording contract with Polydor Records; [3] their debut single "Perfect Skin" reaching number 26 on the UK Singles Chart in spring 1984, while the second single "Forest Fire" reached 41. Their debut studio album, Rattlesnakes , was released in October 1984. Produced by Paul Hardiman and featuring string arrangements by Anne Dudley, it peaked at No. 13 in the UK and was certified gold for sales over 100,000 copies. NME included it in its Top 100 Albums of All Time list, and the title track was later covered by the American singer Tori Amos. The Welsh band Manic Street Preachers included the album amongst their top ten list.[ citation needed ]

The band's follow-up studio album, Easy Pieces , was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, who had previously produced for Madness, the Teardrop Explodes, Dexys Midnight Runners and Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Released in November 1985, [3] the album was a quicker commercial success than its predecessor (entering the UK Albums Chart at No. 5, and certified gold within a month). The singles "Brand New Friend" and "Lost Weekend" were the band's first and only UK top 20 hits (reaching No. 19 and No. 17 respectively).

Two years later, the band released their third and final studio album, Mainstream . Produced by Ian Stanley [3] (former songwriter and keyboardist of Tears for Fears), the album peaked at No. 9 in the UK and was also certified gold, but contained only one UK top 40 single, "Jennifer She Said" (No. 31). Its first single "My Bag", and a later release, the "From the Hip" EP, failed to make the top 40.

In 1989, the band decided to break up and released a "best of" compilation, 1984–1989, which was their fourth top 20 album (UK No. 14) and fourth gold certification. Following this, Cole embarked on a solo career with the release of his eponymous debut studio album in 1990.

On the first two Commotions albums, Cole was the band's principal songwriter (though he co-wrote several songs with various bandmembers). The third studio album is credited to the band as a whole.

During 2004, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions reunited for a month to celebrate the release of the Rattlesnakes deluxe edition. Rehearsals were in Glasgow and the band played to packed houses at the Barrowlands, and then in Dublin, Manchester and London. [4]

In 2006, Scottish indie pop band Camera Obscura released the song "Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken" on their third studio album Let's Get Out of This Country , as an answer song to the Commotions' 1984 hit "(Are You) Ready to Be Heartbroken?".[ citation needed ]

Band members

The band's manager Derek McKillop is credited as a full band member in the credits of the group's third studio album, Mainstream.

Post-breakup careers

Discography

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<i>Rattlesnakes</i> (album) 1984 studio album by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

Rattlesnakes is the debut studio album by the British rock and pop band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released on 12 October 1984 by Polydor Records. The album reached number 13 on the UK Albums Chart and included the singles "Perfect Skin", "Forest Fire" and "Rattlesnakes".

<i>Easy Pieces</i> 1985 studio album by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

Easy Pieces is the second studio album by the British rock and pop band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. It was released on Polydor Records in the UK on 18 November 1985 and included the hit singles "Brand New Friend", "Lost Weekend" and "Cut Me Down". The title of the album derives from the American drama film Five Easy Pieces (1970), which Cole described as "one of my very favourite films", saying, "I want to write at least five songs out of that film".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perfect Skin (Lloyd Cole and the Commotions song)</span> 1984 song by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

"Perfect Skin" is a song by the British rock and pop band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1984 as the debut single from their debut studio album Rattlesnakes. The song was written by Lloyd Cole and produced by Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 26 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for ten weeks.

<i>Mainstream</i> (Lloyd Cole and the Commotions album) 1987 studio album by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

Mainstream is the third and final studio album by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. It was produced by Ian Stanley and released by Polydor Records in the UK and by Capitol Records in the US on 26 October 1987. It included the singles "My Bag", "Jennifer She Said" and "From the Hip". Although the album reached number nine in the UK, it failed to chart in the US and was not embraced by all critics: Mainstream is the only Lloyd Cole and the Commotions album not to sell at least 100,000 copies in the US.

<i>Lloyd Cole</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Lloyd Cole

Lloyd Cole, also known as The X Album, is the debut solo album by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole released on 21 February 1990 by Polydor and Capitol. Previously Cole was best known for his work with The Commotions but this album marked a departure from their signature sound and an opportunity for him to collaborate with other musicians and explore new ideas.

Stephen Irvine is a Scottish musician, formerly a member of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. Following the breakup of that band, he continued to work in the music industry and as a session musician worked with Del Amitri, Étienne Daho and Sarah Cracknell. He was part of the band Bloomsday, managed bands and worked with MTV.

<i>1984–1989</i> 1989 compilation album by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

1984–1989 is the first compilation album by the British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released on 27 March 1989 through Polydor Records in the UK. It compiles material released by the band on their three studio albums, Rattlesnakes (1984), Easy Pieces (1985), and Mainstream (1987). It reached the top 20 in the UK and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Blue Skies</span> 1990 song by Lloyd Cole

"No Blue Skies" is the debut solo single by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1990 from his self-titled studio album. The song was written by Cole and produced by Cole, Fred Maher and Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 42 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks. Cole has described "No Blue Skies" as "very simple" and a "girl leaves boy or boy leave girl" song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like Lovers Do (Lloyd Cole song)</span> 1995 song by Lloyd Cole

"Like Lovers Do" is a song by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1995 as the lead single from his fourth studio album Love Story. The song was written by Cole and produced by Stephen Street and Cole. As Cole's only UK top 40 solo hit single to date, "Like Lovers Do" peaked at number 24 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lost Weekend (song)</span> 1985 song by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

"Lost Weekend" is a song by the British pop and rock band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1985 as the second single from their second studio album Easy Pieces. The song was written by band members Neil Clark, Lloyd Cole and Lawrence Donegan, and produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. It peaked at number 17 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for seven weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">From the Hip (song)</span> 1987 song by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

"From the Hip" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1988 as an extended play from their third and final studio album Mainstream (1987). The song was written by the band and produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number 59 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest Fire (song)</span> 1984 song by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

"Forest Fire" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1984 as the second single from their debut studio album Rattlesnakes. The song was written by Lloyd Cole and produced by Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 41 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for six weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer She Said</span> 1987 song by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

"Jennifer She Said" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1987 as the second single from their third and final studio album Mainstream (1987). The song was written by the band and produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number 31 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for five weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Bag (Lloyd Cole and the Commotions song)</span> 1987 song by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

"My Bag" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1987 as the lead single from their third and final studio album Mainstream (1987). The song was written by the band and produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number 46 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rattlesnakes (song)</span> 1984 song by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

"Rattlesnakes" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1984 as the third and final single from their debut studio album of the same name. The song was written by Lloyd Cole and produced by Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 65 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.

References

  1. 1 2 Mason, Stewart. "Rattlesnakes – Lloyd Cole and the Commotions / Lloyd Cole". AllMusic . Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  2. 1 2 Cole, Lloyd. "Lloyd Cole And The Commotions // Wembley Arena". Lloydcole.com.
  3. 1 2 3 "Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - Collected Recordings 1983-1989 - Uncut". Uncut. 14 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "Lloyd - lloydcole.com". Lloydcole.com. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "Life after fame: Lloyd Cole on what your hotel room tells you about". Independent.co.uk . 23 October 2010.
  6. ↑ Cartwright, Garth (2 July 2004). "Obituary: Robert Quine". The Guardian.
  7. ↑ "Friends reunited". The Guardian. 12 December 2004.
  8. ↑ "Lawrence Donegan". The Guardian.
  9. ↑ Bunce, Kim (23 July 2000). "Observer review: No News at Throat Lake". The Guardian.
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