Queenadreena

Last updated

Queenadreena
Queen Adreena 2006-03-07 03.jpg
Queenadreena performing in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, France, 2006
Background information
Also known asQueen Adreena
Origin London, England
Genres
Years active1998–2009
Labels
Members KatieJane Garside
Crispin Gray
Pete Howard
Nomi Leonard
Past members
  • Orson Wajih
  • Billy Freedom
  • Paul Jackson
  • Janne Jarvis
  • Richard Adams
  • Michael Vakalis
  • Dom Bouffard
  • Melanie Garside
  • Bambi
  • Stephen Gilchrist

Queenadreena [lower-roman 1] were an English alternative rock band that formed in London, England in 1998 by vocalist KatieJane Garside and guitarist Crispin Gray, who had previously collaborated in the celebrated but short-lived band Daisy Chainsaw. [1] Garside and Gray, who had earned a reputation for their abrasive songwriting with Daisy Chainsaw, incorporated elements of blues rock and other genres with Queenadreena, in addition to their predominant noise rock influences. [3]

Contents

The band released four studio albums between 2000 and 2008, beginning with the critically acclaimed Taxidermy (2000). The band signed with Rough Trade Records for their second release, Drink Me (2002), before being dropped by the label, after which they signed with the independent label One Little Indian. The band also released a live album, Live at the ICA , which was recorded at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. In 2009, the group disbanded and Garside pursued other solo projects, namely Ruby Throat.

History

Formation, Taxidermy: 1998–2001

Queenadreena formed in 1998 after guitarist Crispin Gray reunited with vocalist KatieJane Garside, with whom he had collaborated in 1989 when they formed the band Daisy Chainsaw. [4] Garside left Daisy Chainsaw after completing two years with the band, and went into seclusion in the Lake District, [5] where she lived in the historic Rigg Beck, a retreat for artists and bohemians. [6] [7] There, Garside began writing and recording her own material. [8] Reflecting on leaving the music industry, Garside commented: "If I hadn't left, it would have killed me...  Because I didn't write the songs [in Daisy Chainsaw] I could never give enough, never go far enough. I couldn't bleed in words, I couldn't bleed in lyrics—I could only bleed in performance, and that meant attacking [myself], literally." [9]

Returning to London in 1998, Garside moved to Belsize Park, where Gray had also been living, and the two reconnected to form the group. [10] Garside said the band name came from when she was writing in Wales: “She just arrived in my head. She came in as Princess Adreena, and I had to write her story. She'd been a warrior princess who'd cut off her left breast for better use of bow and arrow, stuff like that. That's where she came from and then we crowned her, made her into Queen Adreena.” [2]

Gray and Garside were joined by drummer Billy Freedom and bassist Orson Wajih [11] and released their debut single, "X-ing Off the Days" / "Heavenly Surrender" on 25 October 1999. [9] The band subsequently released their first studio album, Taxidermy , in early 2000, on the Blanco y Negro Records imprint. Some of the material featured on the album, namely the track "X-ing Off the Days," was written solely by Gray in the years following the breakup of Daisy Chainsaw. [10] NME gave the album a positive review, writing: "While carrying on Daisy Chainsaw's predilection for rock as infantile nightmare, here the scope is much wider than a one-track take on banshee pop. There are some obvious precedents, notably Björk and PJ Harvey, but much more than either of those two reference points, this debut album is frequently akin to eavesdropping on psychotherapy." [12]

To support the record, the band toured nationally supporting Nine Inch Nails, [10] as well as performances at the 2000 Reading and Leeds Festivals. [13] After its release, the band's name stylized as Queenadreena, and subsequent releases reflect this. [2] During this time, the band released a split single, featuring a cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene," and the folk ballad "Pretty Polly". [14]

Label shifts, The Butcher and the Butterfly: 2002–2006

Garside performing with Queenadreena, Dublin, 2006 Queen Adreena Dublin Castle.jpg
Garside performing with Queenadreena, Dublin, 2006

Billy Freedom was replaced in 2002 by drummer Pete Howard, formerly of The Clash. The band signed with Rough Trade for their second album, 2002's Drink Me . [15] The record spawned the single "Pretty Like Drugs," which garnered the band attention from rock press. The album was well received by such publications as Drowned in Sound , who gave it a 7/10 rating, writing: "KatieJane Garside is the kind of woman who makes ordinarily rational grown guys go weak at the knees. "Pretty Like Drugs" will show you why. As her cutesy lost girl Tori Amos/Björk-isms erupt into fearsome hollers that would have piss dribbling down Courtney Love’s surgically enhanced thighs, it’ll all make sense." [16] The French publication Les inrockuptibles described the record as "Gothic, dark, and threatening." [17]

Rough Trade dropped the group shortly after the release of Drink Me, and Wajih left the band while they embarked on a tour supporting Garbage. [10] Janie Jarvis, formerly of Radiator, joined the band as a temporary bassist for their tour, before former Daisy Chainsaw bassist Richard Adams joined the group. [10] Adams shortly after left the band, and they appeared at the Castle Donington Download Festival in 2003. [10]

The band signed with One Little Indian Records in 2004, and released The Butcher and the Butterfly with KatieJane's sister Melanie Garside on bass, who left soon after and was replaced by Paul Jackson (not to be confused with the fusion bassist of the same name). On March 22, 2005, the band recorded a live album at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. The album was released in September as Live at the ICA .

Djin and dissolution: 2007–present

In 2007, Queenadreena independently released Ride a Cock Horse , an album composed of early demos. Further line-up changes saw Nomi Leonard becoming the new bass player and, in the latter half of 2008, Pete Howard being replaced on drums by Stephen Gilchrist.

On 8 October 2008 Queenadreena released their fourth studio album, Djin , initially only in Japan through Imperial Records. The album eventually saw a release in the United Kingdom September 2009, but was not actively promoted by the band which, by then, was effectively on hiatus. Incorporating influences of blues rock more heavily than the band's early releases did, Allmusic called the record "[Queenadreena's] masterpiece, balancing all their characteristically mercurial elements on the solid basis of the mastery of an accomplished band, which was left by the media to grow at its own pace." [3]

In 2011, Crispin Gray stated, "I wouldn't rule out some kind of reunion gigs in the future. I don't think there will be another record from Queenadreena though, I would be very surprised myself. I haven't heard from Katie in well over a year and I don’t know where she is."

In a 2020 interview on Conan Neutron’s Protonic Reversal Garside, who released an album under the name Liar, Flower, expressed extreme skepticism about working with Gray in the future or further Queenadreena material including her contributions. [18]

Their final studio album Djin was re-released in a limited edition, gatefold double neon pink vinyl set by Cadiz Entertainment on 16 April 2021. The reissue included six additional new demo tracks and a previously unheard song “Heaven Doesn't Wait,” co-written and recorded with the late Andy Gill from Gang of Four. [19]

Gray was interviewed at length in May 2021 about the formation and history of Queenadreena, as well as his other bands. [20]

Discography

Members

Past members

Notes

  1. ↑ The band's name was originally stylized as Queen Adreena. [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Drink Me</i> (Queenadreena album) 2002 studio album by Queenadreena

Drink Me is the second studio album by English alternative rock band Queenadreena, released in 2002. Since the band switched labels from Rough Trade to One Little Indian, the album became out of print and has become somewhat of a collector's item. The original British pressing of the album featured a controversial hidden image in the jewel casing. One Little Indian records have stated that there are no plans to re-release the album.

<i>Taxidermy</i> (Queenadreena album) 2000 studio album by Queenadreena

Taxidermy is the debut album by English alternative rock band Queenadreena, released in 2000. The enhanced-CD release includes a short film by Martina Hoogland-Ivanow involving time-lapse photography and dream-like visuals.

<i>The Butcher and the Butterfly</i> 2005 studio album by Queenadreena

The Butcher and the Butterfly is the third studio album by English alternative rock band Queenadreena, released in May 2005 though One Little Indian and Imperial Records. The album features writing from frontwoman KatieJane Garside, guitarist Crispin Gray, and drummer Pete Howard, as well as contributions from Garside's sister, Melanie Garside, who also plays bass on the album. Richard Adams, the bassist of Garside and Gray's former band, Daisy Chainsaw, also has a co-writing credit on one track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daisy Chainsaw</span> Band

Daisy Chainsaw were an English rock group who were active between 1989 and 1994 started by guitarist and songwriter Crispin Gray. The group's original lead vocalist KatieJane Garside appeared on the band's early EPs and 1992 debut album, Eleventeen, before departing in 1993. Lead vocalist Belinda Leith replaced Garside for the group's final album, released in 1994.The group made impact on alternative scene throughout Europe.

<i>Live at the ICA</i> 2005 live album by Queenadreena

Live at the ICA is a live album by Queenadreena, released in September 2005, which includes songs from their first three albums. It was recorded at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London on 22 March 2005. In April 2006, the Queenadreena Live DVD was released, featuring both the ICA show and a bonus show at the Astoria in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crispin Gray</span> English musician (born 1963)

Crispin John Orion Gray is an English guitarist and songwriter. Best known for his bands Daisy Chainsaw and Queenadreena, Gray has also played with Dizzy Q Viper, Vapid Dolly and The Dogbones. He is currently a member of Starsha Lee. His great uncle was British poet John Gray, allegedly the inspiration for Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. In November 2022, Gray released his first ever solo project, Alien Airforce, via Public Pressure.

<i>Eleventeen</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Daisy Chainsaw

Eleventeen is the debut album by UK alternative rock band Daisy Chainsaw, released in 1992. It was their only album with Katie Jane Garside as lead vocalist. It peaked the UK Albums Chart at No. 62. Three songs from the album were released as singles. 'Love Your Money' was the biggest hit, reaching No. 26 in the UK Singles Chart, while follow-up 'Pink Flower' was a UK No. 65. In 2014 Buzzsaw Records announced a double CD special edition of Eleventeen, which is available on daisychainsaw.net.

<i>Ride a Cock Horse</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Queenadreena

Ride A Cock Horse is an independently released compilation album by English rock band Queenadreena, sold exclusively through their MySpace profile in 2008. It contains 4-track demos of songs that were intended to be released on their 2000 debut album, Taxidermy. The album takes its name from the nursery rhyme "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross".

Ruby Throat is a British neofolk musical duo formed in 2007 by English vocalist KatieJane Garside and American guitarist Chris Whittingham. The duo were formed during the dissolution of Garside's former band, Queenadreena, and have recorded four studio albums. In 2020, Garside and Whittingham released music together under the name "Liar, Flower".

Peter Howard is an English rock drummer. He was a member of the Clash from 1983 until 1986.

<i>Djin</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Queenadreena

Djin is the fourth and final studio album by English alternative rock band Queenadreena. The album was originally released exclusively in Japan in October 2008, where it became the band's most commercially successful album to date, peaking at #120 on the Oricon Albums Chart. The album was later released in the UK in September 2009. Djin was re-released in a limited edition, gatefold double neon pink vinyl set by Cadiz Entertainment on 16 April 2021. The reissue included additional new demo tracks and a previously unheard song “Heaven Doesn't Wait,” co-written and recorded with the late Andy Gill from Gang of Four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dogbones</span>

The Dogbones are an alternative rock band that were formed in London, in late 2007. All of the four founding musicians are former members of Daisy Chainsaw and Queenadreena, notable bands of the London alternative scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KatieJane Garside</span> English singer

Katrina Jane Garside is an English singer, songwriter, and visual artist. She is known for her musical projects in an eclectic range of genres including noise rock, alternative metal, acoustic, and neofolk, and vocals that range from childlike whispers to harsh scream singing. The London Evening Standard once described her as "one of the scariest women in alternative music."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">F.M. Doll</span> 2002 single by Queenadreena

"F.M. Doll" is a song by English alternative rock band Queenadreena, first released as a standalone single in 2002 by Rough Trade Records. The track was later re-recorded and released both as a single and included on their third album, The Butcher and the Butterfly (2005) through One Little Independent, after the band had switched record labels. It peaked at number 81 on the UK Singles Chart in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pretty Like Drugs</span> 2002 single by Queenadreena

"Pretty Like Drugs" is a song by British alternative rock band Queenadreena, released in 2002 from their album Drink Me. It was later included as a bonus track on the US release of the band's third album, The Butcher and the Butterfly after they left Rough Trade records and signed with One Little Indian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Adore You (song)</span> 2000 single by Queenadreena

"I Adore You" is a song by English alternative rock band Queenadreena, released as their third single from their debut album Taxidermy (1999).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">X-ing Off the Days</span> 1999 single by Queenadreena

"X-ing Off the Days" is a song by English alternative rock band Queenadreena, released as their second single from their album Taxidermy (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold Fish (song)</span> Single by Queenadreena

"Cold Fish" is a song by English alternative rock band Queenadreena, released as their lead single from their debut album Taxidermy (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medicine Jar (Queenadreena song)</span> 2005 single by Queenadreena

"Medicine Jar" is a song by English alternative rock band Queenadreena, released as their final single from their third studio album, The Butcher and the Butterfly (2005). It was released both on compact disc and as a limited edition pink 7" vinyl record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queenadreena discography</span> English alternative rock band discography

The discography of English alternative rock band Queenadreena consists of four studio albums, seven singles, and one compilation album. Formed in London by former Daisy Chainsaw members KatieJane Garside and Crispin Gray, Queenadreena released their debut album, Taxidermy, in 2000 on Blanco y Negro Records. Their following album, Drink Me (2002), was released on Rough Trade before the group signed with One Little Indian, who released their third studio album, The Butcher and the Butterfly (2005).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Queenadreena". AllMusic . Archived from the original on 11 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Cameron, Liane (9 August 2002). ""I want to have a past"". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  3. 1 2 Severa, Alan (8 October 2008). "Djin - QueenAdreena". AllMusic . Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  4. ↑ Larkin 2000, p. 111.
  5. ↑ "Five Minutes With... KatieJane Garside". Sound Sphere Magazine. 8 September 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "Landmark Lakes House Destroyed By Fire Was 'Home' To Stars". Newsandstar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  7. ↑ O'Brien, Lucy (25 February 2000). "A way with the fairies". The Guardian . Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  8. ↑ Slater, Heather (14 October 1999). "Chainsaw girl set to slay new audience". Burntwood Mercury. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 "Right royal return". Cannock Chase Post. 14 October 1999. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "MusicMight :: Artists :: QUEENADREENA". Rock Detector. 2009. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  11. ↑ "Queenadreena Biography". MTV . Archived from the original on 23 September 2016.
  12. ↑ "Taxidermy". NME . 12 September 2005. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023.
  13. ↑ "Reading Festival 2000". Reading Festival. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  14. ↑ Dan, Jen (9 June 2010). "Interview with Ruby Throat". Delusions of Adequacy. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ↑ Young 2006, p. 184.
  16. ↑ Anonymous, Adam (2002). "Album Review: Queen Adreena - Drink Me". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  17. ↑ "Queenadreena". Les Inrockuptibles. 385–9. Editions Indépendantes: 42–3. 2003.
  18. ↑ "Ep181: KatieJane Garside (Daisy Chainsaw, Liar, Flower, Queen Adreena)". Conan Neutron's Protonic Reversal. 24 June 2020. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "Queen Adreena - Djin - Limited Edition Neon Pink 2LP Vinyl / CD". Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  20. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Interview with Crispin Gray (Guitarist for Starsha Lee; ex-Queenadreena, ex-Daisy Chainsaw)". YouTube . 26 May 2021.

Bibliography

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