Savage Progress

Last updated

Savage Progress
OriginLondon
GenresPop, dance, synthpop
Years active1982–1985
Labels 10 Records/Virgin Records
Past membersGlynnis (voc)
Rik Kenton (bs)
Ned Morant (perc)
Carol Isaacs (key)
Andrew Edge (dr)

Savage Progress was a pop group in the 1980s from England that had hits in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The band was founded by Rik Kenton (b. 31 October 1945, in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England) Glynnis (voc) Ned Morant (perc.) Carol Isaacs (keyboards/background vocals) and Andrew Edge (drums). They were a mixed-race group of musicians who used traditional pop styles as well as reggae, Caribbean dance rhythms and African rhythms.

Contents

Savage Progress joined the Thompson Twins on the "Into the Gap" tour of Britain (February 1984) as support act. Savage Progress' biggest hit was "My Soul Unwraps Tonight", which was written by Kenton, a former member of Roxy Music.

Early years

The band started with the meeting of Kenton and Glynnis in 1982. They later recruited Morant, who was not a professional percussionist, but was eager to learn and fitted in with the visual style of the band. They recorded a few basic demos over Christmas in 1982, at The Point studio in Victoria, London, with a young tape operator called Danny Hyde, [1] [2] who used the free time he was allowed by the studio to record four basic tracks. At that time the Point studio was under the control of Rupert Merton, who owned the Point Music publishing company. [3] After hearing their demos he asked them to record more songs. Merton was then the Thompson Twins publisher, and later signed Freur/Underworld.

As Savage Progress had no drummer at that time, they invited Edge to join. Edge had rehearsed in The Point studio a few years before with the Thompson Twins, and was a friend of Alex Burak, the chief engineer. [4] [5] Edge had previously played with David Lloyd in Uropa Lula, and later introduced Isaacs to Savage Progress, as they had both previously worked together in Uropa Lula, which had been signed to Arista records the previous year. [6]

Racial mix

The racial mix within Savage Progress was never fully stressed in the media, but had a definite effect on their music: Glynnis was born in Zimbabwe to mixed race/African parents, Kenton is from Nottingham, Isaacs is English-Jewish, Morant has Indian parentage, and Edge is from Leeds, in northern England. This mix of differing cultures proved to be advantageous for Savage Progress' music, as Kenton infused their songs with as many cultural influences as possible. Larry Heard commented on his early influences, which include the Savage Progress song, "Heart Begin To Beat". [7] [8] [9]

Recording contract

After signing a publishing contract with Point Music, the band signed a contract with 10 Records (a subsidiary of Virgin Records) and released their first single, "My Soul Unwraps Tonight". [10] [11] It became a medium hit in Germany peaking at #14 in July 1984. [12] The first album, Celebration, was partly produced by Paul "Wix" Wickens, who plays keyboards for Paul McCartney.

Touring

Savage Progress supported Tina Turner at The Venue in Victoria, London, and joined the Thompson Twins on the "Into The Gap" tour of Britain (1984) as support act: [13] 21 February 1984, Goldiggers, Chippenham/22, Apollo, Oxford/23, The Leisure Centre, Hereford/24-25, Brighton Conference Centre, Brighton/26-27, Colston Hall, Bristol/28, Coliseum, St. Austell/29, Arts Centre, Dorchester/2-3-4-5–6 March 1984, Hammersmith Odeon, London/8, Sheffield City Hall/9, Newcastle City Hall/10, Glasgow Apollo, Glasgow/11-12, Edinburgh Playhouse/13-14, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham/15, Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool/16, Manchester Apollo/17-18, Birmingham Odeon, Birmingham/19, De Montfort Hall, Leicester/25, Birmingham Odeon/26-27, Hammersmith Palais. [14]

In October of the same year they went on a tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, to capitalize on the success of their single releases. [15] [16] [17]

Session musicians

Keyboarder Steve French had earlier worked with Haircut One Hundred, and played keyboards for Savage Progress on the Thompson Twins Mind The Gap tour in February 1984, and after Savage Progress he worked with Tom Robinson and numerous other artists. [18] [19] Edge left shortly after the Thompson Twins tour, but was asked back to play on the European tour in October 1984. During his absence, drummer Stuart Elliot (previously with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel) played drums with the band for a John Peel session on 18 July 1984, [20] and also played on the song, "Ball and Chain", for their first album, Celebration. Neil Conti—from Prefab Sprout—played drums with them during the summer of 1984, before Edge was asked to rejoin. Mark Ferda played guitar with them on their European tour, and later worked with Jah Wobble, Bill Laswell, Brian Eno, and The Wolfgang Press.

Lyrics

Kenton avoided normal topics and styles when writing lyrics, such as on, "My Souls Unwraps Tonight":

"Suddenly there come a time lately, I'm my own little one / With my spear and my shield, democratically won / Suddenly in summertime baby, when your fire starts to burn / I can turn, I can turn, your disaster to fun / Hey, Hey, My Soul Unwraps Tonight"

The end

Glynnis left the band after their tour of Europe in October 1984. The band were offered the chance to play European festivals in the summer of 1985 (with another singer) but Kenton declined and broke up the band. The remaining members played together as a backing band for other artists, but never re-formed using the original name.

Before Savage Progress

After Roxy Music, Kenton recorded Bungalow Love in 1974 for Island Records (1974 /UK Island 7 Inch, WIP6214). [21] In 1976 Kenton recorded "The Libertine/Messin' Around" (7" single) (UK) EMI/EMI 2443. [22] His band members for the recording included Chris Spedding/guitars, Jim Cregan/guitars, Herbie Flowers/bass, and Tony Newman/drums.

Glynnis had sung backing vocals with a reggae band, lead vocals in a punk band she had formed with her sister. Called 'The Max Factor ' their debut gig was at Toyah Willcox' 21st Birthday party. Morant had had various jobs, including inoculating chickens. Edge had played with the Thompson Twins, and Viva Lula, as well as drumming for various artists.

After Savage Progress

Kenton worked with Bassomatic on one track of Set the Controls for the Heart of the Bass in 1990, but has not released any solo material. [23] Carol Isaacs went on to work with many other artists, such as Sinéad O'Connor, Sam Brown, Squeeze, and the Indigo Girls. [24] Edge moved to Austria to start a singing career, signing with his band YOYO EMI and later, BMG (as a solo artist), singing on various recordings, but is now working with Drumsing. [25] [26] [27] [28] Morant has worked with other bands, such as The 4 Of Us, Alabama 3, and Anne Clark. [29] Guitarist Ferda later formed a duo with Glynnis after she left the band. Called 'Angel Chorus' they landed a recording deal with Virgin 10 Records and released a single, "Devil on my shoulder", produced by Zeus B. Held. [30] Glynnis has since changed her name to Urtema Dolphin and now runs a successful practice incorporating sound and voice in her work as sound healer /spiritual teacher based in London. She has one son, Marlon (born 2 February 1995).

Discography

Albums

Singles

Compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roxy Music</span> English art rock band

Roxy Music are an English rock band formed in 1970 by lead vocalist and principal songwriter Bryan Ferry and bassist Graham Simpson. By the time the band recorded their first album in 1972, Ferry and Simpson were joined by saxophonist and oboist Andy Mackay, guitarist Phil Manzanera, drummer Paul Thompson and synthesizer player Brian Eno. Other members over the years include keyboardist and violinist Eddie Jobson and bassist John Gustafson. The band split in 1976, reformed in 1978 and split again in 1983. In 2001, Ferry, Mackay, Manzanera and Thompson reunited for a concert tour and have toured together intermittently ever since, most recently in 2022 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first album. Ferry has also frequently enlisted band members as backing musicians during his solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Ferry</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1945)

Bryan Ferry is an English singer and songwriter who was the frontman of the band Roxy Music and also a solo artist. His voice has been described as an "elegant, seductive croon". He also established a distinctive image and sartorial style: according to The Independent, Ferry and his contemporary David Bowie influenced a generation with both their music and their appearances. Peter York described Ferry as "an art object" who "should hang in the Tate".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Adverts</span> English punk rock band

The Adverts were an English punk rock band formed in 1976 that existed until late 1979. They were one of the first punk bands to achieve mainstream success in the UK; their 1977 single "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" reached No. 18 on the UK Singles Chart. The Virgin Encyclopedia of 70s Music described bassist and founding member Gaye Advert as the "first female punk star".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thompson Twins</span> British pop band

Thompson Twins were a British pop band, formed in 1977 in Sheffield. Initially a new wave group, they switched to a more mainstream pop sound and achieved considerable popularity during the early and mid-1980s, scoring a string of hits in the United Kingdom, the United States, and around the world. In 1993, they changed their name to Babble, to reflect their change in music from pop to dub-influenced chill-out. They continued as Babble until 1996, at which point the group permanently broke up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toots and the Maytals</span> Jamaican musical group

The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Hawley</span> English musician (born 1967)

Richard Willis Hawley is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. After his first band Treebound Story broke up, Hawley found success as a member of Britpop band Longpigs in the 1990s. After that group broke up in 2000, he joined the band Pulp, led by his friend Jarvis Cocker, for a short time. As a solo musician, Hawley has released eight studio albums. He has been nominated for a Mercury prize twice and once for a Brit Award. He has collaborated with Lisa Marie Presley, Shakespears Sister, Arctic Monkeys, Manic Street Preachers, Elbow, Duane Eddy and Paul Weller.

<i>Flesh and Blood</i> (Roxy Music album) 1980 studio album by Roxy Music

Flesh and Blood is the seventh studio album by English rock band Roxy Music, released on 23 May 1980 by E.G. Records. It was an immediate commercial success peaking at No. 1 in the UK for one week in June and then returned to the summit in August for another three weeks, in total spending 60 weeks on the albums chart in the United Kingdom. The album also peaked at No. 35 in the United States and No. 10 in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Thompson (musician)</span> English drummer (born 1951)

Paul Thompson is an English drummer, who is best known as a member of the rock band Roxy Music. He is a member of Andy Mackay's project with the Metaphors and joined Lindisfarne in 2013. He was also the drummer for Oi! band Angelic Upstarts and the American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Sadkin</span> American record producer

Alex Sadkin was an American record producer, engineer, mixer and mastering engineer.

<i>Roxy Music</i> (album) 1972 studio album by Roxy Music

Roxy Music is the debut studio album by English rock band Roxy Music, released on 16 June 1972 by Island Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.K. Subs</span> English punk rock band

U.K. Subs are an English punk rock band, among the earliest in the first wave of British punk. Formed in 1976, the mainstay of the band has been vocalist Charlie Harper, originally a singer in Britain's R&B scene. One of the first hardcore punk bands, elements of rhythm and blues music - including harmonica - also remained an occasional element of their work.

Phillip Carden Thornalley is an English songwriter, musician, and producer who has worked in the music industry since 1978. He produced the album Pornography by The Cure and was later their bass player. He began releasing his own music in 1988 and briefly joined the band Johnny Hates Jazz. In later years he worked principally as a songwriter, and is perhaps best known for co-writing the song "Torn" and for writing two UK number one hits for Pixie Lott. Starting in the 2010s he released more solo music under his own name and as Astral Drive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia Plain</span> 1972 single by Roxy Music

"Virginia Plain" is a song by English rock band Roxy Music, released as their debut single in August 1972. Written by Roxy frontman Bryan Ferry, the song was recorded by the band in July 1972 at London's Command Studios. Backed with "The Numberer", an instrumental composed by Andy Mackay, as a single the song became a Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Bailey (musician)</span> British musician

Thomas Alexander Bailey is an English singer, songwriter, musician, composer and record producer. Bailey came to prominence in the early 1980s as the lead vocalist for the new wave band Thompson Twins, which released five singles that entered the top ten charts in the United Kingdom during the 1980s: "Love On Your Side", "We Are Detective", "Hold Me Now", "Doctor! Doctor!", and "You Take Me Up". He was the only member of the band to have formal musical training. From 1994, Bailey was also a member of its later incarnation, Babble, releasing two commercially unsuccessful studio albums. He released his debut solo studio album Science Fiction in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Is the Drug</span> 1975 single by Roxy Music

"Love Is the Drug" is a song by the English rock band Roxy Music, from their fifth studio album, Siren (1975), released as a single in September 1975. Co-written by Bryan Ferry and Andy Mackay, the song originated as a slower, dreamier track until the band transformed its arrangement to become more dance-friendly and uptempo. Ferry's lyrics recount a man going out looking for action.

Andrew Edge is a musician from Leeds, England. He moved to London in the late 1970s, and joined the Thompson Twins. After eighteen months Edge left the group and joined Uropa Lula, who released three singles and supported Big Country on a tour of Britain. Edge then joined Savage Progress, who supported the Thompson Twins on a tour of Britain in 1984.

Drumsing is a duo of musicians featuring Andrew Edge and Josef 'Judy' Klausner. The duo perform with percussion and vocals, and no other musical instruments. Drumsing was formed in Linz, Austria, in 2008. It took two years to write songs and record their first CD, which was released in Austria, in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Both Ends Burning</span> 1975 single by Roxy Music

"Both Ends Burning" is a single by English rock band Roxy Music taken from their 1975 album Siren. Written by Bryan Ferry, the song features lyrics inspired by the pressure felt by the band to complete the Siren album as well as keep up their touring obligations. Ferry's struggles in writing the lyrics for the song meant that the band largely had to complete the instrumental track without his vocal line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight It's You</span> 1985 single by Cheap Trick

"Tonight It's You" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 1985 as the lead single from their eighth studio album Standing on the Edge. It was written by Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Jon Brant and Mark Radice, and produced by Jack Douglas. "Tonight It's You" reached No. 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alicia Previn</span> American writer

Alicia Previn is an American violinist, songwriter, recording artist and author. She is the daughter, along with sister Claudia Previn, of André Previn KBE, the conductor of the Houston, Pittsburgh, and London Symphony Orchestras and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and American jazz singer Betty Bennett.

References

  1. ↑ Danny Hyde brainwashed.com – Retrieved: 14 December 2006
  2. ↑ Hyde’s discography discogs.com – Retrieved: 5 August 2007
  3. ↑ Rupert Merton homepage rupertmerton.co.uk – Retrieved: 5 August 2007
  4. ↑ Burak homepage alexburak.com – Retrieved: 5 August 2007
  5. ↑ Alex Burak: Alchemea site Archived 9 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine alchemea.com – Retrieved: 5 August 2007
  6. ↑ "Allan Dias Interview". Fodderstompf. 2004. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  7. ↑ Larry Heard and his influences redbullmusicacademy.com – Retrieved: 28 July 2007
  8. ↑ Larry Heard and his music redbullmusicacademy.com – Retrieved: 28 July 2007
  9. ↑ Andy Kellman, Allmusic review artistdirect.com – Retrieved: 30 July 2007
  10. ↑ 10 Records homepage discogs.com – Retrieved: 24 November 2006
  11. ↑ My Soul Unwraps Tonight video youtube.com – Retrieved 26 November 2007
  12. ↑ CHart history "My Soul Unwraps Tonight" offizeillecharts.de – Retrieved: 23 December 2018
  13. ↑ Thompson Twins tour schedule, 1984 geocities.com – Retrieved: 30 July 2007
  14. ↑ "Thompson Twins Past Concerts". Song Kick. 11 October 1985. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  15. ↑ German chart positions germancharts.com – Retrieved: 30 July 2007
  16. ↑ Austrian chart placing austriancharts.at – Retrieved: 30 July 2007
  17. ↑ Swiss chart placing swisscharts.com – Retrieved: 30 July 2007
  18. ↑ Steve French web site Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine stevefrench.co.uk – Retrieved: 24 July 2007
  19. ↑ Steve French biog farsongs.co.uk – Retrieved: 30 July 2007
  20. ↑ John peel session bbc.co.uk – Retrieved: 8 January 2007
  21. ↑ Roxy Music biog delmere.de/roxy – Retrieved: 15 July 2007
  22. ↑ The Libertine single Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine chrisspedding.com – Retrieved: 15 July 2007
  23. ↑ Bassomatic CD discogs.com – Retrieved: 30 July 2007
  24. ↑ Squeeze on myspace.com myspace.com – Retrieved: 31 July 2007
  25. ↑ Edge blog blogspot.com – Retrieved: 30 July 2007
  26. ↑ Karli Möstl homepage Archived 25 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine karlmoestl.com – Retrieved: 2 August 2007
  27. ↑ Karli Möstl CD discogs.com – Retrieved: 30 July 2007
  28. ↑ Mojique v2.0 on ORF m4.orf.at- Retrieved: 3 August 2007
  29. ↑ Ned Morant’s Disc biog rock.discogs.com – Retrieved: 28 July 2007
  30. ↑ "Angel Chorus". Discogs. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
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.