The Bible (band)

Last updated

The Bible
OriginEngland
Genres New wave, indie, sophisti-pop, rock, pop
Years active1985–1989, 1993–1994, 2011–present
LabelsBacks, Chrysalis, Ensign, Cooltempo, Haven Records, Red Grape Records, Cherry Red Records
Members Boo Hewerdine
Tony Shepherd
Neill MacColl
Leroy Lendor
Martyn Barker
Kate St. John
Past membersKevin Flanagan
Clive Lawson
David Larcombe
Constance Redgrave
Greg Harewood
Callum MacColl

The Bible are an English band. The band released two critically acclaimed albums in the mid-1980s and are best known for the independent chart hits "Graceland" and "Mahalia". Since The Bible's first split in 1990, lead singer Boo Hewerdine has maintained a solo career while the band itself has been intermittently active.

Contents

History

Early years and "Walking the Ghost Back Home" (1985–1986)

The Bible was formed in 1985 in Cambridge, when former Great Divide frontman Boo Hewerdine teamed up with keyboard player/drummer Tony Shepherd (who'd played with jazz bands and drummed for Cambridge bands The Wobbly Jellies and Somewhere in the Foreign Office, the latter of which had featured future satirist Chris Morris on bass). [1] [2] Using Hewerdine's savings and several budget-rate studios, the duo recorded The Bible's debut album Walking the Ghost Back Home with the assistance of bass player Clive Lawson, jazz saxophonist Kevin Flanagan and drummer Dave Larcombe (the latter of failed "Oxbridge Duran Duran" band Roaring Boys). [3]

Walking the Ghost Back Home was released in 1986 on the independent record label Backs Records. The album was well received by music pundits, giving The Bible a top-ten hit on the UK Independent Chart and staying in the chart for ten weeks. [2] This was followed by the first release of "Graceland" as a single, which gave them a minor hit in the UK. After follow-up single "Mahalia" (which reached number 15 on the UK Independent Chart [2] ) The Bible was consolidated as a five piece group. Dave Larcombe was recruited as a full-time drummer (allowing Shepherd to concentrate on keyboards), Larcombe's former Roaring Boys bandmate Neill MacColl (brother of Kirsty MacColl) was recruited as lead guitarist after performing on various Bible B-sides, and Clive Lawson was replaced by a full-time bass guitarist, Leroy Lendor. [3] [4]

Chrysalis period: "Eureka", "The Bible" and first split (1987–1990)

On the strength of Walking the Ghost Back Home, The Bible signed to Chrysalis Records. "Graceland" was re-mixed for single re-release in February 1987 (though it eventually charted only slightly higher than the original release). [3] Leroy Lendor had left the band at this point, and to cover for him the band brought in former Christian Death bass player Constance Redgrave to play on the remaining tracks on the "Graceland" EP and on 1987 live dates.

By the time The Bible began recording tracks for a second album (initially self-producing with Pete Smith and Owen Morris), the band were without a bass player again. Neill MacColl's brother Calum – a respected multi-instrumentalist from the folk music scene – guested on bass guitar for the sessions. Unsatisfied with their initial work, The Bible ditched the existing new album recordings (some of which would later surface as B-sides) and opted to start again.

At the suggestion of their management, the band recruited American country-rocker Steve Earle as their new producer, and recorded a more successful set of sessions with yet another guest bass player (this time Greg Harewood of Incognito/Soul II Soul/Mirage). These formed the basis for most of the second Bible album, Eureka, released in January 1988.

In spite of good reviews, the commercial performance of Eureka was disappointing – the album peaked at number 71 on the UK Albums Chart [3] and its three singles failed to chart. Although the band had begun to record a third album (to be titled Anticlockwise), Chrysalis rejected the initial recordings in favour of repackaging earlier material. Leroy Lendor returned to the band in time for a re-recording of "Graceland" which provided The Bible with their highest charting single to date (reaching number 51 in the UK in April 1989 [3] )

Chrysalis then opted to compile the new version of "Graceland" with most of the Eureka tracks as a stopgap album called The Bible, filling out the remaining space on the record with a number of B-sides. As further promotion, the Eureka single "Honey Be Good" was re-released and gave The Bible a second hit later that year, reaching number 54. [3] The additional commercial pressures of being on a larger label did not sit well with Hewerdine, who later recalled "I think I felt under a lot of pressure. There were a lot of people telling me what I should do and I felt very bullied." [5]

In early 1990, The Bible broke up in farcical circumstances. Having flown to Germany to perform "Honey Be Good" on what turned out to be a TV talent show, they lost to a man who performed under the name of Mr Gadget, wore a spinning bowtie with lights on it, and won by 140,000 votes as compared to The Bible's twelve. As Hewerdine later remembered it, "we all took it so personally that we split up." [5]

Post-split work and mid-'90s reformation (1990–1994)

Having already recorded a duo album with Darden Smith in between previous Bible commitments, Hewerdine now began a solo career. Shepherd moved into music teaching and session playing (among other work, playing keyboards on a number of early Oasis tours), while MacColl and Lendor teamed up with Calum MacColl and drummer/keyboard player Robert Bond III in a new band called Liberty Horses (who released a single album, Joyland, in 1993). In spite of the break-up, relationships between the band members remained fairly amicable: when interviewed in 2013, they would claim to have never really split up, but just to have periodically stopped when the band's money ran out and made it impossible to continue.

In 1994, The Bible reformed (with the lineup of Hewerdine, Shepherd, Larcombe, Lendor and Neill MacColl) for recordings and a tour. The band released the Dreamlife EP in 1994. [4] Tracks for a new album were recorded, including several songs co-written with former Danny Wilson frontman Gary Clark, a songwriting collaborator of Hewerdine's.

Unfortunately, the band's new record deal failed and The Bible split up again before they could complete and release the album. MacColl went on to team up with Gary Clark in the band King L, who released one album (Great Day For Gravity) in 1995, featuring several more Clark/Hewerdine co-writes including "Greedy" and "Last Cigarette". Versions of both of the latter songs (plus the original title track from the Dreamlife EP and a version of the unreleased Bible song "Junk") surfaced on Hewerdine's 1996 solo album Baptist Hospital, which featured several appearances by MacColl (who also guested on the live dates).

In 1999 the proposed third Bible album was finally assembled and released posthumously, under the name of Dodo. [5]

Second reformation (2011–present)

The various members of The Bible maintained contact over the following decade-and-a-half. During this time Hewerdine continued his solo career and worked with Eddi Reader, while MacColl played with David Gray and Kathryn Williams.

In late 2011, The Bible reunited for two concerts (at the ABC 1/2 in Glasgow on 29 September and The Grand in Clapham, London on 30 September) to promote the new Red Grape Records reissue of Walking the Ghost Back Home. In addition to the promotional dates, they also announced that they were working on new material.

In 2013, Eureka was reissued for its 25th anniversary by Cherry Red Records as a double disc, including B-sides and different mixes. The Bible played two dates in promotion at the Islington Assembly Hall (1 March) and The Met in Bury (15 March), with an unavailable Dave Larcombe now replaced on drums by Martyn Barker (Shriekback, King Swamp) and with former Dream Academy member Kate St John playing saxophones and accordion. A live album recorded at the Bury gig was scheduled for later in the year but has not yet been released. The concerts saw the debut of two new Bible songs, 'Money Spider' and 'Static'. The band are currently recording a fourth album in intermittent sessions "as and when schedules allow". [6]

The band recently performed a 30th Anniversary concert – originally scheduled for September 2016, but cancelled, the concert took place on 27 January 2017 at Under the Bridge in Fulham.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Compilation albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysalis Records</span> British record label

Chrysalis Records is a British record label that was founded in 1968. The name is both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders' names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis. It started as the Ellis-Wright Agency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dream Syndicate</span> American alternative rock band

The Dream Syndicate is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1981 to 1989, and reunited since 2012. The band is associated with neo-psychedelia and the Paisley Underground music movement; of the bands in that movement, according to the Los Angeles Times, the Dream Syndicate "rocked with the highest degree of unbridled passion and conviction." Though never commercially successful, the band met with considerable acclaim, especially for its songwriting and guitar playing. Bandleader Steve Wynn reformed the band in 2012, and a fifth studio album was released in February 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katrina and the Waves</span> British-American rock band

Katrina and the Waves were a British rock band formed in Cambridge in 1981, widely known for their 1985 hit "Walking on Sunshine". They also won the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Love Shine a Light".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boo Hewerdine</span> English singer-songwriter

Mark "Boo" Hewerdine is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. His work includes lead singer and creative force behind The Bible, formed in the 1980s, and reformed in 1994, as well as solo recordings and work for film. He has also produced records by several artists, including a long association with Eddi Reader. He has been described as "one of Britain's most consistently accomplished songwriters".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodbye Mr Mackenzie</span> Scottish rock band

Goodbye Mr Mackenzie is a Scottish rock band formed in Bathgate near Edinburgh. At the band's commercial peak, the line-up consisted of Martin Metcalfe on vocals, John Duncan on guitar, Fin Wilson on bass guitar, Shirley Manson and Rona Scobie on keyboards and backing vocals, and Derek Kelly on drums. Joe Cowan was a vocalist with the band before leaving due to a breakdown which was kept from the other members. Cowan would go on to front various projects, including, Justice, who signed to Chrysalis Records. He has since recorded under different names as a solo artist. Cowan has also written several books under a different name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathryn Williams</span> English singer-songwriter

Kathryn Williams is an English singer-songwriter who to date has released 14 studio albums, written and arranged for a multitude of artists, and was nominated for the 2000 Mercury Music Prize.

<i>Introduction</i> (Alex Parks album) 2003 studio album by Alex Parks

Introduction is Alex Parks' debut album, released on 24 November 2003. Recorded and released within only two weeks of Parks winning the BBC's Fame Academy, it included seven original compositions, mostly co-written with songwriters Helen Boulding, Gary Clark and Boo Hewerdine, as well as six cover songs from John Lennon, Tears for Fears, R.E.M., Christina Aguilera, Eurythmics and Coldplay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghost Dance (band)</span> British gothic rock and post-punk band

Ghost Dance is a British gothic rock and post-punk band formed in 1985 by Gary Marx and Anne-Marie Hurst as both were leaving their respective bands. The band were originally signed to Nick Jones' record label, Karbon Records, then were later signed to the major label Chrysalis Records, before splitting up in 1989. In 2019, the band reformed with Hurst being joined by new members: Tim Walker, guitar; Stephen Derrig, guitar; Phil Noble, bass; Dave Wood; drums. They began work on new material. Reunion shows followed in the UK and the band signed to Voltage Records for a new album release in 2022.

<i>Peacetime</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Eddi Reader

Peacetime is the eighth studio album by Eddi Reader released in the UK on 29 January 2007.

<i>Simple Soul</i> 2001 studio album by Eddi Reader

Simple Soul is the fifth studio album by Eddi Reader released in the UK on 29 January 2001.

<i>Angels & Electricity</i> 1998 studio album by Eddi Reader

Angels & Electricity is the fourth studio album by Eddi Reader released in the UK on 11 May 1998.

<i>Candyfloss and Medicine</i> 1996 studio album by Eddi Reader

Candyfloss and Medicine is the third studio album by Eddi Reader released in the UK on 8 July 1996, which peaked #24 in the UK charts.

<i>Eddi Reader</i> (album) 1994 studio album by Eddi Reader

Eddi Reader is the second studio album by the Scottish singer Eddi Reader released in the United Kingdom on 20 June 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooks Williams</span> American songwriter

Brooks Williams is an American acoustic guitarist and singer-songwriter. His style combines roots, jazz, blues, classical, and folk. He has released albums of contemporary folk music, blues music, and of instrumental guitar music. In addition to his solo recordings and tours, he has frequently recorded and toured with many other musicians over the years, including Boo Hewerdine, Jim Henry, Guy Davis, Hans Theessink, Steve Tilston and Sloan Wainwright.

<i>Driftwood</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Eddi Reader

Driftwood is the sixth studio album by Eddi Reader released in the UK on 8 October 2001.

<i>The Last Temptation of Chris</i> 2008 studio album by Chris Difford

The Last Temptation of Chris is an album by Chris Difford, one of the founding members of the new wave band Squeeze. It was released on 7 April 2008. This is his second solo album, a follow-up to I Didn't Get Where I Am in 2002. It is dedicated to Difford's brother, Les, who died before its release. The title is a play on The Last Temptation of Christ. The cover shows Difford slouched at a counter with a cup of coffee and wearing a black Homburg hat and a black Astrakhan coat, in homage to the comedian Tony Hancock as depicted in a photograph.

<i>Love Is the Way</i> 2009 studio album by Eddi Reader

Love Is the Way is the ninth studio album by Eddi Reader. It was released in the UK on 13 April 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirsty MacColl</span> English singer and songwriter (1959–2000)

Kirsty Anna MacColl was an English singer and songwriter, daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl. She recorded several pop hits in the 1980s and 1990s, including "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis" and cover versions of Billy Bragg's "A New England" and the Kinks' "Days". Her first single, "They Don't Know", had chart success a few years later when covered by Tracey Ullman. MacColl also sang on a number of recordings produced by her then-husband Steve Lillywhite, most notably "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues. Her death in 2000 led to the "Justice for Kirsty" campaign.

<i>Alone Again (Naturally)</i> (album) 1972 studio album by Andy Williams

Alone Again (Naturally) is the thirtieth studio album by American pop singer Andy Williams, released in September 1972 by Columbia Records and mainly consisting of songs originated by other artists. For its release in the UK, the album was titled The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face), and three of the songs were replaced with the 7-inch single tracks "Who Was It?" and "Marmalade, Molasses & Honey" and a recording that was not released on vinyl in the U.S., "If You're Gonna Break Another Heart".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joke (I'm Laughing)</span> 1994 single by Eddi Reader

"Joke (I'm Laughing)" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader, which was released in 1994 as the second single from her second studio album Eddi Reader. It was written by Boo Hewerdine and produced by Greg Penny. "Joke (I'm Laughing)" reached No. 42 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 100 for three weeks.

References

  1. Booklet notes, Walking The Ghost Back Home reissue Archived 20 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  2. 1 2 3 Lazell, Barry (1998) Indie Hits 1980–1989, Cherry Red Books, ISBN   0-9517206-9-4, p. 20
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN   1-84195-335-0, p. 223
  4. 1 2 Ankeny, Jason "The Bible Biography", AllMusic. Retrieved 30 November 2010
  5. 1 2 3 "About Boo Hewerdine" Archived 5 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine page on Boo Hewerdine homepage
  6. "The Bible Interview", Music-News.com, 5 March 2013
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bible", Chart Stats. Retrieved 30 November 2010