The Lotus Eaters (band)

Last updated

The Lotus Eaters
Peter Coyle (2021).jpg
Peter Coyle performing live at Let's Rock Liverpool, 31 July 2021. Photograph by Andrew D. Hurley
Background information
Origin Liverpool, England
Genres New wave
Years active1981–1985
2002–present
Labels Arista, Cherry Red
MembersPeter Coyle
Jeremy "Jem" Kelly
Stephen Emmer
Past members Ged Quinn
Alan Wills
Phil Lucking
Michael Dempsey
Stephen Creese
Website thelotuseaters.com

The Lotus Eaters are an English new wave band formed in 1981 in Liverpool. Their debut single, "The First Picture of You", became a hit in the UK and in continental Europe, notably France, Italy, Belgium and Spain. [1]

Contents

History

Formation and success

The Lotus Eaters was formed in September 1982. Jeremy "Jem" Kelly had been guitarist in the Dance Party with Michael Head and co-founded the Wild Swans in 1980. [2] Peter Coyle had previously been in the Jass Babies. Joined by ex-Wild Swans member Ged Quinn on keyboards, the Jass Babies were offered to record a session for John Peel in August 1982, but before they could fulfill their commitment the band broke up. [3]

Coyle and Quinn then invited Kelly to join them, extended the line-up with drummer Alan Wills and bassist Phil Lucking, [4] and recorded the Peel session in October 1982 as the Lotus Eaters including the song "The First Picture of You". [5] This led to the band being signed by Arista Records.

Replacing Wills and Lucking with bassist Michael Dempsey (formerly of the Cure and Associates) and drummer Steve Crease, "The First Picture of You", produced by Nigel Gray, became an iconic song for the Lotus Eaters in 1983, giving them a UK hit single before the band had even played a live gig. The band recorded a second session for Peel in October 1983. [6]

The band's debut studio album, No Sense of Sin , was released in 1984 on Arista subsidiary Sylvan Records, preceded by two further singles, "You Don't Need Someone New" and "Out on Your Own". Both of these songs hit the top 100 of the UK Singles Chart, [1] but owing to difficulties with producers and marketing, the impact of "The First Picture of You" was not repeated in the UK.

Line-up changes and disbandment

The Lotus Eaters toured extensively in the UK, France and Italy before going on hiatus in 1985 after Quinn had departed (replaced by keyboard player Stephen Emmer, formerly of Minny Pops) and parting ways with Arista. [2] "It Hurts", their final single, charted in the Italian Top 5 that year, [7] but the band had already split up, leaving a promotional video featuring footage of Louise Brooks to represent them. [8]

Aftermath

Coyle recorded as a solo artist, releasing the albums A Slap in the Face for Public Taste and I'd Sacrifice Eight Orgasms with Shirley MacLaine Just to Be There, and went on to found dance company 8 Productions and the G-Love nightclub. [9] As a songwriter/producer, he had success with Marina Van-Rooy's 1990 single "Sly One", and worked with a host of emerging artists on Liverpool's dance scene. Coyle later pursued academic interests at the University of Edinburgh. [10]

Meanwhile, Kelly reformed the Wild Swans, releasing the Bringing Home the Ashes album on Sire in 1988. [2] He co-wrote an album, Soul Fire (released in 2001), with Tom Hingley (ex-Inspiral Carpets), before leaving to study for a PhD in memory-themed multimedia theatre at the University of Reading. [11] Since 1989, Kelly has been writing, staging and performing in music-driven theatre, including Phantoms of the Aperture Part 1: Ted (2015) and Phantoms of the Aperture Part 2: Pictures of Me (2016) examining intersections of time, space, memory and music.

A compilation album of the Lotus Eaters' music, First Picture of You, was released in 1998 by Vinyl Japan/BBC Worldwide, consisting of sessions recorded at BBC Radio 1. No Sense of Sin was reissued that same year by Arista Japan. [12]

Reunion

In 2001, the Lotus Eaters, comprising the duo of Coyle and Kelly, reformed after almost two decades, recording and releasing a new album titled Silentspace on the Vinyl Japan label. [13]

On 13 March 2009, the band announced a one-off concert to be held at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on 25 July. [14] The gig, a performance of the album No Sense of Sin, featured Coyle, Kelly and Emmer accompanied by a string quartet from the University of Huddersfield. [15]

In April 2009, Coyle and Kelly collaborated with Emmer, and announced that they were working with producer Steve Power on material for a new album called A Plug-in Called Nostalgia, [15] which has yet to be released. [16] A limited-edition acoustic album, Differance, was issued the following year as a limited release on Sylvan. [17]

The Lotus Eaters played their first London show in 10 years at the Camden Barfly on 11 June 2010, followed by a string of shows in the UK. The band also toured in Japan in October 2010, with gigs in Tokyo and Osaka.

In 2015, the band announced on their Facebook page that they were still working to release A Plug-in Called Nostalgia. [18]

In 2017, Coyle performed solo in a one-night-only show in Manila. [19]

Discography

Studio albums

YearTitleLabel
UK
[1] [20]
1984 No Sense of Sin Arista Records/Sylvan Records96
2002SilentspaceVinyl Japan—
2010DifferanceSylvan Records—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Singles

YearTitleLabelPeak chart positions
AUS
[21] 		UK
[20]
1983"The First Picture of You"Arista/Sylvan Records6315
"You Don't Need Someone New"—53
1984"Set Me Apart"—88
"Out on Your Own"——
"German Girl"——
1985"It Hurts"—87
2001Stay Free (EP)Vinyl Japan——
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simple Minds</span> Scottish rock band

Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977, becoming best known internationally for their song "Don't You " (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Other commercially successful singles include "Promised You a Miracle" (1982), "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983), "Alive and Kicking" (1985), "Sanctify Yourself" (1986), "Let There Be Love" (1991), "She's a River" (1995), and the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Motors</span> British pub rock band

The Motors were a British pub rock band formed in London in 1977 by former Ducks Deluxe members Nick Garvey and Andy McMaster together with guitarist Rob Hendry and drummer Ricky Slaughter. Their biggest success was with the McMaster-penned song "Airport", a number 4 UK hit single in 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inspiral Carpets</span> English rock band

Inspiral Carpets is an English rock band, part of the late-1980s/early-1990s Madchester movement. Formed in Oldham in 1983, the band's most successful lineup featured frontman Tom Hingley, drummer Craig Gill, guitarist Graham Lambert, bassist Martyn Walsh and keyboardist Clint Boon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Shelley</span> English singer-songwriter (1955–2018)

Pete Shelley was an English singer, songwriter and guitarist. He formed early punk band Buzzcocks with Howard Devoto in 1976, and became the lead singer and guitarist in 1977 when Devoto left. The group released their biggest hit "Ever Fallen in Love " in 1978. The band broke up in 1981 and reformed at the end of the decade. Shelley also had a solo career; his song "Homosapien" charted in Australasia and Canada in 1981 and 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Even as We Speak</span> Australian indie band

Even As We Speak is an Australian indie band from Sydney. Formed in the mid-1980s, founding members Matthew Love and Mary Wyer were later joined by Rob Irwin (bass) Anita Rayner, Paul Clarke and Julian Knowles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China Crisis</span> English new wave and synth-pop band

China Crisis are an English new wave and synth-pop band formed in Kirkby, near Liverpool, Merseyside in 1979 with a core of lead vocalist/keyboardist Gary Daly and guitarist/vocalist Eddie Lundon. Initially a politically charged post-punk band influenced by Brian Eno's ambient soundscapes, China Crisis soon crossed over to a more commercial sound and had success in the United Kingdom in the 1980s with ten top-50 singles, including the top-10 hit "Wishful Thinking", and three albums charting in or just outside the top 20, including Working with Fire and Steel and the top-10 entry Flaunt the Imperfection, that both received a gold certification.

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

The Lurkers are a British punk rock band from Uxbridge, West London. They were the first group to be on Beggars Banquet Records for whom they released two albums, the first of which charted in the UK Albums Chart, while five singles also charted in the UK singles chart.

<i>Bustin + Dronin</i> 1998 remix album / live album by Blur

Bustin' + Dronin' is a remix compilation/live album by the band Blur. It was originally only released in Japan but was also released in limited quantities in the UK and the US, and being released only on double-CD format. The first disc featured all the remixed songs from the band's eponymous album, Blur. After five albums with the same producer, Food Records turned the songs from Blur over to other producers for remixing. The band later chose William Orbit to produce their sixth studio album, 13. The second disc featured their live at John Peel's live session called "Peel Acres". Due to its low key, limited release in the UK, Bustin' + Dronin' only reached number 50 on the albums chart, though it is the only import release by the band to chart in the UK.

<i>Phantasmagoria</i> (The Damned album) 1985 studio album by the Damned

Phantasmagoria is the sixth album by English rock band the Damned, released by MCA in July 1985. Special editions were available on white vinyl or picture disc; some versions included a free 12-inch of their No. 3 hit "Eloise". It is the first album by the band without original member Captain Sensible, and was a style shift to gothic rock compared to the band's punk sound of its early career.

Ooberman were an English band first formed in 1997 in Liverpool, England. The band released their debut album The Magic Treehouse in 1999. They split up in 2003, shortly after the release of their second album Hey Petrunko, but reformed in 2006 and released their third album Carried Away the same year. Six of their singles have charted on the UK singles chart, with "Blossoms Falling" (1999) peaking at #39.

The Wild Swans are a post-punk band from Liverpool, England, formed in 1980 shortly after Paul Simpson left the Teardrop Explodes. The band's personnel has been subject to regular turnover, with vocalist Simpson being the only constant member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Membranes</span> English band

The Membranes are an English post-punk band formed in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1977, the initial line-up being John Robb, Mark Tilton (guitar), Martyn Critchley (vocals) and Martin Kelly (drums). Critchley soon left, with Robb and Tilton taking on vocals, and Kelly moving to keyboards, with "Coofy Sid" (Coulthart) taking over on drums.

It's Immaterial are an English indie pop band from Liverpool, England, formed in 1980. They are best known for their 1986 single "Driving Away from Home ", which reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The First Picture of You</span> 1983 single by The Lotus Eaters

"The First Picture of You" is a song by English band the Lotus Eaters. It was released as the group's debut single in July 1983, and was included on their debut album No Sense of Sin released the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dead 60s</span> English ska punk band

The Dead 60s were an English ska punk band from Liverpool. The band's sound is a mixture of punk rock, ska, dub and reggae. They have taken influences from artists such as King Tubby, Jackie Mittoo, Gang of Four and A Certain Ratio.

Smaller were an English alternative rock Britpop band from Liverpool, active during the 1990s. They had a Top 5 hit in UK Independent Charts with God I hate this town and top 55 UK national hits with "Wasted" and "Is" in 1996 and 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Emmer</span> Dutch musician

Stephen Emmer is a Dutch composer, arranger, producer, sound designer and musician. Best known as a composer for Dutch television and film, Emmer has released four albums as a solo artist, each with a different theme or concept. Vogue Estate released in 1982, is the soundtrack for an imaginary film; 2007’s Recitement is a spoken word album of poetry and prose; International Blue, released in 2014, is a tribute to pop crooners. In 2017 Emmer released Home Ground, a neo-soul album that addresses social issues related to origin.

<i>No Sense of Sin</i> 1984 studio album by the Lotus Eaters

No Sense of Sin is the debut studio album of English band the Lotus Eaters. It was released in 1984 by record label Arista. It contains their popular single, "The First Picture of You", released the previous year.

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

The Sherlocks are an indie rock band from South Yorkshire.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 330. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  2. 1 2 3 Strong, Martin C. (2003). The Great Indie Discography. Canongate. p. 571. ISBN   1-84195-335-0.
  3. ↑ "The Lotus Eaters". Smash Hits 21 July-3 August 1983. p. 42.
  4. ↑ First Picture of You (CD liner notes).
  5. ↑ "BBC – Radio 1 – Keeping It Peel – 02/10/1982 Lotus Eaters". BBC . Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "BBC – Radio 1 – Keeping It Peel – 05/10/1983 Lotus Eaters". BBC . Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "Release details for Lotus Eaters - First Picture of You on the Vinyl Japan record label, catalogue number: ASKCD77". Pennyblackmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Homage to Lulu". Pandorasbox.com. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  9. ↑ Sutton, Michael. "Peter Coyle | Biography | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "Peter Coyle fractal | the raw edges of passion | Bio". Petercoyle.com. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Department of Film, Theatre & Television - University of Reading". www.reading.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  12. ↑ Sutton, Michael. "The Lotus Eaters | Music Biography, Streaming Radio and Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  13. ↑ Sutton, Michael. "Silentspace – The Lotus Eaters | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  14. ↑ Wright, Jade. "Lotus Eaters relish return to home stage at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall". Liverpool Echo . Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  15. 1 2 "Peter Coyle fractal | the raw edges of passion | News : The Lotus Eaters playing live at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall July 25th". Petercoyle.com. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "Peter Coyle fractal | the raw edges of passion | Home". Petercoyle.com. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  17. ↑ "News". Thelotuseaters.com. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  18. ↑ "The Lotus Eaters UK". Facebook. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  19. ↑ "Peter Coyle 2017 Manila [DOLBY] – YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  20. 1 2 "LOTUS EATERS - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  21. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 181. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
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.