Love and Rockets (band)

Love and Rockets

Daniel Ash with Love and Rockets at Lollapalooza 2008
Background information
Origin Northampton, England
Genres Alternative rock, gothic rock, post-punk
Years active 1985–1999, 2007–2009
Labels Beggars Banquet, RCA, American, Red Ant
Associated acts Bauhaus, Tones on Tail, The Bubblemen
Past members Daniel Ash
Kevin Haskins
David J

Love and Rockets were an English alternative rock band formed in 1985 by former Bauhaus members Daniel Ash (vocals, guitar and saxophone), David J (bass guitar and vocals) and Kevin Haskins (drums and synthesisers) after that group split in 1983. Ash and Haskins had recorded and performed in another band, Tones on Tail, between 1982 and 1984. Love and Rockets' fusion of underground rock music with elements of pop music provided an early catalyst for alternative rock. They released seven studio albums before breaking up in 1999 and reformed briefly in 2007 for a few live shows, before splitting again in 2009.

They are perhaps best known for their 1989 hit single "So Alive", which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[1]

History

Daniel Ash in 1986, while with the band in Oakland, California

The band's name was taken from the comic book series Love and Rockets by Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez. Gilbert later referred to the confusion caused by this in his book Love and Rockets X, as there were several different bands named "Love and Rockets" for a period.

Despite their previous band's status as gothic rock icons, Love and Rockets moved towards a slightly brighter and more pop-influenced sound, as demonstrated by their first minor hit being a cover of the Motown classic "Ball of Confusion". Their first studio album, 1985's Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven (1985), was an early example of alternative rock, combined with post-punk and psychedelic leanings.[2] Their second album, 1986's Express, continued in the same vein, adding even more of a pop feel to the mix. It included the dance hit "Yin and Yang (The Flowerpot Man)". The 1987 follow-up, Earth, Sun, Moon, had a more acoustic sound and spawned the minor hit "No New Tale to Tell". The following year, they released the single "The Bubblemen Are Coming" under the alias The Bubblemen.

In 1989 the band released their self-titled album, which presented a more AOR sound.[3] The second single from the album was the T. Rex-inspired song "So Alive", which became a hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100,[1] a feat no Bauhaus-related band or artist has achieved before or since.

Co-founder David J on bass, pictured in 2006

After a grueling tour schedule in support of their big hit, Love and Rockets took a few years off before returning to the studio together. The result was a move to an electronic sound that had more in common with The Orb than their rock or goth roots. Their label, RCA Records, dropped them. They signed with Rick Rubin's American Recordings to release Hot Trip to Heaven in 1994, followed in 1996 by Sweet F.A.. In April 1995, during the recording of Sweet F.A., a fire broke out in the house owned by American Recordings, where the band were living and recording. All of the members were uninjured, but their visiting friend Genesis P. Orridge of Psychic TV was injured whilst escaping the fire. The band lost their gear (a photo of a burnt guitar was used for the album cover of Sweet F.A.) and months of work on the album. There was a lengthy legal battle between the band, their label and the label's insurance company. Love and Rockets was found not responsible for the fire, but was left with a large legal bill.[4] Lift came out in 1998 on Red Ant Records, and the band disbanded in 1999.

Love and Rockets announced in October 2007 on their MySpace page that they would reform to play one song at "Cast a Long Shadow", a tribute to Joe Strummer and benefit for Strummerville, The Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music, on 22 December 2007 at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California. They covered The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go", playing the song twice, the second time inviting members of the audience to join them onstage to sing along.[5] They performed on 27 April 2008 at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and also at Lollapalooza on 3 August 2008 in Chicago.

In an interview in June 2009, Ash emphatically stated that he had no further plans to play with Love and Rockets. "We've worked together since 1980. I really want to work with new people, I'm sure everybody feels the same."[6]

A tribute album titled New Tales to Tell: A Tribute to Love and Rockets was released on 18 August 2009 featuring contributions from The Flaming Lips, Frank Black, Puscifer, A Place to Bury Strangers, Film School, Better Than Ezra, Johnny Dowd, The Dandy Warhols, Blaqk Audio, The Stone Foxes and Monster Magnet.[7]

Discography

Studio albums

References

  1. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (8th ed.). New York: Billboard Books. p. 381. ISBN 0-8230-7499-4.
  2. ↑ Dave Thompson. "Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven". Allmusic. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  3. ↑ Darling, Cary (30 August 1989). "Love and Rockets lifts off with newest album". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. p. D6. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "Love and Rockets Set to "Lift" Off". Rolling Stone.
  5. ↑ "LOVE & ROCKETS *LIVE* – JOE STRUMMER TRIBUTE ~ 22 DECEMBER 2007". pixievisionproductions.com. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  6. ↑ "Daniel Ash: Rock On". SuicideGirls. 22 June 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "Flaming Lips, Black Francis for Love And Rockets tribute". nme.com. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
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