Mad Bad and Dangerous To Know
By Aaron Proctor (grsapnuwaver@aol.com)
Today, I'm going to talk about an often common sight in New Wave music - how bands connect to each other. It's strange how the bassist of a group will be the lead singer for another group whose drummer was in another group - and all of these groups produced fabulous music and some went on to be icons of the 80's.
But first, let's look at the Dalek I Love You-Teardrop Explodes-Big In Japan connection (which leads to other groups, in fact)..
Dalek, I Love You
Like so many memorable bands of the post-punk era, Dalek I Love You emerged from Liverpool, England, rising out of the Eric's Club scene which also launched Echo and the Bunnymen and the Teardrop Explodes. Formed from the ashes of the group Radio Blank, Dalek I Love You was founded in November 1977 by guitarist Alan Gill and bassist David Balfe; while Balfe wished to call the band the Daleks, Gill preferred Darling I Love You. Upon reaching a compromise, the duo recruited keyboardist Dave Hughes, synth player Chris "Teepee" Shaw and a drum machine, completing the first of many fluid line-ups.
After issuing a handful of singles experimenting with electronic pop sounds, Balfe exited to join Big in Japan (later settling in the Teardrop Explodes), and by the release of their 1980 debut Compass Kum'pass, Dalek I Love You was already splintering: Hughes soon departed to join Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and before long Gill reunited with Balfe in the Teardrop Explodes. However, in 1983 a line-up of Dalek I Love You comprising none of the original members issued a self-titled LP on the Korova label; as simply Dalek I, they also released the cassette-only Naive in 1985 before finally calling it a day.
The Teardrop Explodes
One of the pivotal groups to emerge from the Liverpool neo-psychedelia community during the late '70s, the Teardrop Explodes was a showcase for Julian Cope, a notoriously eccentric figure whose unfashionable love of Krautrock and hallucinogenic drugs set him distinctly apart from the prevailing punk mentality of the era. Cope formed the band in 1978 after a tenure in the Crucial Three (also comprised of Echo and the Bunnymen's Ian McCulloch and Wah!'s Pete Wylie); taking their name from a panel in a Marvel comic book, the premiere lineup of the Teardrop Explodes also featured guitarist Mick Finkler and drummer Gary Dwyer as well as keyboardist Paul Simpson, with whom Cope previously played in the short-lived A Shallow Madness.
Upon signing to Bill Drummond and David Balfe's fledgling Zoo label, the quartet issued their 1979 debut single "Sleeping Gas," a surreal electro-pop effort distinguished by its swirling keyboard washes; Simpson exited the Teardrop Explodes' ranks in the wake of the record's release, allowing Balfe to assume keyboard and production duties for the bizarre follow-up "Bouncing Babies." After touring with Echo and the Bunnymen, the group concentrated on steamlining the more excessive elements of its sound: the result, the buoyant "Treason (It's Just a Story)," nearly reached the pop charts.
After Finkler was replaced by former Dalek I Love You guitarist Alan Gill, the Teardrop Explodes issued 1980's infectious "When I Dream," which hit the U.K. Top 50 and even garnered some airplay in the U.S. Finally, in October the band's debut LP Kilimanjaro appeared to rave reviews and respectable sales; early in 1981, the single "Reward" hit the Top Ten, and a subsequent reissue of "Treason (It's Just a Story)" surged into the Top 20. Still, the Teardrop Explodes' roster continued to fluctuate wildly, and soon Gill exited to make room for guitarist Troy Tate in time to record 1981's ambitious Wilder, highlighted by the smash "Passionate Friend."
A tour of the States followed, with disastrous results; Tate quickly broke ranks to join Fashion, leaving the remaining trio to begin work on a planned third LP, to be dubbed Everybody Wants to Shag the Teardrop Explodes. In the midst of recording, however, Cope dissolved the band; only a 1983 EP dubbed You Disappear from View appeared on schedule, although the unfinished sessions were finally released in full in 1990 under their projected title. In the wake of the Teardrop Explodes' breakup, Balfe later re-emerged as the founder of the Food Records label, while Cope embarked on a successful and occasionally brilliant solo career.
Big In Japan
Although Big In Japan recorded only a handful of cuts during its brief, 15-month history, they have achieved somewhat legendary status by virtue of their membership, most of which went on to bigger and better things. Drummer Budgie went on to join the Slits and, most famously, Siouxsie and the Banshees; bassist Holly Johnson later became the lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood; guitarist Ian Broudie joined the Original Mirrors, formed the Lightning Seeds, and became a well-known producer; guitarist Bill Drummond became one-half of the dance group the KLF, as well as playing in Lori & the Chameleons and running the Zoo label; bassist/keyboardist Dave Balfe went on to join Lori & the Chameleons, as well as the Teardrop Explodes, and founded the Food label; and singer Jayne Casey led both Pink Military and Pink Industry. The remainder of the band consisted of vocalist Ken Ward and drummer Phil Allen.
Formed in 1977, Big In Japan itself released only one side of a single during its existence, a split with the Yachts (who recorded under the name the Chuddy Nuddies); the remainder of their recorded output consisted of two compilation tracks and a four-track 7-inch EP, From Y to Z and Never Again (1978).
My personal favorite track from Dalek, I Love You is "Masks & Licenses". From the Teardrop Explodes, I enjoy the ever-popular "Reward". And from Big In Japan? Well - I enjoy Pink Military a lot more.
Thanks to everyone who took time to read this and I hope I've either entertained or informed you all. My sweetie got me a bunch of skinny ties for Valentine's Day. I am one happy New Waver.
God Save New Wave.
Related Links for today's article:
None this week.
Next Time: An interview with the best DJ in Los Angeles, Liz. She has an amazing amount of New Wave knowledge and excellent tastes & opinions of the genre. I will tell you that Los Angeles is the *place to be* if you're as obsessed with New Wave as I am.
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