All About Eve (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Julianne Regan, Tim Bricheno, Andy Cousin |
| Defunct | 1993; 2004 |
| Headquarters | Coventry (Julianne Regan's origin), Huddersfield (Tim Bricheno's origin) , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Julianne Regan (vocalist), Tim Bricheno (guitarist), Andy Cousin (bassist), Mark Price (drummer), Marty Willson-Piper (guitarist), Toni Haimi (guitarist) |
| Products | Albums, singles |
Number of employees | Band members |
All About Eve was an English rock ensemble established by vocalist Julianne Regan from Coventry, guitarist Tim Bricheno hailing from Huddersfield, and bassist Andy Cousin, with additional musicians joining as the band evolved. Their most successful UK single was Martha's Harbour released in 1988. The group was active initially from 1984 until 1993 and later reunited from 1999 to 2004, during which time they produced four albums that entered the UK Top 50. Their sound was characterized by a unique blend of folk-rock and gothic rock influences, with Regan gaining recognition as a distinguished vocalist within the British gothic rock movement of the late 1980s.
Formation
Julianne Regan, who had previously worked as a journalist and played bass for the gothic rock band Gene Loves Jezebel, departed to create The Swarm alongside Manuela Zwingmann of Xmal Deutschland; this project eventually transformed into All About Eve. The band's name drew inspiration from the 1950 cinematic classic All About Eve. The initial lineup featured Regan, Zwingmann, guitarist Bricheno, and bassist Gus Ferguson. In 1985, they independently released the single "D for Desire" before Zwingmann and Ferguson left—Ferguson went on to join Test Department. Bricheno suggested Andy Cousin as Ferguson’s successor; this trio, supported by a drum machine, issued the singles "In the Clouds" (1986) and "Flowers in Our Hair" (1987). These tracks exhibited an ethereal gothic style reminiscent of Cocteau Twins and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
After Regan contributed backing vocals to The Mission's album God's Own Medicine, All About Eve attracted industry interest and secured a contract with Phonogram Records. During this period, Mark Price joined as their drummer.
Initial album and commercial achievements
Their self-titled debut album, produced by Paul Samwell-Smith, was launched in 1988. It included UK charting singles such as "In the Clouds", "Wild-Hearted Woman", "Every Angel", "Martha's Harbour", and "What Kind of Fool". The album climbed to No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart and featured lyrics inspired by hippie philosophy, white magic, and fantastical fairy tale imagery. Media outlets occasionally classified their music within the gothic rock genre.
A memorable incident occurred during their mimed performance of "Martha's Harbour" on BBC’s Top of the Pops, where a technical glitch caused only the pre-recorded vocals to be broadcast without the band hearing them, resulting in a silent visual presentation. The band returned live the following week, which significantly aided the single’s rise on the charts.
Their sophomore album, Scarlet and Other Stories (1989), also reached the UK Albums Chart top 10 and was supported by a tour across the UK.
1990s developments
In 1990, guitarist Bricheno departed to join The Sisters of Mercy and other projects; he was succeeded by Marty Willson-Piper from The Church (band). The band released Touched by Jesus in 1991, featuring contributions from Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour on two tracks; this album reached the UK Top 20. Their subsequent release, Ultraviolet (1992) under MCA, peaked at No. 46. Following Regan’s exit and a brief continuation without her, All About Eve disbanded in early 1993. Material intended for a forthcoming album was later issued under Seeing Stars.
Regan embarked on new projects including forming Mice (band), collaborating with Bernard Butler, and participating in Jules et Jim with Jean-Marc Lederman.
Meanwhile, bassist Cousin joined a reformed Mission in 1993, contributing to their albums Neverland (1995) and Blue (1996) prior to their dissolution.
When Hussey reassembled Mission again in 1999 without Cousin on bass, Cousin invited Regan to revive All About Eve as their opening act. This reformed lineup—comprising Regan, Cousin, Willson-Piper, Ric Carter, and Del Hood—toured during 2000–2001 and released a live recording titled Live and Electric at the Union Chapel. Additionally, Regan, Willson-Piper, and Cousin performed acoustically as a trio, resulting in two live albums: Fairy Light Nights (2000) and Fairy Light Nights Volume 2 (2001).
In 2002, Willson-Piper departed to pursue other ventures; Toni Haimi replaced him on guitar. That year also saw the release of the live album/DVD Cinemasonic, featuring Regan, Cousin, Haimi, Carter, and Hood. Early recordings were compiled in Return to Eden, Vol. 1: The Early Recordings. Regan and Cousin additionally released an EP titled Iceland, which included winter-themed pieces such as reimagined versions of "December" alongside covers of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" and Queen's "A Winter's Tale."
Later Years
Following the departure of Carter and Hood, Ben Savigear stepped in to take over drumming duties from Carter. In the middle of 2004, shortly after unveiling their first single in ten years, "Let Me Go Home," the group disbanded once more. Their concluding show, which included Regan, Cousin, Haimi, and Savigear, was held at the Mean Fiddler in London on 30 April 2004 during a UK tour; this performance was recorded and shared through a fan-operated website.
Regan subsequently worked with The Eden House. In April 2009, she posted on Facebook that All About Eve was inactive and that a reunion seemed unlikely as members focused on separate ventures.
A comprehensive double CD titled Keepsakes, featuring singles, significant album tracks, unreleased rare material, and fresh recordings, was issued in March 2006. This release originally came with a DVD containing promotional videos and television appearances.
2019
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing on 20 July, Regan and Bricheno presented a new song and video called "Pale Blue Earth." They followed this with another track and video named "Seance," released on 31 October 2019.
2023
Julianne Regan and Tim Bricheno released a two-song single that included traditional Christmas carols "In The Bleak Midwinter" and "The Snows They Melt the Soonest."
2024
On 3 May, Regan & Bricheno launched a 10-track album entitled Apparitions via their Bandcamp platform.
Drummer Robin Guy died from cancer on 12 September 2024 at the age of 54.
Discography
- All About Eve (1988)
- Scarlet and Other Stories (1989)
- Touched by Jesus (1991)
- Ultraviolet (1992)