Animal Logic (band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Stewart Copeland, Stanley Clarke, Deborah Holland |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Animal Logic is a U.S.-based musical group established in 1987 by drummer Stewart Copeland, bassist Stanley Clarke, and vocalist-songwriter Deborah Holland. The trio produced two albums under the management of Miles Copeland III—Stewart Copeland’s brother and head of I.R.S. Records—before eventually parting ways.
Origins and early touring
In 1987, while engaged with the opera Holy Blood and Crescent Moon, Stewart Copeland aimed to re-enter the pop music arena. Partnering with bassist Stanley Clarke, he assembled a band featuring a female lead vocalist, discovering Deborah Holland through publisher Dan Howell.[1] Former Police guitarist Andy Summers initially joined on guitar.
The group briefly toured Brazil in November 1987 under the name Rush Hour. Following this tour, Summers departed to concentrate on his solo career, wary of being compared to the Police.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Animal Logic debut album (1989)
Copeland and Clarke personally funded their first album and secured a deal with I.R.S. Records, headed by Miles Copeland.[1]
The band adopted the name Animal Logic after Miles misheard lyrics from a punk track. They obtained legal rights to the name following some disputes.
The album’s artwork displayed three dalmatians, an image originally declined for the Police’s greatest hits compilation Every Breath You Take: The Singles, which Stewart Copeland had favored.[2]
Miles Copeland had intended to involve a high-profile guitarist and arranged a session with Joe Walsh from The Eagles, who ultimately did not participate. Guitarist Michael Thompson, previously connected with Holland, stepped in for the song "Spy In The House Of Love" and contributed both to the album and a subsequent Asia tour.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Issued in 1989 through I.R.S. Records in North America and Virgin Records internationally, Animal Logic featured the single "Spy in the House of Love," supported by an MTV music video and a live appearance on Late Night with David Letterman on November 10, 1989.
Animal Logic II and dissolution (1991)
The band’s sophomore album, Animal Logic II, arrived in 1991 and included a duet with Jackson Browne on "Another Place," recorded at Browne’s Santa Monica facility. Rusty Anderson, who would later become Paul McCartney’s lead guitarist, recorded and toured with Animal Logic. Promotion for the album included a video for “Rose Colored Glasses” and a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on November 7, 1991.
Clarke’s expanding commitments as a film composer hindered touring opportunities. Without the ability to promote the album or find a replacement for Clarke, Animal Logic disbanded, leading Holland to embark on a solo career.
Reunions and subsequent endeavors
Both Clarke and Copeland participated in Deborah Holland’s debut solo effort, Freudian Slip (1994).
On September 11, 2013, Copeland shared a Sacred Grove video showcasing an Animal Logic reunion featuring himself, Holland, and Clarke performing Holland’s new composition "Whipping Boy."
In January 2019, Holland posted photos and videos from a fresh Animal Logic recording session at Sacred Grove with Copeland and Clarke. By March that year, she revealed work on two EPs—one solo planned for 2020 and another with Animal Logic without a confirmed release date. On February 25, 2020, Holland announced her sixth solo album, Fine, Thank You, released March 27, which included Copeland’s contributions on four tracks.
In March 2020, Holland confirmed that Animal Logic was completing five new songs intended for an EP; however, progress largely depended on Clarke’s availability.
In October 2022, Holland announced two new singles from Animal Logic—"Can You Tell Me" and "Ordinary"—representing the band’s first new material in over thirty years.
Discography
Albums
- Animal Logic (1989)
- Animal Logic II (1991)
Singles
| Year | Title | CAN | UK | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | "There's A Spy (In the House of Love)" | 58 | 92 | Animal Logic |
| "As Soon As the Sun Goes Down" | 66 | - | ||
| 1991 | "Rose Colored Glasses" | 82 | - | Animal Logic II |
Band members
- Stewart Copeland – drums, guitar, keyboards
- Stanley Clarke – bass
- Deborah Holland – vocals, guitar, keyboards