Bill Nelson's Red Noise
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Bill Nelson |
| Defunct | 1979 |
| Headquarters | England |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Bill Nelson's Red Noise, often simply called Red Noise, was a new wave ensemble led by Bill Nelson, who provided lead vocals and guitar. The group also featured his brother Ian Nelson on saxophone, Andy Clark on keyboards, and Rick Ford playing bass. Drummers Dave Mattacks and Steve Peer contributed briefly during different periods.
History
After the breakup of Be-Bop Deluxe, Bill Nelson transitioned away from blues, progressive, and glam rock influences toward new wave and electronic music, resulting in the formation of Red Noise. EMI’s Harvest Records stipulated that Nelson’s name be included in the band’s title, hence it became Bill Nelson's Red Noise. Keyboardist Andy Clark had previously been a member of Be-Bop Deluxe, while Ian Nelson had appeared on their 1976 single "Ships in the Night." Steve Peer joined the lineup for live performances following the album sessions; in the studio, most drum parts were played by Nelson himself, with Dave Mattacks handling more intricate rhythms.
Red Noise produced a single album, Sound-on-Sound, along with two singles—"Furniture Music" and "Revolt into Style"—released in early 1979. Subsequently, Bill Nelson embarked on a solo career during which Ian Nelson frequently collaborated throughout the 1980s. Andy Clark later worked with David Bowie on Scary Monsters (1980) and contributed to Peter Gabriel’s So (1986). Rick Ford went on to collaborate with Hazel O'Connor and Joe Jackson before moving to California to compose film scores. Steve Peer returned to work with TV Toy and established Custom Made Country as well as founding Reversing Recordings based in Maine.
Many enthusiasts consider Red Noise a direct successor to Be-Bop Deluxe due to Sound-on-Sound’s electronic sound, which bears resemblance to Be-Bop Deluxe’s final album Drastic Plastic. Nevertheless, Nelson viewed Red Noise as a departure rather than a continuation: "Drastic Plastic was our last effort to evolve the band... but it was tough for audiences to accept." While promoting the album, Red Noise included a performance of Be-Bop Deluxe’s "Possession."
In 1984, Nelson revealed that he had recorded a follow-up Red Noise album after Sound-on-Sound, but it was rejected by Harvest/EMI. Later, his manager secured some unreleased material for issuance through Nelson’s own Cocteau Records label. Among these tracks, "Do You Dream in Colour" received radio play and media attention due to its innovative video; all instruments and vocals were performed by Nelson except for saxophone parts by Ian. Other songs featured contributions from the full Red Noise lineup. Phonogram Records subsequently acquired the remaining recordings and released them via Mercury Records’ subsidiary in 1981 under the title Quit Dreaming And Get on the Beam, credited solely to Bill Nelson. Originally intended as a flexible project name rather than a fixed band identity, commercial demands eventually resulted in a more stable lineup.
The title of the Sound-on-Sound album served as inspiration for the name of the audio technology publication Sound on Sound.
Harvest’s 2012 CD reissue of Sound-on-Sound incorporated previously unreleased single B-sides along with a BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show session recorded in February 1979 that had not been available on any prior format.
Albums
- Sound-on-Sound (February 1979) Harvest
Singles
- "Furniture Music" / "Wonder Toys That Last for Ever", "Acquitted by Mirrors" (February 1979), Harvest
- "Revolt into Style" / "Out of Touch" (live at Leicester De Montfort Hall) (April 1979), Harvest
- "Revolt into Style", "Furniture Music" / "Stay Young", "Out of Touch" (live at Leicester De Montfort Hall, 12") (April 1979), Harvest
Additional tracks
- The songs "Ideal Homes" and "Instantly Yours" appeared as B-sides on Bill Nelson's 1980 single "Do You Dream in Colour," featuring the lineup of Nelson/Nelson/Ford/Clark/Peer, released under Cocteau
- These same compositions were included on Bill Nelson's 1984 double LP The Two-Fold Aspect of Everything, a collection of previously unreleased A- and B-side recordings, also on Cocteau
- The track "Disposable," attributed to Red Noise, is featured on Bill Nelson's 1981 album Quit Dreaming and Get on the Beam, issued by Mercury
Collections
- Bop to the Red Noise (1986) is a compilation blending material from Be-Bop Deluxe and Red Noise
- The Practice of Everyday Life (2011) is an eight-CD anthology chronicling Bill Nelson's four-decade career, encompassing works from BBD, RN, and his solo projects, released by Esoteric Recordings
Compilation singles
- Permanent Flame (The Beginners Guide to Bill Nelson) (1983) is a five-disc set compiling previously issued tracks from Bill Nelson's BBD, RN, and solo catalog, distributed by Cocteau