Biting Tongues
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Manchester, England |
| Headquarters | Manchester , England |
| Products | Albums, singles, EPs, video albums |
Biting Tongues was a post-punk group established in Manchester, England, in 1979. Several of its members later became part of Simply Red, Yargo, and 808 State.
History
The band originated when saxophonist Howard Walmsley assembled musicians to produce a soundtrack for his film. The initial lineup featured Ken Hollings on vocals, Eddie Sherwood on drums, and soon after, Graham Massey (guitar) and Colin Seddon (bass), both formerly of the Post Natals. Their first album, Don't Heal, appeared in 1981 under the Beggars Banquet imprint Situation 2. This was followed by the cassette Live It released through New Hormones, and then the 1984 album Libreville. Although recorded for New Hormones, Libreville was issued by Paragon due to financial complications.
Subsequently, Biting Tongues signed with Factory Records. At this point, Hollings and Sherwood exited (with Sherwood going on to join Simply Red) and were succeeded by Basil Clarke (vocals), Tom Barnish (trombone), and Phil Kirby (drums). This formation created the soundtrack for the film Feverhouse, which Factory's Ikon Video released, alongside the Trouble Hand EP. Clarke and Kirby left to establish Yargo; meanwhile, Seddon departed to form the Inner Sense Percussion Ensemble. The remaining trio—Walmsley, Massey, and Barnish—issued a final EP on Factory before releasing three additional singles and the video album Wall of Surf. The group disbanded in 1989 after Massey founded 808 State, which became his main project. Walmsley proceeded with a career in film and video production, including collaborations with 808 State. Massey later performed under the name Massonix. An album titled Recharge - Part 1, initially unreleased, was eventually published by LTM in 2003 following Cut Deep's collapse.
In 2003, Biting Tongues reunited for a performance at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts, featuring Massey, Hollings, Walmsley, Seddon, and Sherwood. They came together again in 2009 during the 'A Factory Night' event held in Brussels.
Albums
- Don't Heal (1981), Situation 2
- Live It (1981), New Hormones
- Libreville (1984), Paragon
- Feverhouse (1985), Factory
- Recharge - Part 1 (1989), Cut Deep (promo only)
- Compilations and CD reissues
- Compressed: The Factory Recordings (2003), LTM
- Recharge (2003), LTM
- After the Click: Retrospective 1980-1989 (2003), LTM
Singles and EPs
- Trouble Hand EP (1985), Factory
- "Compressor" (1987), Factory
- "Evening State" (1988), Antler (split release with Tank of Danzig)
- "Love Out" (1989), Cut Deep
Video
- Wall of Surf (1988), Ikon Video