Ghost Dance (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Gary Marx, Anne-Marie Hurst |
| Defunct | 1989 (initially) |
| Fate | Disbanded in 1989; reformed in 2019 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, Europe, Mexico |
Key people | Anne-Marie Hurst, Gary Marx, Tim Walker, Stephen Derrig, Phil Noble, Dave Wood, Billy Lockwood |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
| Website | www |
Ghost Dance is a British gothic rock ensemble established in 1985 by Gary Marx (formerly guitarist for The Sisters of Mercy) and Anne-Marie Hurst (previously the vocalist for Skeletal Family) following their departures from their respective groups. The band initially signed with Nick Jones' Karbon Records before later affiliating with major label Chrysalis Records, ultimately disbanding in 1989.
In 2019, the group reassembled with Hurst joined by new members Tim Walker (guitar), Stephen Derrig (guitar), Phil Noble (bass), and Dave Wood (drums). They began creating fresh material, conducted reunion performances across the UK, and secured a contract with Voltage Records for an album release planned in 2023.
"River of No Return"
Bassist Paul "Etch" Etchells became part of the lineup, which utilized a drum machine named 'Pandora' to produce their initial 12" single, "River of No Return," accompanied by a rendition of Roxy Music's "Both Ends Burning." Although Marx admitted the audio quality was subpar, the single was issued in early 1986.
"Heart Full of Soul"
Their follow-up single, "Heart Full of Soul," was a cover of The Yardbirds, backed with a version of Golden Earring's "Radar Love." The 12" edition was packaged in a silver sleeve and included an additional cover of Suzi Quatro's "Can The Can." Drumming duties were programmed by Etchells rather than Marx.
Steve Smith from Red Lorry Yellow Lorry provided backing vocals and guitar contributions on this release and supported live shows before leaving to concentrate on his own band, Riprize.
"The Grip of Love"
Released as Ghost Dance's third single in 1986, "The Grip of Love" featured new guitarist Richard Steel following Steve Smith's exit. The 7" version presented "The Grip of Love (Bombay Mix)" as the A-side and "Where Spirits Fly" as the B-side. The 12" edition substituted "Where Spirits Fly" with "Last Train" on side A and added "A Deeper Blue" plus "The Grip of Love (A Cheaper Blues Version)" on side B. All tracks on the 12" are composed in D minor, which is referenced by the subtitle "Suite in D Minor". Producer Richard Mazda also played harmonica on the "Cheaper Blues Version".
Leaving Karbon
In 1987, Ghost Dance issued their last Karbon EP titled A Word to the Wise, featuring drummer John Grant and backing vocals by Daniel Mass from Salvation on the track "When I Call." Recorded at Amazon Studios, this song represented the band's most expensive recording despite being among their earliest works. The EP also contained "Fools Gold" (written by Etch) along with B-sides "Cruel Light" and "Holding On." Following this release, Ghost Dance parted ways with Karbon Records. Their final output for Karbon was Gathering Dust, a compilation of singles. Subsequently, tour manager Simon "Sparky" Parker assumed managerial duties and secured a contract with Chrysalis Records.
Chrysalis Records
The band's debut single under Chrysalis, "Down to the Wire," peaked at No. 66 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1989. Various editions included a live "Gathering Dust Medley," which combined performances of "The Grip of Love," "Last Train," and "Celebrate." A German promotional release entitled 'Introducing Ghost Dance' was also distributed. Their first album, Stop the World, was released with some versions featuring an additional live 12" single. Despite internal conflicts, Chrysalis insisted on re-recording "Celebrate" as a single, even though it had previously appeared as a B-side. The single met with poor reception, and although new songs such as "Rock It" and "Adrift Without You" were demoed under new manager Chris Cooke, the group gradually disbanded, playing their final show in Amsterdam on 4 December 1989.
2019–present
In 2019, Hurst revived Ghost Dance by bringing together former members of 'Harlequyn'—Tim Walker, Dave Wood, and Phil Noble—who had all previously supported the original Ghost Dance ensemble during the late 1980s. They were subsequently joined by Stephen Derrig from 'Original Sin'.
After releasing two singles digitally, the album The Silent Shout was independently launched worldwide on 5 May 2023 through Voltage and Plastic Head distribution channels. The record was produced at Voltage Studios in Bradford with Tim Walker overseeing recording. Upon release, it reached the top position on iTunes' goth rock chart and secured prominent rankings on Amazon's goth rock bestseller list.
Throughout 2024, the band embarked on tours across the UK, Belgium, Scotland, Sweden, and Mexico. They also appeared at Germany’s Gothic Pogo Festival XVIII in June 2025. The current roster includes Anne-Marie handling vocals and Billy Lockwood on drums.
Discography
| Year | Title | Formats | Notes | Charts |
| 1986 | "River of No Return" | 12" | featured on Gathering Dust | #16 UK Indie Singles |
| 1986 | "Heart Full of Soul" | 7", 12" | included in Gathering Dust | #4 UK Indie Singles |
| 1986 | "The Grip of Love" | 7", 12" | part of Gathering Dust | #19 UK Indie Singles |
| 1987 | "A Word to the Wise" | 12" | #92 UK Singles #4 UK Indie Singles | |
| 1988 | "Gathering Dust" | LP, CR-r | compilation of three Karbon singles | #10 UK Indie Albums |
| 1989 | "Down to the Wire" | 7", 12", CD | lead track from Stop the World | #66 UK Singles |
| 1989 | "Introducing Ghost Dance" | 12" | promotional single released in Germany | |
| 1989 | Stop the World | LP, CD | some LP editions include a live 12" single. | |
| 1989 | "Celebrate" | 7", 12", Picture Disc, CD | title track of Stop the World | #85 UK Singles |
| 2021 | "Falling Down" | Download / streaming single | first release under Voltage Records UK | |
| 2022 | "Jessamine" | Download / streaming single | second release for Voltage Records UK | |
| 2023 | "The Silent Shout" | Download / CD album | released via Voltage Records UK / PHD globally |