Heavenly (British band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in Oxford, England |
| Founder | Amelia Fletcher, Mathew Fletcher, Peter Momtchiloff, Robert Pursey |
| Headquarters | Oxford , England |
| Products | Twee pop music |
Heavenly is a twee pop group that originated in Oxford, England, in 1989. The band was formed by Amelia Fletcher (vocals/guitar), Mathew Fletcher (drums), Peter Momtchiloff (guitar), and Robert Pursey (bass), all of whom had previously played together in Talulah Gosh, a prominent band within the C86 movement.
History
The band's initial releases were the 7" singles "I Fell in Love Last Night" and "Our Love Is Heavenly," both issued in 1990 through Sarah Records. Their first full-length album, Heavenly vs. Satan (1991), continued the jangly guitar-driven sound reminiscent of Talulah Gosh.
Shortly before their well-received sophomore album, Le Jardin de Heavenly, keyboardist and backing vocalist Cathy Rogers joined the lineup, contributing essential harmony vocals and keyboard parts to their signature style. This album includes the track "C is the Heavenly Option," featuring guest vocals by Calvin Johnson, founder of K Records, which managed their United States releases.
Before unveiling their third studio album, Heavenly put out two standalone singles, "P.U.N.K. Girl" and "Atta Girl." These tracks demonstrated a maturation in songwriting with more intricate arrangements and darker lyrical content. Notably, the B-side "Hearts and Crosses" confronts the issue of date rape, juxtaposed with an upbeat musical backdrop.
The band's third album, The Decline and Fall of Heavenly (1994), solidified their reputation further. In 1995, they contributed the song "Snail Trail" to the AIDS awareness compilation Red Hot + Bothered, produced by the Red Hot Organization.
Their last album before disbanding initially was Operation Heavenly (1996), released via Wiiija following Sarah Records' closure. This record featured a French-language rendition of Serge Gainsbourg's "Nous ne sommes pas des anges," performed by Fletcher, as well as another collaboration with Calvin Johnson on the track "Pet Monkey."
Tragically, Mathew Fletcher died by suicide shortly before this album's release. Subsequently, the group retired the Heavenly name but continued making music under the moniker Marine Research, releasing one album on K Records in 1999 before disbanding.
In 2002, core members regrouped as Tender Trap, producing four albums before entering an indefinite hiatus in 2014. As of 2024, Fletcher and Pursey are active with The Catenary Wires and Swansea Sound, while Momtchiloff performs with Would-be-goods and Tufthunter.
Heavenly reunited for a concert at London's Bush Hall in May 2023, with Ian Button stepping in on drums to replace Mathew Fletcher. In 2024, they embarked on tours across Spain, France, and the United States, presenting new material during these performances.
Studio albums
- Heavenly vs. Satan (Sarah 603, 1991)
- Le Jardin de Heavenly (Sarah 610, 1992)
- The Decline and Fall of Heavenly (Sarah 623, 1994)
- Operation Heavenly (WIJ 1053 / KLP 59, 1996)
Compilation albums
- This Is Heavenly (Elefant Records ER 1010, 1995)
- A Bout De Heavenly: The Singles (Damgood 537, 2020)
EPs
- P.U.N.K. Girl (KLP 25, 1995)
Singles
- "I Fell In Love Last Night" b/w "Over And Over" (7", Sarah 30, 1990)
- "Our Love Is Heavenly" b/w "Wrap My Arms Around Him" (7", Sarah 41, 1990)
- "So Little Deserve" b/w "I'm Not Scared Of You" (7", Sarah 51, 1991)
- "She Says" b/w "Escort Crash On Marston Street" (7", IPU 25, 1991)
- "P.U.N.K. Girl" b/w "Hearts And Crosses" (7", Sarah 81, 1993)
- "Atta Girl" b/w "Dig Your Own Grave", "So?" (7", Sarah 82, 1993)
- "Keroleen / Trophy Girlfriend" (split with Bis) (7", IPU 66, 1996)
- "Space Manatee" b/w "You Tore Me Down", "Art School" (7", IPU 73 / WIJ 58, 1996)
- "she says/escort crash on marshton street" (7", Skepwax Records, 2020)
- "portland town/someone who loves me" (7", Skepwax Records, 2025)