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Images in Vogue

From Alfawiki
Images in Vogue
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1981 in Vancouver, Canada
FounderDale Martindale, Don Gordon, Joe Vizvary, Glen Nelson, Gary Smith, Kevin Crompton
Headquarters
Vancouver
,
Canada
ProductsMusic albums, singles, EPs
Websitewww.imagesinvogue.ca

Images in Vogue is a Canadian new wave ensemble that originated in 1981 in Vancouver. The founding members consisted of vocalist Dale Martindale, guitarist Don Gordon (who later joined Numb), synthesizer players Joe Vizvary and Glen Nelson, bassist Gary Smith, and percussionist Kevin Crompton (also known as cEvin Key). Their management was handled by Kim Clarke Champniss, who subsequently became a VJ for MuchMusic.

1980–1991: Formation and Rise in Canada

Prior to releasing their first full-length album, In the House, in 1985, the band put out four EPs. Their initial charting success came with the track "Lust for Love" from their 1983 self-titled EP, which reached number 97 on the Canadian albums chart. In 1984, Don Gordon departed and was succeeded by Ed Shaw.

In the House climbed to number 85 on the Canadian albums chart. That same year, Images in Vogue received a Juno Award nomination for Most Promising Group. Their track "In the House" secured the 1986 CASBY Award for Single of the Year, while the band was honored as Group of the Year.

Kevin Crompton exited the group in 1986 to devote his efforts to his project Skinny Puppy, expressing that the band's "new romantic" direction felt excessively commercial; Derrick Gyles took over percussion duties. Glen Nelson also left during that period, with Tim Welch stepping in as his replacement. In 1987, Images in Vogue earned two additional Casby awards and were once again recognized as Group of the Year.

While working on their 1988 album, they contemplated adopting the name The Spell but discovered it was already claimed by an Australian band. Consequently, their album was titled The Spell, though confusion arose as "Images In Vogue" was absent from both the front cover and label—appearing only on the spine and later added via a sticker.

Commercially, The Spell did not succeed, leading to the loss of record label backing by mid-1988. Internal disputes contributed to bassist Gary Smith's exit. The band's final performance featuring original songs took place in November 1991 at Toronto's Opera House before they unofficially disbanded as members pursued individual projects.

1994: Release of Best of Collection

In 1994, Images in Vogue issued their inaugural compilation album titled Best of Collection through SPG Music Ltd. This album compiled their greatest hits alongside extended versions and an orchestral rendition of "Lust for Love," encompassing recordings from March 1982 to October 1984.

2002–2010: Reunion Performances, Compilations, and Television Appearance

Following their 1991 breakup, Images in Vogue continued to issue compilations featuring remixes, live recordings, rare tracks, and unreleased material. They also made select rare songs available for download via their official website.

The group reunited for concerts at Toronto's Opera House in 2002, Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom in 2004, and again in Toronto in 2012 when they served as special guests opening for Spoons' 30th anniversary celebration of Arias & Symphonies.

Their song "Lust for Love" was featured in a 2009 episode of the Canadian television series Being Erica. The 2010 compilation album Prototypes includes demo versions and alternative recordings.

2017: Limited Edition Vinyl Box Set Incipience

In 2017, Images in Vogue released a special limited edition box set consisting of four colored vinyl LPs titled Incipience, which showcases early material recorded between 1981 and 1983. Restricted to only 200 copies, this collection highlights the band’s original lineup: Dale Martindale, Joe Vizvary, Glen Nelson, Gary Smith, Kevin Crompton, and Don Gordon.

This set features their long-lost first unreleased album; rare demos; early EPs including the self-titled Images in Vogue EP with B-sides and rarities; plus an unreleased live show recorded on October 6, 1982 at Vancouver’s Luv-A-Fair club. The package includes color vinyl records, download cards, and an insert designed by the band members themselves. Individual vinyl records are also available separately; notably, the fourth vinyl was issued on CD with additional bonus tracks. All songs can be purchased individually as downloads.

Incipience 1: Studio Tracks 1981-1982 contains the band's earliest demos along with their first unreleased album—studio sessions featuring Kevin Crompton and Dale Martindale recorded at Vancouver’s Bullfrog, Water Street, and Mushroom studios.

Incipience 2: Prerelease - Educated Man compiles their initial vinyl outputs: Pre-Release (limited to 500 copies) and Educated Man (limited to 1,000 copies), spotlighting early performances by Martindale (vocals), Vizvary (synthesizers), Crompton, and Gordon.

Incipience 3: Extended Play Redux revisits their first major label release from October 1983. This self-titled record includes their top-30 single "Lust for Love", along with remixes and B-sides from both "Lust for Love" and "Just Like You" singles. Produced by Joe Vizvary and Lindsay Kidd with assistance from Dave Ogilvie at Vancouver's Mushroom and Little Mountain Studios, these remastered tracks come accompanied by enhanced artwork.

Incipience 4: Live at LuvAFair October 6th, 1982 captures a rare live performance—the band's twelfth gig—featuring a live debut of their hit "Lust for Love" alongside new member Glen Nelson. The lineup includes Vizvary, Smith, Martindale, Gordon, and Crompton. The vinyl was mastered to optimize audio fidelity; its CD counterpart contains six additional live bonus tracks.

2018–present: reunion

Beginning in 2018, Images in Vogue has sporadically reunited to perform at various Canadian events.

In May 2020, cEvin Key facilitated a live YouTube discussion that included all six founding members—Joe Vizvary, Dale Martindale, Gary Smith, Don Gordon, Glen Nelson, and Key—marking their first complete reunion in over three decades.

Studio albums

  • In the House (1985) (peaked at #85 in Canada, charted for 5 weeks)
  • The Spell (1988)

Live albums

  • Incipience 4: Live at LuvAFair October 6, 1982 (2017)

Compilation albums

  • Best of Collection (1994)
  • Collection Version 2.0 : Chronology (2004)
  • Collection Version 3.0 : Evolution (2006)
  • Prototypes (2010)
  • Incipience 1: Studio Tracks 1981-1982 (2017)
  • Incipience 2: Prerelease - Educated Man (2017)
  • Incipience 3: Extended Play Redux (2017)

Box sets

  • Incipience (2017)

Extended plays

  • Pre-Release (1982)
  • Educated Man (1982)
  • Images in Vogue (1983) (reached #97 in Canada, remained for 4 weeks)
  • Rituals (1984)

Singles

  • "Lust for Love" (1983)
  • "Just Like You" (1984)
  • "Rescue Me" (1984)
  • "Call It Love" (1985)
  • "Save It" (1985)
  • "In the House" (1985/1986)
  • "So Careful" (1988)
  • "Strangers" (1988)
  • "Look Me In the Eye" (2004)

External links

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