Jack (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 in Cardiff, Wales |
| Founder | Anthony Reynolds, Matthew Scott |
| Defunct | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Cardiff , Wales, United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, Europe (notably France and Spain) |
| Products | Albums, singles, EPs |
Jack was an alternative rock group originating from Cardiff, Wales, established in 1992. Their sound, characterized by orchestral pop elements, drew inspiration from artists such as Scott Walker, David Bowie, and Roxy Music. Critics often likened their style to bands like Tindersticks, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Suede, and The Divine Comedy. Although they cultivated a dedicated fanbase across the UK and parts of Europe, notably in France, they did not achieve the commercial prominence enjoyed by many Britpop contemporaries. The band dissolved in 2002.
History
Singer-songwriter Anthony Reynolds and guitarist Matthew Scott founded the band in Cardiff before moving to London in 1993. There, they expanded their lineup by adding Richard Adderley (guitar), Audrey Morse (violin), Patrick Pulzer (drums), Colin Williams (bass), and George Wright (keyboards).
In 1995, Jack signed with the label Too Pure and released their debut single "Kid Stardust" as a limited edition. Their inaugural album, Pioneer Soundtracks, produced by Peter Walsh, arrived in June 1996. Despite receiving favorable critiques and embarking on extensive tours throughout the UK and Europe, singles such as "Wintercomessummer," "White Jazz," and "Biography Of A First Son" struggled to secure substantial radio play, leading to underwhelming sales figures.
Following the departure of Morse after their first album, Lucy Wilkins joined the ensemble in 1996, with Ruth Gottlieb coming on board in 1997.
After renegotiating their contract with Too Pure, the band recorded their sophomore album with producer Darren Allison during the autumn of 1997. Released in August 1998, The Jazz Age received positive reviews and was supported by additional European tours. Nevertheless, singles like "Lolita Elle" and "Steamin’" once again encountered limited radio exposure and disappointing commercial performance.
Work on a subsequent project titled An Anatomy Of Melancholy was halted following their release from Too Pure. Around this time, Adderley and Gottlieb exited the group, while Pulzer divided his time between Jack and Rosita.
In September 2000, Jack issued a five-track mini-album called La Belle et la Discotheque, produced by Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins fame. Although critics responded favorably, sales remained modest; however, tracks "Sometimes" and "Disco-Cafe-Society" received airplay on Spain's national radio. By this period, Williams, Wright, and Pulzer had left the band, leaving Scott and Reynolds to continue as a duo.
Their final studio album, The End Of The Way It's Always Been, was released in April 2002. Following an extensive European tour that included an appearance at the Benicàssim festival, Jack concluded their activities later that year with a farewell performance in Cardiff.
Post-breakup, Pulzer and Adderley became members of The Boyfriends.
In March 2007, Spinney reissued Pioneer Soundtracks as a 'Tenth Anniversary Edition', featuring bonus material such as alternate takes, B-sides, and live recordings.
Albums
- Pioneer Soundtracks (Too Pure, 1996)
- The Jazz Age (Too Pure, 1998)
- The End of the Way It's Always Been (Crepuscule, 2002)
Singles and EPs
- "Kid Stardust" (Too Pure, 1995)
- "Wintercomesummer" (Too Pure, 1996)
- "White Jazz" (Too Pure, 1996)
- "Biography of a First Son" (Too Pure, 1996)
- "Fall in Love with Me Again" (Elefant, 1997)
- Lolita EP (Too Pure, 1998)
- "Steamin'" (Too Pure, 1998)
- La Belle et la Discotheque (Acuarela, 2000)
- "The Emperor of New London" (Crepuscule, 2002)
- "Sleepin' Makes Me Thirsty" (Crepuscule, 2002)