Museum of Devotion
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States |
| Headquarters | Ann Arbor , United States |
Key people | James Cooper, Robert Anderson |
| Products | Electro-industrial music |
Museum of Devotion is an American electro-industrial group that originated in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1986. The band consists of James Cooper, who handles vocals, guitar, and keyboards, alongside Robert Anderson, responsible for lead guitar, bass, and keyboards.
History
Following multiple changes in membership—including the addition of Peter Cooper on bass and Christi providing vocals and percussion—the ensemble solidified into a duo comprising James Cooper and Robert Anderson by 1988. Their first full-length album, …to the Pink Period, was produced at Old School House Studios located in Ann Arbor and released through Lively Arts and Paris-based New Rose Records. Garnering critical praise, this debut placed the band prominently within the Coldwave and electro-industrial scenes, aligning them with groups such as This Mortal Coil and The Sisters of Mercy.
In 1989, the band introduced the Racist EP, which showcased a shift towards a more electronically driven sound and featured a forceful cover version of Heatwave's "Groove Line." The subsequent 1990 album, Wants Verses Needs, included the Belgian top ten dance track "Sunshine" as well as a somber interpretation of Squeeze's "Take Me I'm Yours." A DJ remix of "Sunshine," originating from Los Angeles, was released as a single in 1991.
Although Museum of Devotion entered a period of inactivity, they resurfaced in 2012 with fresh material that preserved their Coldwave essence. Songs like "Canary in a Cathouse" and "Devotion" have continued to receive airplay within gothic rock and Darkwave communities across Europe and the United States.
In January 2014, they unveiled the long-postponed music video for their 1990 single "Slomo," utilizing recovered footage after their label Lively Arts and its parent company New Rose Records ceased operations before the video's completion.
The release of the Another Cold Wave EP in February 2014 marked a revival of their darkwave origins. At the same time, they remastered and reissued their initial two albums, …to the Pink Period and Wants Versus Needs.
Current
- Robert Anderson – guitar, bass, keyboards, programming
- James Cooper – vocals, guitar, keyboards, drum machine
Former
- Peter Cooper
- Christi
Discography
- ...To The Pink Period (1988)
- Racist (EP) (1989)
- Wants Versus Needs (1990)
- Another Cold Wave (EP) (2014)