Presence (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Defunct | 1993 |
Key people | Lol Tolhurst, Gary Biddles, Roberto Soave, Rob Steen, Chris Youdell, Alan Burgess |
| Products | Albums: Inside (1992), Closer (2014) |
Presence was a British rock ensemble established in 1990, recognized primarily for its affiliation with the Cure. The band issued their album Inside in 1992 before dissolving in 1993.
History
The formation of Presence was initiated by keyboardist Lol Tolhurst, an original member of the Cure who departed in 1989, alongside vocalist Gary Biddles, who had previously been part of Fools Dance and worked as a road crew member for the Cure during the early 1980s. Initial demo recordings included input from ex-Cure musicians bassist Michael Dempsey and guitarist Porl Thompson, with Dempsey credited for songwriting contributions.
The definitive lineup featured bassist Roberto Soave, guitarist Rob Steen, keyboardist Chris Youdell (formerly of Then Jericho), and drummer Alan Burgess. This ensemble released the single "In Wonder" as well as the 1992 album Inside, which garnered some favorable critical attention but did not achieve significant commercial impact.
A follow-up album titled Closer, produced by John Porter, was recorded but remained unreleased due to Tolhurst's decision to disband the group for personal reasons. Eventually, this album was made public in 2014, shortly after the passing of Gary Biddles.
After the band's breakup, several members continued their association with the Cure. Roberto Soave occasionally filled in for Cure bassist Simon Gallup during the mid-1990s. Both Soave and Rob Steen later became part of Babacar alongside former Cure drummer Boris Williams. Meanwhile, Tolhurst pursued a new direction by forming the electronic project Levinhurst.
Members
- Lol Tolhurst – keyboards
- Gary Biddles – vocals
- Chris Youdell – keyboards
- Alan Burgess – drums
- Roberto Soave – bass
- Rob Steen – guitar
- Michael Dempsey – bass (early sessions)
- Paul Redfern – bass (later sessions)
- Kevin Kipnis – bass (later sessions)
Discography
- Inside (1992)
- Closer (2014)