Secession (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Scotland |
| Products | Synth-pop music, singles, studio album |
Secession was a synth-pop ensemble from Scotland that operated between 1983 and 1987. The founding members were Peter Thomson (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, vocals), Jack Ross (guitar, synthesizer, vocals), Jim Ross (bass), and Carole L. Branston (keyboards, vocals). Their sound incorporated a pre-programmed drum machine.
Career
Prior to adopting the name Secession, the group performed once under the name the Gift, with Jim Ross playing despite having an arm in a cast. Following a performance at Buster Brown's nightclub in Edinburgh, entrepreneur Hamish Brown took on the role of their manager. They expanded their lineup by adding Alistair MacLeod (percussion, vocals), who also provided photography for their independently issued debut single "Betrayal."
After recording demos at Edinburgh’s Palladium Studios, Jack Ross exited the band due to artistic disagreements. MacLeod then took on additional responsibilities with percussion and synthesizer/sequencing until Jim Ross left, reducing the band to a trio. This formation created the initial "Fire Island" demo at Planet Studios, featuring sequences from a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, which caught the attention of Beggars Banquet Records’ A&R team.
Upon signing with Beggars Banquet, the trio re-recorded "Fire Island" at REL Studios; subsequent remixes were handled by producers associated with Freeez and John Rocca. Prior to the single’s release, MacLeod departed to concentrate on his photography career and was succeeded by Charlie D. Kelly.
The definitive lineup—Thomson, Branston, Kelly, and J.L. Seenan—was responsible for nearly all of Secession’s officially released recordings. Thomson served as lead vocalist and wrote their most notable track, "Touch (Part 3)"; he passed away in 2001. Between 1983 and 1987, Secession issued several singles along with their only studio album, A Dark Enchantment, mainly through Beggars Banquet and Siren Records.
Following the band's breakup, Kelly and Seenan became members of the Vaselines alongside Charlie's brother Eugene and Frances McKee.
Discography
Studio album
- 1987: A Dark Enchantment
Singles
- 1983: "Betrayal"
- 1984: "Fire Island"
- 1984: "Touch (Part 3)"
- 1986: "Michael"
- 1987: "The Magician"
- 1987: "Promise"
- 1987: "Radioland"
- 1987: "Sneakyville"
External links
- IAmNottheBeatles.com archived link