Secret Life (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music (R&B, house, pop) |
Secret Life was a UK-based band specializing in R&B, house, and pop genres, active between 1991 and 1996, achieving recognition across Britain and Europe.
History
The debut release from Secret Life was the white label track "Spanish Lullaby," crafted by producers Andy Throup and Jim Di Salvo at their South London studio known as "No Fixed Abode." The group later grew with the addition of Charlton Antenbring and Paul Bryant. Antenbring brought experience as a fashion student and DJ; Di Salvo contributed guitars, Cubase sequencing, sampling, and production duties; Throup, a pianist with classical training, focused on programming and production; Bryant performed as lead vocalist. The majority of the band's compositions were co-written by Bryant and Throup.
In parallel with his work in Secret Life, Throup collaborated with notable techno and house figures including DJ Lenny Dee. The band embarked on numerous tours throughout the UK and made appearances on television programs such as The Beat, Dance Energy, and The Hitman and Her. In 1993, Di Salvo departed to launch Bass Boom studios and produced music under several pseudonyms during the 1990s.
Among their early singles, "As Always" (1992), a dance adaptation of Stevie Wonder's "As," stood out as one of the top releases from their original label, Cowboy Records. Following a remix of their 1994 single "Borrowed Time" by Masters At Work, manager Charlie Chester secured a contract for eight albums with Pulse-8 Records to enhance the group's mainstream appeal. By this stage, Bryant and Throup remained the central members. Pulse-8 re-released "Love So Strong" in 1994, accompanied by three additional singles that year and the album Sole Purpose in 1995. This album featured production input from Brothers in Rhythm, Chris Porter, and Pete Gleadall, resulting in a refined blend of R&B and house styles highlighted by polished vocal performances.
Between 1992 and 1996, Secret Life issued eight singles—five of which topped the Coolcuts and Mixmag dance charts—and released one album. Two singles successfully entered the UK Top 40. Although a second album was recorded, it remained unreleased due to Pulse-8's financial collapse; however, two singles from this project were released before the label's closure.
After Pulse-8 went bankrupt, Throup (who later adopted the name Andrew Grainger) relocated to New York in 2000 to pursue a career as a lounge pianist and studio proprietor before moving to Austin, Texas in 2007. Meanwhile, Bryant left the music scene to work as a support worker for disabled adults in South Gloucestershire.
Singles
- "As Always" (1992) Cowboy
- "Love So Strong" (1992, 1993) Cowboy
- "I Want You" (1994) Pulse-8
- "Love So Strong" (1994) Pulse-8
- "She Holds The Key" (1994) Pulse-8
- "Love Love Love" (1996) Pulse-8
- "Vehicle" (1996) Pulse-8
Albums
- Sole Purpose (1995) Pulse-8
Compilation inclusions
- Sonic System (1992) Telstar; features "As Always"
- Remix Culture 12/92 (1992) DMC; includes "As Always" (The Greed Remix)
- DMC CD Collection 127 (1993) DMC; contains "Love So Strong" (Play Boys Remix)
- Energy Rush Factor 5 (1993) Dino Entertainment; includes "Love So Strong" (Radio Edit)
- Energy Rush Level 3 (1993) Dino Entertainment; features "As Always"
- Full-On Dance '93 (1993) Cookie Jar; contains "Love So Strong"
- Hey Mr. DJ...The 4th Compilation (1993) Epic; features "Love So Strong" (Play Boys Arena Dream)
- The Megamix Album 128 (1993) DMC; includes "Love So Strong"
- Underground Selection 8/93 (1993) DMC; features "Love So Strong" (Play Boys Fully Loaded Mix)
- The Voice of Dance 3 (1993) EVA Belgium; contains "As Always" (Gospel Radio Edit)
- Club Together: The Club Sound of 1994 (1994) React/EMI; features "I Want You"
- Pulsating Rhythms 5 (1994) Pulse-8; includes "Love So Strong" (Play Boys Arena Dream)
- Renaissance: The Mix Collection (1994) Renaissance; features "She Holds The Key" (H.A.L.F. I'm A Believer Mix)
- Club Together 2: The Club Sound of 1995 (1995) React/EMI; contains "Love So Strong"
- Cowboy Records - The Album Volume 1 & 2 (1995) RPM/Rodeo; includes "I Want You" (Morales Def Classic 12")
- United DJs of America, Volume 4: David Morales & Frankie Knuckles (1995) Moonshine; features "Love So Strong"
- United DJs of The World Volume 1 - David Morales & Frankie Knuckles (1995) DMC; contains "Love So Strong"
- Club Classics '95 (1995) Recurrent; includes "Love So Strong" (Brothers in Rhythm Experience)
- Dance Mania 95 Volume 1 (1995) Pure Music; features "Love So Strong" (Brothers in Rhythm Mix)
- Energy Rush K9 (1995) Dino Entertainment; includes "Love So Strong" (Brothers in Rhythm Mix)
- Hit Man 3 (1995) EMI; contains "Love So Strong"
- Para Para Non-Stop Vol. 4 (1995) Meldac; features "Can I Believe"
- Pulsating Hits - The Best of Pulse-8 1990-1995 (1995) Quality/Indisc/Critique; includes "I Want You"
- Avex Dance Vol 2 (1996) Avex Trax; contains "Love So Strong"
- Housemeister (1996) Club Tools; features "Love Love Love" (Frankie Knuckles Classic Radio Mix)
- National Anthems (1996) Firm Music; includes "Love So Strong" (Brothers in Rhythm Experience)
- Taneční Liga Vol. 3 (1996) Popron Music; features "Love Love Love" (Frankie Knuckles Classic Radio Mix)
- The Best of Dance Party Volume 2(1996) Quality; includes "As Always"
- Circuit Party Spins by DJ Julian Marsh (1997) Rhino; contains "Love Love Love" (Frankified Club Mix)
- Remix Culture 170(1997) DMC; features remix of "She Holds The Key"
- Pride 1998 by DJ Julian Marsh (1998) Centaur Music; includes "Love So Strong"
- 1000 Original Hits - 1992(2001) EMI; contains "As Always"
- Cowboy Records - The Album(2002) Cowboy compilation; includes "As Always" (Old School House Mix)
- Oldskool Ibiza and Rave Anthems 2: Old Skool Classics(2002) Decadance; feature versions of "As Always"
- Best Of The 90s(2003) Disky; includes "I Want You"
- Reissue of Renaissance: The Mix Collection(2004); contains "She Holds The Key"
- Hed Kandi compilation Back to Love 03.04 ; features "As Always"
- Renaissance: The Classics(2005); includes track "As Always"
- Cowboy Records EP Volumes 1 & 2(2005); contain versions of “As Always”
- Compilation F.E.A. Version.Dosmilcuatro(2007); features “Self Delusion”
- Compilation The Ultimate 90s Album(2008); includes “Love Love Love”