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Shriekback

From Alfawiki
Shriekback
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1981 in Kentish Town, London, England
FounderBarry Andrews, Dave Allen, Carl Marsh
Headquarters
London
,
England
ProductsMusic albums, singles
Websitewww.shriekback.com

Shriekback is a British rock ensemble established in 1981 in Kentish Town by Barry Andrews (keyboards, synthesizers, vocals), previously associated with XTC and the League of Gentlemen, alongside Dave Allen (bass guitar), formerly of Gang of Four. Guitarist and vocalist Carl Marsh joined shortly thereafter. Their initial sound combined elements of funk-infused new wave and post-punk, gradually transitioning into art rock characterized by unique vocal styles.

History

The group achieved recognition on dance music charts under their original Y Records label and secured placements on the UK Indie Chart. Their first album, Care (1983), was subsequently distributed in the United States by Warner. Transitioning to Arista Records, they released Jam Science (1984), incorporating drummer Martyn Barker into the lineup. This album reached number 85 on the UK Albums Chart, with the single "Hand on my Heart" peaking at number 52.

Released in 1985, Oil and Gold appeared on Arista (and Island Records in the US). During its production, Marsh departed and was succeeded by Mike Cozzi, while Andrews assumed lead vocal duties. Following this, Shriekback signed with Island Records for the 1986 release Big Night Music. Subsequently, Allen exited to rejoin Gang of Four and engage in projects such as King Swamp and The Elastic Purejoy; Marsh moved on to Happyhead. Thereafter, Shriekback functioned mainly as Andrews' solo endeavor.

The band dissolved after the 1988 album Go Bang!. In 1992, Andrews revived Shriekback, issuing the single "The Bastard Sons of Enoch" alongside the album Sacred City. Later works included Naked Apes and Pond Life (2000) and Having a Moment (2003), featuring contributions from Allen and Marsh. Andrews also produced three albums under the Shriekback name for Malicious Damage.

Continuing their activity, Shriekback released Why Anything? Why This? in May 2018. The trio of Andrews, Barker, and Marsh independently issued their fifteenth studio album, Some Kinds of Light, in December 2019. Subsequent albums titled 1000 Books, Bowlahoola, and MONUMENT were released in 2021, 2022, and 2025 respectively.

Members

Various musicians have been part of or contributed to Shriekback over time, including Luc van Acker, Linda Nevill, Emma Burnham, Brian Nevill, Pedro Ortiz, Clare Hirst, Lu Edmonds, Wendy and Sarah Partridge (formerly of Electric Guitars), Steve Halliwell, Eve Moon, Ivan Julian, Mike Cozzi, and Jessica Palin/Jose Fina Cupido.

In other media

Several Shriekback tracks were featured by film director Michael Mann in his movies Manhunter, Band of the Hand, as well as in the television series Miami Vice. Their music also serves as the theme for the podcast Squaring the Strange, hosted by Benjamin Radford and Pascual Romero, selected for its distinctive 1980s aesthetic.

Studio albums

  • Tench (1982)
  • Care (1983), Y (UK Indie No. 7)
  • Jam Science (1984), Arista (UK No. 85)
  • Oil and Gold (1985), Arista
  • Big Night Music (1986), Island
  • Go Bang! (1988), Island
  • Sacred City (1992), World Domination/Capitol
  • Naked Apes and Pond Life (2000), Mauve/Mushroom
  • Having a Moment (2003)
  • Cormorant (2005)
  • Glory Bumps (2007)
  • Life in the Loading Bay (December 2010)
  • Without Real String or Fish (March 2015)
  • Why Anything? Why This? (May 2018)
  • Some Kinds of Light (December 2019)
  • 1000 Books (December 2021)
  • Bowlahoola (November 2022)
  • MONUMENT (March 2025)

Compilations and live albums

  • The Infinite (The Best of Shriekback) (1984), Kaz Records
  • Evolution – Best of Shriekback Vol. 2 (1988), Kaz Records
  • The Dancing Years (1990), Island Records
  • Natural History – The Very Best of Shriekback (1994), Essential
  • Priests and Kannibals: The Best of Shriekback (1994), Arista
  • The Y Records Years (2000), Sanctuary
  • Aberrations 81–84 (2001), Weatherbox
  • Vicissitudes (2002) (exclusive release via Shriekback.com)
  • 2 Live Shows (2002)
  • Live at Hatfield (2002)
  • Secrets of the City (2002) (internet-only release through Shriekback.com)
  • Island of the Hopeful Monsters (2015)
  • Live at Park West, Chicago '87 (2016)
  • Peel Sessions and Singularities (2016)
  • Big Live Band 2017 (2017)
  • The Elated World (2017) (collection of commissioned compositions)

Singles and EPs

Year Title Chart Positions Album
UK Indie Chart UK Singles Chart U.S. Dance/Club U.S. Modern Rock Australia New Zealand
1982 Tench 9 - - - - -
"Sexthinkone" - - - - - - Tench
"My Spine Is the Bassline" 15 - - - - - -
1983 "Lined Up" 3 89 35 - 42 - Care
"Lined Up (Remix)" 7 113 - - - -
"Working on the Ground" 5 107 - - - - -
1984 "Hand on My Heart" - 52 22 - - - Jam Science
"Mercy Dash" - 107 - - - -
Knowledge, Power, Truth and Sex EP - - - - - -
1985 "Nemesis" - 94 - - - 18 Oil and Gold
"Fish Below the Ice" - 88 - - -
1986 "Gunning for the Buddha" - - - - - - Big Night Music
Running on the Rocks - - - - - 30
1988 "Intoxication" - - - 6 -
"Shark Walk" -
"Get Down Tonight"
"The Peel Sessions" EP
"The Bastard Sons of Enoch"


Video releases

  • Jungle of the Senses (1987) Island Visual Arts

External links

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