Sweet Exorcist (band)
| Company type | Music duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Richard Barratt, Richard H. Kirk |
| Headquarters | Sheffield , England |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Bleep techno music |
Sweet Exorcist was a music duo originating from Sheffield, England, composed of Richard Barratt (known as DJ Parrot) and Richard H. Kirk. They played a significant role in the development of the bleep techno genre associated with Warp Records during the late 1980s.
History
The name Sweet Exorcist was inspired by a song from Curtis Mayfield. The partnership involved Kirk, a member of Cabaret Voltaire, and Barratt, who later joined All Seeing I. Their acquaintance dates back to the mid-1980s when Barratt supported Cabaret Voltaire on their UK tour in 1986. Around 1989, as Cabaret Voltaire concluded their contract with EMI, Kirk teamed up with Barratt—who was managing Sheffield’s Jive Turkey club night—to create new music collaboratively.
In January 1990, they debuted "Testone" through Warp Records, a track that became emblematic of the Yorkshire bleep techno style. This piece featured samples from Yellow Magic Orchestra's Computer Game and the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Their next release was the single "Clonk," also issued by Warp, both singles having accompanying remix editions.
The year 1991 saw Sweet Exorcist release C.C.E.P. (alternatively titled Clonks Coming) along with their album Spirit Guide to Low Tech on Touch Records. Later, in 2011, Warp compiled a collection titled RetroActivity, which included notable tracks such as "Clonk" and "Clonks Coming," along with various remixes.
Albums
- 1994: Spirit Guide to Low Tech (Touch Records)
- 2011: RetroActivity (compilation; Warp)
Singles & EPs
- 1990: "Testone" (Warp)
- 1990: "Testone Remixes" (Warp)
- 1990: "Clonk" (Warp)
- 1990: "Per Clonk (Remix)" (Warp)
- 1991: C.C.E.P. (Warp)
- 1991: "Popcone" (Plastex)