Ten Ten (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Richmond , United States |
| Products | Albums, singles |
Ten Ten was a new wave group originating from Richmond, Virginia, established in 1984. The band consisted of Mark Lewis on guitar and vocals, Peter Bell handling bass duties, Don Ruzek playing keyboards and guitar, and Lee Johnson on drums. They gained recognition primarily for their 1986 track "When it Rains" as well as their rendition of the Plimsouls' song "A Million Miles Away". Although some accounts suggest the band dissolved in 1988, Peter Bell mentioned that the trio continued performing without Ruzek in Richmond venues until approximately 1991.
History
Ten Ten's first album, Ordinary Thinking, debuted in 1984 under the independent label Generic Records. The band produced the record themselves with Bruce Olson as engineer, showcasing a melodic rock style that combined guitars and synthesizers with layered vocal harmonies. Favorable critiques from this release helped them secure a deal with a major record company.
The American media often likened Ten Ten to British acts, which aligned with their signing to UK-based Chrysalis. They concentrated much of their live performances across England and Europe. In 1985, they supported The Waterboys on tour, followed by tours alongside Simply Red and Pete Shelley during 1986.
In early 1986, the band recorded Walk On, their Chrysalis debut album, in the Netherlands with producer Stephen Street. Released on April 28, 1986, the album featured singles such as "When it Rains" and a cover version of "A Million Miles Away," both issued on 7- and 12-inch vinyl formats accompanied by exclusive B-side tracks not included on the album. The music video for "When it Rains" received airplay on MTV in the spring of that year.
After several years of local performances, Ten Ten formally ended their activities in 1991.
Following the split, Peter Bell briefly became part of the cover band Beat Off Odyssey before founding New West; subsequently, Don Ruzek and Lee Johnson also joined New West. Bell reconnected with his earlier group The Rage in 2014 but tragically lost his life in a car accident in August 2015.
Lee Johnson shifted his career toward stage production work based in Richmond. Don Ruzek moved into visual arts, web design, and composing soundtracks.
Mark Troth Lewis recorded the album Days of Heaven in 1991 with Pleasure Bombs for Atco Records and later played guitar for New York’s modern rock ensemble White Light Motorcade, releasing records in 2003 and 2005. Presently working as a producer and songwriter in New York City, Lewis has collaborated with artists such as Flyleaf and has served as Front of House Engineer for performers including Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tone Loc, Flock of Seagulls, and Howard Jones.
Albums
| Year | Title | US | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Ordinary Thinking | — | — |
| 1986 | Walk On | — | — |
Singles
| Year | Title | US | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "A Million Miles Away" | — | — |
| 1986 | "When It Rains" | — | — |