The Brilliant Corners
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Bristol , England |
| Products | Indie pop music |
The Brilliant Corners were an indie pop group originating from Bristol, England, who were active during the 1980s and into the early 1990s.[1]
History
Established in 1983, the band's name was inspired by Thelonious Monk's jazz record Brilliant Corners. Its lineup included Davey Woodward (vocals, guitar), Chris Galvin (bass), Winston Forbes (lead guitar, percussion, backing vocals), Bob Morris (drums), Dan Pacini (trumpet, keyboards), and later Phil Elvins (guitar).[1]
Their initial releases helped define the indie pop genre, with three singles issued on their own SS20 label in 1984.[2] The following year saw the release of their first mini-album, Growing Up Absurd.[2] The 1986 EP Fruit Machine attracted considerable attention and radio support during a period when indie pop was gaining momentum. This success paved the way for their second mini-album, What's In A Word. Among their singles was "Brian Rix", a reimagined track enhanced with trumpet elements as a homage to charity figure Brian Rix, with all proceeds benefiting Mencap. The accompanying video was broadcast on The Tube, which increased their visibility.[3]
In 1988, they inaugurated the McQueen label and released their third full-length album, Somebody Up There Likes Me,[1] followed by a collection of earlier singles titled Everything I Ever Wanted. Subsequent albums included Joy Ride (1989), Hooked (1990), and the compilation Creamy Stuff (1991). Their last studio album before disbandment was A History Of White Trash in 1993.
After the group dissolved, Woodward and Galvin went on to form the Experimental Pop Band in 1995.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Chris Galvin died from cancer in 1998.[1] The Brilliant Corners briefly reunited for a tour in 2013. Winston Forbes passed away in 2019.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Band members
- Davey Woodward (vocals, guitar)
- Winston Forbes (guitar)
- Chris Galvin (bass)
- Bob Morris (drums)
- Dan Pacini (trumpet, keyboards)
- Phil Elvins (guitar)
- Paul Sandrone (guitar)
Discography
Positions listed correspond to the UK Indie Chart.
Singles
- "She's Got Fever" (1984, SS20) (No. 1)
- "Big Hip" (1984, SS20) (No. 16)
- "My Baby's In Black" (1984, SS20) (No. 14)
- "Brian Rix" (1987, SS20) (No. 11)
- "Delilah Sands" (1987, SS20) (No. 9)
- "Teenage" (2006, McQueen) (No. 9)
- "Why Do You Have To Go Out With Him When You Could Go Out With Me?" (1988, McQueen) (No. 10)
- "I Love It, I Lost It" (1990, McQueen)
- "The Pope, The Monkey and The Queen" (1990, McQueen)
EPs and mini-albums
- Growing Up Absurd mini-album (1985, SS20) (No. 26)
- The Fruit Machine EP (1986, SS20)
Albums
- What's In A Word (1986, SS20) (No. 8)
- Somebody Up There Likes Me (2006, McQueen) (No. 6)
- Joy Ride (1989, McQueen) (No. 6)
- Hooked (1990, McQueen)
- A History Of White Trash (1993, C.M.P.)
Compilations
- Everything I Ever Wanted (1988, McQueen) (compilation) (No. 17)
- Creamy Stuff (1991, McQueen)
- Heart on Your Sleeve: A Decade in Pop 1983–1993 (2013, Cherry Red)