The Complex (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Dublin , Ireland |
| Products | Punk rock music |
The Complex was a punk rock ensemble originating from Dublin, Ireland, established in 1979. The group consisted of Liam Ó Maonlaí on vocals and guitar, Kevin Shields handling guitar duties, Colm Ó Cíosóig on drums, and a bassist identified simply as Mark. The band ceased activity in 1981 following Ó Maonlaí's exit. While they did not achieve commercial success, several members went on to create influential alternative rock acts including My Bloody Valentine and Hothouse Flowers.
Origins: 1979–1980
The band came together circa 1979 when guitarist Kevin Shields, aged 16, and drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig, then 14, answered a bassist Mark’s advertisement. Having recently become friends, Shields and Ó Cíosóig invited their schoolmate from Coláiste Eoin, Liam Ó Maonlaí, to join as lead singer and secondary guitarist. Their rehearsals took place consistently on Sundays. Shields characterized the group as being formed by "nerds and weirdos," contrasting with the typical punk crowd. Their live performances were limited but featured covers of tracks by the Sex Pistols and the Ramones.
Breakup: 1981
After roughly six to twelve months of activity, The Complex disbanded when Ó Maonlaí departed to initiate Hothouse Flowers. Subsequently, Shields and Ó Cíosóig created A Life in the Day, recruiting a new bassist and adopting a post-punk style inspired by bands such as Siouxsie and the Banshees and Joy Division. Despite recording a demo tape and performing locally, they struggled to gain significant audiences. In 1983, Shields and Ó Cíosóig founded My Bloody Valentine alongside vocalist David Conway (also known as Dave Stelfox).
Musical style
In an interview with Buddyhead, Shields described The Complex’s music as straightforward punk rock, merging elements of oi punk with earlier punk influences. He cited the Ramones—particularly guitarist Johnny Ramone, whom he referred to as "a noise generator"—as a significant influence. Shields also noted that Ó Maonlaí’s vocal delivery alternated between a harsh style reminiscent of John Lydon and a smoother approach akin to Elvis, which eventually contributed to the musical direction of Hothouse Flowers.
During a 2013 discussion with Pitchfork, Shields disclosed that it was while with The Complex in 1981 that he first experimented with pitch bending on guitar—a technique that later became central to My Bloody Valentine’s signature sound. He also expressed intentions to release recordings from this period on digital streaming platforms.
Members
- Liam Ó Maonlaí – vocals, guitar (1979–1981)
- Kevin Shields – guitar (1979–1981)
- Colm Ó Cíosóig – drums, percussion (1979–1981)
- Mark – bass (1979–1981)