The Shamen

The Shamen
Company type	Music group
Industry	Music
Founded	1985
Headquarters	Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
Products	Psychedelic rock, electronic dance music

The Shamen () originated as a Scottish psychedelic group formed in 1985 in Aberdeen. By the early 1990s, they had transformed into a leading electronic dance music outfit, achieving significant success on the UK Singles Chart. The original lineup included Colin Angus, Derek McKenzie, and Keith McKenzie, with Peter Stephenson joining shortly thereafter on keyboards. Angus later teamed up with Will Sinnott, helping to establish the band as innovators in blending rock and dance genres. The addition of rapper Mr. C elevated their international profile, yielding hits such as "Ebeneezer Goode" and the 1992 album Boss Drum.

1980s

Prior to adopting the name The Shamen, the ensemble released psychedelic electropop singles under the moniker Alone Again Or.^[1] Their first album, Drop (1987), drew heavily from 1960s psychedelia influences like Syd Barrett and Love.

By mid-1987, lead vocalist Colin Angus began integrating elements from early house music innovators such as S-Express and M/A/R/R/S, incorporating techno beats, hip-hop rhythms, and sampling techniques. This evolution influenced contemporaries including Jesus Jones and EMF. Their track "Christopher Mayhew Says" represented their initial fusion of beat machines with psychedelic rock. Later that year, co-founder Derek McKenzie departed due to artistic disagreements.

In October 1987, Will Sinnott joined the group as bassist and keyboardist, enabling Angus to concentrate on vocals and guitar. Sinnott brought a wealth of musical expertise from his time with improvisational collective Edith and the Ladies. Early visual works featured tracks like "Christopher Mayhew Says" and "Knature of a Girl," the latter marking Sinnott’s debut recording with the band.

By 1988, releases such as "Jesus Loves Amerika" reflected a growing techno influence inspired by Angus and Sinnott’s engagement with London’s acid house movement. Following the January 1989 release of In Gorbachev We Trust, founding members Keith McKenzie and Peter Stephenson exited. During this phase, connections were forged with Mr. C and DJ Evil Eddie Richards, who played key roles in steering their sound toward rave culture.

Angus and Sinnott moved to London to immerse themselves in the rave scene. In 1989, they initiated the Synergy tour—a groundbreaking nightclub event that combined live sets from The Shamen and acts like Orbital, alongside DJs including Paul Oakenfold, Mr C, and Evil Eddie Richards. This tour spanned nearly two years and bridged audiences from rock to club scenes. That same year saw the release of the mini-album Phorward, produced by Kevin Patterson of Fiction Factory.

1990s

Their third studio effort, En-Tact (1990), generated successful singles such as "Move Any Mountain (Progen '91)", "Hyperreal", and "Make It Mine". The band incorporated rapper/producer Mr. C along with vocalist Plavka Lonich, who became a prominent figure within the group as they solidified their identity as a leading rave act. Despite increasing UK popularity, internal tensions emerged due to their shift toward electronic dance music and its association with drug culture. In March 1991, "Hyperreal" reached number 28 on the UK Singles Chart. Live performances during the Synergy tour consistently sold out, featuring Gavin Knight on drums and Richard Sharpe on keyboards.

In May 1991, Will Sinnott released an EP titled "U Make Me Feel" under the alias Elsi Curry. Later that month, after touring Russia and filming the "Move Any Mountain" video in Tenerife, Sinnott tragically drowned near La Gomera. Colin Angus later remarked that continuing The Shamen was a tribute to Sinnott’s vision centered on positivity and transformation.

Following Plavka’s departure in July 1991 to pursue solo endeavors, Cheryl Melder assumed lead vocal duties. With Mr. C now fully integrated into the band, The Shamen embarked on their Progeny tour. Guest vocals by Soul Family Sensation’s Jhelisa Anderson appeared on their 1992 album Boss Drum, which featured spoken-word contributions from Terence McKenna on "Re:Evolution" alongside the controversial chart-topping single "Ebeneezer Goode". Despite criticism over perceived drug references, the track maintained commercial dominance for four consecutive weeks.

Additional singles such as "Boss Drum" and "Phorever People" also achieved strong chart placements. McKenna observed that mainstream success complicated their underground standing, while Colin Angus acknowledged difficulties managing public image and financial matters during this period.

The band’s heightened acclaim facilitated numerous remix projects throughout the Boss Drum era, including releases like the "Face EP", "S.O.S. EP", plus albums On Air (featuring live BBC radio sessions) and Different Drum (remixing tracks from Boss Drum). Commercial singles included "Boss Drum", "LSI (Love Sex Intelligence)", "Phorever People", "Ebeneezer Goode", and "Re:Evolution". Nonetheless, Sinnott’s death remained a poignant influence during this prolific phase.

In 1995, they issued Axis Mutatis, introducing new vocalist Victoria Wilson-James in place of Anderson. Early copies came with an experimental ambient bonus disc titled Arbor Bona Arbor Mala. Embracing technological innovation, The Shamen viewed themselves as an information-age band; their website Nemeton was among Britain’s earliest music sites to host exclusive online events—including debuting a single and album digitally in 1995. Colin Angus developed software translating human DNA sequences into electronic soundscapes; this technology was utilized on the track "S2 Translation" from Axis Mutatis.

Toward the late 1990s, they released two experimental records: instrumental Hempton Manor, reportedly recorded within seven days to fulfill contractual obligations with One Little Indian amid disputes with label founder Derek Birket, whose initials are spelled out across track titles as a subtle critique; followed by UV (1998), their final release under Moksha Recordings.

After disbanding The Shamen, Mr. C established himself as a house music DJ and owner of The End nightclub; by 2007 he was recording with Sycophant Slags via his Superfreq Records imprint. Colin Angus focused on his Pablo Sandoz project between 2004 and 2008.

Final lineup

Colin Angus – vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass guitar (1985–1999)
Bob Breeks – keyboards (1992–1999)
Gavin Knight – drums, electronic percussion (1991–1999)
Richard West (Mr. C) – vocals, keyboards (1990–1999)
Victoria Wilson-James – vocals (1993–1999)

Previous members

Alexis Blackmore (Lex Icon) – vocals, keyboards, turntables (1990–1991)
John Delafons – drums, electronic percussion (1989–1990)
Plavka Lonich – vocals (1990–1991)
Derek McKenzie – vocals, guitar (1985–1987)
Keith McKenzie – drums, electronic percussion (1985–1988)
Allison Morrison – keyboards, vocals (1985–1986)
Richard Sharpe – keyboards (1991–1992)
Will Sinnott (Will Sin) – bass guitar, keyboards, vocals (1987–1991; deceased)
Peter Stephenson – keyboards (1986–1988)

Touring musicians

Jhelisa Anderson – vocals (1992–1993)
Cody "The Chuck" H. – vocals (1991–1993)
Cheryl Melder – live vocals (1991–1992)
DJ Stika – turntables (1990)

Discography

Drop (1987)
In Gorbachev We Trust (1989)
Phorward (1989)
En-Tact (1990)
Boss Drum (1992)
Axis Mutatis (1995)
Hempton Manor (1996)
UV (1998)

External links

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