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The Sound (band)

From Alfawiki
The Sound
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1979
FounderAdrian Borland, Graham Bailey, Mike Dudley, Bi Marshall
Defunct1988
Headquarters
South London
,
United Kingdom
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, singles

The Sound was a post-punk group originating from South London in 1979, remaining active until 1988. Led by Adrian Borland, the band emerged from his earlier project, the Outsiders.

Despite lacking commercial success, the Sound consistently earned acclaim from music critics.

Origins

Established in 1979 from former members of the punk outfit the Outsiders, the initial formation included Adrian Borland (vocals, guitar) and Graham Bailey (bass), both alumni of the Outsiders, alongside drummer Mike Dudley and woodwind instrumentalist Bi Marshall (Benita Biltoo). Although not officially part of the lineup, ex-Outsider Adrian Janes contributed creatively and co-wrote lyrics. Concurrently, Borland and Bailey also launched the group Second Layer.

Their first release was the EP Physical World in 1979 under manager Stephen Budd’s Tortch label. The record garnered favorable critiques from NME and received airplay from DJ John Peel. Early tracks were later assembled on the 1999 compilation album Propaganda.

Major label signing

Following the Physical World EP, plans were made for a full album. When WEA subsidiary Korova—home to Echo & the Bunnymen—heard the rough mixes financed by Budd, they signed the band.

The debut album, Jeopardy, was produced on a limited budget and released in November 1980 to wide critical acclaim, securing top ratings from NME, Sounds, and Melody Maker. The record incorporated elements characteristic of goth rock.

Shortly after its release, Marshall departed and was succeeded by Colvin "Max" Mayers, formerly of Cardiacs. Their sophomore effort, From the Lions Mouth (1981), produced by Hugh Jones, further impressed critics though their audience remained niche. That same year, Borland collaborated with Jello Biafra on an EP under the name the Witch Trials.

During the early 1980s, The Sound toured extensively throughout Europe, gaining particular popularity in the Netherlands where they built a dedicated fanbase. They recorded a session for John Peel and appeared performing "Sense of Purpose" on Old Grey Whistle Test. Additionally, they released the live EP Live Instinct exclusively in the Netherlands.

Under pressure from Korova to produce a more commercially viable third album, and after being transferred to WEA proper, the band responded with All Fall Down (1982), intentionally moving away from mainstream trends.

Label transitions

The critical backlash against All Fall Down resulted in The Sound parting ways with their label. In 1983, they issued a split EP with singer Kevin Hewick, titled This Cover Keeps Reality Unreal, through Cherry Red Records.

In 1984, they signed with independent label Statik and released the well-received EP Shock of Daylight, followed by their full-length album Heads and Hearts in 1985. Around this period, Borland began showing signs of mental health struggles, potentially aggravated by professional setbacks.

After issuing the live record In the Hothouse in 1985, Statik went bankrupt. Subsequently, The Sound recorded Thunder Up for Belgian label Play It Again Sam. During their 1987 tour in Spain, Borland experienced a breakdown that led to show cancellations. The band ultimately disbanded in early 1988.

Activities Following the Breakup

After the band's dissolution, Bailey spent sixteen years living in New Orleans before making his way back to the United Kingdom in 2007. Mayers passed away on 26 December 1993 due to AIDS.

Borland embarked on a solo journey lasting roughly ten years and engaged in various side ventures such as Honolulu Mountain Daffodils (under the pseudonym Joachim Pimento) and White Rose Transmission. Battling depression and schizoaffective disorder, he tragically took his own life in April 1999.

Before Borland’s passing, Renascent Records undertook remastering and reissuing the band's earlier works, excluding Thunder Up. Subsequent posthumous albums include Propaganda (1999), which features early 1979 recordings, and The BBC Recordings (2004), compiling radio sessions alongside live performances.

Edsel Records later released extensive box sets: Jeopardy / From the Lion's Mouth / All Fall Down...Plus in 2014 and Shock of Daylight / Heads and Hearts / In the Hothouse (Live) / Thunder Up / Propaganda in 2015.

On Black Friday of 2021, SoundHaarlemlikesVinyl unveiled Will and Testament, comprising three sides of live recordings plus a fourth side containing previously unreleased demos under the title 'Startime'.

In 2022, former drummer Michael Dudley founded “#IN2THESOUND,” a project dedicated to performing The Sound’s repertoire as a homage to Adrian Borland. As of 2023, Dudley remains the sole ex-member actively involved in music.

Legacy

Widely regarded as an underrated force within the music scene, The Sound received critical acclaim for their distinctive neo-pop style. Trouser Press praised their sound, drawing favorable comparisons to the Psychedelic Furs and Echo & the Bunnymen, though they questioned why commercial success eluded them. Jack Rabid of The Big Takeover described The Sound as "one of the finest bands of the 1980s." Chris Roberts from Uncut went further, stating that prominent acts like U2, Joy Division, and Bunnymen "fade in comparison to this band."

In 2001, a biography entitled Book of (Happy) Memories, compiled by Willemien Spook and Jean-Paul van Mierlo, was published chronicling Adrian Borland’s life. That same year saw the release of a tribute compilation called In Passing – A Tribute to Adrian Borland and the Sound.

The 2016 documentary Walking in the Opposite Direction, produced by Jean-Paul van Mierlo and Marc Waltman, explores Borland’s story. It premiered at IDFA, was showcased at various international film festivals, and became available on DVD in 2021. The documentary can also be rented or purchased via Vimeo.

Most recently, Simon Heavisides authored another biography titled Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland, published in April 2024.

Influences

The Sound’s musical style was shaped by inspirations including The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, and Joy Division.

Members

  • Adrian Borland – lead vocals, guitar (1979–1988; deceased 1999)
  • Graham Bailey – bass guitar, backing vocals (1979–1988)
  • Michael "Mike" Dudley – drums, backing vocals (1979–1987)
  • Bi Marshall – keyboards, backing vocals (1979–1981)
  • Colvin "Max" Mayers – keyboards, guitar, backing vocals (1981–1988; deceased 1993)

Studio albums

Year Album Title UK Indie Chart New Zealand Chart Record Label
1980 Jeopardy - 23 Korova
1981 From the Lions Mouth - - Korova
1982 All Fall Down - 50 WEA
1985 Heads and Hearts 23 - Statik Records
1987 Thunder Up - - Play It Again Sam Records
1999 Propaganda - - Renascent

EPs

  • Physical World E.P. (1979, Tortch Records)
  • This Cover Keeps Reality Unreal featuring Kevin Hewick (1983, Cherry Red Records)
  • Shock of Daylight (1984, Statik Records) – reached #31 in New Zealand
  • Live Instinct (live recording) (1981, WEA)

Live albums

  • In the Hothouse (1985, Statik Records)
  • The BBC Recordings (2004, Renascent)
  • Dutch Radio Recordings series (2006, Renascent)

Compilation albums

  • Counting the Days (1986, Statik Records)
  • Shock of Daylight & Heads and Hearts (1996, Renascent)
  • Box set: Jeopardy / From the Lion's Mouth / All Fall Down...Plus (2014, Edsel Records)
  • Box set: Shock of Daylight / Heads and Hearts / In the Hothouse (Live) / Thunder Up / Propaganda (2015, Edsel Records)
  • New Way of Life: Demo Recordings (2023, Demon Music Group)
  • Blood And Poison: Additional Studio Recordings (2023, Demon Music Group)

Singles

  • "Heyday"/"Brute Force" (1980, Korova)
  • "Sense of Purpose (What Are We Going to Do)"/"Point of No Return" (1981, Korova)
  • "Hot House"/"New Dark Age" (live version) (1982, Korova)
  • "Party of the Mind"/"Calling the New Tune" (1982, WEA)
  • "Counting the Days"/"Dreams Then Plans" (1984, Statik Records)
  • "One Thousand Reasons"/"Blood and Poison" (1984, Statik Records)
  • "Golden Soldiers"/"Counting the Days" (1984, Statik Records)
  • "Temperature Drop"/"Oiled" (1985, Statik Records)
  • "Under You"/"Total Recall" (1985, Statik Records)
  • "Hand of Love"/"Such a Difference" (1987, Play It Again Sam Records)
  • "Iron Years (Remix)"/"I Give You Pain (Live)" (1987, Play It Again Sam Records)

References

Notes


Bibliography

External links

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