Tse Tse Fly (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Paul Dorrington, Jayne Lockey, Simon Cleave |
| Defunct | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Leeds , England |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Tse Tse Fly was an alternative rock band originating from Leeds, England, established in 1988 by ex-A.C. Temple guitarist Paul Dorrington, along with Jayne Lockey and Simon Cleave. The group issued multiple EPs and one album prior to their dissolution in 1994, after which the original trio all became members of The Wedding Present.
History
The band came together in 1988 with Dorrington on guitar, Lockey handling vocals and bass, and Cleave contributing vocals and guitar. Their debut release, the Duckweed Smuggled Home EP, appeared in 1992; by this point, Dorrington had departed to join The Wedding Present. Subsequent lineup additions included Mark Goodrham (guitar, vocals) and Ian McCrimmon (drums). In 1993, they released the Fox Under Diesel EP before signing with Cherry Red Records, under which they launched their only full-length album, Mudflat Joey, in 1994. Following this period, Lockey and Cleave transitioned to The Wedding Present, marking the end of Tse Tse Fly. Additionally, Cleave became part of Cinerama. A compilation combining their initial two EPs along with extra tracks was issued by Pehr Records in 2001.
Musical style
Their music was characterized by a "guitar-squall" style drawing comparisons to acts such as Sonic Youth and that dog., featuring vocal duties shared between Lockey and Cleave alongside a "frantic trebly bass" line. They also integrated various samples including sounds of dogs and telephones into their compositions. Later recordings demonstrated an evolution toward psychedelic rock influences, showing noticeable resemblances to The Wedding Present's sound. Mike DaRonco from Allmusic described the Fox Under Diesel EP as containing "swirly guitar effects and distorted bass," lending it an "edgier, almost psychedelic vibe within their noisy pop."
Singles, EPs
- Duckweed Smuggled Home EP (1992) Ablution
- Fox Under Diesel EP (1993) Morphene
- "Fledgeling" (1994) Cherry Red
- "Scaffolding" (1994) Cherry Red
Albums
- Mudflat Joey (1994) Cherry Red
- Tse Tse Fly (2001) Pehr