Earl Brutus
Encyclopedia
Earl Brutus was a British
indie rock
band that emerged in the 1990s. It was formed in 1993 by Rob Marche, Jamie Fry, Nick Sanderson
and Stuart Borman. Borman was replaced in 1995 by Gordon King.
It was renowned for their chaotically raucous and visually entertaining live shows, which often featured unusual stage props, including messages and slogans that were displayed on revolving garage forecourt signs, written in neon lights or spelt out using funeral wreath
s.
Musically, Earl Brutus's sound incorporated a diverse range of influences, including elements of early 1970s UK glam rock
, the electronica of Kraftwerk
, and the ramshackleness of the Fall. Its lyrics concentrated on the mundane side of modern British life while at the same time exploring its dark and seedy underbelly.
Despite receiving favourable press interest for the band's live shows, albums and singles, Earl Brutus failed to gain commercial success or widespread recognition and remained cult figures. Live shows were augmented by the presence of Shinya Hayashida in the band, who was employed to stand on stage and headbang or shout random abuse at the audience.
After a lengthy spell of inactivity, Earl Brutus returned for a one-off live date at Hammersmith Working Men's Club in London on 7 April 2004. Proceeds from the event, which also featured a DJ set from Mani
of Primal Scream
, were donated to Ken Livingstone
's London Mayoral election campaign. This gig also featured Frank Sidebottom (Chris Sievey) who played a truncated set as a result of being apparently drunk — and having limited vision with his papier mâche head on — that he tripped backward over one of the monitors, and fell approximately five feet down off the stage head first. He was subsequently carried out of the room, apparently unconscious.
Sanderson died on 9 June 2008 of lung cancer
at the age of 47.
Fry, King, Borman and Hayashida reformed with Laurence Bray, George Phillips and Vincent Gibson as The Pre New in June 2010, playing old World of Twist and Earl Brutus songs as well as new material.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band that emerged in the 1990s. It was formed in 1993 by Rob Marche, Jamie Fry, Nick Sanderson
Nick Sanderson (musician)
Nick Sanderson was an English musician, most famous for being the front man in Earl Brutus, and a short-term member of the critically acclaimed Scottish alternative rock band, The Jesus and Mary Chain.-Musical career:...
and Stuart Borman. Borman was replaced in 1995 by Gordon King.
It was renowned for their chaotically raucous and visually entertaining live shows, which often featured unusual stage props, including messages and slogans that were displayed on revolving garage forecourt signs, written in neon lights or spelt out using funeral wreath
Wreath
A wreath is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs and/or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring. They are used typically as Christmas decorations to symbolize the coming of Christ, also known as the Advent season in Christianity. They are also used as festive headdresses...
s.
Musically, Earl Brutus's sound incorporated a diverse range of influences, including elements of early 1970s UK glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
, the electronica of Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
, and the ramshackleness of the Fall. Its lyrics concentrated on the mundane side of modern British life while at the same time exploring its dark and seedy underbelly.
Despite receiving favourable press interest for the band's live shows, albums and singles, Earl Brutus failed to gain commercial success or widespread recognition and remained cult figures. Live shows were augmented by the presence of Shinya Hayashida in the band, who was employed to stand on stage and headbang or shout random abuse at the audience.
After a lengthy spell of inactivity, Earl Brutus returned for a one-off live date at Hammersmith Working Men's Club in London on 7 April 2004. Proceeds from the event, which also featured a DJ set from Mani
Gary Mounfield
Gary Manny "Mani" Mounfield , is an English rock bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. He has a distinctive playing style that combines a fast moving rock style with a dance rhythm or dub groove...
of Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
, were donated to Ken Livingstone
Ken Livingstone
Kenneth Robert "Ken" Livingstone is an English politician who is currently a member of the centrist to centre-left Labour Party...
's London Mayoral election campaign. This gig also featured Frank Sidebottom (Chris Sievey) who played a truncated set as a result of being apparently drunk — and having limited vision with his papier mâche head on — that he tripped backward over one of the monitors, and fell approximately five feet down off the stage head first. He was subsequently carried out of the room, apparently unconscious.
Sanderson died on 9 June 2008 of lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
at the age of 47.
Fry, King, Borman and Hayashida reformed with Laurence Bray, George Phillips and Vincent Gibson as The Pre New in June 2010, playing old World of Twist and Earl Brutus songs as well as new material.
Albums
- Your Majesty… We Are HereYour Majesty… We Are HereYour Majesty… We Are Here is the first album by Earl Brutus, released on Deceptive Records in 1996.-Track listing:# "Navyhead" - 5:03# "I'm New" - 4:07...
(1996, Deceptive RecordsDeceptive RecordsDeceptive Records was a British independent record label formed in 1992 by Steve Lamacq, Tony Smith and Alan James, which concentrated on rock and alternative rock. The most famous group signed to the label were Elastica....
) - Tonight You Are The Special OneTonight You Are the Special OneTonight You Are The Special One is the second album by Earl Brutus, released on Fruition records in 1998.-Track listing:# "The SAS and the Glam that Goes with It" - 3:38...
(1998, Fruition)
Singles
- "Life's Too Long" (1993, Icerink)
- Tracks: "Life's Too Long", "Valley of the Slimkings"
- "Bonjour Monsieur" (1995, Royal Mint)
- Tracks: "Bonjour Monsieur", "On Me, Not in Me"
- "Navyhead" (1996, Deceptive Records)
- Tracks: "Navyhead", "North Sea Bastard", "48 Trash"
- "Life's Too Long" (1996, Deceptive Records)
- Tracks: "Life's Too Long", "Motorola", "I Heart Earl Brutus"
- "I'm New" (1996, Deceptive Records)
- Tracks: "I'm New", "Like Queer David", "Mondo Rotunda"
- "The SAS and the Glam that Goes with It" (1997, Fruition) UK #136
- Tracks: "The SAS and the Glam that Goes with It", "Midland Red", "The Scottish"
- "Come Taste My Mind" (1998, Fruition) UK #88
- Tracks: "Come Taste My Mind", "Superstar", "Nice Man in a Bubble", "William, Taste My Mind"
- "Universal Plan" (1998, Fruition) UK #114
- Tracks: "Universal Plan", "Gypsy Camp Battle", "TV Tower", "Bonjour Monsieur"
- "Larky" (1999, Fruition) UK #166
- Tracks: "Larky", "Teenage Opera", "England Sandwich"