Jean-Paul Sartre Experience
Encyclopedia
The Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, later renamed JPS Experience after a lawsuit
by the estate of Jean-Paul Sartre
, were an indie rock
band on New Zealand
's Flying Nun Records
.
Their first crudely-recorded demo tape was supplied to campus radio stations around the country in a can. It contained early versions of songs like "Einstein" and "Crap Rap" , that would appear on subsequent releases. In 1986 they were asked to record a track for the "Weird Culture, Weird Custom" compilation produced by the student radio network. Their track was "Let That Good Thing Grow" - re-released on their first album. They were subsequently signed by Flying Nun, who issued their eponymous début EP
in January 1987, and début album Love Songs the same year, described by Allmusic as "an exceptional - if short - affair". After two further albums for the label, they added keyboard player Russell Baillie and abbreviated their name to the JPS experience after being threatened with legal action by Sartre's estate. After three EPs, Baillie departed in 1993, and the band released their fourth album, Bleeding Star, which took a noisier approach than their earlier recordings, drawing comparisons with Pixies and My Bloody Valentine. Mulcahy had left during the album's recording, forming Monster and later Superette and Eskimo, who released one album before shortening their name to Kimo
. He was replaced by Matt Heine, formerly of Solid Gold Hell. The band continued until their split in 1994.
After the demise of JPS Experience, David Yetton recorded two albums with The Stereo Bus
and one solo album, as well as playing with The Mutton Birds
. James Lang released one solo album and Gary Sullivan performed on the first Stereo Bus album and on early Dimmer
releases. Sullivan joined Solid Gold Hell.
and Australia
. The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by the JPS Experience.
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
by the estate of Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre was a French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary critic. He was one of the leading figures in 20th century French philosophy, particularly Marxism, and was one of the key figures in literary...
, were an 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 on New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's Flying Nun Records
Flying Nun Records
Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s...
.
History
The band was formed in 1984 by Dave Yetton (vocals, bass guitar), Gary Sullivan (drums), and Dave Mulcahy (guitar). They were later joined by a second guitarist, Jim Laing.Their first crudely-recorded demo tape was supplied to campus radio stations around the country in a can. It contained early versions of songs like "Einstein" and "Crap Rap" , that would appear on subsequent releases. In 1986 they were asked to record a track for the "Weird Culture, Weird Custom" compilation produced by the student radio network. Their track was "Let That Good Thing Grow" - re-released on their first album. They were subsequently signed by Flying Nun, who issued their eponymous début EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
in January 1987, and début album Love Songs the same year, described by Allmusic as "an exceptional - if short - affair". After two further albums for the label, they added keyboard player Russell Baillie and abbreviated their name to the JPS experience after being threatened with legal action by Sartre's estate. After three EPs, Baillie departed in 1993, and the band released their fourth album, Bleeding Star, which took a noisier approach than their earlier recordings, drawing comparisons with Pixies and My Bloody Valentine. Mulcahy had left during the album's recording, forming Monster and later Superette and Eskimo, who released one album before shortening their name to Kimo
Kimo (band)
Kimo are a New Zealand based alternative musical group consisting of David Mulcahy and Rob Mayes ....
. He was replaced by Matt Heine, formerly of Solid Gold Hell. The band continued until their split in 1994.
After the demise of JPS Experience, David Yetton recorded two albums with The Stereo Bus
The Stereo Bus
The Stereo Bus is a New Zealand band, formed by David Yetton, formerly of the Jean-Paul Sartre Experience.The band recorded two albums: The Stereo Bus in 1997 and Brand New in 1999 and were originally active between 1997 and 2000....
and one solo album, as well as playing with The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds was a band from New Zealand formed in 1991 by Don McGlashan, Ross Burge, and David Long.-History:All three members came into the band with experience: McGlashan came from Blam Blam Blam and The Front Lawn, guitarist Long had played in the Six Volts and Burge had played in the...
. James Lang released one solo album and Gary Sullivan performed on the first Stereo Bus album and on early Dimmer
Dimmer (band)
Dimmer is a musical group from New Zealand. The driving force behind the band is Shayne Carter, a prominent New Zealand musician and member of such bands as Straitjacket Fits and Double Happys. The band have released four full length albums, "I Believe You Are A Star" , "You've Got To Hear The...
releases. Sullivan joined Solid Gold Hell.
Albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Certification | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Love Songs | Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s... |
- | - | FN078 |
| 1988 | Love Songs | Communion | - | - | COMM2 |
| 1989 | The Size of Food | Flying Nun Records | - | - | FN122 |
| 1990 | Elemental | Communion | - | - | COMM24CD |
| 1993 | Bleeding Star Bleeding Star Bleeding Star is the final album released in 1993 by New Zealand band Jean-Paul Sartre Experience.-Track listing:#"Intro"#"Into You"#"Ray of Shine"#"I Believe in You"#"Spaceman"#"Still Can't Be Seen"#"Bleeding Star"#"Breathe"#"Modus Vivendi"... |
Flying Nun Records | - | - | FN246 |
| 1995 | The Jean-Paul Sartre Experience (comp.) | Flying Nun Records | - | - | FNCD078 |
EPs
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Certification | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Jean-Paul Sartre Experience | Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s... |
- | - | FN057 |
| 1992 | Precious EP | Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s... |
- | - | FNMC212/FNCD221 |
| 1993 | Masked and Taped EP | Flying Nun Records | - | - | FNCD244 |
| 1993 | Breathe EP | Flying Nun Records | - | - | FNCD245 |
| 1994 | Into You EP | Flying Nun Records | - | - | FNCD271 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Album | NZ Singles Chart | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "I Like Rain"/"Bo Diddley" | - | - | |
| 1993 | "Ray of Shine"/"Shiver" | - | - | |
Compilation appearances
The group have appeared on some compilations and soundtracks since their inception in both New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by the JPS Experience.
- (1999) - ScarfiesScarfies (soundtrack)"Scarfies" is the soundtrack to the New Zealand film of the same name and has been released alongside the movie in 1999.-Track listing:#Save My Life - Bike#Outer Space - 3Ds#George - Headless Chickens#Doledrums - The Chills...
(Flying Nun RecordsFlying Nun RecordsFlying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s...
) - "Let There Be Love" & "Grey Parade" - (1987) - Weird Culture, Weird Custom "Let That Good Thing Grow" National Student Radio
External links
- [ AMG entry]
- Jean-Paul Sartre Experience at Flying Nun