Letters and Colours
Encyclopedia
Letters & Colours is a British new wave group from the North of England who become known for their combination of early eighties new wave and disco beats. They gained recognition along with the New Yorkshire
and Nu Rave scenes, and groups such as Bloc Party
, Interpol (band)
, Editors
and The Departure
. They list The Cure
, Depeche Mode
and The Smiths
as influences and gained comparisons to such groups, as well as Joy Division
, Echo & the Bunnymen
, Bauhaus (band)
, Artery (post-punk band)
and Comsat Angels
. Letters & Colours combined a heavy, repetitive rhythm section with lush, melodic guitar and haunting vocals. This created a bleak sound with a danceable quality, often referred to as Noir Pop. The band formed in 2003 as a two piece, before extending the line up to four members; ultimately splitting up in August 2007.
students David Jaques (Guitar) and Gerry Poole (Vocals, keys, guitar). Jaques and Poole played shows throughout the North of England including performances at The Leadmill in Sheffield
and Barfly (club)
in Liverpool
, building up a strong fanbase. Combining live shows and the release of free recordings (made available through myspace), the band built a large following making them one of the first groups, along with Arctic Monkeys
and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
to use the internet to swell their fanbase. The first shows used the combination of guitars, programming and vocals to create tight, epic music but could lack direction due to the limitations of programmed drums in the live context.
Over the next year the line up was extended in order to create more flexibility in live performances, initially drafting in Ian Baxter on bass guitar to be shortly followed by Paul Roberts on drums. The band gelled quickly as a four piece inspiring a change in style for the group. The new sound was accompanied by an increase in tempo and more exciting live performances, adding a pop edge to the band's sound. With new songs and a greater live presence, Letters & Colours continued to build their fanbase and played with groups such as Harrisons
and Little Man Tate (band)
, and played at In The City (festival)
in Manchester, during 2005.
At the beginning of 2006 Baxter left the band to concentrate on drumming duties in fellow Sheffield band The Yell. The band had organised a national tour and single to be released on their own label, Dead Product in March 2006, but with the departure of Baxter the bands plans were put in jeopardy. The band recorded the single without Baxter, and toured with Miller deputising on bass for certain songs. The single and tour were a success, spurring the band to carry on and find a new bassist in Ric Griffiths.
Within weeks of completing the new line up, the group developed several new songs and played their first gig at The Plug
, with New Young Pony Club
. During 2006/07 Letters & Colours played headline shows all over the UK including The Fly in London
, The Faversham in Leeds
, The Barfly in Liverpool, and Sheffield Universitys legendary Fuzz Club
, as well as Mean Fiddler's Carling Weekend. Letters & Colours also appeared on BBC's Look North news programme, alongside The Pigeon Detectives
in the press coverage for the 2006 Carling Weekend. The band also garnered critical acclaim from DJs on Xfm, Radio 1, 6Music, BBC Raw Talent and were one of Steve Lamacq
's top tips for 2007.
The band's song 'Alpha' was included in Alt Delete's era defining compilation Digital Penetration in 2006 and in April 2007 the band released Gaunt/Plan A on Mother Tongue. The song was recorded by Sheffield musician/producer Alan Smyth
and was Steve Lamacq's single of the week on his Monday night Radio 1 new music show.
Despite continuing to receive critical acclaim, and an ever increasing fanbase, the band split in the summer of 2007, believing they had achieved all they could in their current guise.
Confrontation
Release Date :18 March 2006
Label: Dead Product
Cat No: DP003
Tracklisting: A - Confrontation/AA- Bigger Than Life
Gaunt
Release Date :30 April 2007
Label: Mother Tongue
Cat No: MOTH18S
Tracklisting: A - Gaunt/AA- Plan A
Other Releases
Chase The Bull
Release Date: June 2006
Album: Demo
Label: N/a
Cat No: N/a
Alpha*
Release Date: 7 October 2006
Album: Digital Penetration Vol 1
Label: Alt Delete
Cat No: altdel004
Celibate Man
Release Date: 2007
Album:
Label:
Cat No:
Syntax*
Release Date: 30 May 2007
Album: Across The Pennines II
Label: Across The Pennines
Cat No: ATP002
Where Cynics Prosper
Release Date: March 2007
Album: Radio Promo Only
Label: Mother Tongue
Cat No: N/a
Letters & Colours also gave out free mp3s of unreleased material through their Myspace and mailing lists. These songs can be found throughout the internet.
Alpha and Syntax also released as a radio promo under Dead Product (DP004)
and the Maffickers until early 2010.
In early 2011 Gerry was diagnosed with stomach cancer. This article where he talks about his experience of claiming DLA http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/09/cancer-iain-duncan-smith-welfare-cuts appeared in the Guardian.
New Yorkshire
New Yorkshire is a musical movement identified by UK music magazine NME in 2005, in response to the success of Yorkshire bands such as Arctic Monkeys, The Cribs, and Kaiser Chiefs....
and Nu Rave scenes, and groups such as Bloc Party
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
, Interpol (band)
Interpol (band)
Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...
, Editors
Editors
Editors are a British indie rock band based in Birmingham, who formed in 2002. Previously known as Pilot, The Pride and Snowfield, the band consists of Tom Smith , Chris Urbanowicz , Russell Leetch and Ed Lay .Editors have so far released two platinum studio...
and The Departure
The Departure
The Departure was an English rock band from Northampton, formed in October 2003. Their debut album, Dirty Words, was released 13 June 2005 by Parlophone. A second album, Inventions, was expected to be released in early 2008, but was not...
. They list The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
and The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
as influences and gained comparisons to such groups, as well as Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
, Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
, Bauhaus (band)
Bauhaus (band)
Bauhaus was an English rock band formed in Northampton in 1978. The group consisted of Peter Murphy , Daniel Ash , Kevin Haskins and David J . The band was originally Bauhaus 1919 before they dropped the numerical portion within a year of formation...
, Artery (post-punk band)
Artery (band)
Artery are a British post-punk band from Sheffield, that was founded in 1978. They were originally known confusingly as just The. After several changes in the line-up and four albums they split up in 1985...
and Comsat Angels
Comsat Angels
The Comsat Angels were a post-punk band from Sheffield and Doncaster, England, active from 1978 to 1995. Their music has been described as "abstract pop songs with spare instrumentation, many of which were bleak and filled with some form of heartache." They have been credited as being an influence...
. Letters & Colours combined a heavy, repetitive rhythm section with lush, melodic guitar and haunting vocals. This created a bleak sound with a danceable quality, often referred to as Noir Pop. The band formed in 2003 as a two piece, before extending the line up to four members; ultimately splitting up in August 2007.
Career
Letters & Colours were formed in late 2003 by Sheffield Hallam UniversitySheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University is a higher education institution in South Yorkshire, England, based on two sites in Sheffield. City Campus is located in the city centre, close to Sheffield railway station, and Collegiate Crescent Campus is about two miles away, adjacent to Ecclesall Road in...
students David Jaques (Guitar) and Gerry Poole (Vocals, keys, guitar). Jaques and Poole played shows throughout the North of England including performances at The Leadmill in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and Barfly (club)
Barfly (club)
Barfly is a chain of live music venues nightclubs in the UK operating as part of the MAMA Group. It has venues in Brighton, London & York. They regularly feature live music. Their club nights tend to feature rock, alternative and independent music...
in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, building up a strong fanbase. Combining live shows and the release of free recordings (made available through myspace), the band built a large following making them one of the first groups, along with Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is an American indie rock group based in Brooklyn, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their debut album, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, was self-released in 2005.-History:...
to use the internet to swell their fanbase. The first shows used the combination of guitars, programming and vocals to create tight, epic music but could lack direction due to the limitations of programmed drums in the live context.
Over the next year the line up was extended in order to create more flexibility in live performances, initially drafting in Ian Baxter on bass guitar to be shortly followed by Paul Roberts on drums. The band gelled quickly as a four piece inspiring a change in style for the group. The new sound was accompanied by an increase in tempo and more exciting live performances, adding a pop edge to the band's sound. With new songs and a greater live presence, Letters & Colours continued to build their fanbase and played with groups such as Harrisons
Harrisons
Harrisons were a four-piece guitar band from Hillsborough in Sheffield, England. They were one of the leading bands in the so-called New Yorkshire scene, along with fellow Sheffielders Arctic Monkeys, Milburn, The Long Blondes and Bromheads Jacket...
and Little Man Tate (band)
Little Man Tate (band)
Little Man Tate were a four-piece indie rock band from Sheffield, England who formed in 2005. They broke up in 2009. The band quickly began attracting interest from several record labels and in March 2006 signed to V2 Records, later parting ways in November 2007...
, and played at In The City (festival)
In The City (festival)
In The City is an annual music industry conference and festival founded by the late Tony Wilson, formerly of Factory Records and Granada Television, and his partner Yvette Livesey....
in Manchester, during 2005.
At the beginning of 2006 Baxter left the band to concentrate on drumming duties in fellow Sheffield band The Yell. The band had organised a national tour and single to be released on their own label, Dead Product in March 2006, but with the departure of Baxter the bands plans were put in jeopardy. The band recorded the single without Baxter, and toured with Miller deputising on bass for certain songs. The single and tour were a success, spurring the band to carry on and find a new bassist in Ric Griffiths.
Within weeks of completing the new line up, the group developed several new songs and played their first gig at The Plug
The Plug
The Plug Nightclub is a 1200 capacity live music venue and nightclub located in Matilda Street, Sheffield, UK...
, with New Young Pony Club
New Young Pony Club
New Young Pony Club are an English electronic band from London, consisting of members from London, Hereford, Cambridge and Bromley. Their influences are prominently from post-punk and New Wave....
. During 2006/07 Letters & Colours played headline shows all over the UK including The Fly in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, The Faversham in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, The Barfly in Liverpool, and Sheffield Universitys legendary Fuzz Club
Fuzz Club
The Fuzz Club was an indie rock night hosted by University of Sheffield Union of Students, which ran from 1999 to 2009. It claimed to be the biggest students union rock night in the UK outside London....
, as well as Mean Fiddler's Carling Weekend. Letters & Colours also appeared on BBC's Look North news programme, alongside The Pigeon Detectives
The Pigeon Detectives
The Pigeon Detectives are an English indie rock band from Rothwell, West Yorkshire, who formed in 2004. They have been championed by such well known DJs as Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley, and performed at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2006, where they were tagged "the band most likely to leap to...
in the press coverage for the 2006 Carling Weekend. The band also garnered critical acclaim from DJs on Xfm, Radio 1, 6Music, BBC Raw Talent and were one of Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
's top tips for 2007.
The band's song 'Alpha' was included in Alt Delete's era defining compilation Digital Penetration in 2006 and in April 2007 the band released Gaunt/Plan A on Mother Tongue. The song was recorded by Sheffield musician/producer Alan Smyth
Alan Smyth
Alan Smyth is a music producer from Sheffield, England. He has worked with a number of bands, including Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Reverend and The Makers, The Long Blondes, Milburn, Richard Hawley, Dead Like Harry, Smokers Die Younger, Monkey Swallows the Universe, Little Man Tate, 65daysofstatic,...
and was Steve Lamacq's single of the week on his Monday night Radio 1 new music show.
Despite continuing to receive critical acclaim, and an ever increasing fanbase, the band split in the summer of 2007, believing they had achieved all they could in their current guise.
Recordings
SinglesConfrontation
Release Date :18 March 2006
Label: Dead Product
Cat No: DP003
Tracklisting: A - Confrontation/AA- Bigger Than Life
Gaunt
Release Date :30 April 2007
Label: Mother Tongue
Cat No: MOTH18S
Tracklisting: A - Gaunt/AA- Plan A
Other Releases
Chase The Bull
Release Date: June 2006
Album: Demo
Label: N/a
Cat No: N/a
Alpha*
Release Date: 7 October 2006
Album: Digital Penetration Vol 1
Label: Alt Delete
Cat No: altdel004
Celibate Man
Release Date: 2007
Album:
Label:
Cat No:
Syntax*
Release Date: 30 May 2007
Album: Across The Pennines II
Label: Across The Pennines
Cat No: ATP002
Where Cynics Prosper
Release Date: March 2007
Album: Radio Promo Only
Label: Mother Tongue
Cat No: N/a
Letters & Colours also gave out free mp3s of unreleased material through their Myspace and mailing lists. These songs can be found throughout the internet.
Alpha and Syntax also released as a radio promo under Dead Product (DP004)
After The Split
After the split Gerry produced material under the moniker of Horen http://mog.com/Horen, and Paul played drums with Penny BroadhurstPenny Broadhurst
Penny Broadhurst , was a British pop singer, songwriter, writer and former spoken word artist from the north of England. She listed Kate Bush, Doctor Who, Prefab Sprout, Lloyd Cole, Belle & Sebastian, Kirsty MacColl and The Smiths among her many influences...
and the Maffickers until early 2010.
In early 2011 Gerry was diagnosed with stomach cancer. This article where he talks about his experience of claiming DLA http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/09/cancer-iain-duncan-smith-welfare-cuts appeared in the Guardian.