Love Spit Love
Encyclopedia
Love Spit Love was a musical group founded in 1992 by singer Richard Butler
following the initial disbanding of the Psychedelic Furs.
, whose band, Pale Divine, had been the opener on the Furs' final US tour. The two began to collaborate on what Butler expected would become his first solo record. The duo enlisted drummer Frank Ferrer
to help develop the material. As the songs took shape, however, Butler opted to push the project into a new band. The band's name was taken from a 1991 performance art exhibit in New York, which featured three naked couples (of varying sexual orientation) openly engaging in acts of affection. The event was the brainchild of Kelly Cutrone, now a PR mogul and founder of People's Revolution. At the time, Cutrone was married to Ronnie Cutrone, an artist who worked closely with Andy Warhol; the event was aimed at protesting government censorship of "obscene" music and art.
To record their debut album, the band brought in Butler's brother (and Furs bandmate) Tim to fill in on bass. (Butler also co-wrote six songs on the album.) The completed self-titled album
was released in August 1994 on Imago Records. The album's lead single, "Am I Wrong", was warmly received at alternative radio and MTV
. (The song eventually appeared on the soundtrack to the 1995 movie Angus, with a marching band
added to the background of the song.)
Richard Butler and Fortus undertook a series of promotional tour dates in mid-1994, performing acoustically. For a late 1994 tour, the band enlisted bassist Lonnie Hillyer. The fall touring included an appearance on The Jon Stewart Show
, where the band performed second single "Change in the Weather".
Near the end of 1995, the band was approached by the music supervisor of the movie The Craft
, who inquired if the band might record a cover of The Smiths
' "How Soon Is Now?
". After initial reluctance, the band recorded the song, and it was released as a single from the movie's soundtrack in 1996. Some years later, Warner Bros utilized the band's cover as the theme song for the television series Charmed
.
For most of 1995 and 1996, the band found themselves in a precarious situation with their label. Imago Records, which was founded as a joint venture between Terry Ellis
and BMG
, lost its distribution deal with BMG at the end of 1994. Ellis retained the contracts to the label's bands and hoped to find a new distributor. By 1996, however, the label went bankrupt, leaving the band to find another home. Later that year, Love Spit Love signed with Maverick Records
. In the meantime, Chris Wilson replaced Hillyer on bass.
The band's second album, Trysome Eatone
, was released in August 1997. The album spawned two singles, "Long Long Time" and "Fall on Tears".
After touring in support of the album, Love Spit Love spent the rest of the 1990s idle, before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2000. That year, the Psychedelic Furs decided to reform, with both Fortus and Ferrer joining the reformed lineup. Fortus later spent time as a supporting guitarist for Nena
and is currently a member of the re-formed Guns N' Roses
along with Ferrer.
Richard Butler (singer)
Richard Lofthouse Butler is the lead singer of the Psychedelic Furs. He is also the founder and vocalist for the disbanded Love Spit Love.-Musical career:...
following the initial disbanding of the Psychedelic Furs.
History
When the Psychedelic Furs disbanded in 1992, Butler moved to New York. Butler contacted guitarist Richard FortusRichard Fortus
Richard Fortus is a professional guitarist who is most famous for being rhythm guitarist in Guns N' Roses.Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Fortus cut his teeth throughout the Midwest with his band, The Eyes. The four-piece alternative band independently released "Freedom in a Cage", which was...
, whose band, Pale Divine, had been the opener on the Furs' final US tour. The two began to collaborate on what Butler expected would become his first solo record. The duo enlisted drummer Frank Ferrer
Frank Ferrer
Frank Ferrer is an American rock drummer and session musician. In October 2006, Ferrer became an official member of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses after serving as the band's emergency substitute drummer for Bryan Mantia on several occasions during the band's summer 2006 European tour...
to help develop the material. As the songs took shape, however, Butler opted to push the project into a new band. The band's name was taken from a 1991 performance art exhibit in New York, which featured three naked couples (of varying sexual orientation) openly engaging in acts of affection. The event was the brainchild of Kelly Cutrone, now a PR mogul and founder of People's Revolution. At the time, Cutrone was married to Ronnie Cutrone, an artist who worked closely with Andy Warhol; the event was aimed at protesting government censorship of "obscene" music and art.
To record their debut album, the band brought in Butler's brother (and Furs bandmate) Tim to fill in on bass. (Butler also co-wrote six songs on the album.) The completed self-titled album
Love Spit Love (album)
Love Spit Love is an album by Love Spit Love. It was released on August 2, 1994, on Imago Records.-Track listing:#"Seventeen" – 4:17#"Superman" – 4:14#"Half a Life" – 4:10...
was released in August 1994 on Imago Records. The album's lead single, "Am I Wrong", was warmly received at alternative radio and MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. (The song eventually appeared on the soundtrack to the 1995 movie Angus, with a marching band
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
added to the background of the song.)
Richard Butler and Fortus undertook a series of promotional tour dates in mid-1994, performing acoustically. For a late 1994 tour, the band enlisted bassist Lonnie Hillyer. The fall touring included an appearance on The Jon Stewart Show
The Jon Stewart Show
The Jon Stewart Show was a short-lived talk show hosted by comedian Jon Stewart on MTV. It premiered in 1993 and became the second highest-rated program on the network behind Beavis and Butt-Head....
, where the band performed second single "Change in the Weather".
Near the end of 1995, the band was approached by the music supervisor of the movie The Craft
The Craft (film)
The Craft is a 1996 American supernatural teen horror film directed by Andrew Fleming and starring Robin Tunney, Rachel True, Fairuza Balk and Neve Campbell. The film's plot centers on a group of four teenage girls who pursue witchcraft and use it for their own gain...
, who inquired if the band might record a cover of 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...
' "How Soon Is Now?
How Soon Is Now?
"How Soon Is Now?" is a song by the British alternative rock band The Smiths. Written by Smiths singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, it was originally a B-side of the 1984 single "William, It Was Really Nothing"...
". After initial reluctance, the band recorded the song, and it was released as a single from the movie's soundtrack in 1996. Some years later, Warner Bros utilized the band's cover as the theme song for the television series Charmed
Charmed
Charmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M...
.
For most of 1995 and 1996, the band found themselves in a precarious situation with their label. Imago Records, which was founded as a joint venture between Terry Ellis
Terry Ellis (manager)
Terry Ellis is an English record producer and manager best known for his early work with Jethro Tull, and as co-founder of Chrysalis Music in 1969....
and BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
, lost its distribution deal with BMG at the end of 1994. Ellis retained the contracts to the label's bands and hoped to find a new distributor. By 1996, however, the label went bankrupt, leaving the band to find another home. Later that year, Love Spit Love signed with Maverick Records
Maverick Records
Maverick Recording Company is an American record label owned and operated by Warner Music Group, and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Company history:...
. In the meantime, Chris Wilson replaced Hillyer on bass.
The band's second album, Trysome Eatone
Trysome Eatone
Trysome Eatone is an album by Love Spit Love. It was released on August 26, 1997, on Maverick Records.-Track listing:#"Long Long Time" – 4:18#"Believe" – 3:52#"Well Well Well" – 3:21...
, was released in August 1997. The album spawned two singles, "Long Long Time" and "Fall on Tears".
After touring in support of the album, Love Spit Love spent the rest of the 1990s idle, before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2000. That year, the Psychedelic Furs decided to reform, with both Fortus and Ferrer joining the reformed lineup. Fortus later spent time as a supporting guitarist for Nena
Nena
Gabriele Susanne Kerner , better known by her stage name Nena, is a German singer and actress. She rose to international fame in 1983 with the New German Wave song "99 Luftballons". In 1984, she re-recorded this song in English as "99 Red Balloons". Nena was also the name of the band with whom she...
and is currently a member of the re-formed Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
along with Ferrer.
Discography
- Love Spit LoveLove Spit Love (album)Love Spit Love is an album by Love Spit Love. It was released on August 2, 1994, on Imago Records.-Track listing:#"Seventeen" – 4:17#"Superman" – 4:14#"Half a Life" – 4:10...
(1994) #195 US - Trysome EatoneTrysome EatoneTrysome Eatone is an album by Love Spit Love. It was released on August 26, 1997, on Maverick Records.-Track listing:#"Long Long Time" – 4:18#"Believe" – 3:52#"Well Well Well" – 3:21...
(1997)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. Mod Rock | |||
| 1994 | "Change in the Weather" | - | 31 | Love Spit Love |
| "Am I Wrong" | 83 | 3 | ||
| 1997 | "Long Long Time" | - | 33 | Trysome Eatone |
| "Fall on Tears" | - | 39 | ||