Sarandon (band)
Encyclopedia
Sarandon are an English indie rock
group, formed in London
in 2003, who have so far released two albums.
(aka Crayola), drummer James Higgott (formerly of HOST) and bass player Joe Morris (also of The Reverse), the group played their debut show in central London after having rehearsed only once before going into the studio to record their first record, The Miniest Album.
Much was made of the debut record being a 7" vinyl single containing 7 songs and so the band decided to release a series of such records. After the second release, The Big Flame (named in honour of their favourite band), James was replaced on drums by Simon Poole, a long time musical colleague of Crayola. The new line-up recorded two further 7 track 7" records, The Feminist Third and The June Bride, before having all four records compiled into a single CD release entitled The Completist's Library by the record label Wrath
in the UK and HHBTM
in the US. All four records were produced by Anthony Chapman, formerly of Collapsed Lung
, who has also produced Bis
, Spearmint
, Ten Benson
, Klaxons
, The Keatons and Crazy Gods of Endless Noise.
The June Bride takes its name from another of the band's favourite bands and featured guest appearances from Big Flame's Alan Brown and The June Brides
' Phil Wilson. The collection has been described as "an awful lot of fun".
In October 2006 the band were joined by Stephen Gilchrist
, replacing Simon Poole on drums - Stephen is best known as Graham Coxon
's drummer. He also performs in his own group, Stuffy & the Fuses, as well as working as a drum tutor.
In January 2007 Joe decided to take a sabbatical and was replaced by Alan Brown - Alan was a founder member of Big Flame and The Great Leap Forward
, played drums with A Witness
and more recently performed as one third of Marshall Smith.
Stephen got too busy for his own good and in September 2007 was replaced by Tom Greenhalgh on drums.
The new line up immediately recorded a cover version of an old June Brides song, "Every Conversation" and a new studio album entitled Kill Twee Pop!, which was released early in 2008 on Slumberland Records
.
Kill Twee Pop! was positively received by critics, and has been described as "a campaign ad to return to the avant punk rock intonations of the late 70’s and early 80’s.", "outlandish, concise and exuberant enough to attract many lovers of rhythmically and lyrically sharp rock", and "like an XTC album played by bonkers Ritalin unachievers", with SoundsXP saying "both for restoring the reputation of a certain strand of 80s indiepop and in making refreshingly askew new music with a wicked sense of humour, Sarandon ought to be applauded".
Sarandon have recorded sessions for BBC Radio 1
's One Music show and Marc Riley
’s BBC 6 Music
show, Rocket Science.
In October 2009 John Robb
's book "Death To Trad Rock" was published by Cherry Red Books. It includes a whole chapter devoted to Crayola and Sarandon and their place in the history of the UK independent music scene. As a celebration of the book a 7" single was released by Slumberland Records, a split between Sarandon and Robb's former band The Membranes.
August 2010 saw the band go into the new studio complex at Bucks University, again with Anthony Chapman producing, to record a new album. Entitled "Sarandon's Age Of Reason", the album is something of a concept album with narration provided by The Shend of The Cravats
and The Very Things
.
They were joined on piano by Rhodri Marsden
and the album is introduced by Robert Lloyd of The Nightingales
.
The album is due for release in early 2011 by Slumberland Records
in the USA and Odd Box Records in the UK.
Sarandon continue to record and perform sporadically.
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...
group, formed 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...
in 2003, who have so far released two albums.
History
Initially formed by singer/guitarist Simon WilliamsSimon Williams (musician)
Simon Williams is a Leicester-based musician and graphic designer.-Music:Williams currently fronts the indie pop band Sarandon, who have recorded several EPs and sessions for the BBC's OneMusic show and for Marc Riley's BBC Radio 6 program...
(aka Crayola), drummer James Higgott (formerly of HOST) and bass player Joe Morris (also of The Reverse), the group played their debut show in central London after having rehearsed only once before going into the studio to record their first record, The Miniest Album.
Much was made of the debut record being a 7" vinyl single containing 7 songs and so the band decided to release a series of such records. After the second release, The Big Flame (named in honour of their favourite band), James was replaced on drums by Simon Poole, a long time musical colleague of Crayola. The new line-up recorded two further 7 track 7" records, The Feminist Third and The June Bride, before having all four records compiled into a single CD release entitled The Completist's Library by the record label Wrath
Wrath Records
Wrath Records is a small independent record label based in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Unlike some 'indie labels', Wrath does not feature backing from any major record companies....
in the UK and HHBTM
Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records
Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records is an American independent record label based in Athens, Georgia, whose catalogue is rather heavily weighted towards twee indie pop music, with several of its bands being related to or influenced by The Elephant 6 Recording Company...
in the US. All four records were produced by Anthony Chapman, formerly of Collapsed Lung
Collapsed Lung (band)
Collapsed Lung are a Harlow-based Brit-Pop group most famous for the song "Eat My Goal". They formed in February 1992.-History:Collapsed Lung was originally formed as a bedroom studio collaboration between Anthony Chapman and Steve Harcourt...
, who has also produced Bis
Bis (band)
Bis are a Scottish indie pop band composed of Steven Clark , John Clark , and Amanda MacKinnon . Formed in 1994, the band broke up in 2003, but reformed briefly in 2007 for a series of concerts.-History:...
, Spearmint
Spearmint (band)
Spearmint are a London-based indie pop band, founded in 1995. Their founding members were Shirley Lee , Simon Calnan , Martin Talbot , and Ronan Larvor . Talbot left soon afterward, to be replaced by James Parsons. Dickon Edwards later ended up joining as second guitarist, though leaving in 2000 to...
, Ten Benson
Ten Benson
Ten Benson are a rock band from London, United Kingdom formed in 1997. Their early releases saw them described as "psychedelic hillbillies", but they later moved on to a heavy metal sound.-History:...
, Klaxons
Klaxons
Klaxons are a British indie rock band, based in London. Following the release of numerous 7-inch singles on different independent record labels, as well as the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on 29 January 2007....
, The Keatons and Crazy Gods of Endless Noise.
The June Bride takes its name from another of the band's favourite bands and featured guest appearances from Big Flame's Alan Brown and The June Brides
The June Brides
The June Brides were an English indie pop group, formed in London in 1983, by Phil Wilson and Simon Beesley of International Rescue. Influenced by Postcard-label bands such as Josef K and punk-era bands such as Buzzcocks, The Desperate Bicycles and The Television Personalities, their mix of guitar...
' Phil Wilson. The collection has been described as "an awful lot of fun".
In October 2006 the band were joined by Stephen Gilchrist
Stephen Gilchrist
Stephen Gilchrist is a musician from London, England who also teaches drums and guitar across London. He is best known as the drummer in Blur guitarist Graham Coxon's live band, and also appears on Burnt To Bitz, Graham Coxon Live at the Zodiac and the single Bloody Annoying / What Ya Gonna Do...
, replacing Simon Poole on drums - Stephen is best known as Graham Coxon
Graham Coxon
Graham Leslie Coxon is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and painter. He came to prominence as the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of rock band Blur, and is also a critically acclaimed solo artist, having recorded seven solo albums...
's drummer. He also performs in his own group, Stuffy & the Fuses, as well as working as a drum tutor.
In January 2007 Joe decided to take a sabbatical and was replaced by Alan Brown - Alan was a founder member of Big Flame and The Great Leap Forward
Great Leap Forward (band)
The Great Leap Forward was a band formed by former Big Flame member Alan Brown, when his previous band split up in 1987. Great Leap Forward was essentially a solo project, although various musicians were added for live performances. The sound was more melodic and danceable than his earlier band,...
, played drums with A Witness
A Witness
A Witness were an alternative rock band formed in 1982 in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England, by Rick Aitken , Vince Hunt and a drum machine, in 1986 replaced by Alan Brown...
and more recently performed as one third of Marshall Smith.
Stephen got too busy for his own good and in September 2007 was replaced by Tom Greenhalgh on drums.
The new line up immediately recorded a cover version of an old June Brides song, "Every Conversation" and a new studio album entitled Kill Twee Pop!, which was released early in 2008 on Slumberland Records
Slumberland Records
Slumberland Records is an American independent record label formed in 1989 in Washington, D.C. area and currently based in Oakland, CA. The label has released recordings from artists including Velocity Girl, Honeybunch, Lilys, Stereolab, St...
.
Kill Twee Pop! was positively received by critics, and has been described as "a campaign ad to return to the avant punk rock intonations of the late 70’s and early 80’s.", "outlandish, concise and exuberant enough to attract many lovers of rhythmically and lyrically sharp rock", and "like an XTC album played by bonkers Ritalin unachievers", with SoundsXP saying "both for restoring the reputation of a certain strand of 80s indiepop and in making refreshingly askew new music with a wicked sense of humour, Sarandon ought to be applauded".
Sarandon have recorded sessions for BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's One Music show and Marc Riley
Marc Riley
Marc Riley is a British musician, alternative rock critic and radio DJ on BBC 6 Music. Formerly a member of The Fall, he had his own record label, In-Tape, and also worked as a record plugger...
’s BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
show, Rocket Science.
In October 2009 John Robb
John Robb
John Robb is a Codhead vocalist in the punk rock band Goldblade. Based in Manchester, he has also written several books on music and frequently appears as a journalist/commentator on documentary/light entertainment music shows.-Early life:Robb was born in Fleetwood and grew up in suburban Blackpool...
's book "Death To Trad Rock" was published by Cherry Red Books. It includes a whole chapter devoted to Crayola and Sarandon and their place in the history of the UK independent music scene. As a celebration of the book a 7" single was released by Slumberland Records, a split between Sarandon and Robb's former band The Membranes.
August 2010 saw the band go into the new studio complex at Bucks University, again with Anthony Chapman producing, to record a new album. Entitled "Sarandon's Age Of Reason", the album is something of a concept album with narration provided by The Shend of The Cravats
The Cravats
The Cravats are a punk rock band originally from Redditch, England, founded in 1977 by Robin Dallaway and The Shend . Further members were Svor Naan and Dave Bennett ....
and The Very Things
The Very Things
The Very Things were a Dadaist post punk band from Redditch, Worcestershire, England, formed in 1983 and active until 1988.-History:When The Cravats split up in 1982, guitarist Robin Raymond The Very Things were a Dadaist post punk band from Redditch, Worcestershire, England, formed in 1983 and...
.
They were joined on piano by Rhodri Marsden
Rhodri Marsden
-Journalism:Rhodri Marsden currently writes a weekly column for The Independent called "Life On Marsden", and a monthly "Cyberculture" spread for the same newspaper about technology and the internet. He previously wrote The Observer Music Monthly's "Guitarist Wanted" column, which required him to...
and the album is introduced by Robert Lloyd of The Nightingales
The Nightingales
The Nightingales are a British punk/alternative band formed in 1979 in Birmingham, England. Original members were Robert Lloyd , Joe Crow on guitar, Eamonn Duffy on bass and Paul Apperley on drums, all formerly of The Prefects...
.
The album is due for release in early 2011 by Slumberland Records
Slumberland Records
Slumberland Records is an American independent record label formed in 1989 in Washington, D.C. area and currently based in Oakland, CA. The label has released recordings from artists including Velocity Girl, Honeybunch, Lilys, Stereolab, St...
in the USA and Odd Box Records in the UK.
Sarandon continue to record and perform sporadically.
Current members
- Simon WilliamsSimon Williams (musician)Simon Williams is a Leicester-based musician and graphic designer.-Music:Williams currently fronts the indie pop band Sarandon, who have recorded several EPs and sessions for the BBC's OneMusic show and for Marc Riley's BBC Radio 6 program...
- Vocals/guitar (2003–Present) - Alan Brown - Bass (2007–Present)
- Tom Greenhalgh - Drums (2007–Present)
Past members
- Joe Morris (2003–2007)
- Stephen GilchristStephen GilchristStephen Gilchrist is a musician from London, England who also teaches drums and guitar across London. He is best known as the drummer in Blur guitarist Graham Coxon's live band, and also appears on Burnt To Bitz, Graham Coxon Live at the Zodiac and the single Bloody Annoying / What Ya Gonna Do...
(2006–2007) - Simon Poole (2004–2006)
- James Higgott (2003–2004)
Singles
- The Miniest Album (Jul 2004, Run Out, RUN001 [7"])
- The Big Flame (June 2005, Banazan, BAN20 [7"])
- The Feminist Third (Dec 2005, Wrath, WRATH32 [7"])
- The June Bride (May 2006, Wrath, WRATH38 [7”])
- "Joe's Record" (October 2007, Slumberland, SLR072 [7”])
- "Every Conversation" (split with Phil Wilson) (December 2007, Every Conversation, March 2008 [7"])
- "Other People's Records" (December 2008, Little Car Records, MINI01 [7"])
- "Spike Milligan's Tape Recorder" (split with The Membranes) (October 2009, Slumberland, SLR109 [7"])
Albums
- The Completist’s Library (Aug 2006, WrathWrath RecordsWrath Records is a small independent record label based in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Unlike some 'indie labels', Wrath does not feature backing from any major record companies....
, WRATH40CD [CD]; Jan 2007, HHBTM, HHBTM083 [CD]) - Kill Twee Pop!Kill Twee Pop!Kill Twee Pop! is the first studio album by Sarandon, following the retrospective The Completists Library. It was released in 2008 on Slumberland Records, and featured the latest line-up of the band, with singer/guitarist Crayola joined by Tom Greenhalgh on drums and former Big Flame member Alan...
(April 2008, SlumberlandSlumberlandSlumberland Furniture, Inc. is a furniture retailer in the Midwestern United States, founded in 1967. Originally the company specialized in mattresses and La-Z-Boy recliners. Today Slumberland has 114 stores in 10 states. It is America's top seller of La-Z-Boy upholstery and the top seller of...
[10"], [CD]) - Sarandon's Age Of Reason (January 2011, SlumberlandSlumberlandSlumberland Furniture, Inc. is a furniture retailer in the Midwestern United States, founded in 1967. Originally the company specialized in mattresses and La-Z-Boy recliners. Today Slumberland has 114 stores in 10 states. It is America's top seller of La-Z-Boy upholstery and the top seller of...
[12"], Odd Box [CD])
External links
- official website
- sarandon on myspace
- sarandon on flickr
- sarandon on discogs.com
- Leahy, Andrew "[ Sarandon Biography]", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
Interviews
- Diskant interview
- "Now Hear This: Sarandon: No Cardigans Please, Twee is Simply Awful", Sentimentalist
Reviews
- Sendra, Tim "[ Kill Twee pop! Review]", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- PopMatters review of The Completist's Library
- Dunn, Jim (2008) "Sarandon | Kill Twee Pop! (Slumberland)" (review), Playback:stl
- Padilla, Sean (2008) "Sarandon Kill Twee Pop!" (review), PopMattersPopMattersPopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...