Scarlet Party
Encyclopedia
Scarlet Party was formed in Essex
, England, in the early 1980s. The founder members were, singer/songwriters Graham Dye, and brother Steven Dye, with drummer Sean Heaphy.
They began to perform at many top venues, to a well established following, and had already recorded an album of original material, and were signed to a major record company, when joined by fourth member, Mark Gilmour, brother of Pink Floyd
's David Gilmour
, on lead guitar.
The debut single, "101 Dam-Nations
", was released on EMI
’s famous Parlophone
label, on 16 October 1982, alongside a special re-release of Love Me Do, celebrating The Beatles
' 20th anniversary at EMI. This helped to get Scarlet Party noticed, and with the voice of Graham Dye, uncannily resembling that of John Lennon
, a television, radio, and magazine, publicity campaign, helped to reinforce the connection. The single was enthusiastically received (Kate Bush
described it as her favourite), and reached number 44 in the UK Singles Chart
.
The follow-up single "Eyes Of Ice
", was released in February 1983, on ice-clear vinyl, which was a request from the band, and all art-work for the sleeve was created by Graham Dye, using coloured pencils. EMI then decided not to release the completed album, which was to be called 'Scarlet Skies'.
'Scarlet Skies', was recorded at Abbey Road Studios
in 1981-82, but has never been officially released. The linked songs explore themes of war, love, and alienation, in styles reminiscent of both the mini pop operas of The Who
, and the progressive concept albums of Pink Floyd
.
The band recorded more original songs written by the Dye brothers, as a four piece, until the departure of Mark Gilmour at the end of 1983, and then, once again, as a three piece, also working on other projects, including a musical cartoon adventure based on the band, none of which were taken on by EMI.
Scarlet Party continued performing live shows, joined briefly by new member Micky Portman on bass, and recorded several more tracks at Abbey Road Studios. However, the band now feeling disheartened, and disappointed in EMI, decided to call it a day at the end of 1985.
Graham Dye went on to work as lead vocalist, on several albums by The Alan Parsons Project
, and more recently, a new version of "101 Dam-Nations" was made, featuring Graham and Steven Dye, together with Phil Collins
of Genesis
, playing the drum
s. The brothers requested the help of Alan Parsons
to produce the recording, which is not yet available.
Words and Music by Graham Dye/Steven Dye - published by Sony/ATV Music
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, England, in the early 1980s. The founder members were, singer/songwriters Graham Dye, and brother Steven Dye, with drummer Sean Heaphy.
They began to perform at many top venues, to a well established following, and had already recorded an album of original material, and were signed to a major record company, when joined by fourth member, Mark Gilmour, brother of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
, on lead guitar.
The debut single, "101 Dam-Nations
101 Dam-Nations
101 Dam-Nations, is a song written by Graham Dye and Steven Dye.The catch-phrase "101 Damnations", is a play on words, derived from the title of the animated feature film One Hundred and One Dalmatians, made by The Walt Disney Company in 1961...
", was released on EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
’s famous Parlophone
Parlophone
Parlophone is a record label that was founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch was formed in 1923 as "Parlophone" which developed a reputation in the 1920s as a leading jazz label. It was acquired in 1927 by the Columbia Graphophone Company which...
label, on 16 October 1982, alongside a special re-release of Love Me Do, celebrating The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' 20th anniversary at EMI. This helped to get Scarlet Party noticed, and with the voice of Graham Dye, uncannily resembling that of John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, a television, radio, and magazine, publicity campaign, helped to reinforce the connection. The single was enthusiastically received (Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
described it as her favourite), and reached number 44 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
The follow-up single "Eyes Of Ice
Eyes Of Ice
Eyes of Ice, is a song written by Graham Dye and Steven Dye.Eyes Of Ice, was the second single by a band called Scarlet Party. It was released on EMI's famous Parlophone label, in February 1983, and reached number 77 in the UK chart. It was the follow-up to their debut single "101 Dam-Nations",...
", was released in February 1983, on ice-clear vinyl, which was a request from the band, and all art-work for the sleeve was created by Graham Dye, using coloured pencils. EMI then decided not to release the completed album, which was to be called 'Scarlet Skies'.
'Scarlet Skies', was recorded at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
in 1981-82, but has never been officially released. The linked songs explore themes of war, love, and alienation, in styles reminiscent of both the mini pop operas of The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, and the progressive concept albums of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
.
The band recorded more original songs written by the Dye brothers, as a four piece, until the departure of Mark Gilmour at the end of 1983, and then, once again, as a three piece, also working on other projects, including a musical cartoon adventure based on the band, none of which were taken on by EMI.
Scarlet Party continued performing live shows, joined briefly by new member Micky Portman on bass, and recorded several more tracks at Abbey Road Studios. However, the band now feeling disheartened, and disappointed in EMI, decided to call it a day at the end of 1985.
Graham Dye went on to work as lead vocalist, on several albums by The Alan Parsons Project
The Alan Parsons Project
The Alan Parsons Project was a British progressive rock band, active between 1975 and 1990, consisting of singer Eric Woolfson and keyboardist Alan Parsons surrounded by a varying number of session musicians....
, and more recently, a new version of "101 Dam-Nations" was made, featuring Graham and Steven Dye, together with Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
of Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
, playing the drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s. The brothers requested the help of Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons is a British audio engineer, musician, and record producer. He was involved with the production of several significant albums, including The Beatles' Abbey Road and Let It Be, as well as Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon for which Pink Floyd credit him as an important contributor...
to produce the recording, which is not yet available.
Singles
- "101 Dam-Nations" / "What Is This Thing" - 1982, UK #44 (Parlophone R6058)
- "Eyes Of Ice" / "Another World", - 1983, (Parlophone R6060),
Albums
- 'Scarlet Skies' - recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, in 1981-82, not released,
- "101 Dam-Nations"
- "Stop Your Game (War)"
- "Aftermath"
- "Now's Good Times"
- "Judy"
- "Eyes Of Ice"
- "Scarlet Skies"
- "In A World"
- "A Deadly Silence"
- "Another World"
- "101 Dam-Nations" (reprise)
Anthology
- Shining, - featuring Mark Gilmour, recorded at EMI Studio, Manchester Square, London, 1982
- Sky High, - featuring Mark Gilmour, recorded at Hook End Studio, Henley, 1982
- Fly by Night, - engineered by Phil HardingPhil Harding (producer)Phil Harding is an English audio engineer, producer and remixer, best known for his extended collaboration with keyboardist and programmer Ian Curnow....
, 1983 - Wonder, - engineered by Phil Harding, 1983
- Flying Saucers, - engineered by Phil Harding, 1983
- Genuine?, - recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, 1984
- Love Is..., - recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, 1984
- At The End Of The Day, - recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, 1984
- Save Me!, - recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, 1984
- 101 Dam-Nations, - featuring Phil Collins, recorded at Dinamec Studios, Geneva, Switzerland
Words and Music by Graham Dye/Steven Dye - published by Sony/ATV Music
Compilation albums featuring "101 Dam-Nations"
- Chart Wars - 1982, RoncoRoncoRonco is an American company that manufactures and sells a variety of items and devices, most commonly those used in the kitchen. Ron Popeil founded the company in 1964, and commercials for the company's products soon became pervasive and memorable, in part thanks to Popeil's personal sales pitches...
LP album - The Rock Collection : Indie Rock - 1993, Time-Life Music CD album
- Shake Some Action Volume 5 - 2001, bootlegBootleg recordingA bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
CD album - Lost And Found Volume 1 : Imagination - 2001, EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
CD album - Mod And Beyond - 2005, Crimson Productions CD album