Stars In Battledress (band)
Encyclopedia
Stars In Battledress are an English musical duo featuring brothers Richard and James Larcombe. They are notable for their complex but tuneful compositions, their unorthodox fusion of folk music sources and British/American art rock influences, and for their intricate and allusive lyrics.
A related project led by Richard Larcombe - called Defeat The Young – has strong ties to Stars In Battledress. Both projects have ties to other bands including North Sea Radio Orchestra
, Cardiacs
, The Monsoon Bassoon
, Max Tundra
and Admirals' Hard.
(such as Don Caballero
) and the complex "psychedelic mediaeval" music of the related British bands Cardiacs
and The Sea Nymphs. Though the band have displayed a reluctance to be associated directly with progressive rock
, the complexity of their music and the use of expansive keyboard textures have sometimes seen them labelled as a progressive rock act: Richard Larcombe's distinctly English tenor delivery has sometimes seen him compared to Richard Sinclair
(Caravan
, Hatfield and the North
, etc.).
Stars In Battledress are also notable for Richard Larcombe's literate and allusive post-modern lyrics, which span traditional topics such as love songs and social advancement while also cross-referencing more unusual subjects such as silent film, doppelganger
s, historical figures such as Havelock Ellis
, the English landscape painters Thomas Gainsborough
and John Constable
and the work of the Canadian hard-rock band Voivod
(sometimes incorporating several of these subjects within the same song).
, Devon
, UK. The brothers were tentative musical collaborators from a fairly young age and had always intended to take their collective work further. Richard also attended school with future musical ally Kavus Torabi (Cardiacs
, The Monsoon Bassoon
, Guapo
etc.).
Moving to London, Richard formed rock band Magnilda with himself on lead vocals and guitar - other members included future television and radio presenter Iain Lee
(bass, vocals) and Cardiacs
roadie “Captain” John Hook (drums). Magnilda displayed Richard’s taste for complex and witty songs using advanced harmony (at this point, in a more straightforward indie-rock context) and tongue-in-cheek humour. Sometimes compared to mid-period XTC
, they produced one cassette demo (Clocks Are Like People) and played concerts alongside (among others) The Monsoon Bassoon
and The Shrubbies (the latter featuring various ex-Cardiacs
and future North Sea Radio Orchestra
members). The band came to an end in late 1998/early 1999, partly due to Lee’s increasing commitment to The 11 O'Clock Show.
At around the same time, James Larcombe was attending the University of Oxford
. Upon his own graduation and subsequent move to London in 1999, he and Richard formed Stars In Battledress, naming themselves after the British military entertainment organisation
.
- and he was later to produce the recording sessions for their debut album.
Along with members of Foe, Ursa and The Monsoon Bassoon
, the Larcombes became involved in setting up the small House Of Stairs record label. Their first appearance on record – the instrumental “Sand (Blowing About)”, described as "a beautiful dance of fluent piano and autoharp" by Evophonic - appeared on the label’s 2002 compilation Useless In Bed Vol. 1.
In 2003 this was followed by the debut Stars In Battledress album, Secrets And Signals, which received favourable reviews in the underground press. Aural Innovations recommended the album to "those who enjoy a theatrical flair to their music" and described it as "a sometimes rich, sometimes sparse tapestry of progressive chamber pop", also noting its "lush, dreamy, fantasy quality". Ink19, noting the band's "ethereal and distinctly English" quality (and comparing them to similarly English mavericks such as Julian Cope
or Felt
) concluded "one has to be impressed with the talent and skill that the brothers Lancombe bring to this release with their considerable abilities... Yet, for all their technical ability and prowess, this album remains one that fails to connect emotionally." Pop Matters noted that "there is a richness and intelligent approach to each and every track" while cautioning that the album is "very pretty in some respects, but... lacks small intangibles in others."
Currently the Larcombe brothers are more often found together when contributing to William D. Drake
or North Sea Radio Orchestra
concerts.
, Tim Bowness
/Peter Chilvers
and David Schweitzer) but has been dormant since then.
Defeat The Young has released four songs to date. Three were on the “Four Seasons Singles Club – Summer 2001” box set on Day Release Records (“Bad Penny Said She Likes Me”, “Lift Up What You're Wearing” and “King Of A Frozen World”) with a further song (“I’m Ruining Something”) appearing on the House of Stairs Useless In Bed Vol. 1 2002 compilation.
(in which Richard sings and James plays organ), and the sea-shanty band Admirals’ Hard (in which Richard sings and plays guitar while James plays hurdy-gurdy, other group members are from The Monsoon Bassoon
, Foe, and Tunng
). Both brothers are also regular live collaborators with William D. Drake
.
Richard and James Larcombe contributed remixes to Max Tundra
’s download-only covers album Best Friends in 2008 ( Richard remixed “Lamplight On A One-Horse Shoe” as “The Singing Doctor” and James remixed “The Balaton” as “Oakeshott”).
James Larcombe currently plays keyboards for revived British psychedelic rock band Zag And The Coloured Beads
.
In 2002, Richard Larcombe played bass with Kavus Torabi’s short-lived post-Monsoon Bassoon project Miss Helsinki.
A related project led by Richard Larcombe - called Defeat The Young – has strong ties to Stars In Battledress. Both projects have ties to other bands including North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
, Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
, The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
, Max Tundra
Max Tundra
Ben Jacobs, more commonly known by the stage name Max Tundra, is an English multi-instrumental musician, singer and music producer. His work is predominantly electronic music but incorporates non-electronic styles and instruments...
and Admirals' Hard.
Sound
Stars In Battledress draw strongly on traditional folk sources (most obviously in their use of folk instrumentation such as harmonium and autoharp, and in the specifically English inflections of Richard Larcombe's singing voice), 1990s American art rockArt rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
(such as Don Caballero
Don Caballero
Don Caballero are an American rock group from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The group took their name from the character Guy Caballero, portrayed by Joe Flaherty, on the sketch comedy show Second City Television...
) and the complex "psychedelic mediaeval" music of the related British bands Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
and The Sea Nymphs. Though the band have displayed a reluctance to be associated directly with progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, the complexity of their music and the use of expansive keyboard textures have sometimes seen them labelled as a progressive rock act: Richard Larcombe's distinctly English tenor delivery has sometimes seen him compared to Richard Sinclair
Richard Sinclair
Richard S. Sinclair is a progressive rock bassist, guitarist and vocalist who has been a member of several bands of the Canterbury scene.-Biography:...
(Caravan
Caravan (band)
Caravan are an English band from the Canterbury area, founded by former Wilde Flowers members David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan. Caravan rose to success over a period of several years from 1968 onwards into the 1970s as part of the Canterbury scene, blending...
, Hatfield and the North
Hatfield and the North
Hatfield and the North were an experimental Canterbury scene rock band that lasted from October 1972 to June 1975, with some reunions thereafter.-Career:...
, etc.).
Stars In Battledress are also notable for Richard Larcombe's literate and allusive post-modern lyrics, which span traditional topics such as love songs and social advancement while also cross-referencing more unusual subjects such as silent film, doppelganger
Doppelgänger
In fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger is a paranormal double of a living person, typically representing evil or misfortune...
s, historical figures such as Havelock Ellis
Havelock Ellis
Henry Havelock Ellis, known as Havelock Ellis , was a British physician and psychologist, writer, and social reformer who studied human sexuality. He was co-author of the first medical textbook in English on homosexuality in 1897, and also published works on a variety of sexual practices and...
, the English landscape painters Thomas Gainsborough
Thomas Gainsborough
Thomas Gainsborough was an English portrait and landscape painter.-Suffolk:Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury, Suffolk. He was the youngest son of John Gainsborough, a weaver and maker of woolen goods. At the age of thirteen he impressed his father with his penciling skills so that he let...
and John Constable
John Constable
John Constable was an English Romantic painter. Born in Suffolk, he is known principally for his landscape paintings of Dedham Vale, the area surrounding his home—now known as "Constable Country"—which he invested with an intensity of affection...
and the work of the Canadian hard-rock band Voivod
Voivod (band)
Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
(sometimes incorporating several of these subjects within the same song).
Stars In Battledress prehistory
Richard Larcombe (vocals, guitars, harmonium, autoharp) and younger brother James Larcombe (piano, harmonium, church organ, hurdy-gurdy, various keyboards) grew up in a musical family in the region of PlymouthPlymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, UK. The brothers were tentative musical collaborators from a fairly young age and had always intended to take their collective work further. Richard also attended school with future musical ally Kavus Torabi (Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
, The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
, Guapo
Guapo (band)
Guapo is a British experimental rock/art rock band formed in the mid 1990s by drummer/percussionist Dave Smith and guitarist/vocalist Matt Thompson...
etc.).
Moving to London, Richard formed rock band Magnilda with himself on lead vocals and guitar - other members included future television and radio presenter Iain Lee
Iain Lee
Iain Lee is a British comedian, and a television and radio presenter. His career began when he performed stand-up comedy gigs across venues in London. He subsequently became co-presenter of the comedy current affairs show The 11 O'Clock Show on Channel 4 and RI:SE...
(bass, vocals) and Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
roadie “Captain” John Hook (drums). Magnilda displayed Richard’s taste for complex and witty songs using advanced harmony (at this point, in a more straightforward indie-rock context) and tongue-in-cheek humour. Sometimes compared to mid-period XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
, they produced one cassette demo (Clocks Are Like People) and played concerts alongside (among others) The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
and The Shrubbies (the latter featuring various ex-Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
and future North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
members). The band came to an end in late 1998/early 1999, partly due to Lee’s increasing commitment to The 11 O'Clock Show.
At around the same time, James Larcombe was attending the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
. Upon his own graduation and subsequent move to London in 1999, he and Richard formed Stars In Battledress, naming themselves after the British military entertainment organisation
Stars in Battledress
Stars in Battledress ' was an organisation that produced entertainment during World War II for and by military personnel- History :In Britain, during the Second World War, entertainment was considered an essential to keep morale high. In 1939 ENSA was organised by Basil Dean to send groups of...
.
Stars In Battledress history
Unsuited to the environment of touring rock bands or indeed most rock venues, Stars In Battledress concentrated on playing small or acoustic-orientated venues where their drum-less lineup (generally Richard playing semi-acoustic guitar and James playing harmonium and digital piano) would work better. (This is a practise which they have continued to this day - appearing at smaller venues such as Toynbee Hall and Lark In The Park and sympathetic underground clubnights such as The Orchestra Pit - although they have notably played the larger capacity University Of London Union and The Garage, London in support of Cardiacs). The Larcombes had by now befriended their old musical hero - Cardiacs leader Tim SmithTim Smith (Cardiacs)
Tim Smith is an English singer-songwriter, composer, poet, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and music video director....
- and he was later to produce the recording sessions for their debut album.
Along with members of Foe, Ursa and The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
, the Larcombes became involved in setting up the small House Of Stairs record label. Their first appearance on record – the instrumental “Sand (Blowing About)”, described as "a beautiful dance of fluent piano and autoharp" by Evophonic - appeared on the label’s 2002 compilation Useless In Bed Vol. 1.
In 2003 this was followed by the debut Stars In Battledress album, Secrets And Signals, which received favourable reviews in the underground press. Aural Innovations recommended the album to "those who enjoy a theatrical flair to their music" and described it as "a sometimes rich, sometimes sparse tapestry of progressive chamber pop", also noting its "lush, dreamy, fantasy quality". Ink19, noting the band's "ethereal and distinctly English" quality (and comparing them to similarly English mavericks such as Julian Cope
Julian Cope
Julian Cope is a British rock musician, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet and cultural commentator...
or Felt
Felt (band)
Felt were a 1980s British alternative rock band led by Lawrence, whose surname was never listed in any credits or press; the band's name was inspired by Tom Verlaine's emphasis of the word "felt" in the Television song "Venus"...
) concluded "one has to be impressed with the talent and skill that the brothers Lancombe bring to this release with their considerable abilities... Yet, for all their technical ability and prowess, this album remains one that fails to connect emotionally." Pop Matters noted that "there is a richness and intelligent approach to each and every track" while cautioning that the album is "very pretty in some respects, but... lacks small intangibles in others."
Current activity
Stars In Battledress have played intermittent live concerts in recent years (notably supporting Cardiacs and Momus) and have mentioned following up Secrets And Signals with an EP called Story Of The Hood Tapes, Vol. 1 (the latter remains unreleased, although an excerpt – “Hollywood Says So” – can be heard on their MySpace page).Currently the Larcombe brothers are more often found together when contributing to William D. Drake
William D. Drake
William D. Drake is an English musician, keyboardist, pianist, composer and singer-songwriter. He is best known as a former member of the cult English rock band Cardiacs, whom he played with for nine years between 1983 and 1992...
or North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
concerts.
Defeat The Young
Richard Larcombe leads a second project called Defeat The Young. This produces similar material to that covered by Stars In Battledress but with a stronger theatrical/music hall factor (including adding George Formby and The Marx Brothers to existing influences). James Larcombe plays hurdy-gurdy and various keyboards for this project, but does not contribute to the songwriting - other contributors have included Paul Westwood (hammer dulcimer, ex-Foe/Geiger Counter), composer Terry Mann (double bass/vocals - and the Larcombe's brother-in-law) and Mark Braby (bass – organiser of The Orchestra Pit avant-garde performance nights in London). The band has played several London dates (most notably a performance at the 12 Bar Club in November 2002 alongside RhatiganSuzanne Rhatigan
-Career:She moved to London in the early 1980s and found work as a session singer for Stock, Aitken and Waterman Records, before embarking on a solo career, recording her debut album with Fred Maher in 1992, To Hell With Love, which was released the following year. For some time in the early 1990s,...
, Tim Bowness
Tim Bowness
Tim Bowness is a singer/songwriter primarily known for his work as part of the band No-Man, a long-term project formed in 1987 with Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson.-Music career:...
/Peter Chilvers
Peter Chilvers (musician)
Peter Chilvers is a Cambridgeshire-based British musician and composer best known as a collaborator with Brian Eno and Tim Bowness.Chilvers is one of the three co-founders of the Burning Shed online record label, with Tim Bowness and Pete Morgan....
and David Schweitzer) but has been dormant since then.
Defeat The Young has released four songs to date. Three were on the “Four Seasons Singles Club – Summer 2001” box set on Day Release Records (“Bad Penny Said She Likes Me”, “Lift Up What You're Wearing” and “King Of A Frozen World”) with a further song (“I’m Ruining Something”) appearing on the House of Stairs Useless In Bed Vol. 1 2002 compilation.
Related Projects and Associations
Both brothers are members of the contemporary music ensemble North Sea Radio OrchestraNorth Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
(in which Richard sings and James plays organ), and the sea-shanty band Admirals’ Hard (in which Richard sings and plays guitar while James plays hurdy-gurdy, other group members are from The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
, Foe, and Tunng
Tunng
Tunng are an experimental folk band from the United Kingdom.The band is often associated with the folktronica genre due to the electronic influences evident in some of their work.-Biography:...
). Both brothers are also regular live collaborators with William D. Drake
William D. Drake
William D. Drake is an English musician, keyboardist, pianist, composer and singer-songwriter. He is best known as a former member of the cult English rock band Cardiacs, whom he played with for nine years between 1983 and 1992...
.
Richard and James Larcombe contributed remixes to Max Tundra
Max Tundra
Ben Jacobs, more commonly known by the stage name Max Tundra, is an English multi-instrumental musician, singer and music producer. His work is predominantly electronic music but incorporates non-electronic styles and instruments...
’s download-only covers album Best Friends in 2008 ( Richard remixed “Lamplight On A One-Horse Shoe” as “The Singing Doctor” and James remixed “The Balaton” as “Oakeshott”).
James Larcombe currently plays keyboards for revived British psychedelic rock band Zag And The Coloured Beads
Zag And The Coloured Beads
Zag And The Coloured Beads are an English experimental rock band.Blending elements of psychedelic rock and progressive rock, the band were initially active in the 1980s London free-festival scene and featured several members who went on to subsequent projects including Ring, Levitation and The Milk...
.
In 2002, Richard Larcombe played bass with Kavus Torabi’s short-lived post-Monsoon Bassoon project Miss Helsinki.
Stars In Battledress
- "Sand (Blowing About)" (track on Useless In Bed, Vol. 1 House of Stairs label compilation, 2003)
- Secrets And Signals (House of Stairs, 2003)
- The Story Of The Hood Tapes, Vol 1 (unreleased)
- "Foundling" (track on The Leader Of The Starry Skies compilation tribute album to Tim Smith, 2010)
Defeat the Young
- “Four Seasons Singles Club – Summer 2001” (three tracks on CD single box set)
- "I'm Ruining Something" (track on Useless In Bed, Vol. 1 House of Stairs label compilation, 2003)