Terminal Power Company
Encyclopedia
Terminal Power Company was a British industrial
-alternative band
.
in Birmingham, UK, by Paul Aspel and John Roome, designed specifically to be a "cyberpunk
band", the band cited many diverse visual influences on their music. Amongst these were William Gibson
, John Shirley
- Authors, Bladerunner, Aliens
, Spaghetti Western
s and Film Noir
. Essentially the band was formed to create virtual sound tracks for these types of films and books. Their first demo tapes were received well and in early 1990 TPC signed to Situation Two
and soon released their first single "Wired" (SIT 80).
Following the release of "Wired" they signed a three-album contract with Beggars Banquet Records
. The band spent two weeks during November 1990 recording their first album Run Silent, Run Deep
, which was released in early 1991 and was well received by the press. The album was soon followed by the single "The Hunger, The Heat", and later that year the second single from the album, "Salvation". The version released was a remix of the album version and featured a drummer and additional extra guitar performed by Mark Gemini Thwaite
, most recently known for being a member of The Mission
.
During the period directly after the recording of Run Silent, Run Deep, Aspel and Roome decided to expand the line up of the band to a four-piece. Up to this point, they had played as a three-piece with Mark McKenzie on bass and were using a backing tape for drums and keyboards. They felt that the adding of a full time drummer and bass player would fill out the sound and make the group have a proper "band" feel on stage.
Through the bands tour manager, John Adkins, Aspel and Roome were introduced to Dave Askey, former bassist with Goth rockers "Dawn after Dark". Askey was quickly introduced to the band's material and after a short period of rehearsal and gigging the band entered the studio to record their second album, Red Skin Eclipse
.
The album was recorded during November 1992 at the Rich Bitch recording studio in Selly Oak, Birmingham, UK, taking four weeks to record and mix and was co-produced by "Godflesh
" Guitarist and song writer Justin Broadrick
.
Prior to the release of their second album, the band brought in Stourbridge-based drummer Lee Haggerty.
The band expected the album to be released in March 1993, however, the record label decided to delay release until the following October.
During the summer of 1993 the band decided to remix some of the tracks from the new album with ON-U sound producer Adrian Sherwood
at the Roundhouse recording studio. The sessions were also added to with contributions from Tackhead guitarist, Skip McDonald.
From the results of this session the track listing on Red Skin Eclipse was altered to include the remixed version of "Juggernaut". This track was later to be released as the band's fourth single.
The band continued touring, headlining and supporting other acts but were dropped by their record label during March 1994. They then signed to Leicester based Stay Free Records.
The band's final album, Cyclops
, was released in summer 1995 and featured Shane Embury
from Napalm Death
on two tracks: "Soft White Underside" and "Cyclops". The album was not as successful as the band had hoped and the band dissolved during November of that year.
Other appearances
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
-alternative band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
.
History
Formed in 19891989 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
in Birmingham, UK, by Paul Aspel and John Roome, designed specifically to be a "cyberpunk
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is a postmodern and science fiction genre noted for its focus on "high tech and low life." The name is a portmanteau of cybernetics and punk, and was originally coined by Bruce Bethke as the title of his short story "Cyberpunk," published in 1983...
band", the band cited many diverse visual influences on their music. Amongst these were William Gibson
William Gibson
William Gibson is an American-Canadian science fiction author.William Gibson may also refer to:-Association football:*Will Gibson , Scottish footballer...
, John Shirley
John Shirley
John Shirley is an American fantasist, author of noir fiction, and science-fiction writer. Shirley is a prolific writer of novels and short stories, TV scripts and screenplays who has published over 30 books and 10 collections...
- Authors, Bladerunner, Aliens
Aliens (film)
Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, William Hope, and Bill Paxton...
, Spaghetti Western
Spaghetti Western
Spaghetti Western, also known as Italo-Western, is a nickname for a broad sub-genre of Western films that emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's unique and much copied film-making style and international box-office success, so named by American critics because most were produced and...
s and Film Noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
. Essentially the band was formed to create virtual sound tracks for these types of films and books. Their first demo tapes were received well and in early 1990 TPC signed to Situation Two
Situation Two
Situation Two, aka Situation 2, was a record label created in 1981 by Peter Kent as an offshoot of the larger Beggars Banquet label. At the time, Beggars Banquet records were distributed by WEA Records; so, to appeal to the indie audience and to get releases into the indie charts, the Situation Two...
and soon released their first single "Wired" (SIT 80).
Following the release of "Wired" they signed a three-album contract with Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
. The band spent two weeks during November 1990 recording their first album Run Silent, Run Deep
Run Silent, Run Deep (album)
Run Silent, Run Deep is the first album by Terminal Power Company. It was recorded in two weeks in November 1990, for the Beggars Banquet sub-label Situation Two...
, which was released in early 1991 and was well received by the press. The album was soon followed by the single "The Hunger, The Heat", and later that year the second single from the album, "Salvation". The version released was a remix of the album version and featured a drummer and additional extra guitar performed by Mark Gemini Thwaite
Mark Thwaite
Mark Gemini Thwaite has been the guitarist for a number of British rock bands and artists over the last two decades, including The Mission, Tricky, Peter Murphy, New Disease, Spear of Destiny, Theatre of Hate, Mob Research , and Canadian band National Velvet plus various guest appearances...
, most recently known for being a member of The Mission
The Mission (band)
The Mission are a gothic rock band formed in 1986 from the splinters of the freshly dissolved rock band The Sisters of Mercy.The band was started by frontman Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams , soon adding...
.
During the period directly after the recording of Run Silent, Run Deep, Aspel and Roome decided to expand the line up of the band to a four-piece. Up to this point, they had played as a three-piece with Mark McKenzie on bass and were using a backing tape for drums and keyboards. They felt that the adding of a full time drummer and bass player would fill out the sound and make the group have a proper "band" feel on stage.
Through the bands tour manager, John Adkins, Aspel and Roome were introduced to Dave Askey, former bassist with Goth rockers "Dawn after Dark". Askey was quickly introduced to the band's material and after a short period of rehearsal and gigging the band entered the studio to record their second album, Red Skin Eclipse
Red Skin Eclipse
Red Skin Eclipse is the second full-length album by British industrial-alternative band Terminal Power Company. Released by Beggars Banquet Records, the album was recorded in November and December of 1992 at Rich Bitch Studios and was produced and mixed by Justin Broadrick...
.
The album was recorded during November 1992 at the Rich Bitch recording studio in Selly Oak, Birmingham, UK, taking four weeks to record and mix and was co-produced by "Godflesh
Godflesh
Godflesh are an English industrial metal band from Birmingham, England. Originally known as Fall of Because, they formed in 1988 by Justin K. Broadrick and G.C. Green and disbanded in 2002. Godflesh's innovative music is widely regarded as a foundational influence on industrial metal and post-metal...
" Guitarist and song writer Justin Broadrick
Justin Broadrick
Justin Karl Michael Broadrick is a British singer, songwriter, guitarist and drummer. He is best known as a founding member of the band Godflesh, one of the first bands to combine elements of extreme metal and industrial music.-Biography:Broadrick was born in the council estates of inner...
.
Prior to the release of their second album, the band brought in Stourbridge-based drummer Lee Haggerty.
The band expected the album to be released in March 1993, however, the record label decided to delay release until the following October.
During the summer of 1993 the band decided to remix some of the tracks from the new album with ON-U sound producer Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood is an English record producer best known for his work with dub music as well as for remixing a number of popular acts such as Coldcut, Depeche Mode, The Woodentops, Primal Scream, Pop Will Eat Itself, Sinéad O'Connor, and Skinny Puppy...
at the Roundhouse recording studio. The sessions were also added to with contributions from Tackhead guitarist, Skip McDonald.
From the results of this session the track listing on Red Skin Eclipse was altered to include the remixed version of "Juggernaut". This track was later to be released as the band's fourth single.
The band continued touring, headlining and supporting other acts but were dropped by their record label during March 1994. They then signed to Leicester based Stay Free Records.
The band's final album, Cyclops
Cyclops (album)
Cyclops is the third and final full-length studio album by Terminal Power Company, released on Stayfree Records. The album was recorded between January and March 1995 at TPC's own recording studio...
, was released in summer 1995 and featured Shane Embury
Shane Embury
Shane Embury is a British bassist and member of Napalm Death.-Napalm Death:Embury is the only member left who has been in the band since the Scum tour, replacing previous bassist Jim Whitley in 1987...
from Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
on two tracks: "Soft White Underside" and "Cyclops". The album was not as successful as the band had hoped and the band dissolved during November of that year.
Albums
- Run Silent, Run DeepRun Silent, Run Deep (album)Run Silent, Run Deep is the first album by Terminal Power Company. It was recorded in two weeks in November 1990, for the Beggars Banquet sub-label Situation Two...
(SITU 38) (1991) - Red Skin EclipseRed Skin EclipseRed Skin Eclipse is the second full-length album by British industrial-alternative band Terminal Power Company. Released by Beggars Banquet Records, the album was recorded in November and December of 1992 at Rich Bitch Studios and was produced and mixed by Justin Broadrick...
(BBQ CD 139) (1993) - CyclopsCyclops (album)Cyclops is the third and final full-length studio album by Terminal Power Company, released on Stayfree Records. The album was recorded between January and March 1995 at TPC's own recording studio...
(STAY009 CD) (1995)
Singles
- "Wired" (SIT 80) (1991)
- "The Hunger, the Heat" (SIT 92) (1992)
- "Salvation" (SIT 98) (1992)
- "Juggernaut" (BBQ 17CD) (1993)
Other appearances
- Deafening Divinities with Aural Affinities - The Beggars Banquet Collection - "Splinterpsyche" (Beggars BanquetBeggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
, 1993) - The Beggars Banquet Collection - "Splinterpsyche" (Tokuma Japan Communications, 1993)
- New Releases Autumn 1991 - "Wired" (SPV Recordings, 1991)
- 'Gothic Rock - "Burning Chrome (Mk I)" (Jungle Records, 1992)
- Music from the Empty Quarter: Ghafran - "Automek" (T.E.Q. Music, 1993)
- F**kin' Hardfloor Volumes 1 & 2 - "Into Two" (Atomic Magazine, 1995)
Other information
- Videos for "The Hunger the Heat" and "Salvation" were seen on various TV programmes, notably on MTV EuropeMTV EuropeMTV Europe is a pan-European 24-hour entertainment cable and digital television network launched on August 1, 1987. Initially, the channel served all regions within Europe being one of the very few channels that targeted the entire European continent...
.
External links
- Listing at Disgogs.com
- Situation Two / Beggars Banquet Records website
- Witchman, official website
- TPC MySpace site