The Names (band)
Encyclopedia
The Names are a post-punk
band from Brussels
(Belgium
), formed in 1978 around bassist and songwriter Michel Smordynia. After local gigs as The Passengers, they changed their name in time for their debut single, Spectators of Life, released by WEA in 1979 to test the market for home-grown new wave music.
The band were keen to sign to a British label, and connected with Factory Records
at a gig by Joy Division
at the Plan K venue in Brussels. The Names recorded Nightshift in Manchester in August 1980, with producer Martin Hannett
. The single is representative of their overall sound: dark, controlled modern rock in the mould of Magazine
, Comsat Angels
and Joy Division/early New Order, with accomplished keyboards and songwriting.
The Names enjoyed a long and rewarding relationship with mercurial producer Hannett, who also oversaw their next single Calcutta (Factory Benelux, 1981) and debut album, Swimming (Les Disques du Crepuscule
, 1982). With him, the band created a lush, syncopated sound for Smordynia's memorable melodic hooks, resulting in some of the more evocative records by any of the moody, atmospheric bands of the day.
The group played live mostly in the Benelux countries and France, including the ambitious Crepuscule multi-media package Dialogue North-South in February 1982. The group had also been booked to appear in Manchester in July 1980 as support to A Certain Ratio
at The Beach Club. When The Names were delayed, New Order
stepped in for their first live performance after the end of Joy Division.
A final Names single, The Astronaut, appeared in 1982, again produced by Hannett, who had by then split from Factory Records
. However the post-punk era was ending, and the band split.
In 1995 original core trio of Michel Smordynia (vocals/bass), Marc Deprez (guitar) and Christophe Den Tandt (keyboards) reunited as Jazz, releasing one album, Nightvision.
In December 2007, the Names reunited for a gig during A Factory Night (once again). In April 2009, they released a new album called "Monsters Next Door" under the label Str8line. Christophe Den Tandt left the band in December 2009 and was replaced by Christophe Boulenger. Since then, The Names have appeared live in Italy and France.
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band from Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
(Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
), formed in 1978 around bassist and songwriter Michel Smordynia. After local gigs as The Passengers, they changed their name in time for their debut single, Spectators of Life, released by WEA in 1979 to test the market for home-grown new wave music.
The band were keen to sign to a British label, and connected with Factory Records
Factory Records
Factory Records was a Manchester based British independent record label, started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, which featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Happy Mondays, Northside and James and...
at a gig by Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
at the Plan K venue in Brussels. The Names recorded Nightshift in Manchester in August 1980, with producer Martin Hannett
Martin Hannett
Martin Hannett , sometimes credited as Martin Zero, was a record producer and an original partner in Factory Records with Tony Wilson...
. The single is representative of their overall sound: dark, controlled modern rock in the mould of Magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
, Comsat Angels
Comsat Angels
The Comsat Angels were a post-punk band from Sheffield and Doncaster, England, active from 1978 to 1995. Their music has been described as "abstract pop songs with spare instrumentation, many of which were bleak and filled with some form of heartache." They have been credited as being an influence...
and Joy Division/early New Order, with accomplished keyboards and songwriting.
The Names enjoyed a long and rewarding relationship with mercurial producer Hannett, who also oversaw their next single Calcutta (Factory Benelux, 1981) and debut album, Swimming (Les Disques du Crepuscule
Les Disques du Crepuscule
Les Disques Du Crépuscule was a Belgian independent record label.The label was started in 1980 by Michel Duval and Annik Honoré, residents of Brussels who had previously organised and promoted concerts in the city. Initial releases were by Factory Records artists, and were labelled as being...
, 1982). With him, the band created a lush, syncopated sound for Smordynia's memorable melodic hooks, resulting in some of the more evocative records by any of the moody, atmospheric bands of the day.
The group played live mostly in the Benelux countries and France, including the ambitious Crepuscule multi-media package Dialogue North-South in February 1982. The group had also been booked to appear in Manchester in July 1980 as support to A Certain Ratio
A Certain Ratio
A Certain Ratio are a Post-punk band formed in 1977 in Manchester, England. While originally part of the punk rock movement, they soon added funk and dance elements to their sound. They are sometimes referred to as "post punk funk"...
at The Beach Club. When The Names were delayed, New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
stepped in for their first live performance after the end of Joy Division.
A final Names single, The Astronaut, appeared in 1982, again produced by Hannett, who had by then split from Factory Records
Factory Records
Factory Records was a Manchester based British independent record label, started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, which featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Happy Mondays, Northside and James and...
. However the post-punk era was ending, and the band split.
In 1995 original core trio of Michel Smordynia (vocals/bass), Marc Deprez (guitar) and Christophe Den Tandt (keyboards) reunited as Jazz, releasing one album, Nightvision.
In December 2007, the Names reunited for a gig during A Factory Night (once again). In April 2009, they released a new album called "Monsters Next Door" under the label Str8line. Christophe Den Tandt left the band in December 2009 and was replaced by Christophe Boulenger. Since then, The Names have appeared live in Italy and France.