Cranes (band)

Cranes are a British indie band, which was founded in 1985 by siblings Jim and Alison Shaw in Portsmouth.

Style

Their music was influenced in particular in the first years of Alison Shaw's high, slightly intimidated acting singing, which was contrasted by shrill, aggressive guitars. Over the years it developed into a unique and unmistakable sound - initially quite orchestral, but very withdrawn recently to minimalist. With few exceptions ( for example, Jewel and Can not get free ) to Cranes pieces recorded by a sometimes difficult to describe " bulkiness " of, act very experimental, but do not really provocative. Critics therefore threw them repeatedly before being able to " no right songs ," Write - for lack of understanding of a very loyal following.

Band History

Already in 1986 they released their debut Couple recorded Fuse ( MC ) and took shortly afterwards Self- Non- Self on. At her first appearance in 1987 the siblings recruited guest musicians from their circle of friends. This work, certain years the work of Cranes: Jim ( instruments) and Alison (vocals ) recorded the albums, only for concerts were added other musicians. Until 1994 this Mark Francombe and Matt Cope, on guitars, bass and keyboards were; both of which are also listed on the covers of albums as band members.

Internationally known they were in 1992 when they were invited by The Cure, to act as the opening act for the European dates of her " Wish" tour. The "chemistry" between two bands developed during this tour so positive that The Cure were offering them, the entire World Tour to open during. Years later testifies to the relative frequency of Cure T -Shirts on Cranes concerts from " advertising effect " of this tour. Cranes thanked symbolically with their next album: Forever The title is also an unpublished piece Cure ( The Cure played it especially early 80s often at concerts ). 2002, 2004 and 2005 have been repeatedly engaged by The Cure for large open-air concerts as opening act Cranes.

For big changes came at the end of the 90. With La tragédie d' Oreste et Électre appeared in 1996, the hitherto most experimental Cranes concept album: About seven symphonic and synthetic compositions by Jim speaks Alison texts from Jean-Paul Sartre's Les Mouches ( The Flies ). The album was released only in a limited edition and was never implemented live. Matt Cope left at this time the band, Jim Shaw then moved for concerts from the drums to the guitar ( a relatively rare development in bands ), and Cranes were with Manu Ros their first "real drummer ". Consequently, the population was 4 (1997), the first Cranes album, which was recorded as a "real band". At the same time, however, the contract (hence the symptomatic farewell quasi- Best -Of- release EP Collection in their discography ) ran with her label dedicated from. In interviews Jim and Alison Shaw reported in retrospect that their project Cranes almost at the end of 1997 was; the band was financially ruined crumbling and about in a dispute with her ​​management. Although there were offers from big major labels to take the band under contract. Only they felt their conditions beyond the pale that Cranes in the future would have to be willing to release music " radio-friendly ". The decision whether to dissolve or to start their own label, Cranes latched seamlessly onto the publication success of Til the stars shine (1998 ), a hand-bound book with Alison's texts, which had to be ordered through the homepage directly from the band. Encouraged by the fact that this text band was quickly sold out, they founded the label dadaphonic on which they publish their own albums completely self-determination since 2001.

After only sporadic appearances among others in Mexico and Italy during the last years, Cranes played in the summer of 2004 after a break of eight years we again first concerts in Germany. For fixed occupation since 2001 Jon Callendar count (drums ), Paul Smith (keyboards and guitar) and Ben Baxter ( bass).

Discography

Albums

  • Fuse ( MC 1986)
  • Self- Non- Self (1989 )
  • Wings of joy (1991 )
  • Forever ( 1993)
  • Forever Remixes (1993 )
  • Loved (1994 )
  • La tragédie d' Oreste et Électre (1996 )
  • Population- 4 (1997)
  • EP Collection, Vol 1 & 2 (1997)
  • Future songs ( 2001)
  • Live in Italy (2003)
  • Particles and waves (2004)
  • Cranes (2008)

EPs

  • Inescapable (1990 )
  • Espero (1990 )
  • Adoration (1991 )
  • Tomorrow's Tears (1991 )
  • Jewel (1993)
  • Shining Road (1994 )
  • Can not get free (1997)
  • The moon city / It's a beautiful world (7 ", 2002)
  • Submarine (2002)

Bibliography

  • Til the stars shine (text by Alison Shaw, 1998)
Independent music Musical instrument Electronic keyboard Electra
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