Thompson Twins

The Thompson Twins were a British New Wave band of the 1980s.

• 2.1 Best Ofs & Re - Releases

• 3.1 Singles
• 3.2 albums

History

The Thompson Twins were formed in April 1977 in Sheffield originally from the band members Tom Bailey (bass / vocals), Pete Dodd (guitar and vocals), John Roog (guitar), and Jon " Pod " Podgorski (drums). They denied two years mainly live performances, then they moved to London and got here Contact the squatter scene. There they were part of a "left-wing movement." The name Thompson Twins was chosen after the two famous detectives Thomson and Thompson ( in English " Thomson and Thompson " ) from the comic series Tintin Hergé.

The band

1981 the band consisted of Bailey, Dodd, Roog and three new members: Chris Bell on drums, Joe Leeway on congas and percussion, and Jane Shorter on saxophone. In this constellation, the first Thompson Twins album A Product of ... ( Participation) was recorded. Alannah Currie, who had indeed always to do with the band and were also a few small parts on the first album the best, until then but not an integral part of the band.

After the first album Shorter left the band. Currie now became an official member. Bassist Matthew Seligman is also rising at the Thompson Twins with a. Bailey took over the keyboards and was eigentlichem singer of the band. Leeway took over the vocals on each track.

The first record contract was signed in 1982 with Arista Records and Set was released, where Thomas Dolby had a few small cameos. Star - producer Steve Lillywhite ( produced, inter alia, U2 and XTC ) took over the management to the recordings. He initiated the turning point in the career of the Thompson Twins. After the single had In The Name Of Love surprisingly climbed the top of the U.S. dance charts, decided the white Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie from New Zealand and the dark-skinned Joe Leeway future to continue working as a trio. They designed a logo, changed her outfit, took lessons in choreography and developed a detailed stage show. Now reminiscent in appearance to a colorful new-wave band - Bailey with red hair and fashionable ponytail, Leeway with rasta braids and Currie with a blond shaved on the sides, wild tower hairstyle - they made, albeit milder, continue to ethno-pop.

With a UK tour, supported by four accompanying musicians, the Twins made ​​known their new material, which in 1983 published LP Quick Step & Side Kick and the singles and Lies Love On Your Side. This was followed by a successful tour of America.

In 1984 their album Into The Gap, which was already a few days after the publication in the first place of the charts and soon went platinum. Even the singles Doctor Doctor and Hold Me Now placed perfectly. The same time -starting the UK tour was sold out in advance.

In 1985, the Thompson Twins participating in the Live Aid project of Bob Geldof. They performed along with Madonna at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. This was followed in the same year the album Here's To Future Days and the singles Do not Mess With Doctor Dream and Lay Your Hands On Me

The end of 1986 Leeway left the trio. The plates of the remaining duo did not reach the British or American Top 20, 1988 Bailey and Currie got their first child. Your time being last record was released in 1991 entitled Queer.

1991 married Tom and Alannah and moved with her two children to New Zealand. They founded with Keith Fernley, inspired by diverse India stays in turn, the band BABBLE that are attributable to the musical trance / ambient. They released the albums The Stone in 1993, and ether in 1996, one of the songs was played Coneheads with Dan Aykroyd in the movie. However, since the project was able to record any significant success, it was discontinued after a short life. For the 1998 coming to theaters coming-out - drama The Edge of Seventeen Tom Baily composed the music. It should also be heard in the 1984 gambling movie In the Name of Love.

1999 Tom produced the album " mix " of the New Zealand band Stellar, where he also played keyboard. With this project he won an award as "Producer of the Year". He has also composed instrumental music for several films and arranged. Tom continues to make music under the name International Observer, which goes in the direction Dub.

Alannah founded after her sister died of Creutzfeldt -Jakob, in New Zealand " Mothers Against Genetic Engineering in Food and the Environment" ( Madge ), in which it is committed to non-manipulated foods. She now lives with her daughter Indie in London.

In 2003, the two Thompson Twins divorced. Since then, Tom Bailey lives in France, along with his new girlfriend and actress Lauren Drescher.

The album Quick Step and Side Kick and Into the Gap were re-released as a double CD in March 2008. Both albums contain everything was recorded in the relevant time, including various remixes and B-sides of the coupled singles. In the same year followed by the double CD edition of Here's to Future Days, as well as a double CD with the first two albums A product of ... and set, also with different bonus tracks.

Discography

• A Product Of ... (1981 )
• Set ( 1982)
• Quick Step & Side Kick ( 1983)
• Into The Gap ( 1984)
• Here's To Future Days (1985 )
• Close To The Bone ( 1987)
• Big Trash (1989 )
• Queer (1991 )

Best Ofs & Re - Releases

• Thompson Twins Greatest Mixes (1988) ( Compilation)
• Thompson Twins - The Greatest Hits ( 1990) ( Compilation)
• Quick Step & Side Kick ( Double CD ) (2008 )
• Into The Gap (double CD ) (2008 )
• Here's to future days (double CD ) (2008 )
• A Product of ... / set ( double CD) (2008)

Chart positions

Singles

Publications in chronological order and their respective highest chart positions.

Albums

Publications in chronological order and their respective highest chart positions.