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Paul Simpson, one of the most gifted and underrated artists to blossom from the creative flower bed that was the Liverpool Scene of the early 80's, began his musical career in the Teardrop Explodes, providing the band with their name, and sharing writing and perfoming credits on their
first single.
He went on to form the Wild Swans, who released the classic debut single,
Revolutionary Spirit, on Liverpool's Zoo label. When the song was included
on the CD retrospective of the label, Bill Drummond (early infamous founder - in the late 70's - of the Merseyside new wave group "Big in Japan") singled it out as the best track Zoo produced.
(Drummond later went on to form "KLF" who enjoyed some considerable UK chart success, in the late 80's, with their unique industrial/techno style production of dance pop.) |  |
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The Wild Swans recorded sessions for the BBC, including
one of those chosen by John Peel to begin the Strange Fruit releases several
years later. The Wild Swans had limited live appearnces during this time apart from support to "the Teardrop Explodes" during the infamous "Club Zoo" in Liverpool during March 1981. This was a private, invitation only series of live appearences (promoted by Drummond's independent Zoo label) by the Teardrops in preperation for their first extensive US tour.
(Another support group during this series of four weekly Club Zoo nights were Manchester post-punk combo "the Frantic Elevators," featuring non other than Mick Hucknell of "Simply Red" fame !) Simpson and Jerry Kelly parted ways, and Kelly went on to form the Lotus Eaters with Peter Coyle on vocals, who enjoyed some limited UK chart success. After the demise of the Swans, Simpson went on to form Care, with the multi-talented song writer and producer, Ian Broudie, (also early - and extremely young - member of the notorious "Big in Japan.")
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After the saddening short career of Care, with Broudie moving on to form the Lightning Seeds, Simpson and Kelly buried the hatchet one more time, and reformed the Wild Swans, signing to Sire records. The "Wild Swans 2" released two albums, the impressive "Bringing Home The Ashes" and the greatly disappointing"Space Flower". It was obvious that Simpson was searching for a direction that he had somehow misplaced... |  |
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Until now - Simpson, drawing on varying influences, is writing a wealth of new material for his latest project; SKYRAY. The debut album is to be released in early 1997. The first Skyray single release, "Invisible", is on 10: clear vinyl and features "Part One" and "Part
Two" of the track. Production from Will Sergeant (part one) and Henry
Priestman (formerly of "The Christians" who had some short lived success in the late 80's with a remake of the Isley Brothers' "Harvest for the World") producing part two.
Paul Simpson is currently invisible in the highlands of Scotland working on the semi-autobiographical novel "Magnetic North."
Ochre Records |
Teardrop Explodes Discography
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