The Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, later renamed JPS Experience after the estate of

Jean-Paul Sartre Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (, ; ; 21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980) was a French philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary criticism, literary critic, considered a leading figure in 20th ...

threatened a

lawsuit A lawsuit is a proceeding by one or more parties (the plaintiff or claimant) against one or more parties (the defendant) in a civil court of law. The archaic term "suit in law" is found in only a small number of laws still in effect today ...

, were an

indie rock Indie rock is a Music subgenre, subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand in the early to mid-1980s. Although the term was originally used to describe rock music released through independent reco ...

band on

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

's Flying Nun Records.

History

The band was formed in 1984 by Dave Yetton (vocals, bass guitar), Gary Sullivan (drums), and Dave Mulcahy (guitar).Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, , p. 382 They were later joined by a second vocalist and guitarist, Jim Laing. Their first crudely recorded demo tape was supplied to university radio stations around the country in a can. It contained early versions of the songs "Einstein" and "Crap Rap" that would appear on subsequent releases. In 1986 they were asked to record a track for the "Weird Culture, Weird Custom" compilation produced by the student radio network. Their track was "Let That Good Thing Grow", which was re-released on their first album. They were subsequently signed by Flying Nun, who issued their eponymous début EP in January 1987, and début album ''Love Songs'' the same year, described by

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

as "an exceptional - if short - affair".Jansen, Skip " ''Love Songs'' Review,

, retrieved 2010-10-09 After two further albums for the label, they added keyboard player Russell Baillie and abbreviated their name to the JPS experience after being threatened with legal action by Sartre's estate. After three EPs, Baillie departed in 1993, and the band released their fourth (and final) album, ''Bleeding Star'', which took a noisier approach than their earlier recordings, drawing comparisons with Pixies and My Bloody Valentine.Jansen, Skip " ''Bleeding Star'' Review,

, retrieved 2010-10-09 Mulcahy had left during the album's recording, forming Monster and later Superette and Eskimo, who released one album before shortening their name to Kimo. He was replaced by Matt Heine, formerly of Solid Gold Hell. The band continued until their split in 1994. After the demise of JPS Experience, David Yetton recorded two albums with The Stereo Bus and one solo album, as well as playing with The Mutton Birds. James Laing released one solo album and Gary Sullivan performed on the first Stereo Bus album and on early Dimmer releases. Sullivan joined Solid Gold Hell. Jim Laing died on 12 April 2016 of natural causes. Before his death the band had been in talks to reunite and write new material. The band later played a one off-show, on 22 April 2016 at the newly refurbished Hollywood Theatre in Avondale to commemorate their friend and bandmate Jim Laing.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Compilations

Singles

Compilation appearances

The group have appeared on some compilations and soundtracks both in New Zealand and in Australia. The following is a list of these albums: * (1999) - '' Scarfies'' ( Flying Nun Records) - "Let There Be Love" & "Grey Parade" * (1987) - Weird Culture, Weird Custom "Let That Good Thing Grow" National Student Radio

References

External links

* AMG entrybr>Jean-Paul Sartre Experience at Flying NunAudioCulture profile
{{Authority control Flying Nun Records artists New Zealand indie rock groups Dunedin Sound musical groups