Earl Brutus were a British
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 that emerged in the 1990s. They were formed in 1993 by English musician
Nick Sanderson, Rob Marche (formerly of
JoBoxers
JoBoxers are a British New wave music, new wave band (music), group formed in London, England in 1982 when former Subway Sect members Rob Marche (guitarist), Dave Collard (keyboardist), Chris Bostock (bassist), and Sean McLusky (drummer) teame ...
and If?), Jamie Fry (brother of
Martin Fry and formerly of
World of Twist) and Stuart Boreman. Boreman left after the release of their first single "Life's Too Long" and was replaced by Gordon King, who had been in World of Twist with Fry.
History
They were renowned for their chaotically raucous and visually entertaining live shows, which often featured unusual stage props, including messages and slogans that were displayed on revolving garage forecourt signs, written in neon lights or spelt out using funeral
wreath
A wreath () is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs, or various materials that is constructed to form a ring shape.
In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, most commonly as an Advent and C ...
s.
Musically, Earl Brutus's sound incorporated a diverse range of influences, including elements of early 1970s UK
glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s and was primarily defined by the flamboyant clothing, makeup, and hairstyles of its musicians, particularly platform shoes and glitter. Glam artists d ...
, the electronica of
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk (, ) is a Germany, German Electronic music, electronic band formed in Düsseldorf in 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Widely considered innovators and pioneers of electronic music, Kraftwerk was among the first successful a ...
, and the ramshackleness of
the Fall.
Their lyrics concentrated on the mundane side of modern British life while at the same time exploring its dark and seedy underbelly.
Despite receiving favourable press interest for the band's live shows, albums and singles, Earl Brutus failed to gain commercial success or widespread recognition and remained cult figures. Live shows were augmented by the presence of Shinya Hayashida in the band, who was employed to stand on stage and headbang or shout random abuse at the audience. They recorded a live session for Jeff Cooper at
Hallam FM
Hits Radio South Yorkshire, formerly Hallam FM, is an Independent Local Radio station based in Sheffield, England, owned and operated by Bauer Media Audio UK as part of the Hits Radio network. It broadcasts to South Yorkshire and Chesterfiel ...
for his 'XS' Show (later to become radio station
Radio2XS
radio2XS was re-branded in 2023 a2XS Radio It is programmed and edited in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Chesterfield, England and uses the on-air slogan "A.Different.Music.Mix.".
Playing "New Music and 70 Years of Rock’n'roll", the station was fo ...
) on 4 January 1998.
After a lengthy spell of inactivity, Earl Brutus returned for a one-off live date at Hammersmith Working Men's Club in London on 7 April 2004. Proceeds from the event, which also featured a DJ set from
Mani
Mani may refer to:
People
* Mani (name), (), a given name and surname (including a list of people with the name)
** Mani (prophet) (c. 216–274), a 3rd century Iranian prophet who founded Manichaeism
** Mani (musician) (born 1962), an English ...
of
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish rock music, rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie (vocals) and Jim Beattie (musician), Jim Beattie (guitar). The band's current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes (guitar), Simon ...
, were donated to
Ken Livingstone
Kenneth Robert Livingstone (born 17 June 1945) is an English former politician who served as the Leader of the Greater London Council (GLC) from 1981 until the council was Local Government Act 1985, abolished in 1986, and as Mayor of Londo ...
's London Mayoral election campaign. This gig also featured Frank Sidebottom (
Chris Sievey) who played a truncated set as a result of being apparently drunk — and having limited vision with his papier mâché head on — that he tripped backward over one of the monitors, and fell approximately five feet down off the stage head first. He was subsequently carried out of the room, apparently unconscious.
Sanderson died on 9 June 2008 of
lung cancer
Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. Lung cancer is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals. Damaged ...
at the age of 47.
Fry, King, Boreman and Hayashida reformed with Laurence Bray, George Phillips and Vincent Gibson as
the Pre New in June 2010, playing old
World of Twist and Earl Brutus songs as well as new material. In 2010, they performed at the
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts (commonly referred to as simply Glastonbury Festival, known colloquially as Glasto) is a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts held near Pilton, Somerset, England, in most su ...
.
The band have since released two studio albums, ''Music for People Who Hate Themselves'' in 2012 and ''The Male Eunuch'' in 2015 (as well as a remix album ''Music for Homeowners'' in 2013).
Discography
Studio albums
*''Your Majesty… We Are Here'' (1996,
Deceptive Records)
*''
Tonight You Are the Special One'' (1998, Fruition)
Singles
*"Life's Too Long" (1993), Icerink
*"Bonjour Monsieur" (1995), Royal Mint
*"Navyhead" (1996), Deceptive Records
*"Life's Too Long" (1996), Deceptive Records
*"I'm New" (1996), Deceptive Records
*"The SAS and the Glam that Goes with It" (1997), Fruition/Island - UK No. 136
*"Come Taste My Mind" (1998), Fruition/Island - UK No. 88
*"Universal Plan" (1998), Fruition/Island - UK No. 114
*"Larky" (1999), Fruition - UK No. 166
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Earl Brutus
British alternative rock groups
British indie rock groups
British art rock groups
Deceptive Records artists
Island Records artists
Musical groups established in 1993
Musical groups disestablished in 2004