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BRAND VIOLET - CATNIP
"Brand Violet create twisted pop songs that sound destined
to be sound tracking European horror flicks, latest single CATNIP
in particular sounding like it could have been lifted from cult
classic Vampyros Lesbos."
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Brand Violet create twisted pop songs that
sound destined to be sound tracking European horror flicks,
latest single CATNIP in particular sounding
like it could have been lifted from cult classic Vampyros
Lesbos.
A blend of hammy organ licks, jerky guitar chords and insistent
drum beats, CATNIP powers along with quite
some pace, Brand Violet managing to pitch their sound somewhere
between the B-52's, Dresden Dolls and The Shangri La's.
Sally Anne-Marsh provides the energised vocals - weaving between
high pitched campness and a sex kitten purr with deftly balanced
skill, her natural charisma and star power leaping from your
speakers with every breath she takes.
A glorious throwaway pop song that’s equal parts camp,
infectious and cool - CATNIP is the sound
of The Shangri Las sound tracking Jesus Franco.
Brand Violet formed October 31st 1999, in London, the brainchild
of Henderson K. Shatner (bass), Igor (guitars) and Ulrika
Bjorsne (vocals).
In 2002, the band came to the attention of ex-Arista head/Rhythm
King founder Martin Heath, who loved the band but wasn't convinced
by Hockenhull, and felt the group needed a more dynamic and
charismatic front woman. Heath introduced the band to ex-Zomba/Jive
singer Sally-Anne Marsh, whose credits included screen and
television performances, West End musicals as well as singing
work with Simon Cowell, Stock-Aitken, The Chemical Brothers
(Ariel), and Right Said Fred... and several charting pop singles.
Although the initial demos written by the new lineup and then
produced by Heath's enthusiastic (if unexperienced) partner
ensured the relationship would not continue, Marsh, Shatner,
Igor and Jones agreed it was a match made in space, so Marsh
replaced Hockenhull.
In 2004 Tapewyrm Records released new material on two EPs
- SPUTNIK BRIDE and THE LEGEND OF LADYBEARD, which included
a vampire-gothic videoclip featuring Suicide Girls (www.suicidegirls.com)
for the SORORICIDE track. LADYBEARD also featured RAIL THIN,
produced by Brian James (The Damned, Lords Of The New Church).
The band also featured on the label's SEGMENTS: VOLUME ONE
compilation disc. SPUTNIK BRIDE achieved a place on Steve
Lamacq's BBC OneMusic.
In late 2004, Jones left, followed by Igor, who wanted to
spend more time pursuing his brilliant Thumpermonkey project.
The drummer slot was filled by Stuart Perry, and guitar by
John Waring (The Milburns, Telford Mining Disaster).
::
Line Up :: Discography :: Merchandise :: Further Listening
:: Web Links ::
| Sally-Anne Marsh>vocals John Waring>guitars Henderson K. Shatner>bass Stuart Perry>drums
LINKS
Review date: January 2006
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