The Pale Fountains

The Pale Fountains were an English band formed in Liverpool in 1980, and composed of Mick Head (vocalist/guitarist), Chris McCaffery (bassist), Thomas Whelan (drummer), trumpet player Andy Diagram (horns) and Ken Moss (Guitar/Bass). Diagram was simultaneously a member of Dislocation Dance for most of the Pale Fountains' existence.

The Pale Fountains
OriginLiverpool, England
GenresIndie Pop,[1] jangle pop,[2] new wave[3]
Years active1981 (1981)–1987 (1987)
LabelsOperation Twilight
Les Disques du Crépuscule
Virgin
Associated actsShack
Past membersMick Head
Chris McCaffery
Thomas Whelan
Andy Diagram
John Head
Ken Moss

Career

Inspired by 1960s music such as Love, Burt Bacharach and The Beatles, the group released their debut single "(There's Always) Something on My Mind" on Les Disques du Crépuscule before signing a major label deal in October 1982. Although the Pale Fountains failed to make much commercial headway, the band would earn critical praise for the two albums released on Virgin, Pacific Street (1984) and ...From Across the Kitchen Table (1985), produced by Ian Broudie, who later found fame with The Lightning Seeds. Their sole UK Singles Chart Top 50 single was "Thank You", which reached No. 48 in 1982.[4]

The band split up in 1987, with Mick Head going on to form Shack with his brother John. Andy Diagram had already left in 1984 and would later join James. Bassist and founder member Chris "Biffa" McCaffery died in 1989 of a brain tumour.[4]

In November 2007, Head announced that he was reforming The Pale Fountains for two gigs. One at the Carling Academy in Liverpool on 2 February 2008, and another at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 3 February 2008. The group remains particularly popular in France and Japan. Two compilations have been issued: Longshot For Your Love (Marina, 1998) and Something On My Mind (Crépuscule, 2013), the latter with a bonus live CD recorded in 1982.

Members
  • Mick Head – vocals, guitar (1981–1987)
  • Chris McCaffery – bass guitar (1981–1987; died 1989)
  • Thomas Whelan – drums (1981–1987)
  • Andy Diagram – trumpet (1982–1984)
  • John Head – guitar (1984–1987)

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles
  • 1982: "(There's Always) Something on My Mind" (Operation Twilight/Les Disques du Crepuscule)
  • 1982: "Thank You" (Virgin) – UK No. 48[5]
  • 1983: "Palm of My Hand" (Virgin)
  • 1984: "Unless" (Virgin)
  • 1984: "Don't Let Your Love Start a War" (Virgin)
  • 1984: "Jean's Not Happening" (Virgin)
  • 1985: "...From Across the Kitchen Table" (Virgin)

See also

References
  1. Kellman, Andy. "Pale Fountains – From Across the Kitchen Table". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. Mineo, Mike (17 December 2006). "Forgotten, unlucky, but still fantastic… Shack". Obscure Sound. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. Drowning in my Nostalgia Philippine Daily Inquirer September 7, 2002 "...bands like..The Pale Fountains...etc. They were more than your average New Wave acts"
  4. Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 863–864. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  5. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 415. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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