LUSH :: Providence, RI :: March 22, 1992

22 years ago today... Lush plays Providence, RI on March 22nd, 1992. Enjoy the full show :)

'Lovelife' :: March 4, 1996

Just twenty short years ago today ... March 4th, 1996, Lush's 'Lovelife' album was released.

Miki making musical bliss with her Epiphone on the 'Lovelife' tour in 1996.

Lush :: New Haven :: March 23,1992 [full show]

19 years ago today...
Lush playing live in New Haven, CT at Toad's Place on March 23, 1992.

24 Years Ago... 'Spooky'

It was 24 short years ago today... 

Lush's release 'Spooky' made it's debut back in 1992. What an amazing collection of songs, and what a timeless influential work that was.

'Nothing Natural' & Pyramids Centre 24th Anniversaries

It was 24 short years ago today...

October 29th, 1991 'Nothing Natural' was released as a maxi-single disc. It had peaked at number 43 on the UK Singles Chart. The EP was followed by a national British tour, during which time bassist Steve Rippon left the band and was replaced by Phil King. 

Incidentally, on the same day, 100's of screaming kids - the 29th of October - The Pyramids Centre, Portsmouth - LUSH is there to play. With the opening acts of Passing Clouds and Gallon Drunk on a two-leg UK tour debuting the songs from the just released Black Spring EP.

Reflecting on the music video, Miki said it was "an effing nightmare" and that the video's director had "some ludicrous idea of what he wanted [Lush] to look/act like in the video and it was nothing to do with how [the band was]." Miki further explained that the band went along with the director's suggestion as Lush "had no ideas of [their] own at all, and back in the [19]90s the solution was to offer directors a shitload of money to come up with something fabulous that MTV would play." According to Berenyi, Nirvana vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain became a Lush fan after seeing the music video.

'Nothing Natural' - 'official' promo video

'Nothing Natural'- live at Toad's Place, New Haven, CT - March 23, 1992

Remembering John Peel

It was 11 years ago today, October 25, 2004, that we lost John Peel.

As stated in Wikipedia: He was one of the first broadcasters to play progressive rock records on British radio, and he is widely acknowledged for promoting artists working in various genres. Fellow DJ Paul Gambaccini described him as "the most important man in music for about a dozen years".

Mr. John devoted one of his legendary Peel Sessions featuring Lush:

Lush - Peel Session, 23 January 1990

Recordings: 'Hey Hey Helen', 'Leaves Me Cold' and 'Breeze'

'Hey Hey Helen' 

'Breeze'

All three recordings together: 'Breeze', 'Hey Hey Helen' and 'Leaves Me Cold' 

For my past post on John Peel and Lush: Lush on John Peel Sessions

Photo resources: http://johnpeelarchive.com/john-peel-desert-island-discs/

'Sweetness And Light', 25th Anniversary

It was twenty-five years ago today that saw the release of 'Sweetness And Light' which introduced many not only to Lush, but to the shoegaze genre itself. It was in my case, hearing this way back when. I already had some exposure to the Cocteau Twins, owned a couple of their EP's and a few others by lesser known bands. This song though wasn't comparable to anything else I'd heard and I quickly sought out an imported copy, unwrapped the plastic packaging, threw the CD on my player and cranked the volume, playing it repeatedly on that distant afternoon. I didn't know thing one about who or what this new band was, but it didn't matter. I loved them. A new fan was born.

Where were you 25 years ago?

LUSH live at the Dome perform 'Sweetness And Light' 1991

Another live performance, mid 1990's during the 'Split' album tour

'Sweetness And Light' lyrics

'Scar' - 26 Years Ago

Lush's debut mini-album 'Scar' came out exactly 26 years ago today, on October 9, 1989

The sleeve design has some interesting backstory. Vaughan Oliver and Christopher Bigg designed the 'Scar' mini-LP sleeve and label and featured photography by Jim Friedman. The inside of the sleeve contains several drawings and singular words that are deliberately obscured. According to Miki Berenyi, "one says tongue, the other says elder sister, and they sort of meet in the middle." Miki has described the interior design as "a bit perverse."

'Black Spring' - 24th Anniversary

It was 24 years ago today that 'Black Spring' was released on 7th October 1991.

'Black Spring' includes four tracks; 'Nothing Natural', a cover of Dennis Wilson's 'Lady (Falling In Love)' which Lush released with the alternative title, 'Fallin' In Love', 'God's Gift', and 'Monochrome'.

Incredible EP album and incredible that it's been that long... it seems like yesterday.

LUSH Unveils New Line-Up :: Meet Phil

Twenty years ago . . .

LUSH unveils the new line-up!

The word is out. See the first bloke to your left in the snap above? Introducing Phil King, formerly of Felt and CC Rider. He is the new member of LUSH, taking over the recently vacated bass position left by founding member, Steve Rippon.

How many bassists did the band audition to replace Rippon? One-- Phil King an editorial assistant at NME music magazine and former bassist for the bands Felt and C.C. Rider. Why did Lush hire him? Because some friends told them King was a really good guy, and a pretty good musician. There's nothing like sound judgment, and this is nothing like it.

"Well, we didn't want to go through the grief of auditioning loads of people. Auditions are such crap. They're just so embarrassing. We've had bad experiences with them in the past," says Berenyi."

We'd like to extend our own heart felt well-wishes to Phil on the twentieth anniversary of his inauguration. Yes indeed, Phil, you have proven yourself a really good guy, and a pretty good musician!

Can I have a bass intro please? And now . . . Meet Phil

'For The People' Reunion Tour! (or, 'It's a happy little dream, BUT...')

May you and your's experience the best in this Merry New Year! I want to thank each and every one of you for stopping by to have a look at the blog, and especially to those who have lent their support. I'm looking forward to celebrating some pretty big anniversaries that are coming up this year. Twenty years ago things were happening with Lush, BIG things, especially over here in the States... it should be fun!

And as my little bonus for the brand new year I'd like to unveil my latest poster creation, and possibly start some totally unsubstantiated rumours without basis in any fact whatsoever! "Why?" may you ask would I want to stir up the unmentionable r-word here? "Why?" when all former members of the band have repeatedly repeated that the chances of a reunion are about as likely as Avril Lavigne 'fessing up to her borrowing from the Lush cover of the Rubinoos song "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend". "Why?" Because, this coming summer is the 20th anniversary of Lush's Lollapalooza tour, that's why! What better time is there for any Lush fan to daydream about a reunion tour??

Any big backers with the financial resources out there to make this dream a reality? Now's your big chance! :)

OLO, London :: December 19, 1991

Twenty years ago today . . .

Founding bassist Steve Rippon plays his final show with LUSH. The band performs for the last time in 1991 at London's ULU along with Ride.


So this is the year of 1991. Lush has put on 55 shows on three tours, playing all across London, Europe, and overseas to the U.S. and Japan. They've been back to the recording studio and have given us the Black Spring (Nothing Natural in the US) EP plus an LP of new material (their first full studio album) is well on the way. And with Steve bidding a fond farewell departure, there's changes a-foot with a new bass guitarist soon to be surfacing in the band.

And thus for a moment we can dot the last period at the end of this busy, hectic, crazy year for the band called Lush. The following New Year of 1992 promises to carry-over some of that and quite a bit more...

Happy Lushoween!

Lush was reborn in October 1988, with Miki taking the vacated lead vocal spot. And according to at least one source, Lush was originally formed on Halloween night of 1988, in London, England (*please see note below!). For today I'm referencing this alternate view to give full play to the whole Lush 'mythology' and for adding a bit fun for the holiday occasion ;)

Later on the band would eventually play a gig on an October 31st date. In 1990 they performed at Birmingham's Institute of Art and Design. Never again would Lush do another Halloween gig after this performance - coincidence? We may never know!

On several occasions the band members dressed up in costume (even at one time raiding a Hollywood costume shop in 1991)... which just so happens to be a very popular custom typically observed only for Halloween!

In 1992 Lush's first full length "proper" album was titled "Spooky".... though the whole wasn't entirely spooky in nature!

While staying in Normandy for the mixing of the album Split in 1994, some band members reported strange goings-on while holed-up at their secluded - and haunted - chateau. Chris felt his bed abruptly moved back one night. Phil too had a strange experience here. "[I dreamt that] I was in a red cathedral, and there was this red room in this huge church..." It wasn't until after relating the dream to their producer that Phil learned that "there used to be a church on the grounds where the chateau was, and one day there was a massacre in a big red room there." The band's mysterious connection to the nether realms deepens!

So what more is there to add but Lush's own music itself, last but not least. Hauntingly beautiful, for the Halloween holiday I offer you:

Lush's Most Haunted Mix!

• I Have the Moon - Amazon Preview
  
• When I Die - Amazon Preview
  
• Invisible Man - Amazon Preview
  
• Ocean - Amazon Preview
• Undertow [Spooky remix] - Amazon Preview (Spooky remix version n/a)
  

MP3 versions of these tracks may be purchased for download at Lush - Amazon.com


* There is no record of a Halloween gig in '88 on Miki's own exhaustive show listing, though she admits she may have missed one or few. It's near certain that the band had their very first gig in March 1988, having just filled the bass spot with Steve in the nick of time. Chris was on drums, Emma and Miki both backing vocals/guitar and Merial Barham on lead vocals. Personally I think a bit of confusion is responsible for the Halloween '88 date, even an '87 date when the very beginnings of the band were forming in the Fall of that year would make more sense. Also see one of my older post, Lush v.2.0.

Paris, France :: October 19, 1991

Twenty short years ago...

LUSH makes it two-for-two, playing Les Inrockuptibles this time in Paris, supporting the release of their Black Spring ep. The bands Blur and Pulp return as the openers for the show.

According to Bill's site, a direct live recording (as in 'not taped from within the audience') of this performance was made.

Lille, France :: October 18, 1991

Twenty short years ago...

After a brief break, LUSH launch across the English Channel to play Les Inrockuptibles at Lilles for a double-nighter in France in support of their Black Spring tour. The bands Blur and Pulp are the two opening acts.

Thanks to Bill's site, we know that video exists of this performance, as well as the night's setlist:

LUSH : 10.18.91
SETLIST

• Stray
• Bitter
• Breeze
• Laura
• Etheriel
• Scarlet
• Nothing Natural
• For Love
• Covert
• De-Luxe
• Downer
• Sweetness And Light
• Baby Talk
• Monochrome
• Leaves Me Cold

New Cross, London :: October 12, 1991

Twenty short years ago...

LUSH takes to the stage at the New Cross Venue in London, the last stop of the four-nighter London gig during their Black Spring tour. The accompanying acts are Shelleyann Orphan an Heide Berry.

And now, for a limited time only (I always wanted to say that), I'm offering my personal commemorative tour poster for the Lush Over London blitz as a free download to you, the reader. I hope you'll enjoy it as you listen to your favorite band! Incidentally the background of photo used is by Joe Dilworth of Time Out magazine, and shows Lush outside Emma's old home, Trellick Tower.

Now, back to show in New Cross...

Thanks to some reader-submitted material at Light From A Dead Star we know that a bootleg tape recording of the show was issued. We have the set list (below) and we also know that various indie heads of state (Boris Williams - drummer for The Cure, Debbie Smith - guitarist for Curve) were in the audience.

LUSH - 12.10.91
SETLIST

• Stray
• Bitter
• Breeze
• Laura
• God's Gift
• Scarlet
• Ocean
• Nothing Natural
• For Love
• Covert
• De-Luxe
• Second Sight
• Downer
• Baby Talk
• Monochrome
• Sweetness & Light

Mile End, London :: October 11, 1991

Twenty short years ago...

Lush at QMC, October 11, 1991, photos by Alastair Indge of Select

LUSH plays Mile End, London at Queens Mary College, the third and eastern leg in their North-South-East-West four-nighter tour of London, part of the Black Spring tour. They are joined by bands Spirea X and Rockinbirds.

A review in Select magazine declares that "Right from the first song the harmonies were dead centre and the guitars were in your bedroom making tracks for your pillow. Hey! They can play!" in reference to how far they had improved and tightened up as a live band.

On the new "exciting" songs (just released on the Black Spring ep and their up-coming first full-length album) the reviewer adds "...the excellence of those songs proves that The Year of Living Drunkenly was not entirely wasted." No explanation needed for that reference ;)

According to Neil of Neil's Lush Video Page, a video recording was made of the show. He has listed the night's set list as follows:


LUSH - 11.10.1991
SETLIST

• Stray
• Bitter
• Breeze
• Laura
• God's Gift
• Scarlet
• Ocean
• Nothing Natural
• For Love
• Covert
• De-Luxe
• Downer
• Sweetness And Light
• Monochrome
• Leaves Me Cold

DURATION - 55 MINUTES


PS. I always especially love pics of Miki with her Gibson ES-335 Sunburst, like the shot above. Besides the obvious influence it imparted to Lush's sound - the instrument has a sweet, acoustic tone, and is one of the most versatile guitars you can find - it's perhaps the prettiest axe of the 12-string arsenal.

North London Polytechnic :: October 10, 1991

Twenty short years ago...

Lush Rocks London!! Its the second of four nights for the Black Spring tour to hit London, North London Polytechnic to be more precise. Once again they are joined by fellow bands (is "fellow" the correct term?), this time its Soul Family and Sensation.

And, as promised, here's more live performance photography by the gifted Mr. Tom Poston...

Lush - London, October 1991, originally uploaded by Tom Poston.

Miki Berenyi - North London Polytechnic, October 10, 1991

Emma Anderson, originally uploaded by Tom Poston.

Emma Anderson - North London Polytechnic, October 10, 1991

Powys Square, London :: October 9, 1991

Twenty years ago...

Lush takes on Powys Square Tabernacle in London along with Gallon Drunk and Stereo Lab. Originally the band were to play Kensington Imperial College before changing venues due to the fact that Imperial insisted that the show be open to students only... boooo!

Fortunately for us photographer Tom Poston is there to capture the moment! Tom has long shared many shots from his career through his own personal site on Flickr.com. But I've been holding back on this wonderful treasure trove of images especially for marking the Black Spring tour's anniversary, appropriately enough. I'm kind of sneaky that way :P

So what are you going to do? You'll be checking back here again tomorrow because there just might be the slightest possibility of some more of Tom's stunningly vivid Lush photos celebrated here, that's what.

Doesn't Miki and Emma look amazing, drenched in the colorful light beams swirling all around? ...just like their music that night must have been.

Emma Anderson, originally uploaded by Tom Poston.
Emma Anderson - Powis Square Tabernacle, October 9, 1991, by photographer Tom Poston

Lush - London, October 1991, originally uploaded by Tom Poston.
Miki Berenyi - The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London, October 9, 1991, by photographer Tom Poston

Northhampton :: October 8, 1991

Twenty short years ago...

Tonight Lush play their second "warm up" performance of their Black Spring tour at Irish Centre in Northhampton, once again with the accompanying act Gallon Drunk.