Miki and Phil Together Onstage for the First Time in 18 Years

Miki and Phil together on stage for the first time in 18 years.
Posted by Lush and Miki Berenyi on Tuesday, November 25, 2014

‘Split’ 20th Anniversary Interview

My interview with Lush | ‘Split’ 20th Anniversary

"Anyone that knew me in high school, or at least spent any time with me driving around in my old Toyota Corolla, will surely remember the English band Lush. In the very least, they may have some remaining hearing damage to help remember thanks to me blasting their 1994 album ‘Split’ – which also seemed to be on constant repeat – as loud as it could go. This album was epic to me, and it still is. Every little element of it, from the songs, to the artwork, to the tour dates I attended in Boston and Rhode Island that accompanied the album’s release, the band’s style, lead singer/guitarist Miki’s always flame-red hair and even her half-Hungarian/half-Japanese background, it was perfection. Lush was like a beautiful art project with all the pieces and elements fitting together just right. I had found my band and they spoke to me right down to the rarest of B-sides."

  - ghostlifeghostlife.

A mighty fine piece. Eloquently penned (or typed rather) by a true fan. This recent interview was conducted with all three surviving members - Emma, Phil and Miki. Now that's something I don't think I've seen happen often since the old band days...

Lord Tarquin Vs Miki Berenyi

The very lovely Miki has surfaced online in a recent video again!

Writer and broadcaster David Quantick reads passages from his book 'Memoirs Of A Shoegazing Gentleman' - with the help of Lush's Miki Berenyi - at The Social in London on July 7, 2014.

'Hypocrite' Debuts on this Day in 1994

It was twenty years ago today that 'Hypocrite' debuted, released on the same day in 1994 as the 'Desire Lines' single, and taken from the Split album.

Miki and Author Martin Aston

Miki Berenyi and Martin Aston, author of the new 4AD book “Facing The Other Way”, 2013


From:http://lambentleague.tumblr.com/post/63830333001/miki-berenyi-and-martin-aston-author-of-the-new

Hard Skin's New Track with Miki - 'You Still Here'

Miki Berenyi from Lush - more raspy as she reaches back to her punk roots - sings on a new cover album from oi punk band Hard Skin. The band was one of the last projects that Lush's drummer Chris Acland worked with before his passing.
https://soundcloud.com/lamestain/03-you-still-here-miki-berenyi

Miki Onstage with Hard Skin : London 05/10/2013

Watch: Lush’s Miki Berenyi make a rare stage appearance and perform alongside punk band Hard Skin. Since the breakup of LUSH, Miki Berenyi is rarely been seen on any stage, which is why is came as such a surprise when a London punk group called Hard Skin put her front of a microphone to sing a song during a recent gig. Understanding the history, Hard Skin was one of the many projects former LUSH drummer Chris Acland aligned himself to and played for while he was alive. Footage of the performance has surfaced online.

Lush - Desire Lines (Official Video)

Indie record label 4AD now has official videos of LUSH uploaded to their official YouTube. No more viewing the grainy copies taped off of the tellie Lush fans, these are the real deal.

For more, go to: 4AD

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...

Three Shots as a Threesome

Three press kit promotional shots of a temporary threesome Lush, between bassists of course. The bottom photo is credited to Jurgen Osterhild, and all were commissioned by the band's label, 4AD. Though undated, it seems reasonable to guess that they were taken around this time when the band were preparing for the new LP release.

Slightly moody, vaguely shadowed, very contrasted, and definitely Lush.

Tie your shoestring Chris!

Dislike! - publicity shots where some of the members are pushed to the background and put out-of-focus.

Making Music/The Scenic Route to Success :: November 1991

Lush are the cover story on the November 1991 issue of Making Music, "The Scenic Route to Success" by Jon Lewin. The subhead teaser reads:

"[Lush have] been the big noise in the press for about a year now, though their particular bubbles beginning to show signs of deflating."

There goes another faction of the music press, building-up then writing off the band once again.

"They're widely acclaimed as both precursors to and leading lights of The Scene That Celebrates Itself, though their particular combination of intricate vocal harmonies, angry guitars, mobile bass, and adaptable time signatures transcends such a limiting categorisation."

The four Lushes settling down to eat their lunchtime bagels in their Camberwell rehearsal room while preparing for their early October London mini-tour.

Following are some very abbreviated excerpts from the Making Music story concerning the writing and recording for the upcoming LP.

The band currently (early October) are promoting their new Black Spring EP with a mini-tour of London and working on a forthcoming LP, which they've been recording and mixing this Autumn for release in the New year... all that's left now is for producer Robin Guthrie to come back from holiday to finish the mixing.

Although occasional parts may be added in the studio, Lush never write as a foursome, or simply work out new material by jamming. "We can't," says Miki.
"Because were such crap musicians," laughs Emma.

While working with Robin Guthrie on the new LP, Chris wasn't allowed to touch his new Yamaha drum kit. "I hated it, but I'm really pleased with the end results." says Chris. Instead of his own, Chris basically played on a Simmons kit wired up to change the fills, then re-done on Octopads. He says it divides his play into five different processes which for him doesn't seem natural, but the end result sounds like a really good drum kit.

With the new LP, Lush's repetoire is up to 21 songs, 17 of which are played for live shows. Admits Chris "That's the weird thing now, we've got so many songs." Chris also lays claim to be the boss on stage, since he controls the tempos of the songs... and he's prone to speeding up those tempos. "And there's us lot giving him dirty looks, telling him to slow down." Miki says.
"That's because," adds Emma, "we can't bloody play the songs any faster..."

"Up The Junction" :: November 3, 1991

Twenty very short years ago...

On Sunday the 3rd, at 7:30pm Up The Junction TV filmed LUSH performing at the Junction on Clifton Road in Cambridge, England to be broadcast in February the next year. Recording the same night as the band were Banderas, Bassomatic and Yes No People and hosted by Rowland Rivron. Tickets to get in are only £1!

Video of Lush performing "For Love" and "Sweetness and Light" recently put up on YouTube:

These video captures are taken from the show (look for more come next February). And since one is not enough, here is another, older YouTube video from the same Up The Junction programme.