Talking ‘Modern English’

Mainstay of cult indie label ‘4AD’, Modern English have been classified as contemporaries to ‘Joy Division’, ‘Wire’, ‘U2’, ‘Simple Minds’ and ‘Duran Duran’. Their iconic US Billboard chart breaker, ‘I Melt With You’, still remains in the US consciousness and was recently re-recorded for the Mark Pellington movie ‘I Melt With You’.
They started in 1978 when a group of friends in Colchester, spurred on by the punk explosion, formed ‘Modern English’. Leaving the punk sound behind but keeping its ethic of raw power, they added keyboards and developed an art-rock sound and a cult following. They soon came to the attention of Ivo Watts-Russell, who signed them up for his fledgling label ‘4AD’. Their first singles were UK independent top 50 hits and led to two John Peel Sessions. Their first album ‘Mesh & Lace’ is still regarded as a post-punk classic reaching the top 5 of the UK Independent chart with artwork by celebrated 80’s cover artist Vaughn Oliver, who produced the artwork for all their subsequent releases. For their second album, they encamped with legendary producer Hugh Jones who created a whole new sound, described by a reviewer as ‘dreamy, creamy’. The resulting 4AD album ‘After The Snow’ and single ‘I Melt With You’ caught the US imagination and became a huge hit with a follow up ‘sold out’ US tour. In 2010, the band decided to reform the original classic 4AD line up of Robbie Grey (vocals), Gary McDowall (lead guitar), Mick Conroy (bass) and Steve Walker (keyboards) plus recent collaborator Steven Walker (guitars).
They will be touring in 2012 drawing heavily from their early 4AD material, and for the first time in 25 years, will also include new songs written by the original line up with plans for a new studio album in 2013. This promises to be a phenomenal comeback for those who remember the excitement of the sounds of the late 70’s & early 80’s.
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For more information, contact:
Rachel Mintz
COMPASS MUSIC MARKETING
212 425-4103
rachel@compassmusicmarketing.com