The Field Mice

The Field Mice were the most popular band on the seminal, cult indie label Sarah Records. Initially a duo from South London suburb of Mitcham comprising Bob Wratten and Michael Hiscock, their first EP, "Emma's House," was released in late 1988. But it was with their second single "Sensitive" that they first received significant critical attention with a subsequent placing in John Peel's 1989 Festive 50.

Over a three year career the band were often dogged with the reputation of having a post-C86 indiepop or generic Sarah Records sound despite producing tracks with numerous styles and influences. Early singles and even their sleeves harked back to early Factory Records bands such as New Order and The Wake, with many tracks often featuring sequencers and samples. Many of the group's recordings, notably "Triangle" and their epic seven-minute swan song, "Missing the Moon", displayed a strong influence from the popular dance music of the time. Most of the group's records were produced by Ian Catt, who later went on to develop the pop dance sound of "Missing The Moon" further with Saint Etienne (who's second single was a Field Mice cover).

The band split up in 1991 after a fractious tour to promote the "For Keeps" album, during which lead singer/guitarist Robert Wratten announced he was leaving.

Later, Field Mice members Wratten, Annemari Davies (Wratten's ex-girlfriend), and Mark Dobson briefly formed the more synth-oriented outfit Northern Picture Library, and then Wratten went on to form Trembling Blue Stars in 1995.

A double-album compilation of the now long-deleted Field Mice releases, "Where'd You Learn To Kiss That Way?" was released in 1999 and sold more copies than any Field Mice record ever sold at the time. Their entire back catalogue was reissued on CD for the first time by LTM Recordings in 2005.

Discography

Albums
*"Snowball" (mini-album, Sarah 402, 1989)
*"Skywriting" (mini-album, Sarah 601, 1990)
*"Coastal" (compilation, Sarah 606, 1991)
*"For Keeps" (Sarah 607, 1991)
*"Where'd You Learn To Kiss That Way?" (compilation, Shinkansen Recordings, 1997)

Expanded versions of "Snowball", "Skywriting" and "For Keeps" were issued on LTM in 2005.

Singles
*"Emma's House" (7", Sarah 012)
*"Sensitive" (7", Sarah 018)
*"The Autumn Store part One" (7", Sarah 024)
* "The Autumn Store part Two" (7", Sarah 025)
* "So Said Kay" (10", Sarah 038)
* "September's Not So Far Away" (7", Sarah 044)
* "Missing The Moon" (12", Sarah 057)

External links

* [http://www.ltmpub.freeserve.co.uk/fmicebio.html Field Mice biography - Alastair Fitchett, for the LTM reissue sleevenotes]
* [http://www.shink.dircon.co.uk/fieldmicebio.htm Field Mice biography - Matt Haynes co-owner of Sarah Records]

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