Feline (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Feline


Img_capt = Lead singer Grog ("Just As You Are" video)
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = London, UK
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 1995-1999
Label = EMI Chrysalis Records
Associated_acts = Flinch, Ultraviolet, Die So Fluid
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Current_members = Grog Drew Richards Ted Garcia Al
Past_members = Guy Prebble
Steve Drew
Mig
Notable_instruments =

Feline were an English rock group formed in London, in 1995. They formed from the remnants of a few earlier underground bands such as Flinch and Miranda Sex Garden. Like most female-fronted rock groups of that era in popular music, they were likened to more mainstream acts such as Garbage, and the Cardigans.

Lead-singer Grog would never define Feline's music any more than acknowledging those dark elements within it, but admitteed to some influences such as Sonic Youth, Iggy Pop, and The Pixies. A classically trained pianist, Grog wrote the bulk of Feline's material; some of the songs she recorded with Feline were written by her prior to the band's formation.

Generally getting good write-ups in the rock press, such as NME and Kerrang!, they released a number of singles, a limited release album and a single full length album between 1997 and 1998 but were not as successful as their potential showed. Their record company dropped them in 1999 as part of a company-wide roster clear out, and they split, with several members moving onto form Ultraviolet, and then, the relatively more successful Die So Fluid.

Pre-history

Grog's previous group Flinch had released two independent singles before attracting press interest as one of the UK's most promising bands of 1994 - and even recorded a session for BBC disc jockey John Peel. Soon afterwards the band collapsed, with Grog going on to form Feline. Grog had felt that her musical vision was not shared by her two co-horts, and that she had grown into her own as a frontperson and as a musician, so had decided to form her own group where she would be the principal songwriter.

Career

Feline officially formed in October 1995 with Grog on vocals and bass, Guy Prebble and Drew Richards on guitar and Steve Drew on drums. Shortly after forming, Guy Prebble left the band and was replaced by guitarist Ted Garcia. The band then performed live throughout the following year, including a spot at the Phoenix Festival in the summer of 1996, during which time they signed a major label deal with Chrysalis Records, a subsidiary of EMI. The band built up a steady set of songs which were recorded at the beginning of 1997 for their first release.

The band recorded the bulk of their first record, what would be titled "Save Your Face", in various London studios with David M. Allen who had recently helmed records by The Cure and Neneh Cherry. They would work with Pat Collier (formerly of The Vibrators, now a producer) on mixing the record, as well as recording a further two tracks at South Beach Studios in Miami, Florida with well known record producer Tom Lord-Alge. By this time, Drew had decided to leave the group, to be replaced by new drummer Mig.

On completion of studio work, the band launched into a summer tour as support act for label-mates Kenickie, and then back on the road headlining rock clubs throughout the UK - including a headlining appearance at NME's "On" night in July. In August of 1997, the group's debut single "Just As You Are" was issued, pre-empting their debut record the week after. Despite some good promotion on rock radio, as well as a live set and interview for MTV Europe's Superock show both releases charted just outside the main UK Top 40.

In early 1998 the band toured the UK in support of Catherine Wheel, and worked with producer Chris Sheldon to remix a few of their songs, as well as record some new tracks for release the following months.

They issued "Sun In My Eyes" as a proper single release in May 1998, but due to little promotion it charted at #88 in the UK. The band nevertheless toured in support of it, and prepared to release a follow-up single, the newly recorded "Drama Queen" in July 1998. The release was cancelled at last minute, as the band felt that they would rather re-release their debut album - updated and expanded with the new tracks.

The new edition of their album was self-titled "Feline" and was issued with different packaging to "Save Your Face". The band took off on a short summer tour to promote it, with the addition of new drummer Al Fletcher who replaced Mig. The album's closing track "Release" was then planned as the band's next single, with a video being shot by Howard Greenhalgh.

Unfortunately, in late 1998, EMI shook up their roster of acts, and the band were dropped from the label before "Release" was issued. After this, the band decided to go their separate ways.

Post-history

Upon Feline's split, Grog and Drew Richards re-emerged as Ultraviolet, who released a number of E.P.'s before they reformed into the harder Die So Fluid who are still performing. Grog became well known to pop fans throughout 2003 when she guest performed bass guitar for Melanie C and Kelly Osbourne.

Ted Garcia is now a corporate lawyer with the prestigious firm [http://www.pinsentmasons.com Pinsent Masons LLP] and managing Glasgow band, [http://www.soundsofsansebastian.com San Sebastian ] .Ted is well respected in the Glasgow musical scene and frequently advises young artists on contract issues, particularly relating to their first record deal and handling the various contractual difficulties of 'making it' as a musical artist.

Discography

Albums

B-sides

References

*Richard Evans. " [http://www.thei.aust.com/music2/evans7.html] ". Retrieved May 21st, 2006.
*100% Mel C site. " [http://chizzum.net/melaniec/v2/info/band/grog.html] ". Retrieved June 9th, 2006.

External links

* [http://www.the-mag.me.uk/Band-Profiles/Die-So-Fluid/ Die So Fluid (feat. Grog, Drew and Al) on The Mag]