The June Brides

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = The June Brides


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = South East London, England
Genre =
Years_active = 1983 - 1986
Label = The Pink Label
In-Tape
Associated_acts = International Rescue
Phil Wilson
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members = Phil Wilson "(1983-86)"
Simon Beesley "(1983-86)"
Frank Sweeney "(1983-86)"
Jon Hunter "(1983-86)"
Ade Carter "(1983-86)"
Brian Alexis "(1983-86)"
Chris Nineham "(1985)"
Martin Pink "(1985-86)

The June Brides were an English pop music group, formed in London in 1983, by Phil Wilson and Simon Beesley of International Rescue. Influenced by Postcard-label bands such as Josef K and punk-era bands such as The Desperate Bicycles and The Television Personalities, their mix of guitar pop with viola and trumpet formed a blueprint for many of the C86 bands that would follow. First playing live as a band in August 1983, they attracted the attention of future Creation Records boss Alan McGee who gave them several gigs at the now famous 'Living Room', but reputedly decided not to sign The June Brides to his new label as it would have been "too obvious". Two Joe Foster-produced 1984 singles on The Pink Label, "In The Rain" and "Every Conversation" saw The June Brides receive much attention and these two songs appeared frequently on compilation albums from that era. A year later, the mini-album "There Are Eight Million Stories" appeared (produced by John O'Neill of That Petrol Emotion) and went straight to number one in the UK Indie Chart, staying there for a month. The album remained in the indie chart for 38 weeks. Disillusioned with Pink, the band moved to Marc Riley's In-Tape label for two further singles - "No Place Like Home" and "This Town" and in 1986 opened for The Smiths on their Irish tour dates. The June Brides were asked to contribute to the NME's C86 compilation but declined for fear of being pigeonholed.

After losing confidence in In-Tape, they approached Go! Discs, who had offered them a deal the previous year, but with the band falling out of favour with critics and some of their early fans, Go! Discs were no longer interested. The band split in 1986, with singer Wilson embarking on a solo career on Creation Records.

In 2006, Sarandon paid tribute by naming their fourth 7" album "The June Bride", which saw Phil Wilson guesting on vocals.

The band were also honoured in 2006 by a tribute album "Still Unravished", released on Irish label "yesboyicecream records", which featured covers by bands such as Manic Street Preachers, Television Personalities, The Tyde, Jeffrey Lewis & The Jasmine Minks. Dave Eggers and Everett True contributed liner notes for the album.

Discography

(chart placings are from the UK Independent chart) [Lazell, Barry:"Indie Hits 1980-1989", 1997, Cherry Red Books, ISBN 0-9517206-9-4]

ingles

* In The Rain (Jun 1984, Pink, PINKY1 [7"] )
* Every Conversation (Sep 1984, Pink, PINKY2 [7"] ) #11
* In The Rain/Every Conversation (Apr 1986, Pink, PINLY9 [12"] )
* No Place Like Home (Nov 1985, In-Tape, IT024 [7"] /ITT024 [12"] ) #3
* This Town (May 1986, In-Tape, IT030 [7"] /ITT030 [12"] )
* Peel Sessions (22/10/85) (Apr 1987, Strange Fruit, SFPS023 [12"] ) #29

tudio Albums

* There Are Eight Million Stories (Sep 1985, Pink, PINKY5 [LP] ) #1

Compilations

* For Better Or Worse (Jan 1995, Overground, OVER40CD [CD] ) (compilation)
* Every Conversation: The Story Of The June Brides & Phil Wilson (2005, Cherry Red, CDM RED 273 [2CD] ) (compilation)

References

External links

* [http://www.3ammagazine.com/musicarchives/2005/apr/interview_simon_beesley.html 2005 interview with Simon Beesley]
* [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,1695253,00.html Dave Eggers feature on the band]