Still life (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = still life


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Origin = Kingston upon Hull, England, UK
Genre = Alternative rock
Years_active = 1996–2005
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: "This article is about still life, the UK rock band active from 1996-2005. For other uses of the phrase, see Still Life (disambiguation)."

still life were a rock band from Humberside in the United Kingdom. As well as a popular band in their home town they released several critically acclaimed singles and were one of the first UK bands to embrace the internet as a means of advertising and promoting their music

History

still life were formed in 1996 by a group of five musicians from Kingston upon Hull in the UK: Vocalist Paul Terry, drummer Phil Bean, vocalist and bass player James Paddison and guitarists Andy Clark and Mike Richmond. Richmond is credited as lyricist on all of the band's recorded tracks, music was credited to the entire band.

From lowly beginnings in local pubs and clubs, still life rapidly sailed to the top of the local music scene, eventually performing as support for several major acts including Atomic Kitten, Sash! and Fine Young Cannibals. The band finally split up in 2005, with an invite only performance at The Winter Gardens club in Cleethorpes supported by up and coming Hull-based singer songwriter Emma Rugg.

The band's alternative rock sound developed from an early influence of the britpop bands of the time (particularly The Smiths and Suede) into a more mature, experimental sound as the band became more proficient in studio techniques. The band's final release, At The Wheel is considered by many to be their most proficient, featuring the kind of production wizardy that led them to be favourably compared in both the local and national music press to R.E.M. and Queen!

A common misconception, given the band's influences is that they were named after the track Still Life from Suede's "Dog Man Star" album. Actually, the band name was taken by Richmond from another Suede song, "Breakdown" ("Back where the dogs bark, where still life bleeds the concrete white")

Following the break up of the band, guitarist Mike Richmond joined up and coming country rock band The Raindogs, and has recently rejoined former colleagues Clark, Paddison and Terry, along with drummer Mick Harding in new band Circus Envy.

It should be noted that, as in the band's logo, still life was preferred by the band to be written in lower case.

Discography

Singles

* 1996 Caroline Place EP
# (Do You Feel) Alright?
# Missed the Boat
# I Don't Dream Any More
# Take Away the Sunshine
# Empty Promises

* 1998 Suicide Bridge
# Suicide Bridge
# Lost All Feeling
# Still Life

* 2000 Lips
# Lips
# Everything's For Sale
# Sensory Perception
# The Touch of an Angel (Remix)

* 2004 At The Wheel
# At The Wheel
# Murder By Proxy
# Seventeen

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/humber/music/raw_talent/bands/s/still_life.shtml BBC "Raw Talent" page on still life]
* [http://www.thisisull.com/interviews/stilllife.html still life interview]
* [http://www.stilllifeonline.com still life official site including free music downloads]