The Teardrop Explodes

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Teardrop Explodes


Img_capt = The Teardrop Explodes live circa 1980
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Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Liverpool, England
Genre = Post-punk, Alternative rock
Years_active = 1978 - 1983
Label = Zoo Records Fontana
Associated_acts = Julian Cope Crucial Three Big In Japan Dalek I Love You
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members = Julian Cope Mick Finkler Gary Dwyer Paul Simpson David Balfe Alan Gill Alfie Agius Jeff Hammer Troy Tate Ronnie François
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The Teardrop Explodes were an English Post-punk/Neo-Psychedelic band formed in Liverpool in 1978. Their name was taken from a panel in the Marvel comic book, Daredevil No. 77. [ [http://www.screamingsecrets.com/discography/cb_images/dd_2.jpgImage from Daredevil No. 77] ]

Career

The band was formed by Julian Cope who had previously been in the short-lived yet locally-renowned band Crucial Three along with Pete Wylie who went on to form Wah! and Ian McCulloch later of Echo and the Bunnymen.

The band's initial line-up consisted of singer/bassist Julian Cope, Mick Finkler on guitar, Gary Dwyer on drums and Paul Simpson on keyboards. An early version of the band, called A Shallow Madness, included Ian McCulloch. They were managed by Bill Drummond and signed to his Zoo label, as were Echo and the Bunnymen.

The band released their first single, "Sleeping Gas", in February 1979. Soon after, Simpson left the band and was replaced by Zoo label co-owner, David Balfe. As they toured Liverpool, the band steadily gained popularity. Their next single "Bouncing Babies" inspired a tribute song of its own: "I Can't Get Bouncing Babies by the Teardrop Explodes" by The Freshies, an ode to the difficulty of obtaining a copy of the song.

Kilimanjaro

Finkler was fired by Cope during the recording of their debut album "Kilimanjaro" and was replaced by Dalek I Love You guitarist Alan Gill. With Gill came an expansion of the group's sound. Most of Finkler's guitar parts were re-recorded by Gill. The LP reached number 24 on the British pop charts.

In 1981, the group was at the height of its popularity. In January, they hit #6 on the British charts with the "Reward" single and in April they broke the top 20 with "Treason" (#18 UK). "When I Dream" received airplay on progressive radio in the U.S., introducing the band to many new fans. During this period, there were numerous line up changes: Alfie Agius was brought in on bass, Jeff Hammer replaced Balfe on keyboards and Troy Tate replaced Gill on guitar.

Wilder

Expectations were high for the band's second album, "Wilder", recorded in late 1981 with a nucleus of Cope, Dwyer, Tate and the returning Balfe. Unlike the first album, which was more of a band effort, "Wilder" is much more the work of Cope, who took sole songwriting credit on every track on the album. The first single, "Passionate Friend", reached #25 in the UK charts. The album itself reached #29 on the charts.

A second single, "Colours Fly Away" stalled at #57 in the UK chart, signaling the end of the Teardrops as a popular singles band.

At the end of 1981 the band took up residence at the Pyramid Club in Liverpool, playing twice a day as a five piece, with the addition of Ronnie François on bass. The band then undertook an extensive tour of Europe, the USA and Australia.

"Tiny Children", a third single from "Wilder", was released in June 1982, narrowly missing the top 40 (#41 UK) despite being championed by the then high profile BBC Radio One DJ, Mike Read.

Third album and dissolution

When the band reconvened to record their third album, they were reduced to the trio of Cope, Dwyer and a reinstated Balfe. Tensions were high – Cope wanted to write ballads and quirky pop songs, while Balfe was more interested in recording synth-based dance music. Cope eventually dissolved the band in the middle of the sessions. The material was later released in 1990 under the title "Everybody Wants To Shag... the Teardrop Explodes".

Cope has gone on to a successful career as a solo artist and writer. When asked if the Teardrop Explodes would ever get back together, he said: "Would you ever return to having your mother wipe your asshole?" [ [http://www.headheritage.co.uk/drude/qa/cope_music.php Julian Cope presents Head Heritage: Drudical Q&A: Cope Music] ]

Discography

ingles

*"Sleeping Gas" (1979)
*"Bouncing Babies" (1979)
*"Treason" (1980)
*"When I Dream" (1980) (#UK 47)
*"Reward" (1981) (UK #6)
*"Treason" (reissued 1981) (UK #18)
*"Ha-Ha I'm Drowning" (1981)
*"Passionate Friend" (1981) (UK #25)
*"Colours Fly Away" (1981) (UK #54)
*"Tiny Children" (1982) (UK #44)
*"You Disappear From View" (1983) (UK #41)
*"Serious Danger" (1990)

Albums

*1980 "Kilimanjaro" (UK #24)
*1981 "Wilder" (UK #29)
*1990 "Everybody Wants To Shag ... The Teardrop Explodes" (UK #72)

Compilations

*1990 "Everybody Wants to Shag the Teardrop Explodes" - (tracks from the band's unfinished 1982 album plus rarities)
*1990 "Piano" (rarities)
*1992 "Floored Genius - The Best Of Julian Cope And The Teardrop Explodes" (UK #22)
*2004 "Zoology" (rarities)
*2007 "Peel Sessions Plus (1979-82)" (sessions recorded for BBC Radio 1)

Audio sample

References