- The Mobiles
-
The Mobiles Origin Eastbourne, East Sussex Genres Synth pop, pop Years active 1982–1983 Labels Rialto, RCA Past members David Blundell
Anna Maria
Chris Downton
Russ Madge
Jhon Smithson
Eddie Smithson
Tony Norman
Paul LyntonThe Mobiles were a UK 1980s synth pop band, whose existence was notable for their one major hit single, early in 1982, with the song "Drowning in Berlin". It reached #9 in the UK Singles Chart.[1] The follow-up single "Amour, Amour" (#45 in the UK) continued the European flavour.
Contents
Career
The Mobiles were based in Eastbourne,[2] but with band members hailing from Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea and Eastbourne, and were led by Anna Maria. A slimmed down version of Mobiles (just Maria and Madge) and renamed The Avengers, released a couple of singles for RCA. They were signed by Nick Heath and Tim Heath, sons of British bandleader Ted Heath, who owned the successful record label Rialto.
Band members
- David Blundell - bassist, songwriter
- Anna Maria - vocalist
- Chris Downton - guitarist, songwriter
- Russ Madge - guitarist
- John Smithson - keyboards, songwriter
- Eddie Smithson - drums
- Tony Norman - manager, songwriter
- Paul Lynton - songwriter and producer
Post Mobiles
Blundell now lives in Madrid, Spain, and Maria, who lives in Seaford, East Sussex and works in the health profession, said they were delighted the album was now available on CD. "Back in the 1980s CDs weren't around," said Dave. "Everything was on vinyl". "It was all such an adventure for us. We were just a band practicing in The Drive pub. The first week "Drowning in Berlin" was released, it appeared in their local record shop, Max Records at the bottom of Grove Road.
Blundell said "One minute we were doing gigs in Eastbourne and the next minute we got a call saying they wanted us to do Top of The Pops. They were very exciting times for us all and we had a wonderful time doing it all." [3]
The reissue of the original album includes their best known hit along with further singles "Amour Amour" and "Partners in Fiction" the first time on CD. The video for "Drowning In Berlin" is still a fixture on MTV to this day. The comprehensive reissue features their debut album in its entirety, and a wide selection of rare bonus material including remixes and b-sides. Drowning In Berlin - The Best of The Mobiles also encompasses comprehensive packaging, with track by track liner notes from bass player David Blundell, a history, interviews with the band's one-time record label manager, numerous photographs and a complete discography.[4]
Discography
Singles
- ”You're Not Alone” - 1982 - Did not chart - Rialto MOB3
- ”Drowning in Berlin” - 1982 - UK Number 9[1] - Rialto RIA 3
- ”Amour Amour” - 1982 - UK Number 45[1] - Rialto RIA 5
- "Partners In Fiction" - 1982 - Did not chart - Rialto RIA10
Albums
- Drowning in Berlin - 1982
- Drowning in Berlin: The Best of The Mobiles - 2006 - Cherry Red label - CDM RED 309[5]
References
- ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 43. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Annemarie Field (28 December 2006). "EIGHTIES BAND'S ALBUM REVIVAL". Eastbourne Today. http://web.archive.org/web/20080306130124/http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/EIGHTIES-BAND39S-ALBUM-REVIVAL.1947640.jp. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^ Eastbourneherald.co.uk article on the band
- ^ Cherryred.co.uk - Mobiles biography & discography
- ^ Allmusic.com - Discography
External links
Categories:- British New Wave musical groups
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