After the Fire
Encyclopedia
After the Fire are a British rock
band that progressed from playing progressive rock
to new wave
over their initial twelve-year career, while having only one hit in the United States, ("Der Kommissar
") and one hit in the United Kingdom ("One Rule For You
").
, England
. After The Fire then went through several personnel changes before settling on Banks, guitarist
and vocalist Andy Piercy, bassist
Nick Battle, and drum
mer Ivor Twidell. This lineup enjoyed local success in London, and released an album
, Signs of Change
, in 1978, on their own label. Having become a highly-priced collectors' item, it was reissued on CD
in 2004 with several bonus tracks. At this time, the band's sound was similar to that of bands like Genesis
and Yes
.
, and released their second album, Laser Love, in 1979, which marked the band's move towards new wave, with shorter, more catchy pop rock
tracks. Twydell left the band to seek a career as a frontman and Nick Brotherwood took over briefly, after the album Laser Love was recorded. Banks changed his name to "Memory" Banks to not be confused with the ex-Yes guitarist
, around this time. As these changes took place, After The Fire's single, "One Rule for You", entered the UK Top 40. The group were scheduled to perform it on BBC TV's Top of the Pops
that week, a move which would have been almost certain to see it rise much higher, but their appearance was cancelled because Gary Numan was on the show and the BBC thought one keyboard track was enough.
The first version of 80-f, although better musically, was turned down by CBS resulting in the early departure of Brotherwood. The band, now with Pete King (formerly of the Flys) on drums, were assigned a new producer who re-worked some of the original album tracks and re-visited tracks that had been left off Laser Love. Neither singles charted in the UK but 1980-f gained popularity, like the band, in Europe.
Batteries Not Included was released in 1982 without fanfare, and the singles received little UK airplay. They came back into the U.K. spotlight when their English-language
cover
of Austrian
musician Falco
's song, "Der Kommissar," rocketed into the U.S. top ten
in 1983, though it only just made the top fifty in the United Kingdom. This was followed by the release of their first and only U.S. album, ATF, a compilation of their UK albums.
Piercy immediately went back into the studios to rerecord "One Rule" and "Dancing In The Shadows," the latter being released as a single and charting in the U.S. with some success. Piercy started working on the album, Free Heat (a play on words - After The Fire with the letters RIFT missing). The only single from the sessions was "8 Ball in the Top Pocket", released on 7" and 12". The album was scheduled to be the first CD release by CBS, but although complete, was never released.
Banks went on to build his own studio before becoming managing director of Maldon Computer Company, a software and network
ing enterprise. Russell worked in a music shop following the split and later was involved in youth work, while Piercy became a record producer
. King, who joined the German Rockband BAP
in 1986, died of testicular cancer
in 1987. Twidell (as Iva Twydell) released two solo albums after leaving the band (Secret Service and Duel, released in 1981 and 1982 respectively), and then became a police officer. Battle became a songwriter/producer/A&R man, working with (amongst others) Godley and Creme and Anthony Phillips
, has had songs recorded by Cliff Richard
and holds partial responsibility for "The Birdie Song" and The Spice Girls.
, with Keith Smith completing the lineup on lead vocals.
In 2005, they re-worked and released the song "One Rule" for Trade Justice
, a new recording of their 1979 UK hit. They released the second track from the current line up, "Forged from Faith", as a digital download in October 2005.
In January 2007, Smith's departure from the group was announced. The vocals at their first gig in Harrow after Smith's departure were handled by Pete Banks and Russell and gave the band an "authentic" vocal style. Before Smith's departure, there had been plans to re-enter the recording studio. A band biography, in union with a Christian publishing house, with the working title of Short Change, by a band associate was shelved in 2007.
In May 2008, the band announced the arrival of Tim Turner as drummer, fresh from Titian Red.
For their autumn 2008 tour, the band teamed up with singer–songwriter Rob Halligan, who not only fronted the band (lead vocals and guitar), but also played some of his own material during the sets. The band continues to perform, with an annual mini tour.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band that progressed from playing progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
to new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
over their initial twelve-year career, while having only one hit in the United States, ("Der Kommissar
Der Kommissar (song)
"'" is a song first recorded by Falco in Austria in 1981, covered a year later by After the Fire and reworked in 1983 by Laura Branigan. Originally written by Robert Ponger and Falco, the Falco version reached the top of the charts in many countries....
") and one hit in the United Kingdom ("One Rule For You
One Rule For You
"One Rule For You" was the first single released by UK band After the Fire. The song and its B-side, "Joy", also appeared on their second album titled Laser Love.-External links:*...
").
Early career
Keyboard player Peter Banks originally formed the band in the early 1970s in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. After The Fire then went through several personnel changes before settling on Banks, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and vocalist Andy Piercy, bassist
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Nick Battle, and drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
mer Ivor Twidell. This lineup enjoyed local success in London, and released an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Signs of Change
Signs of Change
Signs of Change is a progressive rock album by After the Fire. Released 1978, after attempting to get a record contract, the band managed to get this made themselves at a time when this was all but unheard of. What was more of interest as that it sold out its initial 2000 copy run within two weeks...
, in 1978, on their own label. Having become a highly-priced collectors' item, it was reissued on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
in 2004 with several bonus tracks. At this time, the band's sound was similar to that of bands like Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
and Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
.
Success beckons
After Battle left, Piercy switched to bass, and John Russell joined on guitar. The group signed to CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, and released their second album, Laser Love, in 1979, which marked the band's move towards new wave, with shorter, more catchy pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
tracks. Twydell left the band to seek a career as a frontman and Nick Brotherwood took over briefly, after the album Laser Love was recorded. Banks changed his name to "Memory" Banks to not be confused with the ex-Yes guitarist
Peter Banks
Peter Banks is an English guitarist. He was the original guitarist of the progressive rock band Yes.-Early career:When Banks was a young boy, his father bought him an acoustic guitar...
, around this time. As these changes took place, After The Fire's single, "One Rule for You", entered the UK Top 40. The group were scheduled to perform it on BBC TV's Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
that week, a move which would have been almost certain to see it rise much higher, but their appearance was cancelled because Gary Numan was on the show and the BBC thought one keyboard track was enough.
The first version of 80-f, although better musically, was turned down by CBS resulting in the early departure of Brotherwood. The band, now with Pete King (formerly of the Flys) on drums, were assigned a new producer who re-worked some of the original album tracks and re-visited tracks that had been left off Laser Love. Neither singles charted in the UK but 1980-f gained popularity, like the band, in Europe.
Batteries Not Included was released in 1982 without fanfare, and the singles received little UK airplay. They came back into the U.K. spotlight when their English-language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Austrian
Austrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
musician Falco
Falco (musician)
Johann Hölzel , better known by his stage name Falco, was an Austrian pop and rock musician and rapper. He had several international hits: "Der Kommissar", "Rock Me Amadeus", "Vienna Calling", "Jeanny", "The Sound of Musik", "Coming Home " and posthumously, "Out Of The Dark"...
's song, "Der Kommissar," rocketed into the U.S. top ten
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1983, though it only just made the top fifty in the United Kingdom. This was followed by the release of their first and only U.S. album, ATF, a compilation of their UK albums.
Dissolution and aftermath
This success had come too late and growing musical differences eventually caused the band to split in 1982, Piercy was looking to leave during the recording sessions that led to the single Der Kommissar. Although the single "Der Kommissar", which had been a hit in Canada, finally took hold in the American charts but CBS failed to patch up the band. All rights to the band name were signed over by Banks to Piercy and CBS.Piercy immediately went back into the studios to rerecord "One Rule" and "Dancing In The Shadows," the latter being released as a single and charting in the U.S. with some success. Piercy started working on the album, Free Heat (a play on words - After The Fire with the letters RIFT missing). The only single from the sessions was "8 Ball in the Top Pocket", released on 7" and 12". The album was scheduled to be the first CD release by CBS, but although complete, was never released.
Banks went on to build his own studio before becoming managing director of Maldon Computer Company, a software and network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
ing enterprise. Russell worked in a music shop following the split and later was involved in youth work, while Piercy became a record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. King, who joined the German Rockband BAP
BAP (German band)
Bap is a German rock group. With ten albums reaching the number one in the German record charts, Bap is one of the most successful rock acts in their home country....
in 1986, died of testicular cancer
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system.In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year. In the UK, approximately 2,000 men are diagnosed each year. Over his lifetime, a man's risk of...
in 1987. Twidell (as Iva Twydell) released two solo albums after leaving the band (Secret Service and Duel, released in 1981 and 1982 respectively), and then became a police officer. Battle became a songwriter/producer/A&R man, working with (amongst others) Godley and Creme and Anthony Phillips
Anthony Phillips
Anthony Edwin "Ant" Phillips is an English multi instrumentalist, best known as a founding member of the band Genesis. He played guitar and sang backing vocals until leaving in 1970, following the recording of their second album, Trespass...
, has had songs recorded by Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
and holds partial responsibility for "The Birdie Song" and The Spice Girls.
Rebirth
In 2004 at the Friends Reunion organised by a fan, Banks and Russell were joined by Ian Niblo on bass and Matt Russell (John's teenage son) on drums to perform a karaoke set. Banks was later talked into the capacity reunion gig at the Greenbelt FestivalGreenbelt festival
Greenbelt Festival is a festival of arts, faith and justice held annually in England since 1974. Greenbelt has grown from a Christian music festival with an audience of 1,500 young Christians to its current more secular festival attended by around 20,000 - Christians and non-Christians.The festival...
, with Keith Smith completing the lineup on lead vocals.
In 2005, they re-worked and released the song "One Rule" for Trade Justice
Trade justice
Trade justice is a campaign by non-governmental organisations lobbying for changes to the rules and practices of world trade so that poor people and the environment benefit...
, a new recording of their 1979 UK hit. They released the second track from the current line up, "Forged from Faith", as a digital download in October 2005.
In January 2007, Smith's departure from the group was announced. The vocals at their first gig in Harrow after Smith's departure were handled by Pete Banks and Russell and gave the band an "authentic" vocal style. Before Smith's departure, there had been plans to re-enter the recording studio. A band biography, in union with a Christian publishing house, with the working title of Short Change, by a band associate was shelved in 2007.
In May 2008, the band announced the arrival of Tim Turner as drummer, fresh from Titian Red.
For their autumn 2008 tour, the band teamed up with singer–songwriter Rob Halligan, who not only fronted the band (lead vocals and guitar), but also played some of his own material during the sets. The band continues to perform, with an annual mini tour.
Discography
| (1971–1972) |
|
|---|---|
| (1974-1974) |
Keyboard instrument A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... , vocals Andy Piercy Andy Piercy is a singer-songwriter who came to prominence in the Christian acoustic guitar duo, Ishmael and Andy, together with Ian Smale .In 1974 he replaced John Leach as guitarist and lead vocalist in After the Fire... — guitar Guitar The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... , vocals |
| (1975–1977) |
|
| (1977–1978) |
Violin The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello.... , vocals |
| (1979) |
|
| (1979) |
|
| (1979–1983) |
|
| (2004–2006) |
|
| (2007–2008) |
|
| (2008–present) |
|
Albums
| Year | Album | UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Signs of Change Signs of Change Signs of Change is a progressive rock album by After the Fire. Released 1978, after attempting to get a record contract, the band managed to get this made themselves at a time when this was all but unheard of. What was more of interest as that it sold out its initial 2000 copy run within two weeks... |
- | - |
| 1979 | Laser Love Laser Love Laser Love is the second album released by UK band After the Fire. Released in 1979, the album showcased more of a new wave approach, including much shorter songs than had been featured on the band's more progressive rock-oriented debut album, Signs of Change... |
57 | - |
| 1980 | 80-f 80-f 80-f is the third album released by UK band After the Fire. After the departure of drummer Ivor Twidell in October 1979, ATF recruited Nick Brotherwood as a replacement and started work on 80f in early 1980 with Tony Mansfield as producer. However, the resulting album was refused by CBS... |
69 | - |
| 1982 | Batteries Not Included Batteries Not Included (After The Fire album) Batteries Not Included is the fourth and final album of all-new material released by UK band After the Fire. The official release date is March 19, 1982, however some sources on the Internet claim a late 1981 release date... |
82 | - |
| 1982 | Der Kommissar Der Kommissar (album) Der Kommissar is a compilation album released by the band After the Fire in 1982, featuring the new title track, an English language cover of a minor Falco hit from earlier that year. In the U.S., the album was released simply as ATF by Epic Records, and "Der Kommissar" became the band's biggest... (released as ATF in the U.S. with a slightly rearranged tracklisting) |
- | 25 |
| 2004 | Signs of Change (special edition) | - | - |
| 2005 | Der Kommissar - The CBS Recordings Der Kommissar - The CBS Recordings Der Kommissar – The CBS Recordings is a primarily new wave music album by After the Fire. Released 2005, it is essentially a reissue of the band's three album output for CBS... |
- | - |
| 2005 | Live at Greenbelt | - | - |
| 2006 | AT2F | - | - |
| 2009 | Radio Sessions 1979–1980 | - | - |
EPs
| Year | EP | UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Life in the City | - | - |
| 1981 | Frozen Rivers | - | - |
| 1982 | Rich Boys | - | - |
Singles
| Year | Song | UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | "One Rule For You One Rule For You "One Rule For You" was the first single released by UK band After the Fire. The song and its B-side, "Joy", also appeared on their second album titled Laser Love.-External links:*... " |
40 | - |
| 1979 | "Laser Love" | 62 | - |
| 1979 | "Life in the City" | - | - |
| 1980 | "Love Will Always Make You Cry" | - | - |
| 1980 | "Wild West Show" | - | - |
| 1981 | "Dancing in the Shadows" | - | - |
| 1981 | "Frozen Rivers" | - | - |
| 1982 | "Rich Boys" | - | - |
| 1982 | "Der Kommissar Der Kommissar (song) "'" is a song first recorded by Falco in Austria in 1981, covered a year later by After the Fire and reworked in 1983 by Laura Branigan. Originally written by Robert Ponger and Falco, the Falco version reached the top of the charts in many countries.... " |
47 | 5 |
| 1983 | "Dancing in the Shadows" | - | 85 |
| 1983 | "8 Ball in the Top Pocket" | - | - |
| 2005 | "One Rule (For Trade Justice)" | - | - |
| 2005 | "Forged From Faith" | - | - |
DVDs
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2004 2004 in music See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol.... |
"You Had To Be There" Live at Greenbelt 2004 Cat no 985900-4 ROUGHMIX Ltd |