Clinic (band)
Encyclopedia
Clinic are a Liverpool
based post-punk revival
band noted for their often fast-paced, eclectic sound. Their sound is often distinguished by the prominent use of vintage keyboards/organs, most notably the Philips Philicorda, and peculiar off-scale chord progressions.
I.P.C. Subeditors Dictate Our Youth was released on their own Aladdin's Cave of Golf record label
. The EP made the top ten of John Peel
's Festive Fifty
at the end of the year, and two other self-financed singles
followed in 1998.
or LP
. Their debut album
, Internal Wrangler
, was released in 2000. Album tracks "The Second Line", "The Return of Evil Bill" and "Distortions" were released as singles - "The Second Line" was later used in a television advertisement for Levi's jeans, and reissued. In the same year, the band played at All Tomorrow's Parties
and Scott Walker
's Meltdown
and toured with Radiohead
.
and Winchester Cathedral
, followed in 2002 and 2004 respectively along with tours with The Flaming Lips
and an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman
, performing "Walking with Thee". "Come into Our Room
", the second single from Walking with Thee, was featured on an episode of "The OC" as well as an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
and was included on the series' soundtrack album. Also from the album, "The Equaliser" was featured in the 2003 indie film Thirteen
. The band released their fourth album, Visitations, in October 2006. "Tusk", the first single from the album, was made available as a free download from the band's official website in February 2006, and "Harvest (Within You)" preceded the album in early October.
Funf
, a compilation album
of b-sides
, was released in June 2007. Clinic also appeared with Roky Erickson
at Jarvis Cocker
's 2007 Meltdown Festival and later in the year toured with Arcade Fire. "If You Could Read Your Mind" from Visitations was used in the arthouse film Hallam Foe
the same autumn.
. The single was released as a free download from the band's website. The download also contained the B-side, "Thor". The band later released "The Witch (Made to Measure)" as the second single from the album, and "Tomorrow" as the third. After touring to promote the album, in May 2009
Clinic played the Moondog tribute concert at the Barbican in London,performing 'Oboe Round'.
The band's sixth album, Bubblegum
, produced by John Congleton was released on 4 October 2010.A press release stated that the album was a marked change in direction from their trademark "hyped up sound". The acoustic based lead single from the album, "I'm Aware", was released on 20 September 2010, and a second single, the titular wah led "Bubblegum", came out on 31 January 2011.
The band released an EP of cover versions, "Ladies Night", in support of Record Store Day, on 16 April 2011.The main track,was a version of Man 2 Man's 'Male Stripper'.
s and costumes while performing, as well as in promotional photos. The band are known to wear different costumes depending on the circumstances of the show: for example, an outdoors show would have them in Hawaiian shirts, while indoor shows would have them in their trademark scrubs
. During an interview, Blackburn reveals the sound of the album the band are promoting while touring has an effect on their attire while performing.
Ade Blackburn has said in an interview that Clinic wear surgical masks on stage as a homage to San Francisco bands Crime
and The Residents
. "...I like the way there was a visual side to what they did, but it wasn't something too serious. It was like a tacky pun on the band name. I liked something a bit more ridiculous like that." .
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
based post-punk revival
Post-punk revival
The post-punk revival was a development in alternative rock of the late 20th and early 21st centuries in which bands took inspiration from the original sounds and aesthetics of garage rock of the 1960s and post-punk and New Wave of the late 1970s...
band noted for their often fast-paced, eclectic sound. Their sound is often distinguished by the prominent use of vintage keyboards/organs, most notably the Philips Philicorda, and peculiar off-scale chord progressions.
Formation and early recordings
Ade Blackburn and Jonathan Hartley formed Clinic in 1997 following the split of their previous band, Pure Morning. They developed early notoriety for featuring instruments (primarily keyboards/organs) that were acquired at various jumble sales and flea markets. Brian Campbell and Carl Turney joined the band and soon their first EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
I.P.C. Subeditors Dictate Our Youth was released on their own Aladdin's Cave of Golf record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. The EP made the top ten of John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
's Festive Fifty
Festive Fifty
The Festive Fifty was originally an annual list of the year's fifty best songs compiled at the end of the year and voted for by listeners to John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show...
at the end of the year, and two other self-financed singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
followed in 1998.
Signing to Domino Records
In 1999, the band signed to Domino Records and the first three singles were compiled on a single CDCompact 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 ,...
or LP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. Their debut 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...
, Internal Wrangler
Internal Wrangler
Internal Wrangler is the first full length studio album by Clinic. It was released in 2000 through Domino Records.-Album history:The band signed to Domino Records following the release of several self financed singles. The song "The Return of Evil Bill" is a follow up to the song "Evil Bill" that...
, was released in 2000. Album tracks "The Second Line", "The Return of Evil Bill" and "Distortions" were released as singles - "The Second Line" was later used in a television advertisement for Levi's jeans, and reissued. In the same year, the band played at All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
and Scott Walker
Scott Walker (singer)
Scott Walker, born Noel Scott Engel on January 9, 1943 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and the former lead singer of The Walker Brothers. Despite being American born, Walker's chart success has largely come in the United Kingdom, where his first four solo albums...
's Meltdown
Meltdown (festival)
Meltdown is an annual, English festival, held in London, featuring a mix of music, art, performance and film. Meltdown is held in June at Southbank Centre, the arts complex covering and including the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Hayward...
and toured with Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
.
2002–2007
Two further albums, Walking with TheeWalking with Thee
Walking with Thee is the second studio album by Clinic. It was released in 2002 on Domino Records.Walking with Thee was included in Rolling Stones "50 Best Albums of 2002".-Track listing:# "Harmony" – 4:02# "The Equaliser" – 3:43...
and Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral (album)
Winchester Cathedral is the third studio album by Indie rock band Clinic. It was released in 2004 via Domino Records.-Track listing:# "Country Mile" – 3:19# "Circle of Fifths" – 3:24# "Anne" – 3:35# "The Magician" – 2:41...
, followed in 2002 and 2004 respectively along with tours with The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
and an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
, performing "Walking with Thee". "Come into Our Room
Come into Our Room
"Come Into Our Room" is a song by Liverpudlian band Clinic, and it was the second single to be released from their second full-length album, Walking With Thee.Despite not breaking through into the singles chart, the song remains one of their most popular...
", the second single from Walking with Thee, was featured on an episode of "The OC" as well as an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
and was included on the series' soundtrack album. Also from the album, "The Equaliser" was featured in the 2003 indie film Thirteen
Thirteen (film)
Thirteen is a 2003 American drama film directed by Catherine Hardwicke, and written by Hardwicke and Nikki Reed, the film's co-star. The film also stars Evan Rachel Wood and Holly Hunter. It is a semi-autobiographical film inspired by Reed's life at age 12 and 13 with Wood's character "Tracy" being...
. The band released their fourth album, Visitations, in October 2006. "Tusk", the first single from the album, was made available as a free download from the band's official website in February 2006, and "Harvest (Within You)" preceded the album in early October.
Funf
Funf
Funf is a compilation of B-sides from the band Clinic's first ten years, released in 2007.-Track listing:# "The Majestic" - 2:01# "Nicht" - 1:32# "Christmas" - 3:15# "The Castle" - 2:50# "You Can't Hurt You Anymore" - 2:07...
, a compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
of b-sides
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
, was released in June 2007. Clinic also appeared with Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.-Biography:...
at Jarvis Cocker
Jarvis Cocker
Jarvis Branson Cocker is an English musician and frontman for the band Pulp. Through his work with the band, Cocker became a figurehead of the Britpop movement of the mid-1990s. Following Pulp's hiatus Cocker has led a successful solo career...
's 2007 Meltdown Festival and later in the year toured with Arcade Fire. "If You Could Read Your Mind" from Visitations was used in the arthouse film Hallam Foe
Hallam Foe
Hallam Foe is a 2007 Scottish drama film directed by David Mackenzie based on the novel written by Peter Jinks. The film was released in the United States as Mister Foe. The screenplay was written by Ed Whitmore and David Mackenzie....
the same autumn.
2008–present
2008 saw the release of the uncharacteristically mellow single "Free Not Free", preceding their fifth album Do It!Do It!
Do It! is the fifth album by the band Clinic, released on 7 April 2008. The single "Free Not Free" was made available on 1 February 2008 as a free download from . "Witch " was released as the second single in May 2008...
. The single was released as a free download from the band's website. The download also contained the B-side, "Thor". The band later released "The Witch (Made to Measure)" as the second single from the album, and "Tomorrow" as the third. After touring to promote the album, in May 2009
Clinic played the Moondog tribute concert at the Barbican in London,performing 'Oboe Round'.
The band's sixth album, Bubblegum
Bubblegum (Clinic album)
Bubblegum is the sixth album by Clinic, released on 4 October 2010.The album was produced by John Congleton and recorded at Elevator Studios in Liverpool...
, produced by John Congleton was released on 4 October 2010.A press release stated that the album was a marked change in direction from their trademark "hyped up sound". The acoustic based lead single from the album, "I'm Aware", was released on 20 September 2010, and a second single, the titular wah led "Bubblegum", came out on 31 January 2011.
The band released an EP of cover versions, "Ladies Night", in support of Record Store Day, on 16 April 2011.The main track,was a version of Man 2 Man's 'Male Stripper'.
Live
Blackburn's distinctive acidic vocals are a trademark of the band, and they are also known for wearing surgical maskSurgical mask
A surgical mask also known as a procedure mask is intended to be worn by health professionals during surgery and at other times to catch the bacteria shed in liquid droplets and aerosols from the wearer's mouth and nose....
s and costumes while performing, as well as in promotional photos. The band are known to wear different costumes depending on the circumstances of the show: for example, an outdoors show would have them in Hawaiian shirts, while indoor shows would have them in their trademark scrubs
Scrubs (clothing)
Scrubs are the shirts and trousers or gowns worn by nurses , surgeons, and other operating room personnel when "scrubbing in" for surgery. In the United Kingdom, they are sometimes known as Theatre Blues. They are designed to be simple with minimal places for dirt to hide, easy to launder, and...
. During an interview, Blackburn reveals the sound of the album the band are promoting while touring has an effect on their attire while performing.
Ade Blackburn has said in an interview that Clinic wear surgical masks on stage as a homage to San Francisco bands Crime
Crime (band)
Crime was an early American punk band from San Francisco. The band was formed in 1976 by Johnny Strike , Frankie Fix , Ron "The Ripper" Greco , and Ricky Tractor...
and The Residents
The Residents
The Residents is an American art collective best known for avant-garde music and multimedia works. The first official release under the name of The Residents was in 1972, and the group has since released over sixty albums, numerous music videos and short films, three CD-ROM projects and ten DVDs....
. "...I like the way there was a visual side to what they did, but it wasn't something too serious. It was like a tacky pun on the band name. I liked something a bit more ridiculous like that." .
Band members
- Ade Blackburn – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe 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...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA 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...
, melodicaMelodicaThe melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,... - Brian Campbell – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Jonathan Hartley – guitarGuitarThe 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...
, keyboards, clarinetClarinetThe clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed... - Carl Turney – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, backing vocals
Albums
- Internal WranglerInternal WranglerInternal Wrangler is the first full length studio album by Clinic. It was released in 2000 through Domino Records.-Album history:The band signed to Domino Records following the release of several self financed singles. The song "The Return of Evil Bill" is a follow up to the song "Evil Bill" that...
(2000) #142 UKUK Albums ChartThe 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... - Walking with TheeWalking with TheeWalking with Thee is the second studio album by Clinic. It was released in 2002 on Domino Records.Walking with Thee was included in Rolling Stones "50 Best Albums of 2002".-Track listing:# "Harmony" – 4:02# "The Equaliser" – 3:43...
(2002) #133 UK - Winchester CathedralWinchester Cathedral (album)Winchester Cathedral is the third studio album by Indie rock band Clinic. It was released in 2004 via Domino Records.-Track listing:# "Country Mile" – 3:19# "Circle of Fifths" – 3:24# "Anne" – 3:35# "The Magician" – 2:41...
(2004) - Visitations (2006)
- Do It!Do It!Do It! is the fifth album by the band Clinic, released on 7 April 2008. The single "Free Not Free" was made available on 1 February 2008 as a free download from . "Witch " was released as the second single in May 2008...
(2008) - BubblegumBubblegum (Clinic album)Bubblegum is the sixth album by Clinic, released on 4 October 2010.The album was produced by John Congleton and recorded at Elevator Studios in Liverpool...
(2010)
Singles
- "I.P.C. Subeditors Dictate Our Youth" (1997)
- "Monkey on Your Back" (1998)
- "Cement Mixer" (1998)
- "The Second Line" (1999) #112 UKUK Singles ChartThe 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 ...
- "The Return of Evil Bill" (2000) #70 UK
- "Distortions" (2000) #81 UK
- "The Second Line" (re-release) (2000) #56 UK
- "Walking with Thee" (2002) #65 UK
- "Come into Our RoomCome into Our Room"Come Into Our Room" is a song by Liverpudlian band Clinic, and it was the second single to be released from their second full-length album, Walking With Thee.Despite not breaking through into the singles chart, the song remains one of their most popular...
" (2002) #85 UK - "The Magician" (2004) #77 UK
- "Circle of Fifths" (2004) #89 UK
- "Tusk" (2006)
- "Harvest (Within You)" (2006) #137 UK
- "If You Could Read Your Mind" (2007)
- "Free Not Free" (2008) Video
- "The Witch (Made to Measure)" (2008)
- "Tomorrow" (2008)
- "I'm Aware" (2010)
- "Bubblegum" (2011)
Compilations
- ClinicClinic (album)Clinic is a compilation album of the first three EPs by Clinic.The EPs included are I.P.C. Subeditors Dictate Our Youth , Monkey on Your Back and Cement Mixer .-Track listing:...
(1999) (compilation of the first three singles) - FunfFunfFunf is a compilation of B-sides from the band Clinic's first ten years, released in 2007.-Track listing:# "The Majestic" - 2:01# "Nicht" - 1:32# "Christmas" - 3:15# "The Castle" - 2:50# "You Can't Hurt You Anymore" - 2:07...
(2007) (compilation of B-sides)
External links
- Clinic interview at Prefix Magazine
- "Behind the Uniform: Clinic's Fetishized Fashion" CBC Radio 3CBC Radio 3CBC Radio 3 is a radio station that consists of two parts devoted to Canadian arts and music: a radio service which is available on Sirius Satellite Radio and streaming audio, and several daily and weekly podcasts from the CBC Radio 3 website...
live concert session; story by Nicolas Bragg, photography by Joanne K. - Clinic interview on Music Towers