Darren Brown
Encyclopedia
Darren Mark Brown known as Wiz, was lead-singer and guitarist of English indie punk band Mega City Four
in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and later bands Serpico
and Ipanema
from 2002 to 2006.
The group were noted for their hard-working ethics and extensive touring ethos. They performed some gigs around their local town of Farnborough
before making their vinyl debut in September 1987 with “Miles Apart”/“Running In Darkness”. The single led to a round of gigs with bands like Senseless Things
and Snuff
.
“Miles Apart” and “Running In Darkness” were reissued (separately) in 1988 on independent label Decoy Records, along with the more melodic “Distant Relatives”, though it was 1989’s “Less Than Senseless” that made the critics sit up. A healthy following latched on to these, supported the band's 1989 debut album Tranzophobia
.
The band continued to tour extensively around the UK, across Europe and over to North America, working with bands including Les Thugs
, Midway Still, Ned's Atomic Dustbin
, Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine and Doughboys
, amongst many others. The band's second studio album, Who Cares Wins (1990), was followed by a compilation of their early 7" singles, called Terribly Sorry Bob (1991). The band subsequently moved to a major record label, Big Life Records, to record two further studio albums, Sebastopol Rd. (1992) and Magic Bullets (1994). After falling out with their record label, they moved to Fire Records
to record their final studio album, Soulscraper (1996). In addition to their studio albums, the band also released a live LP, a Peel Sessions
disc, and an impressive number of singles.
in 1995, filling-in for original guitarist Rat
for a tour and promo events in the United States of America. Mega City Four had been together for over a decade when they broke up in early 1996. Wiz moved to Montreal
and joined Canadian alternative rock band Doughboys
, replacing guitarist Jonathan Cummins
for the remainder of the band's then tour. He co-wrote two songs each on their albums, Turn Me On (1996) and Crush
(1993), including "Shine".
, South London
from a blood clot on the brain on 6 December 2006.
Mega City Four
Mega City Four were an English indie/pop punk band who were popular in the UK in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Mega City Four consisted of guitarist/vocalist Wiz, his brother and rhythm guitarist/vocalist Danny Brown, bassist/vocalist Gerry Bryant and drummer Chris Jones...
in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and later bands Serpico
Serpico (band)
Serpico are a punk/metal band from Edinburgh, Scotland. They released their debut album, Neon Wasteland, on 25 May 2009 on WeSaySo Records. A music video for the first single "We Own The Night" was shot at Malvern Hills UK on 14 March 2009. The single was then released on 27 April 2009....
and Ipanema
Ipanema (band)
Ipanema were a British three piece rock band from Farnborough, Hampshire. They released two singles, one mini album and one full length album. The band finished and released its final recording in January 2008.-Early days:...
from 2002 to 2006.
Mega City Four
Mega City Four consisted of guitarist/vocalist Wiz, his brother and rhythm guitarist/vocalist Danny Brown, bassist/vocalist Gerry Bryant and drummer Chris Jones.The group were noted for their hard-working ethics and extensive touring ethos. They performed some gigs around their local town of Farnborough
Farnborough, Hampshire
-History:Name changes: Ferneberga ; Farnburghe, Farenberg ; Farnborowe, Fremborough, Fameborough .Tower Hill, Cove: There is substantial evidence...
before making their vinyl debut in September 1987 with “Miles Apart”/“Running In Darkness”. The single led to a round of gigs with bands like Senseless Things
Senseless Things
Senseless Things were a British indie punk band, who were active on the UK festival circuit in the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Career:Senseless Things formed around the musical partnership of songwriter Mark Keds and Morgan Nicholls , who as eleven year old schoolboys in Twickenham, Middlesex put...
and Snuff
Snuff
Snuff is a product made from ground or pulverised tobacco leaves. It is an example of smokeless tobacco. It originated in the Americas and was in common use in Europe by the 17th century...
.
“Miles Apart” and “Running In Darkness” were reissued (separately) in 1988 on independent label Decoy Records, along with the more melodic “Distant Relatives”, though it was 1989’s “Less Than Senseless” that made the critics sit up. A healthy following latched on to these, supported the band's 1989 debut album Tranzophobia
Tranzophobia (album)
Tranzophobia was the first album recorded by Mega City Four. This was a post-punk indie band from Farnborough, England and the album was released in 1989 on Decoy Records, c/o Vinyl Solution.-Side 1:# "Start"# "Pride and Prejudice"...
.
The band continued to tour extensively around the UK, across Europe and over to North America, working with bands including Les Thugs
Les Thugs
Les Thugs are a punk band from France. The band were formed in 1983 with five members and were soon reduced to four in the same year: Eric Sourice on guitar and lead vocals, Thierry Meanard on guitar, Christophe Sourice on drums, and Gerald Chabaud on bass up until 1983. Chabaud was replaced by...
, Midway Still, Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Ned's Atomic Dustbin are an English rock band formed in Stourbridge in West Midlands in November 1987. The band took their name from an episode of The Goon Show. The band were unusual for using two bass players in their lineup: Alex Griffin played melody lines high up on one bass, and Mat Cheslin...
, Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine and Doughboys
Doughboys (band)
Doughboys were a Canadian alternative rock band that were active in the late 1980s and early/mid 1990s. The band was renowned for its musical blend of punk and pop-style melodies.-Early Years:...
, amongst many others. The band's second studio album, Who Cares Wins (1990), was followed by a compilation of their early 7" singles, called Terribly Sorry Bob (1991). The band subsequently moved to a major record label, Big Life Records, to record two further studio albums, Sebastopol Rd. (1992) and Magic Bullets (1994). After falling out with their record label, they moved to Fire Records
Fire Records (UK)
Fire Records is an independent record label in London, England. The label was founded by Clive Solomon in 1986 and is currently run by James Nicholls.-Current roster:*Giant Sand*Guided By Voices*Howe Gelb*Josephine Foster*Wooden Wand*Bobby Conn...
to record their final studio album, Soulscraper (1996). In addition to their studio albums, the band also released a live LP, a Peel Sessions
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...
disc, and an impressive number of singles.
Ned's Atomic Dustbin & Doughboys
Wiz had already played with Ned's Atomic DustbinNed's Atomic Dustbin
Ned's Atomic Dustbin are an English rock band formed in Stourbridge in West Midlands in November 1987. The band took their name from an episode of The Goon Show. The band were unusual for using two bass players in their lineup: Alex Griffin played melody lines high up on one bass, and Mat Cheslin...
in 1995, filling-in for original guitarist Rat
Rat (Ned's Atomic Dustbin)
Rat was the preferred nickname of the musician Gareth Pring Rat is most famous for being the guitarist in the early 1990s indie punk band, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, he was a founding member of the band, and stayed in situ from 1987 to 1995...
for a tour and promo events in the United States of America. Mega City Four had been together for over a decade when they broke up in early 1996. Wiz moved to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and joined Canadian alternative rock band Doughboys
Doughboys (band)
Doughboys were a Canadian alternative rock band that were active in the late 1980s and early/mid 1990s. The band was renowned for its musical blend of punk and pop-style melodies.-Early Years:...
, replacing guitarist Jonathan Cummins
Jonathan Cummins
Jonathan "Johnson" Cummins is a Canadian musician and record producer originally from Toronto, now based out of Montreal. He has played in Circus Lupus, the Doughboys, Treble Charger, Bionic, Goddo, The Parachute Club, The Headpins, and The Besnard Lakes...
for the remainder of the band's then tour. He co-wrote two songs each on their albums, Turn Me On (1996) and Crush
Crush (Doughboys album)
Crush is a 1993 album by Montreal pop-punk band Doughboys. Crush was released on A&M records and was produced by Daniel Rey and mixed by Dave Ogilvie. The album earned a number of critical accolades. In 1994 it was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Hard Rock Album. Toronto radio station CFNY-FM...
(1993), including "Shine".
Later Career: Serpico & Ipanema
Wiz and Gerry Bryant continued playing together for a short time in Serpico after the demise of Mega City Four. The band existed between 1999 and 2002, although Gerry left in 1999 to be replaced by Simon. In 2000, Serpico released the mini-album "Everyone Versus Everyone" and supported The Wonder Stuff at a gig at The Forum, Kentish Town.
After Serpico, Wiz went on to form IpanemaIpanema (band)Ipanema were a British three piece rock band from Farnborough, Hampshire. They released two singles, one mini album and one full length album. The band finished and released its final recording in January 2008.-Early days:...
with the remaining members of Serpico (Simon & Paddy) who, after several line-up changes, were playing and recording until his death. In 2003 the band recorded their double a-side single, Je Suis Un Baseballbat/Skull. After the single was released, the band recorded and released 2 albums, Me Me Me in 2005, and their self-titled IpanemaIpanema (album)Released in 2008 after the death of front-man Wiz under the label of Boss Tuneage. Ipanema is British rock band Ipanema's full length studio album, including tracks from their mini album 'Me Me Me', and their single 'Je Suis Un Baseball Bat/Skull' recorded in 2003, and 9 other unreleased songs.-...
in 2008, which contained all of the songs the band had recorded plus 9 unreleased songs.
Death
Having just returned from a tour of the United States, Wiz collapsed at a band rehearsal. It was announced on 7 December 2006 that Wiz had died at St. George's Hospital, TootingTooting
Tooting is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, South London
London
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...
from a blood clot on the brain on 6 December 2006.