Electric Colour Climax
Encyclopedia
Electric Colour Climax is the second album from the band Spitfire
, released in 1996 on Lowlife Records. At the time of recording, the band was living in Crawley
but involved in running events at Brighton nightclub The Basement. The brothers Nick and Jeff Pitcher shared DJ duties at the club, playing 1960s and 1970s psychedelia and garage rock; bands like the MC5
, The Stooges
and The Ramones had a huge influence on the album's sound.
Electric Colour Climax had a harder rock sound than the band's previous album, Sex Bomb, and seemed even more at odds with the Britpop
movement that was prevalent around the time of its release. However, members of Britpop bands Elastica
, Menswe@r
, Lush
and Supergrass
were seen wearing Spitfire's distinctive badges, featuring an 'S' logo stolen from TV programme World of Sport.
The 14 tracks that make up Electric Colour Climax were recorded from 9-13 March 1996 at ToeRag Studios, Shoreditch, London. (with the exception of track 5, Rip My Sweetheart). All tracks were written by Jeff and Nick Pitcher, with musicians sharing writing credits on 6 tracks.
The core of Spitfire was still the Pitcher brothers, Jeff on vocals and Nick on bass and guitars. Drummer Justin Welch had left before this album to join Elastica and for a short time it seemed that Lush's Chris Ackland might fill the vacancy. In the end, Scott Kenny (from a much earlier Spitfire line-up) and Rob Colley (originally with Brighton
funk band Arthur) took over on drums. Additional guitars were provided by Matt Wise and Pete Whittick, with long-term roadie Turbo Bob McPherson guesting on three tracks. Piano, organ and additional vocals (most noticeably on track 4 Electric Colour Climax) were provided by Vanessa Widdup, a friend of producer Liam Watson. Track 9 samples Iggy Pop
from a live album.
69. C'mon Get On (Hidden Bonus Track)
Click Icon for The Spitfire Websitehttp://spitfiretheband.moonfruit.com/
Spitfire (UK band)
Spitfire are a British band from Crawley, West Sussex, England whose ever-changing line up revolved around brothers Nick and Jeff Pitcher. Other members included Steve White, Justin Welch, Steven Walker , Matt Wise and Scott Kenny.Two early EPs on Eve Recordings saw the band linked to the...
, released in 1996 on Lowlife Records. At the time of recording, the band was living in Crawley
Crawley
Crawley is a town and local government district with Borough status in West Sussex, England. It is south of Charing Cross, north of Brighton and Hove, and northeast of the county town of Chichester, covers an area of and had a population of 99,744 at the time of the 2001 Census.The area has...
but involved in running events at Brighton nightclub The Basement. The brothers Nick and Jeff Pitcher shared DJ duties at the club, playing 1960s and 1970s psychedelia and garage rock; bands like the MC5
MC5
The MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan and originally active from 1964 to 1972. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson...
, The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
and The Ramones had a huge influence on the album's sound.
Electric Colour Climax had a harder rock sound than the band's previous album, Sex Bomb, and seemed even more at odds with the Britpop
Britpop
Britpop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom. Britpop emerged from the British independent music scene of the early 1990s and was characterised by bands influenced by British guitar pop music of the 1960s and 1970s...
movement that was prevalent around the time of its release. However, members of Britpop bands Elastica
Elastica
Elastica were an English alternative rock band that played punk rock-influenced music. They were best known for their 1995 album Elastica, which produced singles that charted in the US and the UK.-History:...
, Menswe@r
Menswe@r
Menswear were a Britpop band formed in October 1994 from Camden in London. They released a number of singles and an album, Nuisance on London Records...
, Lush
Lush
-People:* Archibald Lush, a Welsh school inspector* Billy Lush, an American actor* David Lush, Canadian politician* Ernie Lush, American Baseball player* Jay Laurence Lush, an American geneticist* Jane Lush, a British worker...
and Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
were seen wearing Spitfire's distinctive badges, featuring an 'S' logo stolen from TV programme World of Sport.
The 14 tracks that make up Electric Colour Climax were recorded from 9-13 March 1996 at ToeRag Studios, Shoreditch, London. (with the exception of track 5, Rip My Sweetheart). All tracks were written by Jeff and Nick Pitcher, with musicians sharing writing credits on 6 tracks.
The core of Spitfire was still the Pitcher brothers, Jeff on vocals and Nick on bass and guitars. Drummer Justin Welch had left before this album to join Elastica and for a short time it seemed that Lush's Chris Ackland might fill the vacancy. In the end, Scott Kenny (from a much earlier Spitfire line-up) and Rob Colley (originally with Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
funk band Arthur) took over on drums. Additional guitars were provided by Matt Wise and Pete Whittick, with long-term roadie Turbo Bob McPherson guesting on three tracks. Piano, organ and additional vocals (most noticeably on track 4 Electric Colour Climax) were provided by Vanessa Widdup, a friend of producer Liam Watson. Track 9 samples Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
from a live album.
Track listing
- Judy Garland 2:24
- Hey Go Easy 1:33
- Rubber Rosie 3:25
- Electric Colour Climax 4:03
- Rip My Sweetheart 2:09
- Gemini Born Angel 3:06
- Turbo Starbars 2:17
- Gimme Ya Good Times 2:30
- I Am The Greatest 3:37
- Give Blood 3:13
- Baredoll 3:45
- Shit City 6:30
- Dead End 1:37
69. C'mon Get On (Hidden Bonus Track)
Click Icon for The Spitfire Websitehttp://spitfiretheband.moonfruit.com/