Enormous (band)
Encyclopedia
Enormous are an English
band
of the Indie
, power pop
, genre from Derby
, England
.
, England
in 1992 by Davy Lawrence (vocals, guitar), Graham Boffey (drums, vocals), David Graham (vocals, bass) and Steve O'Toole (guitar, vocals), later joined in 1996 by Paul Varga (tenor saxophone) and Ashley Morgan (trumpet).
Enormous cite their influences as Ray Davies
, Difford & Tilbrook
, Burt Bacharach
, The Beatles
, Nick Lowe
and Elvis Costello
. Their classic pop songs are reminiscent of Buzzcocks
, The Kinks
, Squeeze, Madness
, The Smiths
, The Wonder Stuff
, Blur
, The Cure
, The Divine Comedy
, The Teardrop Explodes
, and The Clash
.
During 1996, David Graham (bass, vocals) left the band to join the Royal Air Force
and was replaced by Craig Denholm (bass, vocals). Steve Foster, of Bandwagon Studios, Mansfield, England, brought together four music groups, under one banner named The Red Collective, featuring: Enormous; Ease; The Swells; and The Kerrys. Enormous formed the backbone and were signed to Beatific Records in 1997, recording a various artists compilation album Cigarette Machine From God (1997) at Mansfield's Bandwagon Studios. Their songs were critically acclaimed, receiving music reviews by The Sunday Times
and Mojo
.
After 2003, Steve O'Toole and Craig Denholm departed and the remaining band members took a three year break to follow their own projects. By 2006, the band had reformed and was signed by the independent record label
, Big Arena Records, for the purpose of re-releasing their entire back catalogue. In 2008, two temporary band members, Steve Giles (bass, vocals) and Stephen Capes (keyboards) were recruited, and the band played a sold-out homecoming gig in Mansfield at the Town Mill venue, on 20 November 2008. New bassist Mike Ridley-Dash joined in December 2009, and Travis Peters (keyboards) joined the band in 2010.
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...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
of the Indie
Indie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
, power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
, genre from Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, 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...
.
Background
Enormous was formed out of the band Slaughterhouse 5 from MansfieldMansfield
Mansfield is a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is the main town in the Mansfield local government district. Mansfield is a part of the Mansfield Urban Area....
, 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...
in 1992 by Davy Lawrence (vocals, guitar), Graham Boffey (drums, vocals), David Graham (vocals, bass) and Steve O'Toole (guitar, vocals), later joined in 1996 by Paul Varga (tenor saxophone) and Ashley Morgan (trumpet).
Enormous cite their influences as Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
, Difford & Tilbrook
Difford & Tilbrook
Difford & Tilbrook are the songwriting team of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, known for their work as the principal writers for the New Wave rock band Squeeze...
, Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
and Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
. Their classic pop songs are reminiscent of Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
, The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
, Squeeze, Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
, The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
, The Wonder Stuff
The Wonder Stuff
The Wonder Stuff are a British alternative rock band, originally based in Stourbridge, West Midlands, in the Black Country, England.-Origins:...
, Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
, The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy (band)
The Divine Comedy are a chamber pop band from Ireland, fronted by Neil Hannon. Formed in 1989, Hannon has been the only constant member of the group, playing, in some instances, all of the non-orchestral instrumentation bar drums. To date, ten studio albums have been released under the Divine...
, The Teardrop Explodes
The Teardrop Explodes
The Teardrop Explodes were an English post-punk/neo-psychedelic band formed in Liverpool in 1978. Best known for their Top Ten UK single "Reward" the group originated as a key band in the emerging Liverpool post-punk scene of the late 1970s, the group also launched the career of group frontman...
, and The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
.
During 1996, David Graham (bass, vocals) left the band to join the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and was replaced by Craig Denholm (bass, vocals). Steve Foster, of Bandwagon Studios, Mansfield, England, brought together four music groups, under one banner named The Red Collective, featuring: Enormous; Ease; The Swells; and The Kerrys. Enormous formed the backbone and were signed to Beatific Records in 1997, recording a various artists compilation album Cigarette Machine From God (1997) at Mansfield's Bandwagon Studios. Their songs were critically acclaimed, receiving music reviews by The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
and Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
.
After 2003, Steve O'Toole and Craig Denholm departed and the remaining band members took a three year break to follow their own projects. By 2006, the band had reformed and was signed by the independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
, Big Arena Records, for the purpose of re-releasing their entire back catalogue. In 2008, two temporary band members, Steve Giles (bass, vocals) and Stephen Capes (keyboards) were recruited, and the band played a sold-out homecoming gig in Mansfield at the Town Mill venue, on 20 November 2008. New bassist Mike Ridley-Dash joined in December 2009, and Travis Peters (keyboards) joined the band in 2010.
Compilation albums
- Cigarette Machine From God - The Red Collective (Beatific Records, 1997) B-TIFIC001. ASIN: B000024VW8
- It's Gonna Happen
- Something In My Heart
- When You Do
- Happy Birthday, Asshole
Studio albums
- Electric Baby Grand (Big Arena Records, 1999 & 2006)
- It's All Coming True
- Being Very Fair
- Believe Her
- Things I Can't Forget
- Never Coming Back
- You Do Too Much
- Finders Keepers
- Sharon, You're A Shit
- I Tried Everything
- When You Get To Know Me
- Everything Hangs On You
- Situation: Comedy (Big Arena Records, 2000 & 2006)
- Let's Run Away Together
- When You Do
- Kill Me, I Love You
- Everything's All Right
- Used
- Sooner Or Later
- Give The Boy A Chance
- Your Weird Stuff
- Happy Birthday, Asshole
- Stand Up
- I Gave Up On Love
- Almost Everything (Big Arena Records, 2006)
- Been Around
- The Way That It Should Be
- Something In My Heart
- Fingers And Thumbs
- Right Behind You
- It Would Be Good
- Still Believe
- The Two Of Us
- My Type
- I'm Your Biggest Fan
- It's Gonna Happen
Singles and EPs
- My Type (EP UK, Beatific Records, 1998) B-TIFIC002
- My Type
- Something In My Heart
- Your Weird Stuff
- I Gave Up On Love
- Let's Run Away Together (EP UK, Big Arena Records, 2000 & 2006)
- Let's Run Away Together
- When You Get To Know Me
- Sharon, You're A Shit
- Been Around (EP UK, Big Arena Records, 2006)
- Been Around
- Me And My Big Mouth
- It Would Be Good (EP UK, Big Arena Records, 2006)
- It Would Be Good
- My Type (Thrash Mix)
- Something In My Heart (EP UK, Big Arena Records, 2006)
- Something In My Heart
- Things She Did
- Poor Me
- The Way That It Should Be (EP UK, Big Arena Records, 2006)
- The Way That It Should Be
- Come Back Baby
Live coverage
- The Old Bell Hotel, Derby, UK (8 October 2010)
- The Vaults, Derby, UK (23 September 2010)
- Bar One, Derby, UK (30 July 2010)
- The Friary Hotel, Derby, UK (27 July 2010)
- Town Mill, Mansfield, UK (20 November 2008)