MARRS
Encyclopedia
MARRS was a 1987 one-off recording act formed by the groups A.R. Kane and Colourbox
which only released one commercial disc. It became "a one-hit wonder of rare influence" because of their international hit "Pump Up the Volume
", considered the first UK number one to contain samples
from other songs, and nominated for a Grammy Award
in 1989.
, with additional input from DJs Chris "C.J." Mackintosh and Dave Dorrell. However, the collaboration did not go entirely according to plan. Once in the studio, the groups' different working methods and personalities failed to gel. producer John Fryer
found himself in the middle and unable to resolve the conflict between the two camps. The result was that instead of working together, the two groups ended up recording a track each, then turning it over to the other for additional input.
Of the two pieces completed, one, "Anitina," was an A.R. Kane track with drum programming by Colourbox's Steve Young. The other, "Pump Up the Volume", was a propulsive Martyn Young track constructed largely of samples, including one of A.R. Kane's guitars.
The record was released under the alias MARRS, an acronym derived from the forenames of the five 4AD
artists involved in the project: Martyn Young (from Colourbox), Alex Ayuli and Rudy Tambala (from A.R. Kane), Russell Smith (an associate A.R. Kane member and founder of Terminal Cheesecake), and Steve Young (from Colourbox).
MARRS's sole release was the double A-sided single
"Pump Up the Volume" / "Anitina", released on 4AD
in the UK. Only "Pump Up the Volume" gained significant attention and airplay and went on to be a #1 hit in the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand, as well as a top-ten hit in several other countries. It was released on 4th & B'way Records/Island Records
in the US
Because of legal issues, some of the samples used in the original UK release of the song were removed and replaced in the US release.
It was nominated for the 1989 Grammy Award
for Best Pop Instrumental Performance, but lost out to "Close-Up" by David Sanborn
. In September 1987, MARRS announced that they would not issue a follow up release.
Colourbox
Colourbox were an English electronic musical group on the 4AD label, releasing a number of records between 1982 and 1987. The band was formed by brothers Martyn and Steve Young, along with guest singers, until Lorita Grahame joined as a permanent member in 1983....
which only released one commercial disc. It became "a one-hit wonder of rare influence" because of their international hit "Pump Up the Volume
Pump up the Volume (song)
"Pump Up the Volume" is a song and the only single by British recording act MARRS. It was a number-one hit in many countries and is generally regarded as a significant milestone in the development of British house music and music sampling....
", considered the first UK number one to contain samples
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
from other songs, and nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in 1989.
History
MARRS started in 1987 as a collaboration between the groups A.R. Kane and ColourboxColourbox
Colourbox were an English electronic musical group on the 4AD label, releasing a number of records between 1982 and 1987. The band was formed by brothers Martyn and Steve Young, along with guest singers, until Lorita Grahame joined as a permanent member in 1983....
, with additional input from DJs Chris "C.J." Mackintosh and Dave Dorrell. However, the collaboration did not go entirely according to plan. Once in the studio, the groups' different working methods and personalities failed to gel. producer John Fryer
John Fryer (music)
John Fryer is an English record producer. Best known for his production work, he also branched out as a musician as one of only two constant members of This Mortal Coil , providing keyboards, strings and synthesizer sequencing for the band, and its offshoot, The Hope Blister.- Career :Starting out...
found himself in the middle and unable to resolve the conflict between the two camps. The result was that instead of working together, the two groups ended up recording a track each, then turning it over to the other for additional input.
Of the two pieces completed, one, "Anitina," was an A.R. Kane track with drum programming by Colourbox's Steve Young. The other, "Pump Up the Volume", was a propulsive Martyn Young track constructed largely of samples, including one of A.R. Kane's guitars.
The record was released under the alias MARRS, an acronym derived from the forenames of the five 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
artists involved in the project: Martyn Young (from Colourbox), Alex Ayuli and Rudy Tambala (from A.R. Kane), Russell Smith (an associate A.R. Kane member and founder of Terminal Cheesecake), and Steve Young (from Colourbox).
MARRS's sole release was the double A-sided single
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...
"Pump Up the Volume" / "Anitina", released on 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
in the UK. Only "Pump Up the Volume" gained significant attention and airplay and went on to be a #1 hit in the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand, as well as a top-ten hit in several other countries. It was released on 4th & B'way Records/Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Because of legal issues, some of the samples used in the original UK release of the song were removed and replaced in the US release.
It was nominated for the 1989 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Pop Instrumental Performance, but lost out to "Close-Up" by David Sanborn
David Sanborn
David Sanborn is an American alto saxophonist. Though Sanborn has worked in many genres, his solo recordings typically blend jazz with instrumental pop and R&B. He released his first solo album Taking Off in 1975, but has been playing the saxophone since before he was in high school...
. In September 1987, MARRS announced that they would not issue a follow up release.
Singles
- 1987: "Pump Up the VolumePump up the Volume (song)"Pump Up the Volume" is a song and the only single by British recording act MARRS. It was a number-one hit in many countries and is generally regarded as a significant milestone in the development of British house music and music sampling....
" / "Anitina (The First Time I See She Dance)" (4AD AD 707) #6 Aus, #1 NLD