Microdisney
Encyclopedia
Microdisney was an Irish
musical duo
, formed in 1980 by Cathal Coughlan (keyboards
, vocals) and Sean O'Hagan
(guitar
).
in their native town of Cork
, Ireland
. Their first few singles
, including 1983's "Pink Skinned Man", were produced
by Dave Feeley, and released on indie labels
Kabuki records (the label which was also home Irish performance artists such as Roger Doyle, Kissed Air and Five Go Down To The Sea). One of their rarest recordings from this period is a live performance of 'National Anthem' (featured on "Kaught at Kampus"). After relocating to London
, they signed to Rough Trade
, and utilised John Porter
(producer of The Smiths
) to produce their debut album
, Everybody is Fantastic. At this time, the band became acquainted with John Peel
, who championed their music, and gave them the first of several celebrated Peel Sessions (they recorded a total of three Peel sessions during 1984 alone). Soon after bassist Jon Fell and drummer Tom Fenner were added as a permanent rhythm section. Microdisney's sound gradually became more commercial between 1984 and 1986 particularly and chart
oriented, as heard on their 1985 release, The Clock Comes Down the Stairs, and its corresponding single "Birthday Girl".
"Town to Town" (1986) is a rock
song
about yuppie
s attempting to live normal lives amid a nuclear holocaust; whilst their 1987 single "Singer's Hampstead Home" is often described as an attack on Boy George
. By 1988, Microdisney disbanded.
During their career, Microdisney recorded for Kabuki, Rough Trade and Virgin
record labels. Albums also included the early compilation
We Hate You South African Bastards!
(later renamed Love Your Enemies), Everybody Is Fantastic and The Clock Comes Down The Stairs. After signing to Virgin Records, they released two more albums Crooked Mile and 39 Minutes. The Lenny Kaye produced album, "Crooked Mile" is singled out in Irish Rock literature, while 1985's The Clock Comes Down the Stairs was voted no. 1 album of the 1980s in the 1989 end-of-year edition of the Irish newspaper The Sunday Tribune.
Following their demise, Coughlan went onto form The Fatima Mansions, and O'Hagan, along with Jon Fell, founded The High Llamas
. O'Hagan also worked with Stereolab. Three further compilations were issued of previously released material - Big Sleeping House, Peel Sessions (which has most of their collected BBC John Peel sessions, apart from the last one), and Daunt Square to Elsewhere, a two-disc compilation.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
musical duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
, formed in 1980 by Cathal Coughlan (keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A 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...
, vocals) and Sean O'Hagan
Sean O'Hagan
Sean O'Hagan is a founding member of Irish indie band Microdisney. In the 1990s he formed The High Llamas and released a number of highly acclaimed albums showing influences as diverse as The Beach Boys, Ennio Morricone, Antonio Carlos Jobim and avant-garde electronica...
(guitar
Guitar
The 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...
).
Original line-up
- Vocals: Cathal Coughlan
- Guitar: Sean O'Hagan
- Keyboards: Nick Montgomery
- Bass: Jon Fell
- Drums: Dave Galvin
History
Microdisney began recordingSound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
in their native town of Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Their first few 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...
, including 1983's "Pink Skinned Man", were produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Dave Feeley, and released on indie labels
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,...
Kabuki records (the label which was also home Irish performance artists such as Roger Doyle, Kissed Air and Five Go Down To The Sea). One of their rarest recordings from this period is a live performance of 'National Anthem' (featured on "Kaught at Kampus"). After relocating to 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...
, they signed to Rough Trade
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
, and utilised John Porter
John Porter (musician)
John Porter is an English musician and record producer.-Biography:He attended St Michael's School, Allerton Grange School, King's College, and Newcastle University....
(producer of 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...
) to produce 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...
, Everybody is Fantastic. At this time, the band became acquainted with 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...
, who championed their music, and gave them the first of several celebrated Peel Sessions (they recorded a total of three Peel sessions during 1984 alone). Soon after bassist Jon Fell and drummer Tom Fenner were added as a permanent rhythm section. Microdisney's sound gradually became more commercial between 1984 and 1986 particularly and chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
oriented, as heard on their 1985 release, The Clock Comes Down the Stairs, and its corresponding single "Birthday Girl".
"Town to Town" (1986) is a rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
about yuppie
Yuppie
Yuppie is a term that refers to a member of the upper middle class or upper class in their 20s or 30s. It first came into use in the early-1980s and largely faded from American popular culture in the late-1980s, due to the 1987 stock market crash and the early 1990s recession...
s attempting to live normal lives amid a nuclear holocaust; whilst their 1987 single "Singer's Hampstead Home" is often described as an attack on Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
. By 1988, Microdisney disbanded.
During their career, Microdisney recorded for Kabuki, Rough Trade and Virgin
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
record labels. Albums also included the early compilation
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...
We Hate You South African Bastards!
We Hate You South African Bastards!
We Hate You South African Bastards! was the second album from the Irish band Microdisney. It was re-issued on CD with the title Love Your Enemies to reflect post-Apartheid South Africa. The album consists of early recordings of Microsdisney before they moved from Cork to London...
(later renamed Love Your Enemies), Everybody Is Fantastic and The Clock Comes Down The Stairs. After signing to Virgin Records, they released two more albums Crooked Mile and 39 Minutes. The Lenny Kaye produced album, "Crooked Mile" is singled out in Irish Rock literature, while 1985's The Clock Comes Down the Stairs was voted no. 1 album of the 1980s in the 1989 end-of-year edition of the Irish newspaper The Sunday Tribune.
Following their demise, Coughlan went onto form The Fatima Mansions, and O'Hagan, along with Jon Fell, founded The High Llamas
The High Llamas
The High Llamas are a London-based musical group, formed by the Irish guitarist and songwriter Sean O'Hagan after the demise of his group Microdisney. O'Hagan writes and arranges the music and the rest of the group consists of drummer Rob Allum, keyboardist/cellist Marcus Holdaway, and...
. O'Hagan also worked with Stereolab. Three further compilations were issued of previously released material - Big Sleeping House, Peel Sessions (which has most of their collected BBC John Peel sessions, apart from the last one), and Daunt Square to Elsewhere, a two-disc compilation.
Albums
- Kaught At Kampus (1980) Reekus (no chart information available)
- Everybody Is Fantastic (1984) Rough Trade (UK IndieUK Indie ChartThe UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
#6)(reissued (1996) Rev-Ola, with bonus track) - We Hate You South African Bastards!We Hate You South African Bastards!We Hate You South African Bastards! was the second album from the Irish band Microdisney. It was re-issued on CD with the title Love Your Enemies to reflect post-Apartheid South Africa. The album consists of early recordings of Microsdisney before they moved from Cork to London...
(1984) Rough Trade (UK Indie #7) - The Clock Comes Down The Stairs (1985) Rough Trade (UK Indie #1)
- Crooked Mile (1987) Virgin
- 39 Minutes (1988) Virgin
- The Peel Sessions Album (1989) Strange Fruit
- Big Sleeping House (1995) Virgin Vault
- Love Your Enemies (1996) Rev-Ola
- Daunt Square to Elsewhere: 1982-1988 (2007) Castle
Singles
- "Hello Rascals" (1982) Kabuki
- "Pink Skinned Man" (1983) Kabuki
- "Dolly" (1984) Rough Trade
- In the World EP (1985) Rough Trade (UK Indie #7)
- "Birthday Girl" (1985) Rough Trade (UK Indie #6)
- "Town to Town" (1987) Virgin (UK #55)
- "Singer's Hampstead Home" (1987) Virgin
- "Gale Force Wind" (1988) Virgin (UK #98)