Today’s song of the day comes from one of pop music’s more electric, eclectic and downright eccentric unknown geniuses, Bill Drummond. Yeah, I know. Who?? Well, get ready for a little history lesson with your music boys n’ girls.
Originally part of the ’70’s Liverpool punk scene, Drummond began his musical career in a band called Big in Japan — a band whose ranks also included future luminaries Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood), Budgie (Siouxsie and the Banshees), Jayne Casey (Pink Industry) and Ian Broudie (The Lightning Seeds). After Big in Japan disbanded, Drummond and David Balfe (keyboard player for The Teardrop Explodes), started Zoo Records — the label responsible for releasing debut singles by Echo & the Bunnymen (“The Pictures on My Wall”) and The Teardrop Explodes (“Sleeping Gas”). Legend has it that Drummond, who also acted as both bands’ manager, once routed the Bunnymen on a bizarre tour that followed the shape of a rabbit’s ears. Wait. It gets better…
In addition to managing two of Liverpool’s biggest post-punk sensations, the production team of Drummond and Balfe temporarily became known as The Chameleons (not to be confused with Mark Burgess and The Chameleons UK) who recorded four songs with Lori Larty as Lori and the Chameleons. I would regard both of those singles as pop gems that are likely to show up on the HMSOD some time in the future. In the 80’s, Drummond worked as an A&R executive for WEA; signing bands like Strawberry Switchblade, Zodiac Mindwarp, and The Proclaimers. His stint in the mainstream music business lasted until his 33rd birthday — the same year he released his one and only “solo” album--The Man—where you’ll find today’s Happy Medium Song of the Day: “I’m the King of Joy.” Sounding nothing like any of the previously mentioned bands, the album is an interesting mix of country-rock and pop—all delivered with a heavy Scottish brogue—and featuring support from The Triffids and Voice of the Beehive.
This is beginning to look like connect-the-dots through all my favorite bands…
Shortly after releasing his solo album, Drummond’s career took an interesting turn. First, he partnered with Jimmy Caulty to form The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu (or JAMS for short). Next he launched a new label called Kopyright Liberation Front (KLF —which eventually became the band moniker under which he’s had the greatest commercial success). Then the JAMS stitched together a loopy, energetic dance album that proceeded sampled music by about ten years. The LP, 1987, was promptly sued right out of circulation by Abba’s attorneys and in the process became an unbelievably valuable collector’s item. Wait. It gets better…
Originally part of the ’70’s Liverpool punk scene, Drummond began his musical career in a band called Big in Japan — a band whose ranks also included future luminaries Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood), Budgie (Siouxsie and the Banshees), Jayne Casey (Pink Industry) and Ian Broudie (The Lightning Seeds). After Big in Japan disbanded, Drummond and David Balfe (keyboard player for The Teardrop Explodes), started Zoo Records — the label responsible for releasing debut singles by Echo & the Bunnymen (“The Pictures on My Wall”) and The Teardrop Explodes (“Sleeping Gas”). Legend has it that Drummond, who also acted as both bands’ manager, once routed the Bunnymen on a bizarre tour that followed the shape of a rabbit’s ears. Wait. It gets better…
In addition to managing two of Liverpool’s biggest post-punk sensations, the production team of Drummond and Balfe temporarily became known as The Chameleons (not to be confused with Mark Burgess and The Chameleons UK) who recorded four songs with Lori Larty as Lori and the Chameleons. I would regard both of those singles as pop gems that are likely to show up on the HMSOD some time in the future. In the 80’s, Drummond worked as an A&R executive for WEA; signing bands like Strawberry Switchblade, Zodiac Mindwarp, and The Proclaimers. His stint in the mainstream music business lasted until his 33rd birthday — the same year he released his one and only “solo” album--The Man—where you’ll find today’s Happy Medium Song of the Day: “I’m the King of Joy.” Sounding nothing like any of the previously mentioned bands, the album is an interesting mix of country-rock and pop—all delivered with a heavy Scottish brogue—and featuring support from The Triffids and Voice of the Beehive.
This is beginning to look like connect-the-dots through all my favorite bands…
Shortly after releasing his solo album, Drummond’s career took an interesting turn. First, he partnered with Jimmy Caulty to form The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu (or JAMS for short). Next he launched a new label called Kopyright Liberation Front (KLF —which eventually became the band moniker under which he’s had the greatest commercial success). Then the JAMS stitched together a loopy, energetic dance album that proceeded sampled music by about ten years. The LP, 1987, was promptly sued right out of circulation by Abba’s attorneys and in the process became an unbelievably valuable collector’s item. Wait. It gets better…
In 1992, Drummond and the KLF received the “Best British Group” at the Brit Awards and were booked to open the show. In an attempt to hijack the event, the duo hooked up with Extreme Noise Terror to perform a death metal version of the dance song 3am Eternal that left the audience stunned and bewildered, and prompted conductor Sir George Solti to walk out. The performance ended with Drummond firing blanks from a vintage machine gun into the audience while the show’s announcer intoned “Ladies and gentlemen, The KLF have now left the music business.” When the producers of the show refused to let a motorcycle currier collect the award on behalf of the band, they had a dead sheep dumped outside the venue with the message “I died for ewe—bon appetit” tied around it’s waist. Three months later The KLF disbanded. It had nothing to do with the sheep. Wait. It gets better…
–In May 1992, the KLF announced their retirement from the music industry along with the deletion of their entire back catalog
–In August 1994, The K Foundation, ostensibly a foundation for the arts formed by Drumond and Caulty, burnt what remained of the KLF’s earnings—one million pounds—at a boathouse on the Scottish island of Jura. A film of the event—Watch the K Foundation Burn a Million Quid — was produced and taken on tour.
–Drummond's most recent project is a choir called The 17
–His most recent project is “No Music Day.” Now in it’s third year.
And on and on and on.
–In August 1994, The K Foundation, ostensibly a foundation for the arts formed by Drumond and Caulty, burnt what remained of the KLF’s earnings—one million pounds—at a boathouse on the Scottish island of Jura. A film of the event—Watch the K Foundation Burn a Million Quid — was produced and taken on tour.
–Drummond's most recent project is a choir called The 17
–His most recent project is “No Music Day.” Now in it’s third year.
And on and on and on.
“High-concept joker.” “Madcap Scots genius.” “The coolest person in pop.” “Deranged. Inspired. Intensely cool.” Where would pop music be without wild characters like Bill Drummond and their pop gems?
(Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)
(Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)