Modern English
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962,304 plays (175,103 listeners)
Formed in Colchester, Essex, England, in 1979 by Robbie Grey (vocals), Gary McDowell (guitar, vocals), and Michael Conroy (bass, vocals), Modern English was originally known as The Lepers. The group expanded to “Modern English” when Richard Brown (drums) and Stephen Walker (keyboards) were subsequently added to the line-up of the indie rock band (later Ted Mason, Matthew Shippley). A debut single, “Drowning Man” was released in 1980 on the Limp Records label. The band’s full-length debut Mesh & Lace, released by 4AD Records a year later, drew heavily on the gloom rock sound already patented by bands such as Bauhaus and Joy Division.
The follow-up album After The Snow (August 1982), recorded by the same line-up, introduced warmer sounds and strong guitar harmonies (most notably on the hit “I Melt With You”), in contrast to the tinny bleakness of the debut. It was well received in the USA, selling 500,000 units, and the band relocated to New York to consolidate a popularity encouraged by college radio. Their album Ricochet Days had a crisper production with hits such as “Ricochet Days” and “Hands Across the Sea”. By the time of Stop Start, released in the US by Sire Records in 1986, Walker and Brown had left, and Aaron Davidson (keyboards, guitar) (later of March Violets) had joined.
Featured Tracks
| FULL TRACK Silent World (Drowning Man 7in Bside 1979) | 4:51 |
| FULL TRACK violet two in E maj 112 bpm | 1:14 |
Top Albums
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After the Snow
Modern English
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Pillow Lips
Modern English
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Mesh & Lace
Modern EnglishBuy- Download Album
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Ricochet Days
Modern English
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- Amazon MP3 $9.99
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Videos
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Play
Life in the Gladhouse (1982)
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Play
Hands Across the Sea
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Play
Move In Light (with lyrics)
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Play
16 Days (with lyrics)
Events
- Jul 12 Modern English The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, Los Angeles CA, United States
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