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Modern English is a rock band best remembered for their song “I Melt With You” which was an MTV staple in 1982, and has appeared in various commercials and movies over the years. The group disbanded a while in 1991, but later recorded in 1995 with some new members.
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.
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.
Shouts:
78 shouts
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 Buy- Download Album
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Mesh & Lace
Modern EnglishBuy- Download Album
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- 7digital $9.99
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- Buy Album
- Amazon $11.99
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Ricochet Days
Modern English Buy- Download Album
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- Buy Album
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Shoutbox
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dAniel_brit wrote:
Wow, you are very lucky!
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sitasaysgo wrote:
I had the opportunity a few years ago to talk to Robbie Grey backstage at a show. He's such a nice guy and funny, too. He seemed genuinely impressed that I knew their whole discography besides "Melt With You"!
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flashbleu wrote:
It seems weird to think they had a hit in America. It's a bit like Americans finding out that Mission Of Burma had a nit in the UK. (They didn't, obviously...)
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flashbleu wrote:
It's an Essex accent.
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foreigner97 wrote:
I love the Brittish accent in 'I Melt With You'.
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slowpulse-girl wrote:
Mesh & Lace is a masterpiece, to me it is one of the top 5 post punk albums of all time, as always 4AD my life would be incomplete without you.
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ThePinzRock wrote:
Stoked to be sharing the stage in Jacksonville, FL next month!
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grustnyi_putnik wrote:
Tables turning is a best song here
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Fuckingsplendid wrote:
This is actually a really badass band.
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fakehead wrote:
Too bad they're only known for the one song. Mesh & Lace is fantastic.
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TREMOLO69 wrote:
i was actually put off by their hit until i heard mesh & lace ;)
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MinkCote wrote:
Of course the top fanswould agree that that of Modern English is not a one hit onder, but looking above at the top tracks would say otherwise.
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WalterDigsTunes wrote:
"After the Snow" is a superb record.
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AEnema_XYMOX wrote:
mesh & lace!! (3). Good music, my new love :D.
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TREMOLO69 wrote:
mesh & lace!! (2)
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zpoyly wrote:
modern english NO es un "one hit wonder" la gente que dice eso son unos pendejos, nada mas en el album "RICOCHET DAYS" todos los tracks son exitos, ya dije, gracias. roño de mxli.
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SOLOMUSIKA wrote:
... ♥ ))
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ROXY5000THEBAND wrote:
ROXY5000 feat Mick Conroy "I melt with you" Coming soon. http://www.last.fm/music/roxy5000
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ROXY5000THEBAND wrote:
Come and say hi http://www.last.fm/music/roxy5000
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ROXY5000THEBAND wrote:
YO! WE ARE HERE!
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)
Listening Now
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Recent Activity
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radiodeep, Hatz4Me, AshleyBullets and 21 other people added Modern English to their libraries. yesterday evening
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mrtomwarner tagged Modern English with ‘80s new wave’. last month
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mrtomwarner, Evelina33, enzo_luz and 10 other people added Modern English to their libraries. last month
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MeganKearin tagged Modern English with ‘british’. last month
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bebomiller, Patron520 and Shankly01 added Modern English to their libraries. last month
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samueljeronimo wrote about Modern English in a deleted journal. last month
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camax64, dmlehman, earthlingintx and 7 other people added Modern English to their libraries. last month
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der_kleene tagged Modern English with ‘new wave’. last month
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Fleetingwhisper and Sconnessa added Modern English to their libraries. last month
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Another_CHINA tagged Modern English with 4ad, 80s and post-punk. last month
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