The Monochrome Set

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London, United Kingdom (1978 – 1985)

The Monochrome Set were an English post-punk band originally formed in 1978 from the remnants of a college group called The B-Sides (whose members had included Stuart Goddard, a.k.a. Adam Ant). The band is notable for its witty lyrics, the laconic delivery of lead singer Bid, and the idiosyncratically retrogressive playing style of original lead guitarist Lester Square.

The original line-up consisted of Indian born lead singer and principal songwriter Bid (real name Ganesh Seshadri), Canadian guitarist Lester Square (real name Thomas W.B. Hardy), drummer John D. Haney, and bassist Charlie Harper. The band went through several bassists in the next few years, including Jeremy Harrington, and Andy Warren of the Ants, a childhood friend of Bid.

Experimental filmmaker Tony Potts began collaborating with the band in 1979, designing lighting and stage sets with film projections for their live appearances. The band’s early persona was defined by the shadowy, uncertain stage images created by the films to such an extent he is often described as being the band’s “fifth member.”

They released several singles for the Rough Trade label before recording their debut album, “Strange Boutique”, produced by Bob Sargeant, for Virgin Records’ imprint DinDisc in 1980, as well as their follow-up effort, Love Zombies, produced by Alvin Clark and the band later that same year. John Haney left the band in 1981 and was replaced by Lexington Crane.

Tagged as:

post-punk, new wave, 80s, indie, pop
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Tomorrow Will Be Too Long
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Love Zombies
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Westminster Affair
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Compendium 75-95
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Top Tracks

1	Eine Symphonie Des Grauens full track	111
2	He's Frank (Slight Return) full track	75
3	The Monochrome Set full track	66
4	The Strange Boutique full track	64
5	Love Goes Down The Drain full track	57
6	Ici Les Enfants full track	55
6	Love Zombies full track	55
8	Goodbye Joe full track	52
9	Martians Go Home full track	44
10	The Mating Game full track	37
10	The Jet Set Junta	37
12	B-I-D Spells Bid full track	32
13	Tomorrow Will Be Too Long full track	30
13	405 Lines full track	30
15	The Ruling Class full track	29

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Chipstick55 wrote:
14 days ago

Just reviewed these guys over at http://obscurealbums.com/2009/12/the-monochrome-set-love-zombies-1981/

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preobrazhenskii wrote:
last month

Just created an MSet Group. Go join Volume, Contrast, Brilliance...

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SOLOMUSIKA wrote:
September 2009

....*♫♪ ♫♪ ♥♥♥

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Zoomeranged wrote:
August 2009

ahh milk and honey

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Freelove_ wrote:
August 2009

Join my group: Post-Punk.

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johnny8ball wrote:
July 2009

You know its good, oh so good...

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Wiggaloo wrote:
July 2009

Great band! but why are The Pale Fountains among the similar artists?

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housedoll wrote:
April 2009

magic.

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nickgusset wrote:
April 2009

i'm 15 again!!!

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MissNylon wrote:
April 2009

Had to be from London.

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PostPunk-Mag wrote:
January 2009

♥♥♥ ♪♫♪ ♫♪ ♥♥♥ ♥ ♥♥♥ ♪♫♪ ♫♪ ♥♥♥ :*

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Zoonie wrote:
November 2008

They did a gig in Camden a couple of months ago which I couldn't get to. Does anyone else have any useful information re: recent activities?

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nousit wrote:
October 2008

Oh Ho, they sound so good in Stereo.

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johnny8ball wrote:
September 2008

Because B with a I spells BI

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grazziee wrote:
September 2008

I just fell in love with this band.

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last-spacejunk wrote:
September 2008

Genius...a mix between Stranglers and Smiths.

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rm508 wrote:
July 2008

Belle & Sebastian's "Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie" seems like a convincing tribute/parody/theft of a Monochrome Set song. Perhaps "The Devil Rides Out".

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prilbot wrote:
June 2008

Cheap plug for the most awesome disco in Manchester! Come get your new wave whilst it's hot! http://www.last.fm/event/663505

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horacypogromca wrote:
June 2008

Świetni.

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Teddd wrote:
May 2008

Great band- seriously underrated IMO and definitely up there with the best indie-pop/post-punk stuff. With a so many catchy songs and wryly observed lyrics it's a mystery to me why they aren't as well known as the Smiths or even Orange Juice (both of whom I think they equal in their best moments).

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