Morose: Piers (drums), Tony (guitar/vocals), Al (guitar) Steve (guitar) and Paul (bass) was how it all started way back in 1997. We set out trying to blend a slow, monotonous rumble with all-out blasts. After a couple of rehearsals Paul called it a day to concentrate on his other band, Kilkus. Things were re-configured with Steve on bass but shortly after Steve’s commitments to his other band (Gundog) meant that he too had to call it a day. Long time friend and London punk legend Chris was recruited on bass. This line-up was the first to perform live, a hometown show at the now defunct Colours. A few gigs followed before Martin was recruited as vocalist. A number of gigs were played with this line-up before Al and subsequently Chris left the band, Al going on to play with Scalplock. This would be the moment when things took a distinct turn for the quicker and the emphasis now firmly on grind. Eventually Steve was tempted back, to the Morose fold, however this was only for one gig and the ill fated ‘Negative’ recording (the DIY label going belly-up weeks before pressing). Following this double setback Andy was recruited to be what would become Morose’s longest standing bass player. With this line-up Morose played a lot of gigs and recorded a split 7†with Wigan’s mighty Narcosis, released on Deathstill Records. However, change being the only constant in Morose’s history Martin would also leave, going on to sing for Labrat and Charger. Tony reverted to vocals and Morose continued as a three-piece. After a time Rich (Stoopi) would join on guitar. Despite playing several gigs a piece was missing and after much persistence Paul (FSTY, Buttmelt, BBBlood) would join Morose as vocalist. History holds out against Morose being a five-piece and Rich and Andy would both leave on the eve of a gig. Despite this, Morose played on as a three-piece and entered the period I feel was our best. Gigging profusely and writing, in my opinion, our best material we eventually decided to add a low end back to our sound and long time Vehemence collaborator Spencer (Ignoramus) joined on bass. This final line-up of Morose played several gigs and made what all in the band would consider a defining recording (yet to be released). However it seemed that time (6 years) had taken its course and I felt I had gone as far as it could with Morose and I decided to call it a day. The rest of the guys had a few practices but things petered out. Piers went on to play in Flyblown, and Spencer in Days of Pain, Paul continues to test the boundaries of aural resistance with his experiments.
I still think back on my time in Morose as some of the happiest I have known and would like to call everybody who played in the band a friend despite not having spoken to some of you for a long time.
It was a blast (pun intended)
TB
