Kunstgerecht

I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace) I founded, and was the electric guitarist with, Edinburgh pop/post-punk band Kunstgerecht. I also recorded an avant-garde noise tape under this name, which remains unreleased. 'Grey Skies' from Kunstgerecht's 1982 demo tape was included on "New Horizons", a cassette compilation released in 1983, which also featured tracks from Death In June and Section 25. This was the first release on the label which would become LTM. Around this time I also wrote some record reviews for James Nice's fanzine CSBT.In 1984 I released an ambient instrumental piece entitled 'Introspect' on a local cassette compilation/fanzine entitled "The Plateau Phase".In 1987 I founded the label Tel Quel, and released the mini-album "I Know Everything" by Stephen Harrison. This mini-LP was produced by Alan Rankine, Paul Haig and myself. The album received a favourable review in Melody Maker, and one of my productions received airplay on the late John Peel's Radio 1 show.Between 1986 and 1987 I wrote and demo'ed the album "The Discreet Agent". In 1988 the album was recorded at Chamber Studio in Edinburgh. The album was produced by Ian Williams, engineered by Jamie Watson, and was a co-production between Mr Slaughterback's Records (Ian Williams' label) and Third Mind Records in London. The album was released under the pseudonym of Harry Fabvre in 1989 and distributed throughout Europe by Belgian distributor PIAS, and garnered a four star review in Q, and excellent write-ups in Melody Maker. A remix of the title track was also included on "Une Saison en Enfer", a Various Artists compilation CD released on Third Mind Records in 1988. Tracks from "The Discreet Agent" received airplay on underground radio shows across Europe.In 1993 I wrote a comic novel "Gentlemen of Leisure", which remains unpublished. That same year I started to perform regularly at an open mic night called Workers in Song, which was held on Tuesday nights at Oblomov's bar on the Mound in Edinburgh.I formed the band Io in 1994 with John Phillips on electric and acoustic guitars, Gavin Fulton on bass, and Alastair Macleod on synth, and that year we had two songs - 'Significant Other' and '48 Hours' - included on "Gallery", a Various Artists compilation CD of singers who had performed at the Edinburgh Songwriters' Showcase. 'Significant Other' received airplay on Radio Scotland.Also in 1994, I wrote and recorded the song 'Spring in Bosnia', which was released on the Various Artists CD & cassette EP "Clamjamfray". This song was produced by Mick MacNeil (formerly of Simple Minds), and featured him on programming, keyboards etc, Derek Forbes (also ex-Simple Minds) on bass, and Ewen Foy on guitar. This song received airplay on Radio Scotland.In 1995 I formed the duo Turquoise with Ewen Foy, and much recording ensued, but nothing was ever released.In 1999 I formed Bellweather, with John Phillips on bass, Stuart Allardyce on electric guitar, and Darren Lloyd on drums & percussion. John left to play with another band called Unquiet, and his place was taken by Ewan Allan. This band gigged extensively around Edinburgh, and played prestigious support slots for Francoiz Breut, Chris Mills and Deanna Varagonna (of Lambchop) at venues such as Wilkie House, the Bongo Club, the Attic (RIP), the Venue, Edinburgh University etc. The band split in 2002 when I emigrated to Australia. Bellweather released one CD-R EP "Christmas Songs", which included our versions of three traditional carols (including 'O Tannenbaum' sung in German, no less) plus a cover of Will Oldham's 'Christmastime in the Mountains'.In Melbourne, I played solo acoustic shows at the Espy and the Corner Hotel in 2003, before giving up singing for a few years. During this time I experimented with electronic music production, using FL Studio software, and produced industrial cut-up tracks such as 'The Death of Private Kovco' and 'David Hicks'. These tracks when released online were downloaded by hundreds of listeners.The lyrics to 'Winter Sundog' were written by Douglas P. of Death In June, and the music was written by myself. The lyrics can be found on the News page of DIJ's website under the title 'The Grass Is Always Browner'.I also do journalism for Cyclic Defrost. Check out my reviews here: Cyclic Defrost