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THE ORIGINAL GENE LOVES JEZEBEL WERE Lead Vocal, Michael Aston, J.P.Aston, drummer James Chater, Guitar, Ian Hudson and Juliane Reagan on Bass. Over the past decade Michael has recorded acclaimed records (Love Lies Bleeding, Giving up the ghost and the defining record, Exploding Grls) continuing with the flamboyant and dramatic performance that made GLJ a must see in the first place. Endorsed by the likes of Launch magazine,Rolling Stone/Poll Star etc
The duo Gene Loves Jezebel one of the underground heroes of the 1980s' with alternative hits “Cowâ€, “Shameâ€, "Desire," “Heartache’ Always a Flame’ and ‘Motion of Love’ they had a knack for knocking out a surprisingly catchy melody coupled with a flamboyant stage presence. In 2005, Gene Loves Jezebel released the album Exploding Girls. Rolling Stone says this about the new recording - "This is probably the strongest album Gene Loves Jezebel has ever made to be honest. It's flawless. The production is great, the songwriting is superb, and the lyrics will stir you. This could very well be the defining moment for this legendary band." A history… Their live shows were always an event, not because of the musical showmanship, but for the twins constantly trying to show one another up. Whichever Aston had the lead would find himself pushed out of the way when it was time for the back-up vocal, and then elbow his way back out front. Sometimes they'd share... sort of... and each would try to sing louder than the other. Usually it was all good-natured, but not always. The jostling and elbowing led to shoving, which led to pushing, and more screaming. It was totally electrifying. And if those early lineups are all a blur today, it's because nobody watching the stage noticed anyone but the twins. They merely provided a ramshackle accompaniment to the main event… the battling Astons.Gene Loves Jezebel was born in Wales, then took shape once Michael Aston left Wales and moved to London in 1981. The embryonic band was named Slavaryan, says Michael, "because of the bands like Joy Division at the time, I liked the idea of the duality of it. I got rid of that name though, because we thought it was too dark and willfully obscure."Michael's twin brother Jay and a friend, guitarist Ian Hudson, also made their way to London around this time, but they didn't stay long, returning to Wales, where Jay took up gainful employ at a factory manufacturing TV's in Sth Wales. Michael, meanwhile, had met drummer James Chater - whose grandmother owned the house where Led Zeppelin's Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy were recorded. "When I was a child, Led Zeppelin were gods to me," Michael confides "We ran into Jimmy Page there once, I didn't speak to him, it freaked me out; that kind of synchronicity is just too weird"Michael completed the rhythm section with bassist Steve Radwell, but a guitarist was more difficult to find. London, at that point, was a really interesting time, after the Clash and all that. Michael explains, "it was really wide open. You played with anyone that was interesting in any way, and it really broke down a lot of barriers." So, a myriad of guitarists came and went, even a reggae-loving rasta.By this time, after settling with his young family in Pimlico, London, Michael invited Jay and Ian Hudson to join the band, I"So this filmmaker's introduced to me," Jay elaborates, "and he thinks I said my name was Jezebel - my Welsh accent, I don't know. It wasn't like I was going swanning around calling myself Jezebel! But it was just funny. We were aware of Bauhaus and Killing Joke wearing all black, so I thought we'll be totally colorful, we'll go the exact opposite way; we won't have a one word name, we'll have a long name." Jay actually made this up as they were as black as coal at the time and Michael introduced *colour* after consulting a medium who insisted he get rid of anything black in his wardrobe."Gene is the thing with Gene Vincent. Mike broke his leg (he was a brilliant soccer player - he could have played for Wales, he was absolute genius, still is), and he was limping around for a little bit, like Gene Vincent. And then one of my friends, Steve Davis, noticed that even though Michael and I got into these huge arguments, in the end we always came in on each other's side. If you can imagine what the two of us against you must be like… nasty. He said, 'You guys just love each other, you always stick together', so I just went, 'oh' Michael loves Jay, Gene Loves Jezebel."It was all very spur of the moment, decided the day the poster was being drawn up for the group's live debut at the prestigious annual Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Rock Week. GLJ was born. Melody Maker journalist Steve Sutherland caught this first show, and immediately started championing their cause. Then they came to the attention of the independent Situation 2, who offered them a contract before they'd even played their third show.Gene Loves Jezebel debuted with the "Shaving My Neck" single.Soon after, GLJ underwent a confusing series of lineup changes. Chater left, to be replaced at various times by fellow Welshman Richard Hawkins and former Associate John Murphy. "John was an absolutely phenomenal drummer," Michael enthuses, "and the most eccentric human being on earth." Which is why Hawkins of times took his place. Juliane Regan, who later went on to form All About Eve, stepped briefly into the band, providing backing vocals, piano, and occasionally bass. Around this period Albi DeLuca, whom Michael calls "a really gifted guitar player," also joined, at which point Hudson shifted to bass, although Radwell still occasionally played with the band as well.Somehow, miraculously out of this confusion, GLJ returned to the studio and recorded their next single, April, 1983's "Screaming For Emmalene" - with screams courtesy of band friend Kymille Chambers. With material like this, it was obvious why the band were so appealing to the Goth crowd during this time. The dark guitar riffs droned and shimmered like specters, with obvious nods to the Banshees (notably jay's vocal style at the time), the melody was strong, yet also shrouded in stygian gloom.That tie was further strengthened by a tour with Goth greats X-Mal Deutschland. However, because of personal problems, Regan did not accompany GLJ, although she did rejoin them in the studio for a Radio One session, recorded for the David Jensen show on June 30, 1983. There they performed stellar versions of the still unreleased "Sticks And Stones," "Upstairs" (which reappeared on the Promise album) and their upcoming new single, "Bruises" (Regan left the band soon after, and did not take part in the single's recording nor their debut album.) Albi DeLuca's guitar work on Punch Drunk, Bruises and Screaming for Emmalene is staggering in it's authentiicity and delivery. TBC...Keeping it mighty real here as always.-) Meanwhile, we continue to write and prepare for a a startling new release (Our 5th over the last decade and all as GENE LOVES JEZEBEL)... Lies have no legs....
Discography and players... Singles Shaving My Neck E.P. Vocals Michael Aston/Guitar Ian Hudson/Bass Juliane Reagan/Drums James Chater/Backing Vox Jay Aston/Julianne Reagan Piano Julianne Reagan Screaming For Emmalene to be continued...
Gene Loves Jezebel message board Won't you come in?
Gene Loves Jezebel, led by Michael Aston from 1980-89 then 94-present day. The band was formed in 1981 by Michael Aston and James Chater in Hendon, North London. After experimenting with a number of players and relocating to Pimlico, South West London, Michael asked Ian Hudson and brother John to join the band. Hudson and John had briefly moved to London but at this point had given up any dreams of a musical career and were back in South Wales with regular day jobs. After recording a startlingly original demo which was picked up and released by Situation 2 (Associates, Southern Death Cult) let's talk about the most productive and unlimited GLJ: Gene Loves Jezebel have been around since Goth diverged from the early Eighties neo-romantic scene and were originally a Beggars Banquet signing. Though front man Michael Aston, now living in California is more romantic than Gothic, he has a flair for the dramatic and knows how to use it. (Rolling Stone)
It's been almost 10 years since Michael took the inspired decision to reinvent GLJ and to restore depth and originality with inspired music and dramatic performance. As a most astute journalist noted "How does a band going this long, with so many changes remain so relevant, vital, passionate and explosive"
Exploding Girls has been described by many as Gene loves Jezebel's finest hour and this which follows yet earlier triumphs, it's remarkable, that the last ten years has produced so much creativity and productivity
History to follow, http://www.genelovesjezebel.com
Classic rare: 'Rhino Plasty' from the sold out 1986 how in NYC, the best available copy of this concert is available at http://genelovesjezebel.com from the album IMMIGRANT starring Ian Hudson
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United Kingdom 2006 Tour dates:
To be announced soon!
Gene Loves jezebel have just signed a new deal and will be releasing a compilation f the last decades gems..they are also working on a brand new release, slated for the spring of 2007! I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4