the group was started in 1999 by James in Leeds, uk, as just an experiment in playing (or attemping to play) classical music with little knowledge of the genre or classical theory.....eventually James recorded a bunch of songs, with the help of some friends, sent off some demo tapes, one of which arrived at the hq of Pickled Egg Records. Shortly afterwards Pickled Egg offered to put out the demo as a mini-album, entitled 'Big Eyes Songs' (EGG21). Around the same time, the first line-up of the band was formed, primarily to play live. In 2002 Mark left the band and David Jaycock joined to take over his role
Many gigs came and went (highlights included supporting Daniel Johnston on his first UK show, an appearance at the Happy Robots fest in Reading alongside Pram, and headlining a show at the Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds), as did 3 full length albums, 'Clumsy Music' (EGG29), 'Love is Gone Mad' (EGG36) and 'We Have No Need For Voices When Our Hearts Can Sing' (EGG49) as well as the EP 'I See Creatures' (EGG45).The last Big Eyes album featured a collaboration with Terry Edwards ('Bugle Junior') and was a sign of things to come with regards to the future of the band. In 2004 the the live set-up folded in order to concentrate on studio-based activities.
James and David continued to write and record and decided to put together a collaborations album. The next 2 years were taken up with this project, and the results were released in May 2006 as:
'Do the Musiking' by the Big Eyes Family Players (EGG58).
The 29-track album featured contributions/collaborations with such luminaries as James Yorkston (Domino/Fence), Jeremy Barnes (A Hawk and A Hacksaw), Rachel Grimes (Rachel's), James William Hindle (Badman/Track and Field), Suzy Mangion (George) as well as many others...
The album is a heady orchestral spin through klezmer, drone, balladry, folk and modern composition and comes in a lovely cd-digipack.
all of the above releases are available from Pickled Egg Records (www.pickled-egg.co.uk) and in all good independent mail-order/record shops..
The Yorkston-collaboration 'Sunday Jacket' featured on the flip-side of the 7-inch version of his single 'Woozy With Cider' in 2007 (on Domino Records).
2008 starts with an 8-track album released on Irish label Rusted Rail. The album is called 'Donkeysongs'. It was put together by James, David and Chris Boyd (of Chora), playing lots of instruments, but not all at the same time. Perhaps the most psychedelic of the Big Eyes-related releases? If you want to buy one or just find out more go to www.rustedrail.com/bigeyes2.html or www.myspace.com/rustedrail
