Balaam and the Angel
Balaam and the Angel | |
---|---|
Origin | Birmingham, England |
Genres | Rock, gothic rock, glam metal, hard rock |
Years active | 1983–1989, 1991–present |
Labels | Virgin |
Associated acts | Thirteen, Twenty Flight Rockers, Airrace, The Runner Brothers |
Website | Balaam and the Angel Official website |
Members |
Mark Morris Jim Morris Des Morris Chris P Notes |
Past members | Ian McKean |
Balaam and the Angel are a Scottish rock band founded by Mark, James (Jim), and Desmond (Des) Morris in Cannock, England in 1984.[1][2]
Career
As children in Motherwell, the Morris brothers worked in the entertainment industry as part of a cabaret act. They moved south to England to Cannock, Staffordshire, where they formed Balaam and the Angel,[3] named after the biblical story of Balaam, although some have claimed that it is a tongue-in-cheek reference to two railway stations in London, Balham and Angel.
Initially the band self-released a series of EP's and an album entitled Sun Family[4] via their own Chapter 22 label and played some tour dates opening for The Cult.[3] This caught the attention of Virgin Records, who signed them and released their debut album, The Greatest Story Ever Told.[5][3] It peaked at No. 67 in the UK Albums Chart in August 1986.[6] They toured in the United States with The Mission, Kiss and label mate Iggy Pop.
A second guitarist and the first non-sibling, Ian McKean of Twenty Flight Rockers,[7][8][9][10] was added to the band in 1988.[3] The band began to move away from gothic rock music styles into a sound that had more in common with hard rock. With their new-found style, they recorded the album Live Free or Die[11]. This was soon followed up in similar style when they recorded Days of Madness,[12] before leaving Virgin Records.[3] Their song "I'll Show You Something Special" appeared on the soundtrack for the film, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.[13]
Members
- Mark Morris - vocals, bass (1983–1989, 1991–present)
- Jim Morris - guitar, keyboards (1983–1989, 1991–present)
- Des Morris - drums (1983–1989, 1991–present)
- Chris P Notes (Chris Williams) - keyboards (1994–present)
- Ian McKean - guitar (1988–1989, 1991–1994)
Discography
Albums
Date of release | Album Title |
1985 | Sun Family |
1986 | The Greatest Story Ever Told |
1987 | Live Free or Die |
1989 | Days of Madness |
1993 | Prime Time |
EPs
Date of release | EP Title |
1984 | World of Light |
1985 | Love Me |
1985 | Day and Night |
1986 | Light of the World |
1986 | She Knows UK No. 70[6] |
1986 | Slow Down |
1991 | No More Innocence |
Singles
Date of release | Single Title |
1987 | "New Kind of Love" |
1987 | "I'll Show You Something Special" |
1987 | "I Love The Things You Do to Me" |
1988 | "Live Free or Die (Texas Redbeard Mix)" |
1989 | "I Took a Little" |
1990 | "A Little Bit of Love" |
1993 | "Shame on You" |
Compilation albums
Date of release | Compilation Title |
1987 | Young Virgins (featuring "Light of the World".) |
2002 | Sun Family |
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+kingdom/balaam+and+the+angel1
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/artist/295035-Balaam-And-The-Angel
- 1 2 3 4 5 Moore, Christie (2006) The Unultimate Rockopedia, AuthorHouse, ISBN 1-4259-6474-5, p. 27-8
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Balaam-And-The-Angel-Sun-Family/master/235876
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Balaam-The-Angel-The-Greatest-Story-Ever-Told/master/262173
- 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 40. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002, page 325
- ↑ International Who's who in Music: Popular music. Vol. two, Volume 1, page 378
- ↑ The Great Scots Musicography: The Complete Guide to Scotland's Music Makers, page 227
- ↑ http://www.mjwilsonphotography.com/the-long-and-winding-road-the-music-of-mark-ferrick-and-thirteen/
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Balaam-The-Angel-Live-Free-Or-Die/master/232589
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Balaam-And-The-Angel-Days-Of-Madness/master/253799
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093748/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd
External links