Lazarus Clamp

Lazarus Clamp
Origin Leicester, England
Genres Punk
Years active 1994–present
Labels Bearos Records, Sorted, Words and Works Records
Website http://www.lazarusclamp.co.uk

Lazarus Clamp are an English band of some longevity and interest, who can make a reasonable claim to being one of the minor, undiscovered, rough-cut gems of British independent music - but who probably have only themselves to blame for their low profile.[1] Formed in Leicester in 1994, the band's early intensity (angular, noisy, post-hardcore influences were the most evident at this point) and musical ambition (often undermined by a semi-notorious degree of equipment failure and breakdown), earned them a combination of admiration, sympathy, and disdain on the Midlands scene.

History

The band's debut single Sea Sore Songs was released on Amberley/ Cleverlegs. [2] It was already a historical artifact, both in terms of the band's sound and the post-rock scene that had supported it. The band had other early releases on Bearos Records and Sorted, both mildands based.[3][4] The band had a good relationship the now-defunct Guildford label, Words and Works Rejected.[5]

As the band developed (and relaxed a little), and the line-up changed and then settled, Lazarus Clamp began to allow other influences to show through - English folk music, American country, and some rather deadpan humour.

Subsequent singles (North,[6] Left-handed,[7] Some Rivals[8]) and the band's first two LPs (Such as you are and still not seeming to mind and The more we are the funnier it is[9]) provide a better snapshot of Lazarus Clamp's literate, spontaneous, scruffy, and very English, take on their ragbag of influences.[10] These releases are a beguiling, and sometimes frustrating, combination of precisely-executed, off-beat 'alt-pop/unrock', peppered with lo-fi home recordings, and off-the-cuff improvised meanderings. The band's willingness to fall on their faces, and their musical and verbal articulacy when they pull things together, are probably their greatest virtues.

In Spring of 2008, they released a double album, Death to Technicians / It ain't what you do it's what it does to you [11], described by Drowned in Sound as 'wonkily elaborate' [12] and in Winter of 2009, they released the Against entitlement LP. This received positive reviews from sources as diverse as The Sunday Times, and Delusions of Adequacy.[13][14]

Live

Never prolific in their live outings, Lazarus Clamp are still active. The band now live in different parts of the UK, making live appearances rarer. The band have appeared and collaborated with Bob Tilton, John Sims, Los Planetos Del Agua, MJ Hibbett, Last Harbour, Half Seas Over, Twinkie and The Freed Unit).

Influence

An easy-going DIY ethic has made them popular with sound engineers, fanzines and fellow musicians, but largely invisible to promoters, labels and the press.

Discography

Singles

  • Sea Sore Songs - 1999 (Amberley/ Cleverlegs)
  • North - split 7" (Jonathan Whiskey)
  • Left-handed - (Bearos Records)
  • Some Rivals - split 7" (Sorted)
  • Don't fence me in - split 7" (Damnably)

LPs

  • Such as you are and still not seeming to mind. LP (2001, Words and works rejected/ Cleverlegs)
  • The more we are the funnier it is. CD (2004, Words and works rejected/ Cleverlegs)
  • Death to technicians. CD (2008, Bearos/ Cleverlegs)
  • It ain't what you do its what it does to you. Additional CD album included with initial run of 'Death to Technicians.' (2008, Bearos/ Cleverlegs)
  • Against entitlement. LP/CD. (2009, Little Red Rabbit/ Cleverlegs)
  • The bird is not the metaphor'.LP/CD. (2015, Damnably)

References

  1. ↑ Lazarus Clamp
  2. ↑ Robots & Electronic Brains - eclectic music zine
  3. ↑ http://www.jobhosle.f2s.com/sorted/index.htm%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  4. ↑ "{title}". Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  5. ↑ Browse by Label: WORDS AND WORKS REJECTED (UK)
  6. ↑ Jonathon Whiskey: homepage
  7. ↑ Splendid E-zine: Departments: Ten: 27 March 2000 Archived 21 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ Bliss/Aquamarine - Alternative, Underground And Indie Music Archived 11 July 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ↑ BBC - collective - Lazarus Clamp Lp-the more we are the funnier it is Lp
  10. ↑ LAZARUS CLAMP - The More We Are The Funnier It Is -album- POPNEWS JANVIER 2002
  11. ↑ http://www.myspace.com/lazarusclamp
  12. ↑ http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/3573020%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  13. ↑ http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6912395.ece
  14. ↑ http://www.adequacy.net/2010/01/fao23-little-red-rabbit-records-lazarus-clamp-anna-kashfi-last-harbour/
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