Comet Gain

Comet Gain are a British indie pop band, formed by singer-songwriter and guitarist David Feck (aka David Christian/Charlie Damage) in 1992, with musical influences including post-punk and northern soul.[1]

Comet Gain
Comet Gain at 'London Popfest', 100 Club in 2012
Background information
OriginLondon
GenresIndie pop
Years active1992–present
LabelsWiiija, Kill Rock Stars, Fortuna Pop!, What's Your Rupture?, The Track & Field Organisation, Milou Studios
Associated actsVelocette, Huggy Bear, Kicker, Eighteenth Day Of May, Cinema Red and Blue, The Clientele, The Yummy Fur
MembersDavid Feck
Rachel Evans
M.J. "Woodie" Taylor
Anne Laure Guillain
Ben Phillipson
James Hornsey
Past membersPhil Sutton
Sarah Bleach
Sam Pluck
Jax Coombes
Jon Slade
Kaoru Ishikawa
Darren Smyth
Blair Cowl
George Wright

History

Comet Gain Mk 1

Comet Gain's first release was two tracks on Wiiija compilation EP Some Hearts Paid To Lie in 1993, alongside three riot grrrl bands. Following an EP on Soul Static Sound in 1994, Comet Gain signed with Wiiija and released debut album Casino Classics and a further EP in 1995. The album featured sleevenotes by Television Personalities frontman Dan Treacy. During this period Comet Gain were both loosely associated with the UK riot grrrl scene and regularly compared to Dexys Midnight Runners; however from the first release their music varied dramatically in style from indie-pop influenced by sixties girl-group sounds, through early-80s alternative pop, to pure punk.

1996's Say Yes To International Socialism EP [2] reflected the influence of late-period Jam/early Style Council and was promoted by Comet Gain's debut video, for the more radio-friendly b-side "Hideaway". A second video was produced the following year to promote the "Strength" single and accompanying mini-album, Magnetic Poetry, which was also released (as Sneaky)[3] on Beggars Banquet USA in an attempt to promote the band stateside. However, due to ongoing artistic differences, in early 1997 the majority of Comet Gain split and formed the band Velocette,[4] remaining on Wiiija, leaving Feck to continue Comet Gain with new members.

Comet Gain Mk 2: 1998-2008

Joined by new vocalist Rachel Evans, alongside bassist Kay Ishikawa and Darren Smyth on drums, Comet Gain released Tigertown Pictures in 1999, following a move to KRS records. Additional members on the record included John McKeown (The Yummy Fur) and songs included the signature "Saturday Night Facts Of Life", later covered by The Cribs.[5]

2002's Realistes,[6][7] saw Comet Gain augmented by guitarist Jon Slade (ex-Huggy Bear) and drummer Woodie Taylor (ex-Morrissey/The Meteors) and continued the garage-punk influenced direction of the previous album. Guests included Chris Appelgren (The PeeChees) and Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill).

2005's City Fallen Leaves was released on Track and Field records, and showcased a more expansive production, to further critical acclaim.[8][9][10] Songs included "Fists In The Pocket" which had a rare accompanying video. The follow-up release, Broken Record Prayers, compiled singles, Peel Sessions and unreleased tracks from 1998 to 2008.[11][12]

Comet Gain Mk 2: 2009-present

2010 and 2011 saw the release of a series of limited-edition singles to support next album Howl of the Lonely Crowd (Fortuna Pop! records). Produced by Ryan Jarman and Edwyn Collins, the album cemented Comet Gain's reputation as respected and influential indie-pop veterans.[13][14][15][16][17] During this period, Comet Gain settled as a 7-piece band with the addition of Ben Phillipson (ex-Kicker, Eighteenth Day of May) on guitar and backing vocals and Anne Laure Guillain on keyboards and backing vocals.

Members of Comet Gain collaborated with members of tourmates Crystal Stilts and others as Cinema Red and Blue, a long-term side project which released a single and an eponymous album in 2010.[18][19] A follow up EP was released in October 2011.[20]

In 2014 a new Comet Gain line-up, with James Hornsey of The Clientele replacing both Ishikawa and Slade as full-time bassist, released seventh album Paperback Ghosts. Noted for an emphasis on ballads and orchestration,[21] the record received universally positive reviews.[22][23][24][25]

In October 2018 Comet Gain released their first material with new label Tapete Records, two-track single "If Not Tomorrow"/"I Was More of a Mess Then".[26] In August 2019 the band announced their 8th album Fireraisers Forever!, to be released 11 October.[27]

Line-up

Current
  • David Feck [aka David Christian] (vocals, guitar)
  • Rachel Evans (vocals, percussion)
  • M.J."Woodie" Taylor (drums, production)
  • Anne Laure Guillain (keys, backing vocals, percussion)
  • Ben Phillipson (guitar, vocals)
  • James Hornsey (bass)

1993-1997
  • David Charlie Feck [aka Charlie Damage] (vocals, guitar, keys)
  • Sarah Bleach (vocals)
  • Sam Pluck (guitar)
  • Jax Coombes (bass, keyboards)
  • Phil Sutton [aka Hoffner Burns] (drums)

Additional members
  • Kaoru Ishikawa (bass) (1997-2012)
  • Jon Slade (guitar, bass) (2001-2012 and later guest appearances)
  • Darren Smyth (drums) (1997–2001)
  • Blair Cowl (guitar, bass) (1997–1999)
  • Lorna Lithgow (keys) (1999)
  • John McKeown (guitar) (1999 and later guest appearances)
  • Erik Brunulf (guitar, bass) (2001)
  • George Wright (bass) (1992)
  • Chris Appelgren (drums) (2002)
  • Gary Jarman (live drums - one gig) (2008)
  • Steve Dore (drums-newspapers-spiritual advice) (1922–present)

Discography

Singles and EPs
  • "Holloway Sweethearts EP" (7" / 1994 / Soul Static Sound)
  • "Million And Nine" (one sided 7" / 1995 / Wiiija)
  • "The Gettin' Ready EP" (7" & CD / 1995 / Wiiija)
  • "Say Yes! (To International Socialism) EP" (7"/CD / 1996 / Wiiija)
  • "Strength" (7" & CD / 1997 / Wiiija)
  • "Jack Nance Hair" (7" / 1998 / Mei Mei Records)
  • "Mailorder Freaks Singles Club" [If I Had a Soul, He Walked By Night, Brothers Off the Block] (7" / Sept. 1998 / Kill Rock Stars)
  • "Red Menace EP" (7" / 1999 / Piao! Records)
  • "You Can Hide Your Love Forever" (7" / 2001 / Fortuna Pop!)
  • "Beautiful Despair" (12" / Jul. 2006 / What's Your Rupture?)
  • "Love Without Lies" (7" / Oct. 2008 / Twee as Fuck / What's Your Rupture?)
  • "Herbert Hunke Pt 1" (7" / Feb. 2009 / Germs of Youth)
  • "The Weekend Dreams" (7" split with Hello Cuca / May 2010 / Doble Vida Discos)
  • "I Never Happened EP" (7" / 2010 / What's Your Rupture?)
  • "Working Circle Explosive" (split 7" w/Crystal Stilts / 2011 / Fortuna Pop!)
  • "An Arcade From the Warm Rain That Falls" [7" / 2011 / Fortuna Pop!]
  • "Avenue Girls" (7" / 2013 / WIAIWYA)[28]
  • "Sad Love and Other Short Stories" (7" / 2014 / Fortuna Pop!)
  • "Fingerprint Ritual" EP (12"/CD / 2015 / Fortuna Pop!)
  • "If Not Tomorrow"/"I Was More Of A Mess Then" (7"/DD / 2018 / Tapete Records)

Albums

Compilations

Compilation appearances
  • "Aliens At War" and "A Kind Of Loving" on "Some Hearts Paid To Lie" (2x7" / 1993 / Wiiija)[29]
  • "You’ve Been Gone Too Long" (live) on Heartache fanzine tape (CS / 1995 / Heartache fanzine)
  • "Like A Sparrow" on Godz Is Not A Put-On (Godz tribute) (LP+7" / 1996 / Lissy's Records)
  • "Dreams Of A Working Girl" on NME C96 (CD / 1996 / NME)
  • "Pinstriped Rebel" (Would Be Goods cover) on All Done With Mirrors (CD / 1998 / Le Grand Magistery)
  • "Asleep On The Snow" on A Christmas Gift From Fortuna Pop! (CDEP / 2000 / Fortuna Pop!)
  • "I Close My Eyes To Think Of God" on Jackson's Jukebox (CD / Kill Rock Stars)[30]
  • "Look At You Now, You’re Crying" on Fields And Streams (2xCD / 2002 / Kill Rock Stars)
  • "Ann Don't Cry" on Everything Is Ending Here: (A Tribute To Pavement) (2xCD / 2003 / Homesleep Records)
  • "Look At You Now, You’re Crying" on POW! to the People (2xCD / 2003 / The Track & Field Organisation)[31]
  • "If You Ever Walk Out Of My Life" (Dena Barnes cover) on "More Soul Than Wigan Casino" (7" / 2005 / Fortuna Pop!)[32]
  • "Beautiful Despair", "Never Die" and "Mainlining Mystery" on Imagine The Shapes (CD / 2007 / What's Your Rupture?)[33]

References
  1. "Comet Gain Interview with David Feck Interview". SoundsXP. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  2. "Comet Gain - SAY YES ! To International Socialism - Wiiija - UK". 45cat. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  3. Nitsuh Abebe (9 September 1997). "Sneaky - Comet Gain | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  4. Everson, John (5 September 1999). "A3 Interview". Popstops.net. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  5. "Cribs, The - Martell (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 22 August 2005. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  6. Wallen, Doug. "Comet Gain: Realistes". PopMatters. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  7. Bryan Thomas (19 March 2002). "Réalistes - Comet Gain | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  8. "City Fallen Leaves: Information from". Answers.com. 8 November 2005. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  9. Brett McCallon. "Splendid Magazine reviews Comet Gain: City Fallen Leaves". Splendidezine.com. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  10. Tim Sendra (8 November 2005). "City Fallen Leaves - Comet Gain | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  11. "Comet Gain: Broken Record Prayers | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 1 May 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  12. "Comet Gain - Broken Record Prayers". The Line Of Best Fit. 25 November 2008. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  13. Tim Sendra (23 May 2011). "Howl of the Lonely Crowd - Comet Gain | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  14. "Comet Gain - Howl of the Lonely Crowd - Review". SoundBlab. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  15. "Dusted Reviews: Comet Gain - Howl of the Lonely Crowd". Dustedmagazine.com. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  16. "Comet Gain reveal new LP 'Howl Of The Lonely Crowd' | God Is In The TV". Godisinthetvzine.co.uk. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  17. Rowlinson, Dave (23 June 2011). "Comet Gain - Howl Of The Lonely Crowd | DIY". Thisisfakediy.co.uk. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  18. "Cinema Red & Blue | Features | Clash Magazine". Clashmusic.com. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  19. "Cinema Red and Blue: Cinema Red and Blue | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  20. "Cinema Red & Blue - Butterbean Crypt Ep - Ep - Vinyl" (in German). Finestvinyl.de. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  21. Tim Sendra (7 July 2014). "Paperback Ghosts - Comet Gain | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  22. "NME Reviews - Comet Gain - 'Paperback Ghosts'". Nme.Com. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  23. "Comet Gain - Paperback Ghosts". DrunkenWerewolf. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  24. "Album Review: Comet Gain - Paperback Ghosts". The Line Of Best Fit. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  25. "Album | Comet Gain – Paperback Ghosts | For Folk's Sake". Forfolkssake.com. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  26. "Listen to Comet Gain's fun and frantic new single 'If Not Tomorrow'/'I Was A Mess Then'". Thefourohfive.com. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  27. Roberts, Christopher. "Comet Gain Announce New Album, Share New Song "Mid 8Ts"". Undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  28. "Avenue Girls | wiaiwya". Wiaiwya.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  29. "Various Artists - Some Hearts Paid To Lie - Wiiija - UK". 45cat. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  30. Mike DaRonco. "Jackson's Jukebox - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  31. "Various - POW! To The People (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  32. "Various - More Soul Than Wigan Casino (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  33. "Various Artists: Imagine the Shapes | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
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