| Scarlet Party | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | Essex, England |
| Genre: | Rock Progressive rock |
| Years Active: | Recording: 1982–1983 Live: 1982–1985 |
| Label: | Parlophone EMI |
| Associated Acts: | The Alan Parsons Project |
| Website: | Scarlet Party |
| Past Members: | Graham Dye (vocals, guitars, harmonica) Steven Dye (vocals, keyboards, bass) Sean Heaphy (drums, percussion) Mark Gilmour (guitar) Micky Portman (bass) |
Scarlet Party was a rock band formed in Essex, England, in the early 1980s. The founding members were singer/songwriter brothers Graham and Steven Dye along with drummer Sean Heaphy.[1]
They began to perform at many top venues, to a well established following, and had already recorded an album of original material, and were signed to a major record company, when joined by fourth member, Mark Gilmour, brother of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, on lead guitar.[1]
The debut single, "101 Dam-Nations", was released on Parlophone,[1] on 16 October 1982, alongside a special re-release of "Love Me Do", celebrating The Beatles' 20th anniversary at EMI. This helped to get Scarlet Party noticed, and with the voice of Graham Dye, uncannily resembling that of John Lennon, a television, radio, and magazine, publicity campaign, helped to reinforce the connection.[1] The single was enthusiastically received (Kate Bush described it as her favourite[2]), and reached number 44 in the UK Singles Chart.
It was voted number 4 in the All-Time Top 100 Singles from Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.[3] Larkin states 'it should have been an anthem monster number one.'
The follow-up single "Eyes Of Ice" reached number 8 in the Portuguese chart. The single was released in February 1983, on ice-clear vinyl, which was a request from the band, and all art-work for the sleeve was created by Graham Dye, using coloured pencils. 'Scarlet Skies', was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1981-82, but has never been officially released. The linked songs explore themes of war, love, and alienation, in styles reminiscent of both the mini pop operas of The Who, and the progressive concept albums of Pink Floyd.
The band recorded more original songs written by the Dye brothers, as a four-piece,[1] until the departure of Mark Gilmour at the end of 1983, and then, once again, as a three-piece, also working on other projects, including a musical cartoon adventure based on the band, none of which were taken on by EMI.
Scarlet Party continued performing live shows, joined briefly by new member Micky Portman on bass, and recorded several more tracks at Abbey Road Studios. However, the band now feeling disheartened, and disappointed in EMI, decided to call it a day at the end of 1985.[1]
Graham Dye went on to work as lead vocalist, on several albums by The Alan Parsons Project,[1] and more recently, a new version of "101 Dam-Nations" was made, featuring Graham and Steven Dye, together with Phil Collins of Genesis, playing the drums. The brothers requested the help of Alan Parsons to produce the recording, which is not yet available.
Words and Music by Graham Dye/Steven Dye - published by Sony/ATV Music