The Blue Aeroplanes Explained

The Blue Aeroplanes
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Bristol, England
Genre:Alternative rock, post-punk, art rock
Years Active:1981–present
Current Members:Gerard Langley
John Langley
Wojtek Dmochowski
Gerard Starkie
Chris Sharp
Bec Jevons
Mike Youe
Past Members:Rita Lynch
Angelo Bruschini
Rodney Allen
Alex Lee
Max Noble
Ian Kearey
Simon Heathfield

The Blue Aeroplanes are an English rock band from Bristol,[1] the mainstays of which have been Gerard Langley, brother John Langley, and dancer Wojtek Dmochowski. All three had previously been members of the new wave "art band" Art Objects from 1978 to 1981.

History

The Blue Aeroplanes first performed under that name at the King Street Art Gallery in Bristol in 1981. They consisted mainly of former members of Art Objects, with the addition of Nick Jacobs, former guitarist and vocalist of Southampton band the Exploding Seagulls.[2] The same line-up played three or four concerts over the next couple of years, either at the gallery or for benefits, including a Karl Marx centenary performance at the Victoria Rooms, with the addition of trumpet and didgeridoo.[3] The Blue Aeroplanes' first album Bop Art was released on their own Party Records in 1984, and was rapidly picked up by the Abstract (US) and Fire (UK) labels.[4] It contained material that had been considered as a follow-up to Art Objects' only album, Bagpipe Music. Gerard Langley's largely spoken poetic lyrics were combined with a heavily guitar-centric band that went on to release Tolerance (1985) and Spitting Out Miracles (1987) and several singles and EPs whose B-sides were brought together in the compilation FriendLoverPlane (1988), all on the Fire label.[5]

On 24 February 1990,[6] the band released their most critically acclaimed album, Swagger, this time on a major label Chrysalis/Ensign.[7] This was followed by Beatsongs, which was recorded in the United States and released in 1991. It was produced by Larry Hirsch.[7] This second album on the major label was their highest charting, reaching no. 33 in the UK Albums Chart. A second compilation of rare B-sides and out-takes, FriendLoverPlane2 (Up in a Down World), was released in 1992.[5]

The follow-up to Beatsongs was delayed until 1994, when the album Life Model was released on the Beggars Banquet label;[7] it was followed by Rough Music in 1995. "Broken & Mended" from Life Model was the band's last single to chart and is a favourite at gigs. A long break and another label change to ArtStar preceded the release of Cavaliers in 2000. Following negotiations with EMI who now owned the rights to Swagger and Beatsongs, The Blue Aeroplanes made a surprise return to this major label. EMI re-released Swagger Deluxe as a 2-CD version in January 2006. This was followed by an album of new material called Altitude later that year, released on EMI's Harvest imprint. The group then recorded an album of cover versions of classic tracks that were originally recorded by artists signed to the Harvest label. The album, called Harvester, was released by EMI/Harvest in 2007.[5]

As well as the two FriendLoverPlane compilations, several other compilations have been released in recent years. Huh! The Best of The Blue Aeroplanes (1987–1992) was released by EMI/Chrysalis in 1997 and featured many of the songs from Swagger and Beatsongs. Also in 1997, Warhol's 15 The Best of the Blue Aeroplanes (1985–1988) was released and covered the preceding period when the band was signed to Fire Records. In 1996 Fruit (Live 1983–1995) was released on Fire Records and covered 12 years of live performances recorded at various venues. Then in 2001, ArtStar released Weird Sh*t which featured both rare tracks and alternative versions of some of the band's best-known songs from Swagger through to 'Cavaliers.[8]

In 2008 and 2009, limited-edition live albums were released and sold at the annual Christmas gig at Fiddlers in Bristol. Live in Cheltenham (2008) and Skyscrapers (2009) were limited to just 100 copies each and each featured songs not included on the other live CD. Their Christmas gig moved to The Fleece a few years later and is a staple in their touring calendar.

The band released a new album Welcome, Stranger! in January 2017 through Pledgemusic.[9] This was followed up by "Culture Gun". Written, and in part recorded, over three years the much delayed - mainly due to vocalist Gerard Langley being hospitalized with cancer - album was released on the 28 April 2023, by Last Night From Glasgow [10]

Live performances

They have played headlining gigs in small indie venues as well as supporting big acts such as R.E.M.[11] and Siouxsie and the Banshees on major international tours, frontman Gerard Langley always wearing his trademark shades even at night in dark venues.[12] Performances include the band's 1992 appearance at Glastonbury which was broadcast on BBC Radio 1,[13] the finale at the Hammersmith Apollo when 12 guitarists were seen on stage performing "Breaking in My Heart" and their annual appearance at Fiddlers in Bristol[14] which has now been relocated to the band's own venue, The Fleece.[15]

In February 2016 the band played at the 6music festival at Colston Hall's Lantern venue, being introduced by Gideon Coe and in April 2016 they were personally chosen by curator Stewart Lee to play the ATP festival at Pontins Prestatyn.

In 2019 the band performed at the Glastonbury Festival on the Avalon Stage.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles and EPs

Compilation appearances

Lineups

Key

"P"
  • Primary member
    "S"
  • Supporting member
    Album lineups for The Blue Aeroplanes
    PlayerBop ArtToleranceSpitting Out
    Miracles    		Friendlover-
    plane    		SwaggerBeatsongsFriendlover-
    plane 2    		Life ModelRough MusicCavaliersAltitudeAnti-GravityWelcome, StrangerCulture Gun
    Alex Acuna S
    Joe Allen PPS
    Rodney Allen SPPPPPP
    Johnny Baker S
    Bill Bell SS
    Richard Bell PPPS
    Tracey Bowen S
    Vivian Bowen S
    Bob Bradley PP
    Paul Bradley S
    SPPPPPS
    Antoinette Burrell S
    Steve Bush S
    Dan Catsis S
    Dave Chapman PPP
    George Claridge S
    Christian Clarke S
    Ruth Cochrane PPP
    John Cornick S
    Richard Crabtree S
    Simon Crump S
    Fiona Davies S
    Stephen Davies S
    Jedrej Dmochowski SS
    Wojtek Dmochowski PPPPPPPPPPPPPP
    S
    Chris Evans S
    Nigel Eaton SS
    Rhian Evans S
    Mark Espiner SS
    Pat Fish (Jazz Butcher) SSP
    Alexandra Frean S
    Matthew Gale SS
    Roger Goslyn SS
    Caroline Halcrow P
    Simon Heathfield P
    Boo HewerdineS
    Clare Hirst S
    Susie Hug SS
    Nick Jacobs PPPPS
    S
    Tom Johnson S
    Rachel Jones S
    Francis Kane S
    Ian Kearey PSPSSSPS
    Tim Keegan S
    J.J. Key SS
    Robin Key S
    Dave King S
    Kenny Lacey S
    Elizabeth Lane SS
    Andrew Lang S
    Gerard Langley PPPPPPPPPPPPPP
    John Langley PPPPPPPPPPPP
    PPPP
    Jeremy Little S
    Charlie Llewellin S
    Georgia Lowe S
    P
    David Mansfield S
    Jerry Marotta SS
    Andy McCreeth PPPS
    Paul Mulreany PPPP
    Dave Newton SS
    Max Noble SPPP
    Iain O'Higgins S
    Nick Powell S
    Roger Power P
    Simon Preston S
    Graham Russell P
    Andy Sheppard S
    S
    Bill Stair S
    John Stapleton PPP
    S
    Elaine Summers S
    Danny Timms S
    Neti Vaandrager S
    Marcus Williams P
    Nick Williams S
    Sharon Williams S
    Hazel Winter PP
    Tony Wrafter SS
    Jon Wygens P
    Loki Lillistone P
    Chris Sharp PPP
    Gerard Starkie PPPPS
    Mike YouéPP
    Bec JevonsPP
    Brodie McGuireS
    Greg StoddardS
    Ashley ClarkeS
    Alexander DmochowskiS
    Anna SlatanovaS
    Luke CawthraS
    Andy SutorS

    See also

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Ruhlmann . William . The Blue Aeroplanes – Music Biography, Credits and Discography . . 18 February 2013.
    2. Web site: Fried Egg Records, Bristol Archive Records . Bristolarchiverecords.com.
    3. Web site: The Blue Aeroplanes Austin Shows on Do512 . Do512.com . 18 February 2013.
    4. Web site: The Blue Aeroplanes . Otherworldly.com . 7 December 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100316065206/http://www.otherworldly.com/new/2009/12/07/the-blue-aeroplanes/ . 16 March 2010 . 12 November 2015.
    5. Web site: The Blue Aeroplanes . Discogs.com . 12 November 2015.
    6. Web site: Swagger (Deluxe Version) by The Blue Aeroplanes . Music.apple.com.
    7. Book: Colin Larkin . Colin Larkin (writer) . . . concise . 1997 . 151/2 . 1-85227-745-9.
    8. Web site: Art Star . Bruno . Franklin . Phoenix.com . 12 November 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151017080147/http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/music/other_stories/documents/02692357.htm . 17 October 2015 . dmy-all.
    9. Web site: 10 questions for The Blue Aeroplanes. Michael Astley-Brown. MusicRadar.com. 21 December 2016.
    10. Web site: New album out Fri 28th April 2023 . 2023-05-08 . Blue Aeroplanes . en.
    11. Web site: The Blue Aeroplanes . 3 Loop Music . 12 November 2015.
    12. Web site: The Blue Aeroplanes @ Borderline, London . 31 January 2006 . Music OMH . 12 November 2015.
    13. Web site: The Blue Aeroplanes, The Telescopes and These New Puritans . BBC . 12 November 2015.
    14. Web site: Blue Aeroplanes at Fiddlers . Headfirst Bristol . 18 February 2011 . 21 February 2015.
    15. Web site: The Blue Aeroplanes + Kezia + Damn Vandals + The Darwin Republic @ The Fleece, Bristol . All Events . 7 December 2012 . 21 February 2015.

    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Blue Aeroplanes".

    Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.