Creative Fractures

     I've posted recently elsewhere about how good things can come out of bands breaking up. To further encourage those who have recently found themselves in this position, here is a good example.

     One of the first acts I encountered on the East Anglian scene in the late nineties, was a dynamic young Indie band called Billion Dollar Brain. However there were clearly three distinct voices at work. So they were one to watch. Either they would forge a band identity or the talents on show would remain distinct.

     It wasn't too long before the separation took place.

     The artist currently known as Seymour Quigley found new collaborators and formed John Peel favourites Miss Black America. Often surprisingly described as punks, this was a ferociously articulate quality band, more reminiscent of an early U2 or Radiohead, and given an extra Edge by the recruitment of guitarist Gish to join the original trio. Signed to Integrity Records and growing in stature by the gig, they produced God Bless Miss Black America, one of the great undersold mysteries of the last decade.

     Touring and promoting this album and its three singles caused tensions which led to Seymour being left with no band and no label, but he wasted no time in recruiting the phase 2 line up, got on the road again, and found more support to record and release a decent second album, Terminal. There were further line up changes and the band carried on for a while, but I think it would be fair to say the potential of the early days was not fully realised.

     Subsequently the original three man line up got together as Ten City Nation, created a new sound and still play together. They were also joined by Gish for a 10 year GBMBA reunion gig in Brixton last October.

     Meanwhile, the second vocal and guitar Ben Miles, and drummer Bob Halliwell formed The Exiles, an edgy post britpop outfit who also became Peel favourites. Their scope for development was limited by employment obligations, and eventually they called it a day, but they were a real treat while they lasted.

     Currently the most interesting ex BDB artist is the third voice, bass player Laura Kidd. She packed her bags for London and gradually forged her own identity while also playing as a backing musician for higher profile acts. She is now clearly established as acclaimed video producer and artist She Makes War. She has just released her second glorious solo album Little Battles and her videos as seen on Youtube are highly recommended.

     A glance at her website www.shemakeswar.com also shows just how extensively she has been touring. This weekend she will be playing at the Eden Sessions and for those of us in Exmouth a guest slot at Martin Wellers Summer Sunday gig in Manor Gardens. Not to be missed.