The June Brides

All Music Guide:

British indie pop cult favorites the June Brides were led by singer/guitarist Phil Wilson and guitarist Simon Beesley, London School of Economics classmates who first bonded over their mutual affection for punk. Formed on a lark for entry into a collegiate talent show, the original lineup (dubbed International Rescue) was completed by vocalist Jez Waller, bassist Andy (George) Johnston, and drummer Chris Nineham; after one rehearsal the group made their live debut, winning the battle of the bands competition and a few weeks later making their professional bow opening for the Higsons. Waller and Johnston soon exited, and with new bassist Adrian Carter, the five-piece was soon re-christened the June Brides; in 1983, the band acknowledged their influence to the Velvet Underground by adding a viola player, Frank Sweeney. By the following year, the Junies were a mainstay at Alan McGee's club the Living Room, and that summer signed to the Pink label to issue their debut single, "In the Rain," soon trailed by "Every Conversation." In 1985, the June Brides -- by now consisting of Wilson, Beesley, Carter, Sweeney, trumpeter Jon Hunter, and drummer Dave Bickley -- issued their first full-length LP, There Are Eight Million Stories; the group was briefly the darling of the U.K. music press, but plagued by financial difficulties they managed only one more EP, 1986's This Town, before dissolving. Wilson later recorded as a solo artist for McGee's famed Creation label before retiring from the music business; the June Brides momentarily reunited in 1995 in support of the retrospective For Better or Worse (1983-1986).

Wikipedia:

The June Brides are an English indie pop group, formed in London in 1983, by Phil Wilson and Simon Beesley of International Rescue. Influenced by Postcard-label bands such as Josef K and punk-era bands such as Buzzcocks, The Desperate Bicycles and The Television Personalities, their mix of guitar pop with viola and trumpet formed a blueprint for many of the indie pop bands that would follow.

History [edit]

After forming in June 1983, they first played live as a band in August that year, soon attracting the attention of future Creation Records boss Alan McGee who gave them several gigs at the now famous 'Living Room', but reputedly decided not to sign The June Brides to his new label as it would have been "too obvious". Two Joe Foster-produced 1984 singles on The Pink Label, "In The Rain" and "Every Conversation" saw The June Brides receive much attention and these two songs appeared frequently on compilation albums from that era. A year later, the mini-album There Are Eight Million Stories... appeared (produced by John O'Neill of That Petrol Emotion) and went straight to number one in the UK Indie Chart, staying there for a month. The album remained in the indie chart for 38 weeks. Disillusioned with Pink, the band moved to Marc Riley's In-Tape label for two further singles - "No Place Like Home" and "This Town" and in 1986 opened for The Smiths on their Irish tour dates. The June Brides were asked to contribute to the NME's C86 compilation but declined for fear of being pigeonholed. After losing confidence in In-Tape, they approached Go! Discs, who had offered them a deal the previous year, but with the band falling out of favour with critics and some of their early fans, Go! Discs were no longer interested. The band split in 1986, with singer Wilson embarking on a solo career on Creation Records.

In 2006, Sarandon paid tribute by naming their fourth 7" album The June Bride, which saw Phil Wilson guesting on vocals.

The band were also honoured in 2006 by a tribute album Still Unravished, released on Irish label yesboyicecream records, which featured covers by bands such as Manic Street Preachers, Television Personalities, The Tyde, Jeffrey Lewis & The Jasmine Minks. Dave Eggers and Everett True contributed liner notes for the album.

On 23 January 2009, Phil Wilson, Simon Beesley, Jon Hunter and Frank Sweeney reformed The June Brides for a one off show at The Others, Stoke Newington in London.

In June 2012, the band reformed and released its first new single in 23 years via Slumberland Records.