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{{Short description|American musical group}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Sun City Girls
| name = Sun City Girls
| Img =
| image =
| Img_capt =
| caption =
| Img_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels -->
| image_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels -->
| Background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| Origin = [[Phoenix, Arizona]], [[United States|USA]]
| origin = [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
| Genre = [[Experimental rock]], [[Free improvisation|free improv]], [[spoken word]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Experimental rock]]|[[avant-rock]]|[[free improvisation]]}}
| years_active = 1979–2007
| Years_active = 1979&ndash;2007
| Label = [[Placebo (label)|Placebo]]<br/>[[Majora (label)|Majora]]<br/>[[Eclipse Records]]<br/>[[Amarillo Records]]<br/>[[Abduction (album)|Abduction]]
| label = [[Placebo (label)|Placebo]], [[Majora (label)|Majora]], [[Nauscopy]], [[Eclipse Records|Eclipse]], [[Amarillo Records|Amarillo]], [[Abduction (album)|Abduction]]
| associated_acts =
| Associated_acts =
| Current_members = <!-- not currently active -->
| current_members = <!-- not currently active -->
| Past_members = <!-- as per Template:Infobox_musical_artist#Fields, listed by date of joining the band -->[[Alan Bishop]] <!--([[Bass Guitar]], [[Vocals]])--><br/>[[Richard Bishop (guitarist)|Richard Bishop]] <!--([[Guitar]], [[Pianoforte|Piano]])--><br/>[[Charles Gocher]] <!--([[Drum kit|Drums]]), [[Vocals]])-->
| past_members = <!-- as per Template:Infobox_musical_artist#Fields, listed by date of joining the band -->[[Alan Bishop]] <!--([[Bass Guitar]], [[Vocals]])--><br />[[Richard Bishop (guitarist)|Richard Bishop]] <!--([[Guitar]], [[Pianoforte|Piano]])--><br />[[Charles Gocher]] <!--([[Drum kit|Drums]]), [[Vocals]])-->
}}
}}
The '''Sun City Girls''' were a [[United States]] [[experimental rock]] [[band (music)|band]] formed in [[Phoenix, Arizona]] in 1979. The members were [[Alan Bishop]] ([[bass guitar]], [[Singing|vocals]]), his brother [[Richard Bishop (guitarist)|Richard Bishop]] ([[guitar]], [[piano]]), and the late [[Charles Gocher]] ([[Drum kit|drums]]). Their name was inspired by [[Sun City, Arizona]], an Arizona [[retirement community]]. Charles Gocher died after a long battle with cancer on February 19, 2007, bringing an end to the group.<ref>{{cite web | work = Article on [[Pitchfork Media]] | title= Sun City Girls' Charles Gocher, R.I.P. | url= http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/41296-sun-city-girls-charles-gocher-rip | accessdate = 30 October 2007}}</ref>


'''Sun City Girls''' was an American [[experimental rock]] band formed in 1979 in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. From 1981, the group consisted of [[Alan Bishop]] (bass guitar, vocals), his brother [[Richard Bishop (guitarist)|Richard Bishop]] (guitar, piano, vocals), and [[Charles Gocher]] (drums, vocals). Their name was inspired by [[Sun City, Arizona]], an Arizona [[retirement community]]. In 2007, Gocher died following a long battle with cancer, bringing an end to the group.<ref>{{cite web | work= Article on [[Pitchfork Media]] | title= Sun City Girls' Charles Gocher, R.I.P. | url= http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/41296-sun-city-girls-charles-gocher-rip | access-date= 30 October 2007 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071011040639/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/41296-sun-city-girls-charles-gocher-rip | archive-date= 11 October 2007 }}</ref> In a 26-year career, they produced 50 albums, 23 cassettes, 6 feature-length videos, and many other recordings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Masters|first=Marc|title=Underscore: Sun City Girls|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/underscore/8935-sun-city-girls/|work=Pitchfork|access-date=10 May 2013|date=September 11, 2012}}</ref>
They found little mainstream success, but they continue to inspire a devoted [[following]] and have recorded numerous critically acclaimed albums, released in small editions by labels like [[Placebo (label)|Placebo]], [[Majora (label)|Majora]], [[Eclipse Records]], [[Amarillo Records]], and their own [[Abduction (label)|Abduction]] Records. Their music was hugely varied, spreading across genres such as [[spoken word]], [[free improvisation]], jazz and [[rock music|rock]]. Their records typically incorporated lyrics that rely heavily on their interests in [[mysticism]], [[paranormal]] topics (especially [[UFO]]s), religious [[cult]]s and other [[esoterica]], often also manifested in their song titles, lyrics and album art. Performances by the group were often wildly unpredictable, sometimes verging on [[performance art]], with elaborate costumes, [[kabuki]]-inspired makeup, and the creation of a festive, ritualistic atmosphere with audience participation.


Operating in [[indie rock]] and underground music circles, Sun City Girls recorded numerous critically acclaimed albums, released in small editions by labels like Placebo, Majora, Eclipse Records, [[Amarillo Records]], and their own Abduction Records, and has garnered a devoted cult following. Their music was hugely eclectic and varied, spreading across genres such as [[spoken word]], [[free improvisation]], jazz and [[rock music|rock]], along with a recurring interest in [[world music]]. Their records typically incorporated lyrics that rely heavily on their interests in [[mysticism]], [[paranormal]] topics (especially [[UFO]]s), religious [[cult]]s and other [[Esotericism|esoterica]], often also manifested in their song titles, lyrics and album art. Performances by the group were often wildly unpredictable, sometimes verging on [[performance art]], with elaborate costumes, [[kabuki]]-inspired makeup, and the creation of a festive, ritualistic atmosphere with audience participation.
Critic Steve Leggett writes, "Throughout its history SCG has remained a challenging, unpredictable, and eclectic musical unit, operating outside the commercially driven aspirations of the mainstream recording industry, and the group has become somewhat of a beacon to independent musicians and artists everywhere."<ref>[http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll allmusic<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Writing in the ''[[Village Voice]]'', Ted Hendrickson argues, "They've never made any sense, conventionally speaking, and that's what makes them fun."<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0247,sotc,40004,22.html village voice > music > Sun City Girls at Knitting Factory; Funk Brothers at the Apollo Theater; Tulip Sweet and Her Trail of Tears at Pedro's Bar and Restaurant<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Critic Steve Leggett writes, "Throughout its history SCG has remained a challenging, unpredictable, and eclectic musical unit, operating outside the commercially driven aspirations of the mainstream recording industry, and the group has become somewhat of a beacon to independent musicians and artists everywhere."<ref>Steve Leggett, "[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sun-city-girls-mn0000579035/biography Biography for Sun City Girls]", ''allmusic.com''.</ref> Writing in the ''[[Village Voice]]'', Ted Hendrickson argues, "They've never made any sense, conventionally speaking, and that's what makes them them."<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0247,sotc,40004,22.html village voice > music > Sun City Girls at Knitting Factory; Funk Brothers at the Apollo Theater; Tulip Sweet and Her Trail of Tears at Pedro's Bar and Restaurant<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


==History==
==History==
As children in [[Michigan]], Richard and Alan Bishop took childhood musical inspiration from their grandfather, who was a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] [[oud]] player. According to Richard,<blockquote>His house also doubled as a meeting place for his fellow lodge members who were well versed in the Knights Templar doctrine and the Egyptian Rites of Memphis and Mithrais. They didn't buy into the "Christianization of Freemasonry" which took place at the "official" temples around town, so they met on their own on a regular basis. They still believed in the ways of the old country. There was a weird "Arabian Nights" type of magic in that house, both light and dark. My most vivid childhood dreams and experiences took place there and they were dark indeed. By the age of 10, I had an entire pantheon of different spirits catalogued in my head. But nothing about it was disturbing, it was just the way it was. It's very hard to relate what the atmosphere was all about unless one has experienced similar surroundings, but suffice it to say, I couldn't have asked for a better environment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/suncitygirlsinterview.html|title=Sun City Girls – Rick Bishop interview|website=www.furious.com|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref></blockquote>
Originating from the [[Arizona]] [[punk rock]] scene which included [[Meat Puppets]], [[JFA (band)|JFA]] and the [[The Feederz]], Sun City Girls quickly began to incorporate lengthy improvisations, [[beat poetry]], [[surf music]], [[jazz]], [[tape music]], and elements of [[South Asia]]n, [[South America]]n, [[Middle East]]ern and [[Africa]]n musics.
The band originated in the [[Arizona]] [[punk rock]] scene which included [[Meat Puppets]], [[JFA (band)|JFA]] and [[The Feederz]], Sun City Girls quickly began to incorporate lengthy improvisations, [[beat poetry]], [[surf music]], [[jazz]], [[tape music]], and elements of [[South Asia]]n, [[South America]]n, [[Middle East]]ern and [[Africa]]n music.


Until the late 1980s, most of the band's releases were issued on audio cassettes which gained legendary status among [[cassette culture]] enthusiasts. But a shift to the LP format had already begun with seminal records such as ''Sun City Girls'' (1984), ''Grotto of Miracles'' (1986), ''Torch of the Mystics'' (1990), ''Dawn of the Devi'' (1991), ''Bright Surroundings, Dark Beginnings'' (1993), and ''Kaliflower'' (1994). ''[[Dante's Disneyland Inferno]]'' and ''330,003 Crossdressers from Beyond the Rig Veda'', both double-CDs released in 1996, were perhaps the pinnacle of the band's aesthetic. Frequent SCG collaborators in recent years have included violinist [[Eyvind Kang]] and sound engineer Scott Colburn.
Until the late 1980s, most of the band's releases were issued on audio cassettes,<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=435}}</ref> which gained legendary status among [[cassette culture]] enthusiasts. But a shift to the LP format had already begun with seminal records such as ''[[Sun City Girls (album)|Sun City Girls]]'' (1984), ''[[Grotto of Miracles]]'' (1986), ''[[Torch of the Mystics]]'' (1990), ''[[Dawn of the Devi]]'' (1991), ''[[Bright Surroundings Dark Beginnings]]'' (1993), and ''[[Kaliflower]]'' (1994). ''[[Dante's Disneyland Inferno]]'' and ''[[330,003 Crossdressers From Beyond the Rig Veda]]'', both double-CDs released in 1996, were perhaps the pinnacle of the band's aesthetic. Frequent SCG collaborators included violinist [[Eyvind Kang]] and sound engineer Scott Colburn.


The Sun City Girls band remaining members {{As of|2008|alt=currently}} reside in [[Seattle, Washington]]. Alan Bishop heads the label [[Sublime Frequencies]]<ref>Kurt B. Reighley, "Alan Bishop", Seattle Metropolitan, December 2008, p. 63.</ref> and performs and releases records under the names [[Alvarius B]] and [[Uncle Jim (musician)|Uncle Jim]]. In the early 1980s, he was in the short-lived band [[Paris 1942]] with [[Maureen Tucker]] from the [[Velvet Underground]]. In 2005, he edited a compilation titled ''Crime and Dissonance'' of [[Ennio Morricone]]'s late 1960s and early 1970s soundtrack work. Rick Bishop performs as a solo guitarist under the name Sir Richard Bishop. Charles Gocher released a solo CD called ''[[Pint Sized Spartacus]]'' in 1997, and performed with a number of groups, including the Master Musicians of Bukkake, Tripod, and the New Session People.
{{As of|2008}}, the band's remaining members reside in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. Alan Bishop heads the label [[Sublime Frequencies]]<ref>Kurt B. Reighley, "Alan Bishop", Seattle Metropolitan, December 2008, p. 63.</ref> and performs and releases records under the names [[Alvarius B]] and Uncle Jim. In the early 1980s, he was in the short-lived band Paris 1942, with [[Maureen Tucker]] from the [[The Velvet Underground|Velvet Underground]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/> In 2005, he edited a compilation titled ''Crime and Dissonance'' of [[Ennio Morricone]]'s late 1960s and early 1970s soundtrack work. Rick Bishop performs as a solo guitarist under the name Sir Richard Bishop. Charles Gocher released a solo CD called ''Pint Sized Spartacus'' in 1997, and performed with a number of groups, including the Master Musicians of Bukkake, Tripod, and the New Session People.


After Gocher's death, Alan and Rick announced that they would no longer perform or record music using the Sun City Girls name. However, they do plan to release existing archival Sun City Girls recordings as time permits.
After Gocher's death, Alan and Rick Bishop announced that they would no longer perform, nor record music using the Sun City Girls name. However, they do plan to release existing archival Sun City Girls recordings as time permits.


==Discography==
==Discography==
Note: The cassettes released by Cloaven c. 1987-1990 are listed in the order they were released. The dates of the recording appear after the album title.
Note: The cassettes released by Cloaven c. 1987–1990 are listed in the order they were released. The dates of the recordings appear after the album titles.
{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}
'''Cassettes'''
;Studio albums
*''Midnight Cowboys from Ipanema'' CS (Breakfast Without Meat) 1986, LP/CD reissue (Amarillo Records) 1994
*''God is My Solar System 1982'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Sun City Girls (album)|Sun City Girls]]'' LP (Placebo) 1984
*''Superpower 1982-83'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Grotto of Miracles]]'' LP (Placebo) 1986
*''Hatchet Rain 1983'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Horse Cock Phepner]]'' (Placebo) LP/CS 1987
* ''[[Torch of the Mystics]]'' LP (Majora) 1990, CD reissue (Tupelo) 1993
*''Bleach Has Feelings, Too! 1983-85'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''To Cover Up Your Right To Live 1983-85'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Dawn of the Devi]]'' LP (Majora) 1991
* ''[[Valentines From Matahari]]'' LP (Majora) 1993, CD reissue (Majora) 1998
*''Def in Italy 1984'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Kaliflower]]'' CD/LP (Abduction) 1993
*''Folk Songs of The Rich and Evil 1985'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Jacks Creek (album)|Jacks Creek]]'' LP (Abduction) 1994
*''Fresh Kill of a Cape Hunting Dog 1985-86'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Dante's Disneyland Inferno]]'' 2-CD (Abduction) 1996, 3-LP reissue (Locust) 2002
*''Exotica on Five Dollars a Day 1986'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[330,003 Crossdressers From Beyond the Rig Veda]]'' 2-CD (Abduction) 1996, 3-LP reissue (Locust) 2001
*''Fruit of The Womb 1986'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Funeral Mariachi]]'' LP/CD (Abduction) 2010
*''Polite Deception 1986'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
;Soundtrack albums
*''Famous Asthma 1986-87'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Juggernaut (Sun City Girls album)|Juggernaut]]'' LP (Abduction) 1994
*''The Palm Leaves of Victory 1986-87'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''Cloaven Theatre #1 1987'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Piasa...Devourer of Men]]'' LP (Abduction) 1994
*''Cloaven Theatre #2 1987'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''[[Dulce (album)|Dulce]]'' LP (Abduction) 1998
* ''[[Mister Lonely#Soundtrack|Mister Lonely: Music From A Film By Harmony Korine]]'' with [[Jason Pierce|J. Spaceman]] LP/CD ([[Drag City (record label)|Drag City]]) 2008
*''Tibetan Jazz 666 1987'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
;Compilation albums
*''The Multiple Hallucinations of an Assassin 1987-88'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''[[Box of Chameleons]]'' 3-CD box (Abduction) 1997
*''Cloaven Theatre #3 1988'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''[[You're Never Alone With a Cigarette (Sun City Girls Singles Volume 1)|Singles Volume 1]]'' CD (Abduction) 2008
*''Audio Letter to Mitch Meyers 1988'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''[[Napoleon & Josephine (Sun City Girls Singles Volume 2)|Singles Volume 2]]'' CD (Abduction) 2009
*''That Old Western Sieve 1988'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''[[Eye Mohini (Sun City Girls Singles Volume 3)|Singles Volume 3]]'' CD (Abduction) 2013
*''Graverobbing in the Future 1988'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
;7-inch singles
*''Extra-Sensory Defection CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''And So The Dead Tongue Sang'' (Pulp) 1987
*''The Great North American Tricksters CS (Cloaven) 1990
* ''You're Never Alone With a Cigarette'' (Majora) 1990
*''Pelican 92'' CS (Abduction) 1993
* ''Three Fake Female Orgasms'' 2×7″ (Majora) 1991

* ''Let's Just Lounge'' (Majora) 1992
'''LP's/CD's'''
*''Sun City Girls'' LP (Placebo) 1984
* ''Napoleon and Josephine'' (Scratch) 1992
* Caroliner tribute (Nuf Sed) 1992 [split with [[Thinking Fellers Union Local 282]]]
*''Grotto of Miracles'' LP (Placebo) 1986
*''Horse Cock Phepner'' (Placebo) LP/CS 1987
* ''Eye Mohini'' (Majora) 1992
*''[[Torch of the Mystics]]'' LP (Majora) 1990, CD reissue (Tupelo) 1993
* ''Borungku Si Derita'' double 7-inch (Majora) 1993 [also issued as a single 7-inch]
* Live...For Chilly (bootleg) 1993
*''Dawn of the Devi'' LP (Majora) 1991
* ''Carl the Barber'' 2003 [split 7-inch with Carl Wellman]
*''Live from Planet Boomerang'' 2-LP (Majora) 1992
* ''Uncle Jim's True Confessions of Homeland Security'' (Empirical) 2003
*''Bright Surroundings, Dark Deginnings'' LP (Majora) 1993, CD reissue (Majora) 1998
{{col-2}}
*''Valentines from Matahari'' LP (Majora) 1993, CD reissue (Majora) 1998
; Live albums
*''Live at C.O.N. Artists'' LP (Poon Village) 1993
*''Kaliflower'' CD/LP (Abduction) 1993
* ''Live from Planet Boomerang'' 2-LP (Majora) 1992
*''Juggernaut'' LP (Abduction) 1994
* ''Live at C.O.N. Artists'' LP (Poon Village) 1993
* ''[[Bright Surroundings Dark Beginnings]]'' LP (Majora) 1993, CD reissue (Majora) 1998
*''Piasa...Devourer of Men'' LP (Abduction) 1994
* ''Live from the Land of the Rising Sun City Girls'' CD (Japan Overseas) 1997
*''Jacks Creek'' LP (Abduction) 1994
*''[[Dante's Disneyland Inferno]]'' 2-CD (Abduction) 1996, 3-LP reissue (Locust) 2002
* ''Cameo Demons and Their Manifestations'' CD (Abduction) 2000 – CFR vol. 1
*''Wah'' CD (Abduction) 2002
* ''The Dreamy Draw'' CD (Abduction) 2000 – CFR vol. 2
*''330,003 Crossdressers from Beyond the Rig Veda'' 2-CD (Abduction) 1996, 3-LP reissue (Locust) 2001
* ''Superculto'' CD (Abduction) 2000 – CFR vol. 3
*''Live from the Land of the Rising Sun City Girls'' CD (Japan Overseas) 1997
* ''A Bullet Through the Last Temple'' CD (Abduction) 2000 – CFR vol. 4
*''Box of Chameleons'' 3-CD box (Abduction) 1997
* ''Severed Finger With a Wedding Ring'' CD (Abduction) 2000 – CFR vol. 5
*''Dulce soundtrack'' LP (Abduction) 1998
* ''Sumatran Electric Chair'' CD (Abduction) 2001 – CFR vol. 6
*''Cameo Demons and Their Manifestations'' CD (Abduction) 2000 - CFR vol. 1
* ''Libyan Dream ''CD reissue (Abduction) 2001 – CFR vol. 7
*''The Dreamy Draw'' CD (Abduction) 2000 - CFR vol. 2
* ''The Handsome Stranger'' CD (Abduction) 2001 – CFR vol. 8
*''Superculto'' CD (Abduction) 2000 - CFR vol. 3
* ''High Asia/Lo Pacific'' 2-CD reissue (Abduction) 2001 – CFR vols. 9 & 10
*''A Bullet Through the Last Temple'' CD (Abduction) 2000 - CFR vol. 4
* ''Wah'' CD (Abduction) 2002
*''Severed Finger With a Wedding Ring'' CD (Abduction) 2000 - CFR vol. 5
* ''Flute and Mask'' CD (Abduction) 2002
* ''God is My Solar System/Superpower'' 2-LP reissue (Eclipse) 2003
*''Sumatran Electric Chair'' CD (Abduction) 2001 - CFR vol. 6
* ''Bleach Has Feelings, Too!/To Cover Up Your Right To Live'' 2-LP reissue (Eclipse) 2003
*''Libyan Dream ''CD reissue (Abduction) 2001 - CFR vol. 7
*''The Handsome Stranger'' CD (Abduction) 2001 - CFR vol. 8
* ''Carnival Folklore Resurrection Radio'' 2-CD (Abduction) 2004 – CFR vols. 11 & 12
*''High Asia/Lo Pacific'' 2-CD reissue (Abduction) 2001 - CFR vols. 9 & 10
* ''The Fresh Kill of a Cape Hunting Dog / Def In Italy'' 2-LP reissue (Eclipse) 2004
*''Flute and Mask'' CD (Abduction) 2002
* ''98.6 IS DEATH CD'' (Abduction) 2004 – CFR vol. 13
*''God is My Solar System/Superpower'' 2-LP reissue (Eclipse) 2003
* ''Folk Songs of the Rich and Evil / Exotica on $5 a Day 2-LP'' reissue (Eclipse) 2005
* ''Uncle Jim's Superstars of Greenwich Meantime'' LP (Black Velvet Fuckere Records) 2005
*''Bleach Has Feelings, Too!/To Cover Up Your Right To Live'' 2-LP reissue (Eclipse) 2003
*''Carnival Folklore Resurrection Radio'' 2-CD (Abduction) 2004 - CFR vols. 11 & 12
* ''Static from the Outside Set'' CD (Abduction) 2006 – CFR vol. 14
*''The Fresh Kill of a Cape Hunting Dog / Def In Italy'' 2-LP reissue (Eclipse) 2004
* ''Uncle Jim's Superstars of Greenwich Meantime'' CD reissue (Abduction) 2006
* ''Live Room'' CD ([[Three Lobed Recordings|Three Lobed]]) 2006
*''98.6 IS DEATH CD'' (Abduction) 2004 - CFR vol. 13
* ''Montreal Pop'' CD
*''Folk Songs of the Rich and Evil / Exotica on $5 a Day 2-LP'' reissue (Eclipse) 2005
* ''Djinn Funnel'' LP (Nashazphone) 2006
*''Uncle Jim's Superstars of Greenwich Meantime'' LP (Black Velvet Fuckere Records) 2005
*''Static from the Outside Set'' CD (Abduction) 2006 - CFR vol. 14
* ''Piano Bar'' LP (Ri Be Xibalba) 2006
* ''For Drummers Only'' LP (Ri Be Xibalba) 2006
*''Uncle Jim's Superstars of Greenwich Meantime'' CD reissue (Abduction) 2006
*''Live Room'' CD (Three Lobed) 2006
* ''Beginnings Dark'' LP (Enterruption) 2007
* ''Live at the Sky Church – September 3rd, 2004'' LP & DVD (Twenty One Eighty Two Recording Company) 2020
*''Montreal Pop'' CD
;Cassettes
*''Djinn Funnel'' LP (Nashazphone) 2006
* ''Midnight Cowboys from Ipanema'' CS (Breakfast Without Meat) 1986, LP/CD reissue (Amarillo Records) 1994
*''Piano Bar'' LP (Ri Be Xibalba) 2006
* ''God is My Solar System 1982'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''For Drummers Only'' LP (Ri Be Xibalba) 2006
*''Beginnings Dark'' LP (Enterruption) 2007
* ''Superpower 1982–83'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''Hatchet Rain 1983'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''[[Mister_Lonely#Soundtrack|Mister Lonely: Music From A Film By Harmony Korine]]'' with [[Jason Pierce|J. Spaceman]] LP/CD ([[Drag City (record label)|Drag City]]) 2008
* ''Bleach Has Feelings, Too! 1983–85'' CS (Cloaven) 1987

* ''To Cover Up Your Right To Live 1983–85'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
'''7-inch'''
*''And So The Dead Tongue Sang'' (Pulp) 1987
* ''Def in Italy 1984'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''You're Never Alone With a Cigarette'' (Majora) 1990
* ''Folk Songs of The Rich and Evil 1985'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''Fresh Kill of a Cape Hunting Dog 1985–86'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''Three Fake Female Orgasms'' 2x7" (Majora) 1991
* ''Exotica on Five Dollars a Day 1986'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''Let's Just Lounge'' (Majora) 1992
*''Napoleon and Josephine'' (Scratch) 1992
* ''Fruit of The Womb 1986'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''Polite Deception 1986'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*Caroliner tribute (Nuf Sed) 1992 [split with [[The Thinking Fellers Union Local 282]]]
*''Eye Mohini'' (Majora) 1992
* ''Famous Asthma 1986–87'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
* ''The Palm Leaves of Victory 1986–87'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''Borungku Si Derita'' double 7" (Majora) 1993 [also issued as a single 7"]
* ''Cloaven Theatre No.&nbsp;1 1987'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*Live...For Chilly (bootleg) 1993
* ''Cloaven Theatre No.&nbsp;2 1987'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''Carl the Barber'' 2003 [split 7" with Carl Wellman]
* ''Tibetan Jazz 666 1987'' CS (Cloaven) 1987
*''Uncle Jim's True Confessions of Homeland Security'' (Empirical) 2003
* ''The Multiple Hallucinations of an Assassin 1987–88'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''Cloaven Theatre No.&nbsp;3 1988'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''Audio Letter to Mitch Meyers 1988'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''That Old Western Sieve 1988'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''Graverobbing in the Future 1988'' CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''Extra-Sensory Defection CS (Cloaven) 1989
* ''[[The Great North American Tricksters]] CS (Cloaven) 1990
* ''Pelican 92'' CS (Abduction) 1993
{{col-end}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=sun_city_girls Trouser Press article on the Sun City Girls]
* [http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=sun_city_girls Trouser Press article on the Sun City Girls]
*[http://www.suncitygirls.com/ Sun City Girls Official Website]
* [http://www.suncitygirls.com/ Sun City Girls Official Website]
*[http://www.sweetpeareview.com/correspondence2.html Sweet Pea Review correspondence]
* [http://www.sweetpeareview.com/correspondence2.html ''Sweet Pea'' correspondence with Alan Bishop]
*[http://www.clubtransmediale.de/news/current-news/news/article/37/in-memoriam-sun-city-girls-charles-gocher.html In memoriam Charles Gocher]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090212152836/http://clubtransmediale.de/news/current-news/news/article/37/in-memoriam-sun-city-girls-charles-gocher.html In memoriam Charles Gocher]
*[http://www.clubtransmediale.de/news/current-news/news/article/37/new-ctm07-live-recordings-on-samuraifm.html last recording of Sun City Girl in Berlin at CTM-festival]
* [https://archive.today/20130206172109/http://www.clubtransmediale.de/news/current-news/news/article/37/new-ctm07-live-recordings-on-samuraifm.html last recording of Sun City Girl in Berlin at CTM-festival]


{{Sun City Girls}}
{{Sun City Girls}}


{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Girls, Sun City}}
[[Category:Psych folk musicians]]
[[Category:Experimental rock groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Phoenix, Arizona]]
[[Category:Drag City artists]]


[[Category:Rock music groups from Arizona]]
[[ja:サン・シティ・ガールズ]]
[[Category:American experimental rock groups]]
[[pl:Sun City Girls]]
[[Category:Masked musicians]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Phoenix, Arizona]]
[[Category:Drag City (record label) artists]]
[[Category:Cassette culture 1970s–1990s]]
[[Category:Locust Music artists]]
[[Category:Sibling musical groups]]

Latest revision as of 14:06, 30 November 2024

Sun City Girls
OriginPhoenix, Arizona
Genres
Years active1979–2007
LabelsPlacebo, Majora, Nauscopy, Eclipse, Amarillo, Abduction
Past membersAlan Bishop
Richard Bishop
Charles Gocher

Sun City Girls was an American experimental rock band formed in 1979 in Phoenix, Arizona. From 1981, the group consisted of Alan Bishop (bass guitar, vocals), his brother Richard Bishop (guitar, piano, vocals), and Charles Gocher (drums, vocals). Their name was inspired by Sun City, Arizona, an Arizona retirement community. In 2007, Gocher died following a long battle with cancer, bringing an end to the group.[1] In a 26-year career, they produced 50 albums, 23 cassettes, 6 feature-length videos, and many other recordings.[2]

Operating in indie rock and underground music circles, Sun City Girls recorded numerous critically acclaimed albums, released in small editions by labels like Placebo, Majora, Eclipse Records, Amarillo Records, and their own Abduction Records, and has garnered a devoted cult following. Their music was hugely eclectic and varied, spreading across genres such as spoken word, free improvisation, jazz and rock, along with a recurring interest in world music. Their records typically incorporated lyrics that rely heavily on their interests in mysticism, paranormal topics (especially UFOs), religious cults and other esoterica, often also manifested in their song titles, lyrics and album art. Performances by the group were often wildly unpredictable, sometimes verging on performance art, with elaborate costumes, kabuki-inspired makeup, and the creation of a festive, ritualistic atmosphere with audience participation.

Critic Steve Leggett writes, "Throughout its history SCG has remained a challenging, unpredictable, and eclectic musical unit, operating outside the commercially driven aspirations of the mainstream recording industry, and the group has become somewhat of a beacon to independent musicians and artists everywhere."[3] Writing in the Village Voice, Ted Hendrickson argues, "They've never made any sense, conventionally speaking, and that's what makes them them."[4]

History

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As children in Michigan, Richard and Alan Bishop took childhood musical inspiration from their grandfather, who was a Lebanese oud player. According to Richard,

His house also doubled as a meeting place for his fellow lodge members who were well versed in the Knights Templar doctrine and the Egyptian Rites of Memphis and Mithrais. They didn't buy into the "Christianization of Freemasonry" which took place at the "official" temples around town, so they met on their own on a regular basis. They still believed in the ways of the old country. There was a weird "Arabian Nights" type of magic in that house, both light and dark. My most vivid childhood dreams and experiences took place there and they were dark indeed. By the age of 10, I had an entire pantheon of different spirits catalogued in my head. But nothing about it was disturbing, it was just the way it was. It's very hard to relate what the atmosphere was all about unless one has experienced similar surroundings, but suffice it to say, I couldn't have asked for a better environment.[5]

The band originated in the Arizona punk rock scene which included Meat Puppets, JFA and The Feederz, Sun City Girls quickly began to incorporate lengthy improvisations, beat poetry, surf music, jazz, tape music, and elements of South Asian, South American, Middle Eastern and African music.

Until the late 1980s, most of the band's releases were issued on audio cassettes,[6] which gained legendary status among cassette culture enthusiasts. But a shift to the LP format had already begun with seminal records such as Sun City Girls (1984), Grotto of Miracles (1986), Torch of the Mystics (1990), Dawn of the Devi (1991), Bright Surroundings Dark Beginnings (1993), and Kaliflower (1994). Dante's Disneyland Inferno and 330,003 Crossdressers From Beyond the Rig Veda, both double-CDs released in 1996, were perhaps the pinnacle of the band's aesthetic. Frequent SCG collaborators included violinist Eyvind Kang and sound engineer Scott Colburn.

As of 2008, the band's remaining members reside in Seattle, Washington. Alan Bishop heads the label Sublime Frequencies[7] and performs and releases records under the names Alvarius B and Uncle Jim. In the early 1980s, he was in the short-lived band Paris 1942, with Maureen Tucker from the Velvet Underground.[6] In 2005, he edited a compilation titled Crime and Dissonance of Ennio Morricone's late 1960s and early 1970s soundtrack work. Rick Bishop performs as a solo guitarist under the name Sir Richard Bishop. Charles Gocher released a solo CD called Pint Sized Spartacus in 1997, and performed with a number of groups, including the Master Musicians of Bukkake, Tripod, and the New Session People.

After Gocher's death, Alan and Rick Bishop announced that they would no longer perform, nor record music using the Sun City Girls name. However, they do plan to release existing archival Sun City Girls recordings as time permits.

Discography

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Note: The cassettes released by Cloaven c. 1987–1990 are listed in the order they were released. The dates of the recordings appear after the album titles.

References

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  1. ^ "Sun City Girls' Charles Gocher, R.I.P." Article on Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
  2. ^ Masters, Marc (September 11, 2012). "Underscore: Sun City Girls". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  3. ^ Steve Leggett, "Biography for Sun City Girls", allmusic.com.
  4. ^ village voice > music > Sun City Girls at Knitting Factory; Funk Brothers at the Apollo Theater; Tulip Sweet and Her Trail of Tears at Pedro's Bar and Restaurant
  5. ^ "Sun City Girls – Rick Bishop interview". www.furious.com. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 435. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  7. ^ Kurt B. Reighley, "Alan Bishop", Seattle Metropolitan, December 2008, p. 63.
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