Jump to content

The Legendary Pink Dots: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Ryonik (talk | contribs)
26 edits
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(100 intermediate revisions by 62 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Anglo-Dutch rock band}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The Legendary Pink Dots
| background = group_or_band
| honorific_prefix =
| image = Tierecke LegendaryPinkDots.jpg
| name = The Legendary Pink Dots
| caption = LPD vocalist [[Edward Ka-Spel]] on the keyboard and [[Niels van Hoorn]] at an 14 October 2007 show at the Stubnitz boat in [[Amsterdam]]
| honorific_suffix =
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[London]], [[England|UK]]
| image = Legendary Pink Dots 2023.jpg
| image_upright =
|
| image_size =
| genre = [[Avant-garde rock]]<br>[[Experimental music|Experimental]]<br/>[[Neo-psychedelia]]<br/>[[Ambient music|Ambient]]<br/>[[Post-punk]]<br/>[[Industrial music|Industrial]]<br/>[[Noise music|Noise]]<br/>[[Synthpop]]<br/>[[Industrial rock]]<br/>[[Noise rock]]
| years_active = 1980–present
| landscape = yes
| alt =
|
| caption = The Legendary Pink Dots in 2022
| label = [[ROIR]]<br/>[[Beta-lactam Ring Records]]<br/>Terminal Kaleidoscope<br/>Car Crash International<br/>[[Flesh Eating Ants Records]]<br/>[[Soleilmoon]]<br/>[[Play It Again Sam (record label)|PIAS]]<br/>InPhaze |
| genre = {{Hlist|[[Experimental rock]]|[[psychedelic rock]]|[[post-punk]]|[[electronic music|electronic]]}}
| associated_acts = [[Mimir (band)|Mimir]]<br/>[[The Tear Garden]]
| occupation =
| website = [http://legendarypinkdots.org/ LegendaryPinkDots.org]
| instrument =
|
| years_active = 1980–present
| current_members = [[Edward Ka-Spel]]<br/>Phil Knight<br/>Erik Drost<br>Raymond Steeg
| label =
|
| spinoffs =
| past_members = [[Ryan Moore (Musician)|Ryan Moore]]<br/>[[Bob Pistoor]]<br/>April White<br/>Patrick Wright<br/>Lilly Ak<br/>"Macrobiotic" Bart<br/>Marylou Busch<br/>Rik Chevrolet<br/>Tony Copier<br/>Sally Graves<br/>Barry Gray<br/>Vincent Hoedt<br/>Calyxx Ka-Spel<br/>Lisa<br/>Michael Marshall<br/>Hans Meyer<br/>Nienke<br/>Elke Peucker<br/>Jason Salmon<br/>Mark Thrasher<br/>Keith Thompson<br/>Edwin von Trippenhof<br/>Frank Verschuuren<br/>Julia Niblock Waller<br/>Patrick White<br/>Graham Whitehead<br/>Halekka Malaizhista<br/>Martijn de Kleer<br/>Niels van Hoorn
| spinoff_of =
| current_members =
| past_members =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} or {{Official URL}} -->
| module =
| module2 =
| module3 =
}}
}}


'''The Legendary Pink Dots''' ('''LPD''') are an [[United Kingdom|Anglo]]-[[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[experimental rock]] band formed in [[London]] in August 1980.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Legendary Pink Dots - A 20 Year History (2000)|url=http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/publications/lpd-2000-history.php?site=lpd08|accessdate=6 October 2012|author=Edward Ka-Spel}}</ref> In 1984 the band transplanted itself to [[Amsterdam]]. The core members of the group are vocalist/songwriter/keyboardist [[Edward Ka-Spel]] and keyboardist Phil Knight. As of 2012, the group is composed of [[Edward Ka-Spel]] (vocals, keyboards, songwriter), [[Phil Knight (rock musician)|Phil Knight]] (a.k.a. The Silverman) (keyboards, electronics), [[Erik Drost]] (guitars) and Raymond Steeg (live sound engineer).<ref>{{cite web|title=About The Legendary Pink Dots|url=http://www.legendarypinkdots.org/about-the-band}}</ref>
'''The Legendary Pink Dots''' (aka '''LPD''') are an Anglo-Dutch [[experimental rock]] band formed in [[London]] in August 1980.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Legendary Pink Dots - A 20 Year History (2000)|url=http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/publications/lpd-2000-history.php?site=lpd08|access-date=6 October 2012|author=Edward Ka-Spel}}</ref> In 1984, the band moved to [[Amsterdam]], playing with rotating musicians and having, as core members, singer/songwriter/keyboardist [[Edward Ka-Spel]] and keyboardist Phil Knight.<ref>[https://www.discogs.com/artist/26205-The-Legendary-Pink-Dots] The Legendary Pink Dots at Discogs</ref> In 2022, founding member and synthesist Philip Knight retired from touring, and Randall Frazier (Orbit Service, A Star Too Far) joined the band on [[synth]]s, [[Sampling (music)|samples]] and [[electronics]]. While no official announcement has been made, Phil Knight is not included in post-2022 recording liner notes.


As of 2022, the group is composed of Edward Ka-Spel (vocals, keyboards, songwriter), Randall Frazier (keyboards, electronics), [[Erik Drost]] (guitars) and Joep Hendrikx (live electronics/devices).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legendarypinkdots.org/|title=The Legendary Pink Dots|website=Legendarypinkdots.org}}</ref>
Although far outside the mainstream (in terms of their music and career path), LPD have released more than 40 albums, have a devoted worldwide following, and tour frequently.

Their music has incorporated elements from [[neo-psychedelia]], [[ambient music]], [[electronic music]], [[tape music]], [[psychedelic folk]], [[synthpop]], [[post-punk]], [[progressive jazz]], [[noise music]], [[pop music]], [[goth rock]] and [[alternative rock]]. Although outside the mainstream (in terms of their [[avant-garde]] music and non-mainstream career path), LPD have released more than forty albums,<ref>[https://www.discogs.com/artist/26205-The-Legendary-Pink-Dots] The Legendary Pink Dots at Discogs</ref> have a devoted worldwide following, and tour frequently.


==Overview==
==Overview==
[[File:Castle Party 2007 TLPD p.jpg|thumb|The Legendary Pink Dots performing in 2007]]
The band was originally called '''One Day...'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Edward Ka-Spel (Option Magazine)|url=http://www.legendarypinkdots.org/interviews/1243-interview-with-edward-ka-spel-option-magazine|work=LPD Official Site|access-date=9 October 2012}}</ref> but subsequently changed the name to The Legendary Pink Dots. In the 1980s, the band released albums on Mirrordot and InPhaze; in 1985 they signed with [[PIAS Recordings|Play It Again Sam]] for the release of ''The Lovers''.<ref name="Bogdanov2001">{{cite book|last=Bogdanov|first=Vladimir|title=All Music Guide to Electronica: The Definitive Guide to Electronic Music|url=https://archive.org/details/allmusicguidetoe00vlad|url-access=registration|year=2001|publisher=Backbeat Books|isbn=9780879306281|pages=[https://archive.org/details/allmusicguidetoe00vlad/page/247 247]–48}}</ref> The line-up became stable by 1988, with Niels van Hoornblower (horns) and Bob Pistoor (guitar) joining for the band's 1988 US tour.<ref name="Larkinindie">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-579-4|page=160}}</ref> Pistoor died of cancer and his place was filled by Martijn de Kleer; drummer [[Ryan Moore (musician)|Ryan Moore]] completed the line-up live and in the studio. Their appeal has always been relatively small—a 1995 show in Mexico in front of 2,500 fans was described as "massive (by Dots' standards)".<ref name="Thompson2000"/> In 2004, Erik Drost replaced Martijn de Kleer on guitar, and the album The Whispering Wall was released.


Their music touches on elements of [[neo-psychedelia]], [[ambient music]], [[electronic music]], [[tape music]], [[psychedelic folk]], [[synthpop]], [[post-punk]], [[progressive rock|progressive]], [[jazz]], [[noise]], [[pop music|pop]], and [[goth rock]], with a distinctly [[experimental music|experimental]]/[[avant-garde]] bent; their sound has evolved over time and remains distinctive, making it difficult to place the group into a concise style or genre. The group's overall sound combined with Ka-Spel's distinct lyrics and singing have earned comparisons to [[Pink Floyd]] and [[Syd Barrett]];<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r836058|pure_url=yes}} Mason, Stewart: "Your Children Placate You from Premature Graves"], AllMusic review. Retrieved 3 February 2007.</ref> the group also has links to the sounds of krautrock bands such as [[Can (band)|Can]],<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r495708|pure_url=yes}} Mason, James: "A Perfect Mystery"], AllMusic review. Retrieved 3 February 2007.</ref> [[Faust (band)|Faust]], [[Brainticket]] and [[Neu!]] (whose "Super" they covered on the 1999 tribute album "A Homage to NEU!"), as well as the music of [[Magma (band)|Magma]].
The band was originally called "One Day..." <ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Edward Ka-Spel (Option Magazine)|url=http://www.legendarypinkdots.org/interviews/1243-interview-with-edward-ka-spel-option-magazine|work=LPD Official Site|accessdate=9 October 2012}}</ref> but subsequently changed the name to The Legendary Pink Dots. The story behind the name is a source of speculation because Edward has given multiple explanations behind its origins. The most plausible and common explanation traces back to the mysterious pink dots on certain keys of the band's main recording studio piano named "Osbert"; the dots that can be found at either end of the keys do not make any particular chord or scale pattern and the reason for them remains unknown to this day. The piano itself is still owned by one of the founding band members, April White, and can be found at her home recording studio in [[Chatteris]], Cambridgeshire.

Their music touches on elements of [[neo-psychedelia]], [[ambient music]], [[electronic music]], [[tape music]], [[Industrial music|industrial]], [[psych folk]], [[synth-pop]], [[post-punk]], [[progressive rock|progressive]], [[jazz]], [[noise]], [[pop music|pop]], and [[goth rock]], with a distinctly [[experimental music|experimental]]/[[avant-garde]] bent; their sound has evolved over time and remains distinctive, making it difficult to place the group into a concise style or genre. The group's overall sound combined with Ka-Spel's distinct lyrics and singing have earned comparisons to [[Pink Floyd]] and [[Syd Barrett]];<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r836058|pure_url=yes}} Mason, Stewart: "Your Children Placate You from Premature Graves"], Allmusic.com review. Retrieved February 3, 2007.</ref> the group also has links to the sounds of krautrock bands such as [[Can (band)|Can]],<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r495708|pure_url=yes}} Mason, James: "A Perfect Mystery"], Allmusic.com review. Retrieved February 3, 2007.</ref> [[Faust (band)|Faust]], [[Brainticket]], [[Magma (band)|Magma]] or [[Neu!]] (whose "Super" they covered on the 1999 tribute album "A Homage to NEU!"), as well, to some post-industrial`pioneers as [[Nurse With Wound]] and the neo-folk of [[Current 93]]. Edward Ka-Spel has said their musical influences range from the likes of [[Abba]] to [[Iannis Xenakis]].


==Related bands==
==Related bands==
The Pink Dots frequently collaborated with [[Skinny Puppy]]'s [[cEvin Key]], forming a [[side project]] named [[The Tear Garden]]. Key also played drums on several tracks of the 1994 LPD album ''9 Lives to Wonder''. Others groups related to present and past Pink Dots members are Strange Attractor, Mimir and Minizza.
The Pink Dots frequently collaborated with [[Skinny Puppy]]'s [[cEvin Key]], forming a side project named [[The Tear Garden]].<ref name="Thompson2000">{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Dave|title=Alternative Rock|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZHP-r9-eqdAC&pg=PA458|year=2000|publisher=Miller Freeman Books|isbn=9780879306076|pages=457–58}}</ref> Key played drums on several tracks of the 1994 LPD album ''9 Lives to Wonder''.


[[Ryan Moore (musician)|Ryan Moore]], who provided drums on studio and live performances for the Legendary Pink Dots, departed to work on his own musical outlet, the [[Twilight Circus Dub Sound System]]. He has found notable success with Twilight Circus in the [[Reggae]]/[[Dub music|Dub]] genre. He even wrote and produced new albums for grammy-award winning singer [[Michael Rose (singer)|Michael Rose]] of [[Black Uhuru]], and has worked with other notable Reggae figures such as [[Sly Dunbar]], half of one of the most influential partnerships in reggae music, [[Sly & Robbie]].
[[Ryan Moore (musician)|Ryan Moore]], who drummed on studio and live performances for the Legendary Pink Dots, left to work on his own musical outlet, the [[Twilight Circus Dub Sound System]]. He wrote and produced albums for [[Michael Rose (singer)|Michael Rose]] of [[Black Uhuru]], and has worked with other reggae figures such as [[Sly Dunbar]].


The Pink Dots have influenced a wide range of bands, such as [[The Dresden Dolls]] <ref>{{cite web|title=Amanda Palmer: "Thank God my best friend's a therapist"|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/aug/19/amanda-palmer-thank-god-therapist|work=The Guardian}}</ref>, the Death Party, [[MGMT]], Electric Caves, Orbit Service, [[Skinny Puppy]], Christus and the Cosmonaughts, The Circus of the Scars, Halbes Vakuum <ref>{{cite web|title=MMII: Halbes Vakuum at the Internet Archive|url=http://archive.org/details/HalbesVakuum-Mmii|work=archive.org|accessdate=9 October 2012}}</ref>, Chanting Sheep, Golden Death Music, Un Festín Sagital, [[One for Jude]], Hide n' Seek. and many others.
The Pink Dots have influenced a wide range of bands, such as [[The Dresden Dolls]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Amanda Palmer: "Thank God my best friend's a therapist"|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/aug/19/amanda-palmer-thank-god-therapist|work=The Guardian | location=London|first=Dorian|last=Lynskey|date=19 August 2012}}</ref> [[MGMT]], Orbit Service, and Skinny Puppy.

Raymond Steeg has also done live work, on the mixing desk for [[Hawkwind]] and [[Porcupine Tree]], during the 1990s.

In a private interview in 1987, the band stated that they had been influenced strongly by The Residents and Tuxedomoon.

==Recurring themes==
There are a number of concepts and words that recur in Pink Dots lyrics, many of which also appear in Edward Ka-Spel's solo works. Some of these include:
*[[Lisa (given name)|Lisa]] (song examples: "Lisa's Christening," "Lisa's Party," "Lisa's Funeral," "Lisa Goes Surfing," "Lisa's Separation")<!-- lisa -->
**Has been identified by Edward Ka-Spel as his "alter-ego trying to get a little attention. Tried to spare the world by killing her off a few times but she always bounces back."<ref>[http://www.postwave.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=703&Itemid=10&limit=1&limitstart=1 Interview with Edward Ka-Spel , November 2007]</ref>
*[[Tower]] (six songs on the album [[The Tower (Legendary Pink Dots album)|The Tower]], "Tower 8" on [[Island of Jewels]])
*[[Hotel]] (song examples: "Hotel Blanc," "Hotel Noir," "Hotel X," "Hotel Z")
*[[Blessed Virgin Mary|Our Lady]] (song examples: "Our Lady In Chambers," "Our Lady In Darkness," "Our Lady In Kharki," "Our Lady In Cervetori,")
*[[Apocalypse]] (song examples: "Apocalypse Then", "Apocalypse Soon")
*[[Gladiator]]
*[[China Doll]] (song examples: "Aa∆zhyd China Doll", "Dance Of The China Dolls")
*[[834 (number)|834]] "The new number of the Beast" <ref>{{cite web|title=The Legendary Pink Dots - History|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/lpd/bio.php|work=The Legendary Pink Dots at Brainwashed.com|accessdate=2 October 2012}}</ref> (song examples: "834", "Revolution 834") and other numbers: "It always changes. Sometimes it's 15, sometimes it's 834."<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with the Legendary Pink Dots by Christus|url=http://www.legendarypinkdots.org/interviews/1234-interview-with-the-legendary-pink-dots-by-christus|accessdate=8 October 2012}}</ref>
*[[Tarot divination]]
*[[Premonition]]: Songs with the title "Premonition" have been released by the Pink Dots throughout their career, with the first song appearing as early as 1982. They can be found on the following releases:
:Premonition 1: [[Premonition (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|Premoniton]]<br />
:Premonition 2: [[Premonition_(The_Legendary_Pink_Dots_album)|Premonition]]<br />
:Premonition 3: [[Apparition_(The_Legendary_Pink_Dots_album)|Apparition]]<br />
:Premonition 4: [[Brighter Now]]<br />
:Premonition 5: [[Prayer for Aradia]]<br />
:Premonition 6: [http://www.discogs.com/Legendary-Pink-Dots-Brighter-Now/release/2667285 Brighter Now] (Vinyl edition)<br />
:Premonition 7: [http://www.discogs.com/Legendary-Pink-Dots-Chemical-Playschool-Volumes-8-9/master/43169 Chemical Playschool 8+9]<br />
:Premonition 8: [[Prayer for Aradia]]<br />
:Premonition 9: [[Prayer for Aradia]]<br />
:Premonition 10: [http://www.discogs.com/Legendary-Pink-Dots-Chemical-Playschool-3-4/master/167850 Chemical Playschool 3 & 4]<br />
:Premonition 11: [http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/sd4.php?site=lpd08 Premonition 11 / Poesa E Suono] <br />
:Premonition 12: [[Stained Glass, Soma Fountains]] (originally appeared on a compilation called "QED")<br />
:Premonition 13: [http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/bias834.php?site=lpd08 The Legendary Pink Box]<br />
:Premonition 15: [http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/plonk16.php?site=lpd08 Crushed Mementos]<br />
:Premonition 16: [http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/bias30.php?site=lpd08 Curious Guy]<br />
:Premonitoin 18: [http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/mirror03.php?site=lpd08 Traumstadt 4]<br />
:Premonition 19: [[Chemical Playschool 10]]<br />
:Premonition 25: [[A Perfect Mystery]] (Vinyl edition)<br />
:Premonition 26: [http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/thukviii.php?site=lpd08 Synesthesia]<br />
:Premonition 28: [http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/thukviii.php?site=lpd08 Synesthesia]<br />
:Premonition 33: [[Poppy Variations]] (Vinyl edition)
:Premonition 34: [http://www.discogs.com/Legendary-Pink-Dots-The-Creature-That-Tasted-Sound/release/3457595 The Creature That Tasted Sound]<br />


==Discography==
==Discography==
:''Main article: [[The Legendary Pink Dots discography]]''
{{Main|The Legendary Pink Dots discography}}


===Albums===
;Studio Albums
* (1981) ''[[Only Dreaming]]''
* (1982) ''[[Brighter Now]]''
* (1983) ''[[Curse (Legendary Pink Dots album)|Curse]]''
* (1984) ''[[The Tower (Legendary Pink Dots album)|The Tower]]''
* (1985) ''[[The Lovers (album)|The Lovers]]''
* (1985) ''[[Asylum (Legendary Pink Dots album)|Asylum]]''
* (1986) ''[[Island of Jewels]]''
* (1988) ''[[Any Day Now (Legendary Pink Dots album)|Any Day Now]]''
* (1989) ''[[The Golden Age (Legendary Pink Dots album)|The Golden Age]]''
* (1990) ''[[Four Days]]''
* (1990) ''[[Crushed Velvet Apocalypse|The Crushed Velvet Apocalypse]]''
* (1991) ''[[The Maria Dimension]]''
* (1992) ''[[Shadow Weaver (album)|Shadow Weaver]]''
* (1993) ''[[Malachai|Malachai (Shadow Weaver Part 2)]]''
* (1994) ''[[Nine Lives to Wonder]]''
* (1995) ''[[From Here You'll Watch the World Go By]]''
* (1997) ''[[Hallway of the Gods]]''
* (1998) ''[[Nemesis Online]]''
* (2000) ''[[A Perfect Mystery]]''
* (2002) ''[[All the King's Horses (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|All the King's Horses]]''
* (2002) ''[[All the King's Men (album)|All the King's Men]]''
* (2004) ''[[The Whispering Wall (album)|The Whispering Wall]]''
* (2004) ''[[Poppy Variations]]''
* (2006) ''[[Alchemical Playschool]]''
* (2006) ''[[Your Children Placate You from Premature Graves]]''
* (2008) ''[[Plutonium Blonde]]''
* (2010) ''[[Seconds Late for the Brighton Line]]''
* (2012) ''[[The Creature That Tasted Sound]]''


{{col div}}
===The Chemical Playschool series===
* ''Only Dreaming'' (1981)
* (1981) ''[[Chemical Playschool 1+2]]''
* ''Kleine Krieg'' (1981)
* (1983) ''[[Chemical Playschool 3+4]]''
* (1995) ''[[Chemical Playschool 8+9]]''
* ''[[Brighter Now]]'' (1982)
* ''Atomic Roses'' (1982)
* (1997) ''[[Chemical Playschool 10]]''
* ''Premonition'' (1982)
* (2001) ''[[Chemical Playschool 11+12+13]]''
* ''Apparition'' (1982)
* (2002) ''[[Synesthesia (Legendary Pink Dots album)|Synesthesia]]'' (companion release to CP 11+12+13)
* ''[[Basilisk (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|Basilisk]]'' (1982)

* ''Chemical Playschool 3 & 4'' (1983)
===Live albums===
* (1988) ''[[Dot-to-Dot (album)|Dot-to-Dot]]''
* ''[[Curse (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|Curse]]'' (1983)
* (1989) ''[[Live in Dallas - April 20, 1989]]'' (VHS)
* ''[[The Tower (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|The Tower]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Asylum (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|Asylum]]'' (1985)
* (1991) ''[[Live at Centralino, 15.2.1987, Torino, Italy]]''
* ''Prayer For Aradia'' (1985)
* (1997) ''[[Live '85-'88]]''
* (1997) ''[[Live 89]]''
* ''[[Island of Jewels]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Any Day Now (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|Any Day Now]]'' (1988)
* (1998) ''[[Live at La Luna]]'' (VHS/DVD)
* (1999) ''[[Live at the Metro (Legendary Pink Dots album)|Live at the Metro]]''
* ''[[The Golden Age (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|The Golden Age]]'' (1989)
* ''Four Days'' (1990)
* (2000) ''[[Farewell, Milky Way (album)|Farewell, Milky Way]]''
* (2003) ''[[Live in Hildesheim 1991]]''
* ''[[Crushed Velvet Apocalypse]]'' (1990)
* (2005) ''[[Live in Montpellier]]''
* ''[[The Maria Dimension]]'' (1991)
* (2005) ''[[A Dream is a Dream is a Dream]]'' (DVD)
* ''[[Shadow Weaver (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|Shadow Weaver]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Malachai (album)|Malachai (Shadow Weaver Part 2)]]'' (1992)
* (2007) ''[[Key Club, West Hollywood, Los Angeles 14/11/2002]]'' (DVD)
* ''9 Lives to Wonder'' (1994)
* (2007) ''[[Live at Café de la Danse, Paris, 20 December 2007]]''
* ''[[From Here You'll Watch the World Go By]]'' (1995)
* (2009) ''[[Human_Radio_(LPD_album)|Human Radio]]'' (Live at Café Desmet)
* (2009) ''[[Maria Dimension Tour 1991]]'' (DVD)
* ''[[Hallway of the Gods]]'' (1997)
* (2010) ''[[The French Collection]]''
* ''[[Nemesis Online]]'' (1998)
* (2011) ''[[Paris in The Fall]]'' (DVD)
* ''[[A Perfect Mystery]]'' (2000)
* ''[[All the King's Horses (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|All the King's Horses]]'' (2002)

* ''[[All the King's Men (album)|All the King's Men]]'' (2002)
===Compilation albums===
* ''Poppy Variations'' (2004)
* (1981) ''[[Kleine Krieg]]''
* (1981) ''[[Dots on the Eyes]]''
* ''[[The Whispering Wall]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Your Children Placate You from Premature Graves]]'' (2006)
* (1985) ''[[Prayer for Aradia]]''
* ''[[Alchemical Playschool]]'' (2006)
* (1988) ''[[Stone Circles (album)|Stone Circles]]''
* (1988) ''[[Traumstadt 1]]''
* ''[[Plutonium Blonde]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Seconds Late for the Brighton Line]]'' (2010)
* (1988) ''[[Traumstadt 2]]''
* ''The Creature That Tasted Sound'' (2012)
* (1988) ''[[Traumstadt 3]]''
* ''Taos Hum'' (2013)
* (1988) ''[[Traumstadt 4]]''
* (1989) ''[[Traumstadt 5]]''
* ''[[The Gethsemane Option]]'' (2013)
* ''Code Noir'' (2013)
* (1989) ''[[The Legendary Pink Box]]''
* ''The Curse of Marie Antoinette'' (2013)
* (1991) ''[[Greetings 9+Premonition 11]]/[[It's Raining in Heaven]]'' (1991/1996)
* ''10<sup>9</sup>'' (2014)
* (1996) ''[[Canta Mientras Puedas]]''
* ''The Seismic Bleats Of Quantum Sheep'' (2015)
* (1996) ''[[Lullabies for the New Dark Ages: The First Four Albums]]''
* ''Five Days'' (2015)
* (1997) ''[[Ancient Daze]]''
* ''5 Days Instrumentals'' (2015)
* (1997) ''[[Under Triple Moons]]''
* ''Pages Of Aquarius'' (2016)
* (1997) ''[[Stained Glass, Soma Fountains]]''
* ''8118'' (2018)
* (1999) ''[[Poi Poka Mozhesh]]''
* ''Angel in the Detail'' (2019)
* (2000) ''[[A Guide to the Legendary Pink Dots Vol. 1: The Best Ballads]]''
* ''The Museum Of Human Happiness'' (2022)
* (2002) ''[[El Kaleidoscopio Terminal]]''
* ''The 13th Step'' (2022)
* (2003) ''[[I Did Not Inhale]]''
{{col div end}}
* (2003) ''[[A Guide to the Legendary Pink Dots Vol. 2: Psychedelic Classics and Rarities]]''
* (2004) ''[[Singe Wahrend du Bist]]''
* (2004) ''[[Crushed Mementos]]''
* (2007) ''[[The Legendary Pink Dots (compilation)|The Legendary Pink Dots]]''
* (2009) ''[[The Maria Sessions]]''
* (2009) ''[[Any Day Now - The Secrets]]''
* (2011) ''[[All The King's Sessions]]''

===Singles and EPs===
* (1982) ''[[Atomic Roses]]''
* (1982) ''[[Premonition (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|Premonition]]''
* (1982) ''[[Apparition (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|Apparition]]''
* (1982) ''[[Basilisk (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|Basilisk]]''
* (1984) ''[[Faces in the Fire]]''
* (1984) ''[[The Lovers (The Legendary Pink Dots album)|The Lovers]]''
* (1986) ''[[Curious Guy]]''
* (1988) ''[[Under Glass]]''
* (1990) ''[[Princess Coldheart]]''
* (1996) ''[[Remember Me This Way (EP)|Remember Me This Way]]''
* (1997) ''[[Sterre]]''
* (1998) ''[[Pre-Millenial Single]]''
* (2006) ''[[Legacy (The Legendary Pink Dots song)|Legacy]]''


==References==
==References==
Line 185: Line 107:
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://legendarypinkdots.org/ LegendaryPinkDots.org] - Official LPD Online Centraa<!--AA,SIC-->l: news, discography, etc.
* [http://legendarypinkdots.org/ LegendaryPinkDots.org] - Official LPD Online Centraa<!--AA,SIC-->l: news, discography, etc.
* [http://legendarypinkdots1.bandcamp.com/ The Legendary Pink Dots' Bandcamp page] - Featuring a large proportion of their discography, including download-only albums and recent remasters.
* [http://cloud-zero.org Cloud-Zero.org<!--EMBEDS brainwashed.com/lpd/-->] – Archives and information from the Cloud-Zero mailing list members and Brainwashed

* [http://www.terminalkaleidoscope.com/ Terminal Kaleidoscope.com] – official mail-order service for LPD
{{The Legendary Pink Dots|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Legendary Pink Dots, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Legendary Pink Dots, The}}
[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:British neo-psychedelia groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from London]]
[[Category:English gothic rock groups]]
[[Category:British post-punk music groups]]
[[Category:English experimental rock groups]]
[[Category:Synthpop groups]]
[[Category:English post-punk music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1980]]
[[Category:Rock music groups from London]]
[[Category:English psychedelic rock music groups]]
[[Category:Soleilmoon artists]]
[[Category:Soleilmoon artists]]
[[Category:Gothic rock groups]]
[[Category:Third Mind Records artists]]
[[Category:Psychedelic folk groups]]
[[Category:In Phaze Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1980]]
[[Category:Cassette culture 1970s–1990s]]
[[Category:British experimental musical groups]]

[[cs:The Legendary Pink Dots]]
[[de:The Legendary Pink Dots]]
[[fr:The Legendary Pink Dots]]
[[nl:The Legendary Pink Dots]]
[[pl:The Legendary Pink Dots]]
[[ru:The Legendary Pink Dots]]
[[sk:The Legendary Pink Dots]]
[[fi:The Legendary Pink Dots]]
[[sv:The Legendary Pink Dots]]

Latest revision as of 22:27, 9 January 2025

The Legendary Pink Dots
The Legendary Pink Dots in 2022
Background information
Genres
Years active1980–present

The Legendary Pink Dots (aka LPD) are an Anglo-Dutch experimental rock band formed in London in August 1980.[1] In 1984, the band moved to Amsterdam, playing with rotating musicians and having, as core members, singer/songwriter/keyboardist Edward Ka-Spel and keyboardist Phil Knight.[2] In 2022, founding member and synthesist Philip Knight retired from touring, and Randall Frazier (Orbit Service, A Star Too Far) joined the band on synths, samples and electronics. While no official announcement has been made, Phil Knight is not included in post-2022 recording liner notes.

As of 2022, the group is composed of Edward Ka-Spel (vocals, keyboards, songwriter), Randall Frazier (keyboards, electronics), Erik Drost (guitars) and Joep Hendrikx (live electronics/devices).[3]

Their music has incorporated elements from neo-psychedelia, ambient music, electronic music, tape music, psychedelic folk, synthpop, post-punk, progressive jazz, noise music, pop music, goth rock and alternative rock. Although outside the mainstream (in terms of their avant-garde music and non-mainstream career path), LPD have released more than forty albums,[4] have a devoted worldwide following, and tour frequently.

Overview

[edit]
The Legendary Pink Dots performing in 2007

The band was originally called One Day...[5] but subsequently changed the name to The Legendary Pink Dots. In the 1980s, the band released albums on Mirrordot and InPhaze; in 1985 they signed with Play It Again Sam for the release of The Lovers.[6] The line-up became stable by 1988, with Niels van Hoornblower (horns) and Bob Pistoor (guitar) joining for the band's 1988 US tour.[7] Pistoor died of cancer and his place was filled by Martijn de Kleer; drummer Ryan Moore completed the line-up live and in the studio. Their appeal has always been relatively small—a 1995 show in Mexico in front of 2,500 fans was described as "massive (by Dots' standards)".[8] In 2004, Erik Drost replaced Martijn de Kleer on guitar, and the album The Whispering Wall was released.

Their music touches on elements of neo-psychedelia, ambient music, electronic music, tape music, psychedelic folk, synthpop, post-punk, progressive, jazz, noise, pop, and goth rock, with a distinctly experimental/avant-garde bent; their sound has evolved over time and remains distinctive, making it difficult to place the group into a concise style or genre. The group's overall sound combined with Ka-Spel's distinct lyrics and singing have earned comparisons to Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett;[9] the group also has links to the sounds of krautrock bands such as Can,[10] Faust, Brainticket and Neu! (whose "Super" they covered on the 1999 tribute album "A Homage to NEU!"), as well as the music of Magma.

[edit]

The Pink Dots frequently collaborated with Skinny Puppy's cEvin Key, forming a side project named The Tear Garden.[8] Key played drums on several tracks of the 1994 LPD album 9 Lives to Wonder.

Ryan Moore, who drummed on studio and live performances for the Legendary Pink Dots, left to work on his own musical outlet, the Twilight Circus Dub Sound System. He wrote and produced albums for Michael Rose of Black Uhuru, and has worked with other reggae figures such as Sly Dunbar.

The Pink Dots have influenced a wide range of bands, such as The Dresden Dolls,[11] MGMT, Orbit Service, and Skinny Puppy.

Discography

[edit]
Main article: The Legendary Pink Dots discography
Studio Albums

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Edward Ka-Spel. "The Legendary Pink Dots - A 20 Year History (2000)". Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  2. ^ [1] The Legendary Pink Dots at Discogs
  3. ^ "The Legendary Pink Dots". Legendarypinkdots.org.
  4. ^ [2] The Legendary Pink Dots at Discogs
  5. ^ "Interview with Edward Ka-Spel (Option Magazine)". LPD Official Site. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  6. ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir (2001). All Music Guide to Electronica: The Definitive Guide to Electronic Music. Backbeat Books. pp. 247–48. ISBN 9780879306281.
  7. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 160. ISBN 0-85112-579-4.
  8. ^ a b Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Miller Freeman Books. pp. 457–58. ISBN 9780879306076.
  9. ^ Mason, Stewart: "Your Children Placate You from Premature Graves", AllMusic review. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
  10. ^ Mason, James: "A Perfect Mystery", AllMusic review. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
  11. ^ Lynskey, Dorian (19 August 2012). "Amanda Palmer: "Thank God my best friend's a therapist"". The Guardian. London.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=The_Legendary_Pink_Dots&oldid=1268461202"