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The Legendary Pink Dots

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The Legendary Pink Dots
LPD vocalist Edward Ka-Spel on the piano and Niels van Hoorn at an 14 October 2007 show at the Stubnitz boat in Amsterdam
LPD vocalist Edward Ka-Spel on the piano and Niels van Hoorn at an 14 October 2007 show at the Stubnitz boat in Amsterdam
Background information
OriginLondon, UK
GenresAvant-garde rock
Experimental
Neo-psychedelia
Ambient
Post-punk
Industrial
Noise
Synthpop
Years active1980–present
LabelsBeta-lactam Ring Records
Terminal Kaleidoscope
Car Crash International
Flesh Eating Ants Records
InPhaze
PIAS
ROIR
Soleilmoon
MembersEdward Ka-Spel
Phil Knight
Erik Drost
Raymond Steeg
Past membersRyan Moore
Bob Pistoor
April White
Patrick Wright
Lilly Ak
"Macrobiotic" Bart
Marylou Busch
Rik Chevrolet
Tony Copier
Erik Drost
Sally Graves
Barry Gray
Vincent Hoedt
Ignit
Calyxx Ka-Spel
Lisa
Michael Marshall
Hans Meyer
Nienke
Elke Peucker
Jason Salmon
Mark Thrasher
Keith Thompson
Edwin von Trippenhof
Frank Verschuuren
Julia Niblock Waller
Patrick White
Graham Whitehead
Halekka Malaizhista
Martijn de Kleer
Niels van Hoorn
WebsiteLegendaryPinkDots.org

The Legendary Pink Dots (LPD) are an Anglo-Dutch experimental rock band formed in London in August 1980. 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.

Overview

The Legendary Pink Dots formed in August 1980 in London. In 1984 the band transplanted itself to Amsterdam which led to a shift in the original lineup, the original bassist Roland Callaway leaving at this time.

The core members of the group are vocalist/songwriter/keyboardist Edward Ka-Spel and keyboardist Phil Knight. Many others have passed through the group over the years. As of 2010 the group is composed of:

The story behind the band's 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, psych folk, synth-pop, 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;[1] the group also has links to the sounds of krautrock bands such as Can,[2] Faust, Brainticket, 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[disambiguation needed]

The Pink Dots also collaborated with Skinny Puppy's cEvin Key, forming a side project named The Tear Garden. Key also appears on 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 have influenced a wide range of bands, such as The Dresden Dolls, the Death Party, MGMT, Orbit Service, Skinny Puppy, Christus and the Cosmonaughts, The Circus of the Scars, Halbes Vakuum, Chanting Sheep, Golden Death Music, Un Festín Sagital, One for Jude, Hide n' Seek. and many others.

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

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:

  • Premonition: (song examples: "Premonition 13," "Premonition 11," "Premonition 12," "Premonition 5," "Premonition 18," "Premonition 2," "Premonition 3," "Premonition 8")
  • Lisa (song examples: "Lisa's Christening," "Lisa's Party," "Lisa's Funeral," "Lisa Goes Surfing," "Lisa's Separation")
    • 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."[3]
  • Tower (song examples: "Tower 5," "Tower 1," "Tower 6," "Tower 4," "Tower 2," "Tower 3")
  • Hotel (song examples: "Hotel Blanc," "Hotel Noir," "Hotel X," "Hotel Z")
  • 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
  • 834
  • Tarot divination

Discography

Albums

The Chemical Playschool series

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles and EPs

References

  1. ^ Mason, Stewart: "Your Children Placate You from Premature Graves", Allmusic.com review. Retrieved February 3, 2007.
  2. ^ Mason, James: "A Perfect Mystery", Allmusic.com review. Retrieved February 3, 2007.
  3. ^ Interview with Edward Ka-Spel , November 2007
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