User:Jeremyminton/mourneblade
Mourneblade | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Years active | 1982–1989 and 2012-present |
| Members | Dunken F Mullett Stephen Loveday Garry “Magpie” Bowler Paul “Blacken” White |
| Website | www |
Mournblade are a heavy metal band, formed in 1982 and originating from London, England. The early incarnation falls into the category of Space Rock The latter incarnation is regarded as one of the last bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. The band is named after a sword from from Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné stories.
Early days, 1982-85
[edit]The band was formed in September 1982 by Dunken Mullett and Richie Jones. With similar interest in Science fiction writing and the music of bands like Hawkwind, The Pink Fairies and Motorhead they quickly started writing music together and within a few months Mournblade did their first gig on stage at the Ealing College student union hall.
The band’s early influences included the books of Michael Moorcock, very apparent in early material and theatrical live shows (at a book signing Moorcock officially gave Dunken and Richie permission to use the name “Mournblade”, a sword from one of his most famous books). At one stage the live show featured Mullet undertaking 14 costume changes as well as many props, notably a 2.5 metre wooden sword, a 1.5 metre high Victorian doll (“Victoria”), a decaying WWI soldiers mask, a devil suit (including a cape with a 3.5 metre wingspan) and a ‘space helmet’ made from a motorcycle crash helmet sprayed gold, covered in LED lights and a small laser.
The band gigged tirelessly around the UK promoting their first official release “Times Running Out”[1] (SHARP 030, Flicknife Records) performing over 400 gigs over the period of a few years and playing with everyone from Motorhead to Doctor and The Medics, Zodiac Mindwarp, Hazel O'Connor and The Enid. Mournblade were great supporters of the free festival circuit playing at the infamous Stonehenge Festival in 1984 and 1985 amongst many others.
1985-1989
[edit]In 1985 Jones left the band and this coincided with a decision to leave behind the theatrics and make‑up. The music and stage show became much rawer and stripped down and many people now refer to this era of the band as belonging to the latter part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement.
Now a 4 piece, the keyboards largely replaced by Paul “Blacken” White’s distorted 8‑string Rickenbacker bass sound the band went on to release their second album “Live Fast Die Young”[2] (GILP333 GI Records) and toured non‑stop in the UK and Europe (one UK toured featured 36 shows in 43 days, with the band all living and travelling in the same bus for the entire time), headlining at the London Hippodrome ( a show that was filmed and broadcast by MTV), The Marquee club, and touring around Europe. This gruelling touring schedule contributed to the band’s split late in 1989.
2012 (“The Resurrection”)
[edit]In 2012, motivated by fan requests, Mournblade reformed. With only 3 days rehearsal (mainly due to the fact that in 2005 singer and founder member Mullett emigrated to New Zealand) after a 24 year break, the band played The Heavy Metal Maniacs festival in Hoorn, Holland, a show captured in the documentary “Mournblade – The Resurrection”[3] directed by Henrieta Tornyai. The band went on to release two further albums “Live & Loud”[4] (live recordings from the rehearsals for the reunion show) and “Live in Holland”[5] a double DVD of the documentary and reunion show. The band have announced they are working on new material and plan to do a few shows in UK/Europe in 2014.
Members:
[edit]Current Members
[edit]Dunken F Mullett (LINK to my page!) - vocals, harmonica (1982 to present)
Stephen Loveday – Guitar (1985 to present)
[Garry Bowler|Garry “Magpie” Bowler] – Drums (1985 to present)
Paul “Blacken” White – bass/vocals (1985 to present)
Past Members
[edit]- Richie Jones – Guitar (1982-85)
- Aladdin Waz Jarrah – Drums (1982)
- Tim Boyd – Drums (1982)
- Nigel Tubbs – Drums (1983-84)
- Jeffrey Leon Ward – Drums (1984-85)
- Chris Jones – Drums (1985)
- Clive Baxter – Bass (1983-84)
- Richard Max Goddard – Bass (1984)
- Steve Ellis – Synthesizer (1983)
- Derek Jasnoch – Keyboards (1984-5)
- Peter Lazonby – Keyboards (1985)
Discography
[edit]Time’s Running Out (SHARP 030 Flicknife Records) 1985 mini LP [6]
Live Fast Die Young (GILP333 GI Records) 1989 LP [7]
Live & Loud 2012 Live LP [8]
Selling Your Ass (for the Big Time) 2012 Single
Video
[edit]Dirty White Leather, West White lace - live at Genetic Studios 1985 [9]
Mournblade – The Resurrection documentary (directed by Henrieta Tornyai) 2012 [10]