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| File:Lampromo.gifLeft to right: Joe S, Sean Brennan, Tamlyn, Eddie Hawkins | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | California, United States |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Members | Sean Brennan Tamlyn Eddie Hawkins Joe S. |
| Past members | Douglas Avery Michael Areklett Janus |
London After Midnight (sometimes abreviated as, LAM) is a rock music project formed in the 1990s by frontman and instrumentalist Sean Brennan. The project continues on to the present day.
The group are considered by many as a prominent act of the second generation gothic rock movement, some critics have credited the band with reviving the Gothic music scene in the early 90s. One publication even stated; "This is the worlds biggest goth band who reactivated the whole genre".
London After Midnight has a following worldwide, with is largest fanbase in the goth subculture. However, in interviews LAM have shunned this label and others to describe their music, as "artistically limitating".
Ideology and Themes
Frontman Brennan is known for his support of animal rights, pro-environmental and human rights issues, anti-corporate control of media, and progressive, and liberal politics. Something he voices through London After Midnight internet outlets such as their official website.
The majority of the music released by London After Midnight so far follows personal, and emotional themes. Often romantic or sexual (see, "The Bondage Song" for an example of this). The lyrics are even sometimes presented with a sense of morbid wit - with songs like "Your Best Nightmare", an Edward Gorey-esque tale.
Since the late 1990s, London After Midnight have developed a hightened political focus, this however has yet to manifest itself largely into music released by the band as they have not released an album since 1998. Though they had shown small shades of it in the past, for example their 1991 track "Revenge" featured political elements, along with an Adolf Hitler introduction soundclip. (Politically, the track was not geared towards or sympathetic of nazism however).
Newer (and as yet unreleased) London After Midnight music, which they have played in concert, has a high level of political focus, with songs like "Feeling Fascist", "The Pain Looks Good on You", "America's a Fucking Disease", and others.
History
London After Midnight formed in Los Angeles, California during 1990, and played at several gothic rock/deathrock club's in the area. Debuting live at premier Los Angeles gothic rock club; "Helter Skelter".
During the earliest stages, London After Midnight had varying non-permanent live members who join Brennan when performing live. Tamlyn a keyboardist was an early reacurring member who played live and continues on to this day. It has been claimed by Brennan that such members do not contribute or play on recordings for London After Midnight This is not entirely true though as Tamlyn for example later wrote the song "Ice" for the group.
After garnering a fanbase aided by the release of a self-titled demo, the band released their debut album "Selected Scenes from the End of the World" in 1992. 1993 saw bassist Michael Areklett joined the line-up, like Tamlyn he continued to appear live as a reacurring member, rather than a guest. Around this perior, Douglas Avery a drummer and Eddie Hawkins became members also.
Touring
In their earliest days the band would play mainly on the west coast of the United States. Following the release of their debut LAM gradually expanded on their Californian fanbase; eventually travelling to Mexico in 1994 (something few alternative bands were doing at the time and eventually toured the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, South America and further in the United States.
Coinciding with the release of their follow up album "Psycho Magnet" in 1996, London After Midnight headlined the Whitby Gothic Weekend in England and other concerts. By this time, London After Midnight had began to mix the traditional elements of gothic rock which they played early on, implementing elements of darkwave and industrial rock (in appearence and music) which hit its peak in popularity during the mid to late 1990s. The band continued on in this style for the their third and latest album "Oddities" released in 1998, the album features a cover of a track from the movie Nightmare Before Christmas named "Sally's Song".
Around this time the band featured on the cover of many magazines and even played a co-headlining slot at Zillo summer festival, with The Cure. There were nearly 25,000 people in attendance. LAM has since toured the world extensively. London After Midnight has played dates with other popular bands such as Green Day, HIM (who have cited LAM as an influence ), Rammstein, Soft Cell, and others, headlining and co-headlining to crowds of over 30,000 in Latin America, the US and Europe.
Recent times
The last London After Midnight album of new material was released in 1998, Brennan has stated that a new, as yet untitled album is in the works, but after 8 years little has been released (only one song), frustrating some sections of their fanbase. It is planned for release in 2007. They have however, re-released all three of their previous albums in the 2000s, (which charted on the Deutsche Alternative Charts) adding previously unreleased bonus tracks.
Since leaving the band in 2005, original bassist Michael Areklett has continued with his alternative rock project named Covet, which he has created earlier in the 2000s. It was originally planned as a side-project, but after he left LAM it became a full-time project. Covet have claimed to feature songs written by Areklett which were offered up for use in London After Midnight, but for whatever reason were not recorded. (Something Brennan denies ) As of 2006, they have released one EP titled, "Angel".
In 2006 a new London After Midnight song was released on the "Saw II" motion picture soundtrack, it featured bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Skinny Puppy and others, it reached number one on the Deutsche Alternative Charts.
Members
- Sean Brennan - vocals, guitar
- Tamlyn - live keyboards
- Eddie Hawkins - live guitar
- Joe S. - live drums
Former Band Members
- Douglas Avery - live drums
- Michael Areklett - live bass
- Janus - live drums
Discography
- Does not include the various compilations which the band have appeared on.
Albums
- Revised CD released in 1995 in Europe, 1998 USA, and extended CD released in 2003 in Europe and Russian Federation.
- 1998 USA release and extended CD released in 2003 in Europe and Russian Federation.
- 1998 - Oddities
EPs
Single
- 1995 - Kiss
Videography
References
- Yahoo - Date Formed
- Dark Zone magazine - (Poland, Summer 1998)
- Dark Asylum magazine, issue 1, USA, 1995, page 16
- Dark Zone magazine (Poland, summer issue 1998, page 34
- Beauty Magazine - (USA, Autumn 2005)
- Your Best Nightmare
- Dark Entries magazine (Belgium 1999, page 10).
- LAM Last.fm
- Outburn magazine, USA, Autumn 1999, page 32
- Music Connection magazine, USA, January 2001, page 51
- Orkus Magazine - Germany, May 2003
- Official Covet - MySpace Bio
- Amazon.com - Saw II soundtrack