Lush

Though they made their live debut at the Camden Falcon on 6 March 1988, little was heard of London, England-based Lush's serene pop qualities and full-bodied guitar sound until their mini-album Scar was issued in October 1989 on 4AD Records. It was a critically acclaimed debut, and red-haired Miki Berenyi (b. 18 March 1967, St Stephen's, London, England; vocals/guitar), Emma Anderson (b. 10 June 1967, Raynes Park, London, England; guitar/backing vocals), Steve Rippon (bass) and Christopher Acland (b. 7 September 1966, Lancaster, Lancashire, England, d. 17 October 1996; drums) found themselves topping the independent charts. Previously Anderson, a former DHSS clerical assistant, had been bass player for the Rover Girls, Berenyi had played with I-Goat, Fuhrer Five and the Lillies, while Acland had been a member of Infection, Panik, A Touch Of Hysteria, Poison In The Machine and others. Tours with the Darling Buds and Loop followed Lush's initial breakthrough, plus an appearance on BBC2's Snub TV and a John Peel radio session. The EP Mad Love, issued in February 1990, was less raw but soared to new heights with the help of producer Robin Guthrie from the Cocteau Twins. Lush's consistent coverage in the music press, not least for their perpetual appearances at pre/post-gig parties, made them one of the leading UK independent bands of the year; one that was taken up with tours in the UK and Europe and an appearance at the Glastonbury Festival. Another EP, Sweetness And Light, offered a further move towards a commercial pop sound and only narrowly missed the national charts. The three EPs were compiled, originally for the US market, on Gala. Much of 1991 was spent recording the long-awaited full debut album, during which time they also issued an EP, Black Spring (which included a cover version of Dennis Wilson's "Fallin' In Love'). When Spooky was finally released, many were disappointed, some insisting that Guthrie's production had swamped the band's sound. Nevertheless, the album reached the national Top 10 and number 1 in the UK independent chart. During the winter of 1991 the line-up changed when bass player Steve Rippon left amicably, to be replaced by Phil King (b. 29 April 1960, Chiswick, London, England). The critical reception that awaited 1994"s second album, Split, was fervent, with its cool guitar textures winning over many who had doubted their staying power. Berenyi and Anderson, dismissed in some quarters as "two pissheads from London", had dispelled not only that notion, but also that of them being a "typically glacial post-punk 4AD band", with a stunningly evocative collection of pop songs. Although Lovelife failed to a certain degree in putting Lush in the premier league of pop bands (as was touted) it did contain the engaging "Single Girl", an effortless classic pop song, and "500 (Shake Baby Shake)", a paean to the tiny Fiat car. Anderson stated to the New Musical Express: "I was sick of writing about bloody men, so I wrote about being in love with a car. They're more reliable than men". Acland took his own life in October 1996, and the band split-up the following year. Berenyi was reported to be writing solo material, King joined the Jesus And Mary Chain and Anderson formed Sing-Sing.