SYMPTOM - their evolution over the years
Does anyone remember anything at all about a UK band called SYMPTOM who started around the early 90s?
There were several of them at the time playing a weird amalgum of heavy prog rock and roots reggae style of music that could best be described as Pink Floyd meets Bad Brains. Some of it was really amazing with only rare 'live' bootleg recordings being passed around us loyal fans.
In 95 they changed tack and simplified their sound to a mainly heavy rock base of only 4 guys playing drums and wires. Many didn't like the change and kept talking about the old SYMPTOM, I personally thought they sounded leaner and meaner. And I could see why it worked because in 96-97 they had their first 'big' break when Kerrang and the NME back then began writing that they were the best new 'live' band around, and in the autumn of 97 they signed to Total/BMG who released an unusual unproduced debut of 10 'Live' recordings. Yet the tracks were so blisteringly powerful and raw, it was just so fresh to hear 'live' recorded energy that way among the overpolished & overproduced dross at that time. That little limited edition album of theirs got great acclaim from music journals around the world.
The following year of 98 they went into a studio proper and recorded their 2nd album 'I Believe In You' with their chosen engineer, friend and fan Rik Peet (of Charlatans & Wildhearts fame) and planned to release it in the follwing spring of 99. But alas as often happens, they sadly broke-up and the album shelved and not released.
However, GOOD NEWS!!!
A UK independent label manager David Begg of Holier Than Thou records got to hear the studio album, loved it and wanted to release it. So the band got together again in 2007 with a new drummer to start practicing some of the songs in readyness for gigs the following year to promote the final release of their long awaited (11 years) album. They are also working on new material for their 3rd album project, which is more quirky, a sort of Talking Heads meets experimental Bowie art-rock now which is really exciting - 6 new songs so far which I've only heard them perform on 2 recent gigs.
The album 'I Believe In You' by SYMPTOM is out on CD NOW !
A beautifully packaged CD in striking blood red and black is out now and contains full history, pictures, song-words booklet and special bonus 'live' track. A must have for all lovers of great rock music.
Those of you who fell in love with their music and live performances back in the 90s will know what I mean. Their songs are so powerful and often so moving that they stay with you for the rest of your life. And for those of you who haven't yet tasted their stuff, well, don't miss out on them again this time round.
Check them out... http://www.symptommusic.co.uk/ -
Those of you who are SYMPTOM fans and those of you who become SYMPTOM fans, please stay in touch with me to discuss their songs and journeys out to see their live gigs.
SYMPTOM gigs (rare & not to be missed)...
Fri 30 May - HAYMAKERS Cambridge
Sat 31 May - LORD PROTECTOR Huntingdon
Sat 14 June - U.L.U. London - 'Band Republic' presents SYMPTOM + support bands in ULUs Duck & Dive Bar.
All the best
Robinahood (longtime fan and friend of Symptom)
Tickets for the Univerity of London Union gig on 14 June PS- I will be receiving some 'special pass entry' tickets 20 in total, usually reserved for press and media, of which I will only use 7, so will have 13 spare. If anyone is interested then please post me a letter stating if you require 1 or 2(max) and enclose a stamped, addressed, envelope for me to send them to you.
------------- mad scientist biker rocker
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