The Sea Nymphs (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from )
This article is about the band. For their eponymous album, see The Sea Nymphs (album). For other uses, see Sea nymph.

The Sea Nymphs
Also known asMr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake
OriginKingston upon Thames, England
Genres
Years active
  • 1984
  • 1991–2008
  • 2015–present
Labels
  • Alphabet Business Concern
  • All My Eye and Betty Martin Music
Associated acts
Members
Past membersTim Smith

The Sea Nymphs are an English psychedelic folk band formed in Kingston upon Thames in 1984. The group, whose studio line-up comprised Tim Smith, Sarah Smith (surname changed from Cutts and later to Jones)[6] and William D. Drake, are commonly regarded as the quieter side to the parent band Cardiacs.[7] The members were integral to the 1980s sound of the band and their music's recognition in punk and goth circles.[8][9] Rooted in folk and chamber music, their sound is much lighter than that of their parent outfit. The songs dispense with the use of loud guitars and drums, in favour of differing vocal rhythms, keyboards and brass instruments. However, the music still contains Cardiacs' trademark off-the-wall chord progressions and sudden time changes, albeit in a slightly gentler fashion.

By 1991, the Sea Nymphs had named their group after reuniting. They soon made their single debut with "Appealing to Venus" (1991). From 1992 onwards, they produced records of a different musical style, including the albums The Sea Nymphs (originally called "Tree Tops High", 1992) and On the Dry Land (2016). In 1984, they signed with the newly created Alphabet Business Concern, a record label that continues to oversee projects related to Cardiacs' legacy. All members have released material as solo artists. Tim Smith suffered a cardiac arrest in 2008, limiting his mobility and temporarily causing the group to go on hiatus before returning to the studio in 2015. Smith died of a heart attack in 2020. Drake remains musically active,[10] whilst Jones pursues a career in painting and sculpture.[11]

History[]

1980–1985: Cardiacs and early years[]

Their first official release was not credited as being by The Sea Nymphs, as the members were yet to come up with the name, and was simply named Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake.

1990–1995: Remaming and Cardiacs separations[]

The first release under the official name was the "Appealing to Venus" single in 1991, which came free with the first 500 copies of "Day Is Gone" by Cardiacs and was also sold through the fan club. In 1992, they released their eponymous album (originally referred to as Tree Tops High) on cassette, available only through the Cardiacs fanclub. It was eventually released commercially on CD in 1995.

1995–2008: Reissues and radio sessions[]

ORG Records released a collection of material in 1998. This was the Appealing To Venus EP, which contained the title track from the previous 7", material from the Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake era and a surprise in the form of "Hymn", a Cardiacs song recorded at the 1984 Stonehenge Free Festival. Also in 1998, on 4 October, John Peel invited them on to BBC Radio 1 to record a Peel Session.[12] They recorded the tracks Sea Snake Beware, Eating A Heart Out, Lily White's Party and The Sea Ritual.

At live performances Jon Poole often featured instead of William D. Drake.

In 2007, All My Eye and Betty Martin Music[13] re-released the Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake album onto CD.

On 4 May 2009, the Peel session was re-broadcast as a Classic Session on BBC 6 Music.

2015–present: Reunion and On the Dry Land[]

A second album, On the Dry Land, was recorded around the same time as their debut in the 1990s but remained unreleased until November 2016. Several rough tracks, some bearing different titles, had floated around file sharing spheres in the years leading up to release. Having recovered sufficiently enough from his 2008 heart attack and stroke,[14] Tim Smith was able to return to his studio to complete the album between 2015-2016.[15] In an interview, Smith revealed further unreleased Sea Nymphs material is set to see the light of day following On the Dry Land's completion. Smith also stated he was "deeply touched" at the efforts made to help him recover from his accident (such as the release of the Cardiacs tribute album, Leader of the Starry Skies, in which all sales of the album directly funded Smith's rehabilitation), and had made a "pledge to [him]self to get better".[16]

A further interview was conducted with Prog magazine with all three Sea Nymphs members, discussing Tim's health, the creation of On the Dry Land, and the band's history.[1]

Discography[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Drake, William D. (4 December 2016). "Prog magazine says…". Williamddrake.wordpress.com.
  2. ^ a b "The Quietus | Reviews | The Sea Nymphs". The Quietus.
  3. ^ a b On The Dry Land by The Sea Nymphs. "The Sea Nymphs – On The Dry Land". Echoesanddust.com. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  4. ^ a b Drake, William D. (9 November 2016). "Prog Magazine says…". Williamddrake.wordpress.com.
  5. ^ Drake, William D. (12 November 2016). "Crossfire says…". Williamddrake.wordpress.com.
  6. ^ "Sarah Jones (Sarah Smith)". Misfit City. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Hughes, Rob (28 November 2016). "After seven years away, the Sea Nymphs have come back to life". Louder. Retrieved 24 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Kitching, Sean (2 November 2016). "Reviews: The Sea Nymphs". The Quietus. Retrieved 24 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Cisco, Sonya (30 October 2014). "I Was A Teenage Goth". The Ramblings of a Formerly Rock'n'Roll Mum. Retrieved 24 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "William D Drake". William D Drake. September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Wren, Mary (17 September 2021). "(1) The Consultant's Memorabilia Collection – Posts". Facebook. Retrieved 24 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 04/10/1998 Sea Nymphs". Bbc.co.uk.
  13. ^ "All My Eye And Betty Martin Music". Anyware.co.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Tim Smith Health Statement 2018". Cardiacs. Retrieved 25 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ Worrall, Sean (26 August 2016). "ORGAN THING: Sea Nymphs On Dry Land, a first listen to the glorious new album…". Organ. Retrieved 25 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "Imgur". Imgur.com.
Retrieved from ""