Brand X

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For other uses, see Brand X (disambiguation).

Brand X
OriginLondon, England
GenresJazz fusion
Years active1975–1980, 1992–1999, 2016–2019
LabelsCharisma, Passport
Associated actsPeter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Genesis, Atomic Rooster, Soft Machine, Fire Merchants, Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Liverpool Scene, Weather Report, Rod Argent, Imperial Triumphant

Brand X are a jazz fusion band formed in London in 1975. They were active until 1980, followed by a reformation between 1992 and 1999, and are currently active following a 2016 reunion. Members have included John Goodsall (guitar),[1] Percy Jones (bass), Robin Lumley (keyboards) and Phil Collins (drums). Goodsall and Jones were the sole constant members throughout the band's existence until October 2020, when Jones left the band.[2]

History[]

1975–1980: First incarnation[]

Brand X co-founder Percy Jones

In December 1974, rehearsals began developing a five-piece instrumental jazz fusion group at Island Studios in London, which included Percy Jones on bass and Phil Collins (of Genesis) on drums. They had secured a recording deal with Island Records and prepared tracks for a studio album which originally included vocals. However, the vocals were negatively received from Island management, leaving the group to write new material,[3] at the suggestion of Island A&R man Richard Williams.[4] After Collins left for other commitments, the line-up changed from Jones, John Goodsall on guitar, Robin Lumley on keyboards and vocals, Pete Bonas on guitar, and John Dillon on drums and percussion, to a departing Bonas and Dillon, the latter replaced by Phil Spinelli for a short time before a newly available Collins took his place in April 1975.[4] The four recorded Unorthodox Behaviour in September and October 1975 at Trident Studios with Jack Lancaster on saxophone.[5] They were named Brand X after Island Records staffer Danny Wilding wrote down "Brand X" to keep track of their activity on the studio calendar, and the name stuck. In preparation for their upcoming gigs, the four were joined by Geoff Seopardi on percussion by December 1975.[6][7] Genesis manager Tony Smith became their manager.[4]

Brand X played their first gigs with a series of low key warm-up shows in November and December 1975. These were followed by a full-scale tour across the UK from February 1976, mainly on the college circuit. They had little funds, resorting to renting a synthesiser and PA system, operated with a small road crew, and often played support for the headlining act.[6] In December 1976, the band returned to Trident Studios to record their second album Moroccan Roll, by which time percussionist Morris Pert joined the band full-time. They had previously employed Gaspar Lawal, Bill Bruford, and Preston Heyman for the position, but each operated in an unofficial capacity.[citation needed] Moroccan Roll was released in April 1977 and peaked at No. 37 in the UK[8] and No. 125 in the US. With Collins leaving the group for other commitments, Kenwood Dennard of Pat Martino's group was recruited in New York City in time for their 32-date US tour in May and June 1977. Collins briefly returned later in 1977 for a series of dates, including a spot at the tenth Crystal Palace Garden Party in London and the Fête de l'Humanité in Paris on the same day on a specially chartered plane, the latter attended by an estimated 200,000 people.[9]

Following the 1977 tour, the band would recruit keyboardist Peter Robinson and Chuck Burgi on drums to record the Masques album. Released in 1978, it was the first and only Brand X album during the period to not feature Phil Collins on drums. The band would once again embark on a tour to promote this album in 1978, with a couple different drummers in place of Chuck Burgi. The next year, 1979, signaled the end of Brand X's recording sessions for over 10 years. It was in this time that they would record Product that same year, Do They Hurt? in 1980, and 1982's Is There Anything About?.Following the completion of the recording sessions, the band embarked on a world tour, following which Collins departed for the final time. Clark returned to the drum stool, and the band toured the UK in April and May 1980 (co-headlining with Bruford).[10]

Discography[]

Studio albums

Live albums

  • 1977 Livestock - largely recorded at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club Aug/Sept 76[11] - US No. 204
  • 1996 Live at the Roxy L.A. - recorded 23 September 1979 (taken from a band members' cassette from the venue's PA mixing desk)
  • 2000 Timeline - live concerts 16 November 1977 Chicago & 21 June 1993 NYC
  • 2017 But Wait... There's More! - LIVE 2017 - recorded on 6 January 2017 at the Sellersville Theatre, PA
  • 2018 Locked & Loaded - recorded live June 2017, Longs Park Amphitheater, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Members[]

Main article: List of Brand X members

Current members

  • John Goodsall – guitar (1974–1980, 1992–1999, 2016–2019), 2021
  • Chris Clark – keyboards, synthesisers (2016–2019), 2021
  • Scott Weinberger – percussion (2016–2019), 2021
  • Ric Fierabracci - bass 2021
  • Greyson Nekrutman - drums, 2021

References[]

  1. ^ "Band Approved Videos". YouTube. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  2. ^ Jerry Ewing (3 October 2020). "Percy Jones quits Brand X". Loudersound.com. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  3. ^ Fudger, Dave (13 March 1976). "Which xciting, xtravagant, xtremely x-rated, xquisitely xtroverted band sends you into flights of xtasy?". Sounds. p. 43. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Welch, Chris (17 December 1977). "Brand X: This is a stick-up!". Melody Maker. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  5. ^ Unorthodox Behaviour (Media notes). Brand X. Charisma Records. 1976. CAS 1117.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Johnson, Derek (6 December 1975). "Brand X: Genesis drummer debuts new group". New Musical Express. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  7. ^ Dallas, Karl (10 January 1976). "Collins cleans up with Brand X". Melody Maker. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). Guinness World Records Limited. p. 76. ISBN 978-1-904994-10-7.
  9. ^ Fudger, Dave (1 October 1977). "A gig too far". Sounds. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Percy Jones interview". Globalbass.com. December 2000. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  11. ^ "Brand X Performances". Edensongs.com. Retrieved 19 May 2014.

External links[]

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