Spirea X

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Spirea X
OriginGlasgow, Scotland
GenresAlternative rock
Years active1990–1993
Labels4AD
Associated actsPrimal Scream, Adventures in Stereo
Past membersJim Beattie
Judith Boyle
Andy Kerr
Thomas McGurk
Jamie O'Donnell

Spirea X were a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, formed by Primal Scream founding member Jim Beattie in 1990.

History[]

After six years in the band, Jim Beattie left Primal Scream in 1988.[1] Two years later he formed Spirea X, the name taken from a Primal Scream b-side (an instrumental track that he had written), announcing "We're going to do it...by having better songs, better melodies, better arrangements, better everything. By sheer force of ideas".[1] The band's first demo prompted 4AD to sign them, their first release eagerly anticipated, with BBC Two's Snub TV featuring an interview with them and a couple of live tracks before they had released a single. The band's original bass player and guitarist (The McGovern brothers) soon left, with guitarist Robert forming cult underground Glasgow punk band Dresden and his bass playing brother Tony becoming a well established member of Glasgow band Texas. Jamie O'Donnell and Thomas McGurk joining Beattie, his girlfriend Judith Boyle, and Andy Kerr in 1991.[1] Debut EP Chlorine Dream was released in April 1991, the title track inspired by the life of Brian Jones.[2] This was followed up by "Speed Reaction" and the album Fireblade Skies (the name taken from a volume of Arthur Rimbaud's poetry),[2] both in 1991. Fireblade Skies met with positive critical reaction, Lime Lizard's Nick Terry stating: "If Jim Beattie's last longplaying endeavour, Primal Scream's Sonic Flower Groove, was a thoroughly flawed masterpiece, he's found his groove with Fireblade Skies".[3] Beattie was known for his self-confidence, verging on arrogance, once proclaiming himself to be God, and stating "David Icke is my bestest friend",[4] later saying "Yeah, I thought I was God before, but now I feel more like Jesus".[5] Beattie rejected comparisons with other bands of the era, stating "I don't think we fit in anywhere, really", and "I don't think we're egotistical like Ride are. I don't need to be egotistical, because I've got the music to back it up".[4]

The band was subsequently reduced to a duo of Beattie and Boyle, and were dropped by 4AD in 1992, the band splitting the following year.[2]

Beattie and Boyle resurfaced in 1994 with a new band, Adventures in Stereo.

Discography[]

Albums[]

  • Fireblade Skies (28 October 1991) 4AD, CAD 1017
    • Released on 4AD in the US on 23 June 1992 with new artwork and different track listing

Singles/EPs[]

  • Chlorine Dream (8 April 1991) 4AD, BAD 1004
    1. "Chlorine Dream"
    2. "Spirea Rising"
    3. "Risk"
  • Speed Reaction (20 May 1991) 4AD, BAD 1006
    1. "Speed Reaction"
    2. "What Kind of Love"
    3. "Jet Pilot"
    4. "Re: Action"

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Larkin, Colin (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music. Guinness Publishing. p. 266. ISBN 0-85112-579-4.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
  3. ^ Terry, Nick (1991) "Fireblade Skies (review)", Lime Lizard, November 1991, p.48
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Terry, Nick (1991) "Spirea X: Nothing Happened Yesterday", Lime Lizard, November 1991, p.64-66
  5. ^ Robb, John (1991) "XDirectory (Spirea X feature)", Indiecator, Issue 3, p. 48-49
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