The Band of Holy Joy are an English band formed in New Cross, London, and initially active between 1984 and 1993, releasing several albums. They reformed in 2002, under their original name, releasing a new album called Love Never Fails. They concentrated on other musical projects during 2003 to 2006. The band began performing live again in 2007 and have since released a number of albums, including Funambulist We Love You in October 2017 and their latest Neon Primitives in June 2019.
The band was formed in 1984, by Johny Brown in New Cross, South London. Early experiments revolved around cheap junk shop instrumentation and rudimentary electronics. After two self-issued cassettes, they signed to South London indie label Flim Flam for a string of singles and two 1987 albums; More Tales From The City and the live LP When Stars Come Out To Play.
They reached a commercial and critical peak after signing to Rough Trade, with Manic, Magic, Majestic in 1989, and Positively Spooked in 1990. The label was forced into receivership in 1991 following cash flow problems and eventual bankruptcy. The band re-emerged in 1992 as Holy Joy, with the album Tracksuit Vendetta. They split up in 1993 and Brown moved into freelance journalism, playwriting and production. Band of Holy Joy reformed in 2002 and released an album Love Never Fails.
The band's music includes elements of post-punk, folk rock, European cabaret, reflective instrumentation and epic pop, with Jacques Brel, Bertolt Brecht, Coleridge and David Peace identified as influences. Their City Of Tales release has been likened to David Bowie's 1. Outside and the work of Pere Ubu. Jason Ankeny, writing for Allmusic, described the band as «urban folk». Rob Young, in the book Rough Trade, described their music as «a bohemian mix of inner city guignol, Brechtian street song, and soaring romanticism».
The Band Of Holy Joy - More Tales From The City [1987] (Full Album)
Tracklist:
A1. Who Snatched The Baby
A2. Mad Dot
A3. When Stars Come Out To Play
A4. The Aspidistra House
A5. The Tide Of Life
B1. Don’t Stick Knives In Babbies’ Heads (Arranged By: The Band Of Holy Joy, Written-By: Trad.)
B2. Leaves That Fall In Spring
B3. Cities
B4. Fishwives
B5. Goodnight, God Bless And Goodbye
Credits
Engineer: Jonathan Dee
Layout [Sleeve] : Slim Smith
Other [Special Thanks To]: Gus Ferguson, Robert Lee
Performer: Adrian Bailey, Big John, Bill Lewington, Johny Brown, Karel, Malu, Max
Photography By [Front Cover]: Big John
Photography By [Group Photo]: Richard Smith
Photography By [Stage Set]: Caroline Gaskin
Plated By: MAX.
Producer: Steve Beresford
Written-By [All Songs]: Band Of Holy Joy, The (tracks: A1 to A5, B2 to B5)
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