LOS ANGELES (Gene Loves Jezebel Official Website, www.genelovesjezebel.co.uk) - Gene Loves Jezebel:
Management lawsuits, a record company that went bust, crooked accountants and nervous breakdowns; Gene Loves Jezebel suffered all the obstacles the industry could throw at them.
Welsh twin brothers Jay and Michael Aston formed the band in 1983. The band enjoyed considerable success in the U.K. after signing to Beggars Banquet. The band's second album Immigrant was an indie chart no.1. After the abrupt departure of guitarist Ian Hudson on the brink of their first U.S. tour in 1985, former Chelsea and Gen X member James Stevenson was drafted in.
America embraced GLJ and the band toured there constantly achieving considerable success. They signed to Geffen in 1986 and the third album, Discover, was a top thirty hit, spawning the huge club/radio hit "Desire". Sell out tours continued. The band sold out the Universal Amphitheatre in L.A. in fifteen minutes and still holds the record for the biggest attendance ever for an in-store appearance at Tower Records New York where police had to close Broadway. The fourth album The House Of Dolls spawned their biggest UK hit 'The Motion Of Love'. A band on the brink of mega-stardom at the end of the 1980's Michael Aston summed up the band's feelings in the N.M.E. "I'm sick of doing three month tours of The States and coming home with nothing but a new Walkman and a carton of fags". A microcosm of a cynical industry and of the old cliché that everybody makes money out of the band except the band. Michael Aston left the band in 1989. The remaining members continued with Jay at the helm. Their live debut as a four piece was supporting David Bowie at Milton Keynes Bowl in 1990 and their fifth album Kiss Of Life produced their biggest U.S. hit "Jealous".
In '92 the band signed to the ill-fated Savage records, also the U.S. label of David Bowie. During the '93 tour to promote their sixth album Heavenly Bodies Savage went bust leaving Gene Loves Jezebel in the lurch once again and condemning them to a forced Hiatus. Jay Aston recorded his first solo album Unpopular Songs. James Stevenson was invited to play with The Cult as second guitarist for their 94/5-world tour. He also contributed to Tricky's influential debut Maxinquaye as well as being a constant in The Alarm's Mike Peter's touring band.
The band reformed to record VII with both twins plus original members James Stevenson (guitar), Pete Rizzo (bass) and Chris Bell (drums). Once again things didn't work out with Michael and the band finished the record without him. The album showcases Jay Aston's unique and ever maturing songwriting style as well as the instrumental ability of the band. The lead track, "Love Keeps Dragging Me Down" has already been a hit in Portugal. The four original remaining members continue touring together. Michael put together his own band in Los Angeles and called it Gene Loves Jezebel featuring Michael Aston. Tragically the twins are now in litigation.
"Are you in a dull band that just appeared on the scene with a big contract but no history? Are you rightfully embarrassed when you mumble when asked probing questions about what trauma your band has experienced? Don't worry: if any band needs a helping of trauma and heartache, Gene Loves Jezebel can rent it to you." Wrote Sandra Garcia in B Side magazine in 1993. Prophetic words to the end.
Since the release of VII in 1997 Gene Loves Jezebel have continued to tour in the USA, South America and Europe. They played in the UK for the first time in nearly four years in Brighton in September 2002. A double live CD 'Accept No Substitute' was released in that same year and contains live versions of all the bands classic tracks. This was followed in June 2003 by 'The Thornfield Sessions' an album that contains reworkings of some of their best-known songs along with five new tracks.
To coincide with the rejuvenated interest in Gene Loves Jezebel in 2005 due to the release of expanded versions of their first three albums on beggars banquet, alongside a successful set of live dates in the UK, Europe & USA during 2005, the band will be once again be hitting the road in 2006. Before that Pink Gun / Red Steel Records are releasing 'Gene Loves Jezebel and Jay Aston an Anthology' - a seminal collection.
Further info, product requests, interviews, guest list etc from 21cMPR: Jj: E: [email protected]
