Bivouac were an English alternative rock band from Derby, England, who were active in the 1990s. They released two albums on the independent label Elemental, before being signed by DGC/Geffen for the 1995 album Full Size Boy.

Bivouac
Background information
OriginDerby, England, UK
GenresAlternative rock
Years active1990–1996; 2016
LabelsElemental
Geffen Records
Past membersPaul Yeadon
Granville Marsden
Antony Hodgkinson
Keith York

History

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The band was originally a trio of Paul Yeadon (vocals, guitar), Granville Marsden (bass guitar), and Antony Hodgkinson (drums).[1] They were signed by Workers Playtime sub-label Elemental, releasing their debut EP in May 1992.[1] The band was influenced by American artists such as Hüsker Dü, Sonic Youth and The Pixies, developing a sound similar to the grunge bands then emerging from the U.S., and they had support slots on tours by Fugazi and The Jesus Lizard.[1] Debut album Tuber was released in 1993, and they went on to sign for DGC, with Keith York (formerly of Dr Phibes & the House of Wax Equations) joining the band to replace Hodgkinson.[1] Full Size Boy was released in July 1995, and despite good reviews, the album did not sell well, and the band were dropped from their label and disbanded soon afterwards.[2]

Yeadon has since turned to music production group The Moot group, which has produced bands such as Send More Paramedics, as well as forming the UK band The Wireless Stores, releasing an EP and an album in 2003 and 2006.[3][4] Along with second drummer Keith York, Yeadon has also played with other bands including Pitchshifter.[5] Original drummer Antony Hodgkinson (Tony The Interpretative Dancer) danced on stage for Nirvana;.[6] Bassist Granville Marsden has since uploaded some of their unreleased demos from before they split to YouTube on his personal account.[7]

They are now back together for shows and a new EP in 2016.

Discography

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Albums

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  • Tuber (1993), Elemental
  • Full Size Boy (1995), Geffen

Singles and EPs

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  • ABC EP (1992), Elemental
  • "Slack" 12" (1992), Elemental
  • "Good Day Song" (1993), Elemental
  • "The Bell Foundry" (1993), Elemental
  • Marked and Tagged EP (1994), Elemental
  • "Thinking" (1995), Geffen
  • "Monkey Sanctuary" (1995), Geffen
  • "Deep Blue Sea Surround" (2016), Reckless Yes [8]

Compilations

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  • Derby and Joan (1993), Elemental - tracks from the ABC EP and the "Slack" 12"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 627-8
  2. ^ Torreano, Bradley "Bivouac Biography", Allmusic, retrieved 2007-06-18
  3. ^ Production Credit Archived 17 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-06-18
  4. ^ Production Credit Retrieved on 2007-06-18
  5. ^ Pitchshifter interview Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-06-18
  6. ^ Tony The Interpretative Dancer NirvanaClub.com
  7. ^ "Granville Marsden". YouTube. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Bivouac - Deep Blue Sea Surround / Sweet Heart Deal - Reckless Yes - UK - RY001". 45cat.com. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2020.