Pulp (band)

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Pulp
Coachella Festival in 2012.
Background information
OriginSheffield, England
Genres
DiscographyPulp discography
Years active
  • 1978–2002
  • 2011–2013
  • 2022–present
Labels
Spinoffs
Members
Past members

Pulp are an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 1978. At their critical and commercial peak, the band consisted of Jarvis Cocker (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Russell Senior (guitar, violin), Candida Doyle (keyboards), Nick Banks (drums, percussion), Steve Mackey (bass) and Mark Webber (guitar, keyboards).

Throughout the 1980s the band struggled to find success, but gained prominence in the UK in the mid-1990s with the release of the albums

Mercury Music Prize in 1994 for His 'n' Hers; they won the prize in 1996 for Different Class and were nominated again in 1998 for This Is Hardcore. Pulp headlined the Pyramid Stage of the Glastonbury Festival twice and were regarded among the Britpop "big four", along with Oasis, Blur and Suede.[5][6]

The band released

Oscilloscope Laboratories in the US in November 2014.[8][9] It is the first film about Pulp (and Sheffield) that has been made in collaboration with the band. The band once again went on hiatus following this, but in 2022, Cocker announced that the band would be reuniting for a second time to play a series of shows in 2023.[10]

History

Early years: 1978–1983

Pulp were formed in 1978 at

Rotherham Arts Centre in July 1980.[13] Later that year, Cocker met future member Russell Senior, who recognised Cocker from his charismatic sales techniques in his part-time job at the local fish market.[14]

Their musical style at this time was varied, approximately described as "a cross between

Comsat Angels): electronic new wave and post-punk. These tracks were released in 2006 on The Peel Sessions
compilation.

Despite their exposure on national radio, success was not forthcoming and, apart from Cocker, most of the core line-up left for university. Soon, a new set of musicians were gathered:

The Mission), David Hinkler, Wayne Furniss (who switched to guitar after playing drums in the previous lineup), Peter Boam, Gary Wilson, and Cocker's sister, Saskia. They managed to get enough local backing to record a mini-album in late 1982, entitled It (the title was a pun on pulp-it, as if the band were preaching to the audience[13]), which was released in April 1983 by Red Rhino Records. This largely consisted of folkish, romantic pop songs influenced by Leonard Cohen and was a change of direction from the Peel Sessions two years earlier. The album was later released by Cherry Red Records
.

Though It failed commercially and fame was still elusive, the band continued to seek commercial success even to the point of recording a single, "Everybody's Problem"/"There Was". The single demonstrated a style shift advised by Red Rhino's Tony Perrin who had convinced Cocker that he "could write commercial songs like Wham!".[18] This approach also failed and Cocker was becoming unhappy with his chosen musical direction. He was set to break up the band and go to university himself before a practice with Russell Senior (violin, guitar, vocals) and Magnus Doyle (drums) led to the establishment of a new, more experimental, artier and noisier direction for Pulp. They were subsequently augmented by Peter Mansell (bass) and Tim Allcard (keyboards, saxophone, poetry).

Independent days: 1984–1991

The new incarnation of Pulp survived a number of ill-fated gigs (including one at a rugby club at

Brunel University which ended in a riot[13]) before Allcard left to be replaced on keyboards by Magnus Doyle's sister Candida. Following her first performance with the band, they were signed to Fire Records. Soon after signing to Fire, in November 1985, Cocker fell out of a window while trying to impress a girl with a Spider-Man impression and ended up in hospital, temporarily requiring the use of a wheelchair in which he appeared during concerts.[19] Pulp's relationship with Fire Records was tempestuous and Cocker admitted later that the band only accepted the deal as it "was the only offer on the table".[13] During this period, the singles "Little Girl" and "Dogs Are Everywhere
" were released.

Pulp's next major release was

Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
, effectively folding the band.

The fold was short-lived however.

raves, while Cocker introduced Mackey to "Scott Walker and Serge Gainsbourg".[23] Cocker was also inspired by the band Magazine's early works that "had attack to it combined with a real intelligence, without going into ponce territory".[24] Like Freaks, the release of Separations was delayed, to an extent lessening the potential impact. In the meantime, however, in 1991, a 12" recording, "My Legendary Girlfriend", became music periodical NME's single of the week. Stuart Maconie described it in his review as "a throbbing ferment of nightclub soul and teen opera".[25] Furthermore, "Countdown" began to be mentioned in the mainstream press,[26][27]
heralding a turning point in Pulp's quest for fame.

Commercial height: 1992–1996

"Do You Remember the First Time?"
"Do You Remember the First Time?" was one of the preceding releases to His 'n' Hers. To promote the release a short film was produced featuring loss of virginity stories from celebrities including Justine Frischmann, Jo Brand and John Peel.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Pulp's repertoire was growing rapidly. Tracks such as "Babies", "Space" and "She's a Lady" were being played live throughout 1991 and in October of that year, they played their first overseas gig, a concert organised by French magazine

Mercury Music Prize.[29]

This sudden increase in popularity was helped by the massive media interest in

DIY 'wrap'. Cocker released a statement two days later saying: "...'Sorted' is not a pro-drugs song. Nowhere on the sleeve does it say you are supposed to put drugs in here but I understand the confusion. I don't think anyone who listens to 'Sorted' would come away thinking it had a pro-drugs message." The single reached number two on the UK Singles Charts.[29]

Released in October 1995, Different Class garnered significant critical praise and debuted at the top of the UK Album Chart.

Mercury Music Prize
.

It was at this time that Cocker gained significant media exposure due to a notorious prank at the 1996

knighted
.

In March 1996, a compilation of Pulp's early recordings on Fire Records entitled Countdown 1992–1983 was released on the Nectar Masters label. It received largely negative reviews, but due to the band's popularity at the time it reached the top 10 of the UK charts. Cocker, whose permission was not sought before release, urged fans not to purchase the album, comparing it to "a garish old family photograph album".[33] Later in 1996, Pulp gained minor international recognition on the back of the inclusion of the track "Mile End" on the Trainspotting soundtrack. In August, the band played their last public performance for almost two years as headliners of the 1996 V Festival.

Until break-up: 1997–2002

"This Is Hardcore"
"This Is Hardcore" was released as the second single from their 1998 album This Is Hardcore. Its style is a marked difference from their previous two albums. Its minimal sound and subject matter is reminiscent of earlier, pre-Britpop tracks such as "Sheffield: Sex City".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

It was during this period of intense fame and

Operation: P.R.O.M.
"

Pulp then spent a few years "in the wilderness" before reappearing in 2001 with a new album, We Love Life. The extended period between the release of This is Hardcore and We Love Life is partly attributed to having initially recorded the songs which comprise the album and being dissatisfied with the results. Subsequent interviews also suggested interpersonal and artistic differences, including managing the fallout of the Britpop/Different Class era. Singer/songwriter Scott Walker agreed to produce the record and this symbolised a new phase in Pulp's development. This new effort fell short of expectations and was to be Pulp's last.

Pulp subsequently undertook a tour of the National Parks in the UK, even playing a show as far north as Elgin in Scotland. Richard Hawley, the Sheffield-based singer/songwriter, was also present on various dates on this tour. He later described it as "very much pink feather boas and glamour which was great and brilliant. That was about trying to find glamour among all the shit and I loved all that".[35] In 2002 the band announced that they were leaving their label, Island. A greatest hits package was released: Hits, with one new track. It is unclear whether this was the band's decision or released to satisfy contractual agreements. A music festival, Auto, was organised (held at Rotherham's Magna centre) where they played their last gig before embarking on a 9-year hiatus.

After break-up: 2003–2010

Cocker was involved in a number of one-offs and side projects, including the group

Florence + The Machine
.

On 11 September 2006 the band re-released three of their albums (His 'n' Hers, Different Class, and This Is Hardcore), each with a bonus disc of B-sides, demos and rarities. On 23 October 2006 a 2-CD set compiling all of Pulp's John Peel Sessions from 1982 to 2001 was released.

First reunion: 2011–2013

In November 2010 it was announced that the Different Class line-up (Cocker, Banks, Doyle, Mackey, Senior and Webber) would be playing at the Wireless festival in London's Hyde Park and a Saturday slot at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2011.[36] In a message sent to the band's official mailing list on 1 January 2011, Cocker said the large amount of interest in the band's reunion had been "an inspiration," and that he was pleased with how rehearsals were going.[37]

Bassist Steve Mackey performing with Pulp at On the Bright Side in Perth in 2011.

The band announced 22 concerts between May and September 2011, taking place in Europe and Australia.

Leeds Festival
during the final weekend of August 2011. They headlined the Electric Picnic on 4 September, their last festival of the year. On 9 January 2012, the Coachella festival line-up was released, with Pulp listed as part of the line-up. Further dates were announced, including North and South America and a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Senior did not take part in the 2012 gigs.

Jarvis Cocker at the Sziget Festival in Budapest with Pulp in 2011.

In February 2012, It,[42] Freaks[43] and Separations[44] (the albums released by Fire Records) were re-issued. These editions came with bonus tracks, including "Death Goes to the Disco", "Dogs Are Everywhere" and "Sink or Swim".

Cocker told

ShortList magazine in April 2012 that he was working on ideas for new Pulp songs,[45] but in November he told Q that the band had no plans to release new material and would be "cruising off into the sunset" at the end of the year, signalling a possible end to the reunion.[46]

The band played a one-off concert in their hometown of

Motorpoint Arena[47] and made a previously unreleased track, "After You", available for download to those who had attended the concert. It was subsequently released to the general public in January 2013 via digital download. The song had previously only existed in demo form.[48] Their last performance was to promote the song on The Jonathan Ross Show on 9 February 2013.[49] The remixed version of "After You" by Soulwax later went on to be used in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V
as a track on the ingame radio station, Soulwax FM.

Touring guitarist Richard Hawley in 2013

In May 2015, a music heritage plaque was unveiled at the venue of the band's first gig, The Leadmill, Sheffield. Band members Jarvis Cocker, Nick Banks, Steve Mackey, Candida Doyle and Mark Webber were present at the ceremony.[50]

Second reunion: 2023

In July 2022, following speculation from a cryptic Instagram post, Cocker announced that the band would reunite for a series of concerts in 2023.[51] Nick Banks also tweeted confirming the announcement by saying "Hey folks, unsurprisingly it's has all gone a bit mental on here. Gig details will be revealed as and when. Stay calm, hug your #pulp records and dream of going mental sometime in 2023."[52]

The reunion was officially confirmed on 28 October 2022, with dates announced at Finsbury Park, TRNSMT, Latitude Festival as well as two homecoming shows at Sheffield Arena. Steve Mackey announced on his Instagram that he would not be taking part in the tour but stated; "Wishing Candy, Nick, Mark and Jarvis the very best with forthcoming performances in the UK and also an enormous thanks to Pulp's amazing fanbase, many of whom have sent me lovely messages today".[53] On 2 March 2023, the band announced that Mackey had died at the age of 56.[54][55]

For the 2023 reunion tour, the band were joined by Andrew McKinney on bass, Emma Smith on guitar and violin, and Adam Betts on keyboards, guitar, and percussion. The tour also featured a ten-piece string section called the Elysian Collective.[56][57] During this tour they also debuted two new songs "Hymn of the North" and "Background Noise". It is currently unknown if they are recording a new album.

Band members

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Pulp discography

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Brit Awards
1996
 British Group Themselves Nominated [61]
British Album of the Year Different Class Nominated
British Single of the Year "Common People" Nominated
British Video of the Year Nominated
D&AD Awards 1996 Pop Promo Videos: Direction "Disco 2000" Won [62]
Ivor Novello Awards 1996 Best Song Musically and Lyrically "Common People" Won [63]
1999 "A Little Soul" Nominated [64]
2017 Outstanding Song Collection Themselves Won [65]
MTV Europe Music Awards 1996 Best Song "Disco 2000" Nominated [66]
Best Group Themselves Nominated
Best New Act Nominated
MVPA Awards 1998 Best International Video "Help the Aged" Won [67]
Mercury Prize 1994 Album of the Year His 'n' Hers Nominated [68]
1996 Different Class Won
1998 This Is Hardcore Nominated
NME Awards 1996 Best Band Themselves Nominated [69]
Best Live Act Won
Best Video "Common People" Won
Best Single Nominated
"Sorted for E's & Wizz" Nominated
Best Album Different Class Nominated
1997 Best Band Themselves Nominated
1999 Nominated [70]
Best Album This Is Hardcore Nominated
Best Single "This is Hardcore" Nominated
2012 Outstanding Contribution to Music Themselves Won [71]
Best Live Band Nominated [72]
Greatest Music Moment of the Year Nominated
2015 Best Music Film A Film About Life, Death And Supermarkets Won [73]
Q Awards 1996 Best Live Act Themselves Won [74]
1998 Nominated
Best Album This Is Hardcore Nominated
2012 Inspiration Award Themselves Won [75]
Smash Hits Poll Winners Party 1996 Best Indie-Type Band Nominated [76]

Notes

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Pulp | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  2. ^ Gerard, Chris (24 July 2016). "The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '90s - Part 4 (40 - 21)". PopMatters. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  3. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8
    .
  4. ^ Sheppard, Justin (7 March 2007). "Jarvis Cocker not into 'Britpop'". Prefix. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013. I hated that term [Britpop] and never considered Pulp to be a part of that...
  5. ^ Hann, Michael (25 August 2013). "Suede – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  6. ^ Campion, Freddie (23 April 2012). "Band of the Week: The Drowners". Vogue. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  7. ^ Brown, Glyn. "Darren Spooner: Who the Hell Does He Think He Is?[dead link]". The Independent. 23 October 2003. Retrieved on 25 September 2009.
  8. ^ "Oscilloscope". Oscilloscope Films. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  9. ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Pulp to reform (again) for 2023 concerts". The Guardian. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  11. ^ Sturdy, p. 7.
  12. ^ Sturdy, p. 9.
  13. ^ a b c d Reed, John. "The Complete History of Pulp". Record Collector. December 1994.
  14. ^ Sturdy, p. 22.
  15. ^ Sturdy, p. 17.
  16. ^ Sturdy, p. 25.
  17. ^ Sturdy, p. 34.
  18. ^ Anthony. "Everybody's Problem". Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2007.
  19. ^ Sturdy, p. 124.
  20. ^ Sturdy, p. 138.
  21. ^ Sturdy, p. 165.
  22. ^ Sturdy, p. 172.
  23. ^ Sturdy, p. 175.
  24. ^ "Magazine – Real Life - Jarvis Cocker". NME. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  25. ^ Sturdy, p. 190.
  26. ^ Robinson, N. The Courier Mail and The Sunday Mail. 15 August 1991.
  27. ^ Gallivan, Joseph. "Rock/gig guide". The Independent. 29 August 1991.
  28. ^ Sturdy, p. 198.
  29. ^
    ISBN 1-904994-10-5
    .
  30. ^ "Ban This Sick Stunt". The Daily Mirror. 20 September 1995.
  31. ^ "The Highs and Lows of the Brit Awards". BBC News. Retrieved on 31 March 2009.
  32. ^ Mulvey, John. "Fiasco 2000!". NME. 2 March 1996.
  33. ^ a b Simpson, Dave. "Fame Fatale". Melody Maker. 30 March 1996.
  34. ^ a b Barber, Lynn. "Puppy Love". The Observer. 5 April 1998.
  35. ^ Marszalek, Julian (20 October 2014). "Poems In People: An Interview With Richard Hawley". thequietus.com. The Quietus. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  36. ^ "The article requested is no longer available". Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  37. ^ "Pulp promise not to let fans down during reunion shows". Nme.com. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  38. ^ "2011 tour dates". Archived from the original on 9 November 2010.
  39. ^ "Moss not allowed into secret Pulp gig". RTÉ News. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  40. ^ "Glastonbury: Beyonce, Radiohead, U2 and Pulp – review". London Evening Standard. 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  41. ^ "Setlist". setlist.fm. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2012.[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ "Pulp: It (2012 Re-issue) (2012): CD". hmv.com. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  43. ^ "Pulp: Freaks (2012 Re-issue): 2cd (2012): CD". hmv.com. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  44. ^ "Pulp: Separations (2012 Re-issue) (2012): CD". hmv.com. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  45. ^ "Jarvis Cocker On Cocktails, X-Factor And... The Gym". ShortList. April 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  46. ^ "Pulp | Pulp Will Not Release New Material". Contactmusic.com. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  47. ^ "Pulp To Play Sheffield Arena in December 2012 / Music Forum // Drowned in Sound". Drownedinsound.com. 10 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  48. ^ "After You: Pulp to release Christmas present single on iTunes". The Independent. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  49. ^ "Pulp perform new single 'After You' on Jonathan Ross show". NME. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  50. ^ "Sheffield music legends honoured with heritage plaque". Archived from the original on 18 August 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  51. ^ Krol, Charlotte (25 July 2022). "Jarvis Cocker confirms Pulp reunion shows for 2023". NME. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  52. ^ @therealnickbank (25 July 2022). "Register" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 August 2022 – via Twitter.
  53. ^ "STEVE MACKEY on Instagram: "PULP Is a very important part of my creative life... and I'm exceptionally proud of the body of work we've created together. Jarvis and I remastered Pulp's entire Universal Records back catalogue together just over two years ago at Abbey Road Studios. It was a huge pleasure to do that and review our songs and recordings together. There have been wide reports of a full reunion for UK concerts today. However I've decided to continue the work I'm engaged in - music, filmmaking and photography projects, and will not be joining them for these UK shows just announced Wishing Candy, Nick, Mark and Jarvis the very best with forthcoming performances in the UK and also an enormous thanks to Pulp's amazing fanbase, many of whom have sent me lovely messages today Steve X"". Instagram. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  54. ^ Murray, Robin (2 March 2023). "Pulp Bass Player Steve Mackey Has Died | News". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  55. ^ "Pulp bassist Steve Mackey dies aged 56". BBC News. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  56. ^ Pearis, Bill (26 May 2023). "Watch Pulp play their first show in over a decade (setlist, video)". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  57. ^ a b @welovepulp (7 June 2023). "Introducing some new members of the Pulp family..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  58. ^ Campbell, Erica (28 October 2022). "Pulp's Steve Mackey won't be part of next year's reunion". NME. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  59. ^ Jones, Damian (10 June 2023). "Watch Pulp perform 'Common People' with Richard Hawley at Dublin show". NME. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  60. ^ Richards, Will (15 July 2023). "Watch Richard Hawley join Pulp at first Sheffield homecoming show". NME. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  61. ^ "History". BRIT Awards. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  62. ^ "Pulp - Disco 2000 | Island Records | D&AD Awards 1996 Pencil Winner | Direction | D&AD". Dandad.org. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  63. ^ "Archive | The Ivors | The Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators". Ivorsacademy.com. 30 May 1996. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  64. ^ "Archive | The Ivors | The Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators". Ivorsacademy.com. 27 May 1999. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  65. ^ "Archive | The Ivors | The Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators". Ivorsacademy.com. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  66. ^ "YOGMAIL - The Unofficial George Michael Mailing List -Nov. 2/96-Issue #41". Gminfopage.com. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  67. ^ "Billboard - Google йМХЦХ". 5 April 1998. p. 74. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  68. ^ "Pulp | Mercury Prize: all the winners, from Wolf Alice to Primal Scream". telegraph.co.uk. 21 September 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  69. ^ "Rocklist.net...NME Lists readers Pop Poll Results..." Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  70. ^ "Rocklist.net...NME End Of Year Lists 1998". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. 9 May 1992. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  71. ^ "HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  72. ^ "NME Awards 2012 nominations - in full". Digitalspy.com. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  73. ^ "The full winners list at NME Awards 2015 with Austin, Texas revealed". Nme.com. 18 February 2015.
  74. ^ "The Q Awards - everyHit.com". Everyhit.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  75. ^ "Muse, Pulp and Blur win Q Awards". Bbc.com. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  76. ^ "Articles On Smash Hits". Michaelmouse1967.wixsite.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2020.

References

  • Mark Sturdy, Truth & Beauty: The Story of Pulp (Omnibus Press, 2003) – comprehensive biography
  • Jean-Marie Pottier, Brit Pulp. La britpop selon Pulp, de Thatcher à Blair (Autour du Livre, 2009) – a French essay about the connections between Pulp and English popular culture of its time

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pulp (band).
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