Pulp (band)
Pulp | |
---|---|
![]() Pulp performing at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2023 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Sheffield, England |
Genres | |
Discography | Pulp discography |
Years active |
|
Labels | |
Spinoffs | |
Members | |
Past members |
|
Website | welovepulp |
Pulp are an English
The band struggled to find success during the 1980s, but gained UK prominence in the mid-1990s first with
The band released We Love Life in 2001 and then took a decade-long break, having sold more than 10 million records.[7] Pulp reunited in 2011 to play multiple festivals and released "After You" in 2013, their first song in 12 years. The band reunited a second time in 2022 to tour once again.
History
Early years: 1978–1983
Pulp were formed in 1978 at
Pulp's musical style at this time was varied, approximately described as "a cross between
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:
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!".[15] This approach also failed and the It lineup soon dissolved.
Fire Records era: 1983–1992
Around this time, Cocker had become involved in an
Fire released the singles "
Though Cocker's relocation and frustrated attitude seemed to spell a natural endpoint for Pulp, Senior encouraged him that the time had not yet come to disband.[26] Banks, too, recalled that the situation was discouraging but not final:
Pulp was in bits. Scattered. But, we never sat down and said, "That's it, the end, see you later." There was still a dimly flickering ember under the rubble. There was still a desire to try and keep things going - somehow. We didn't know how this was going to happen, we just thought the songs we had were too vital to let die.[27]
Steve Mackey, a fellow Sheffielder and supportive fan, was also studying in London by this time and was asked to join as a bass player.[27][28] In 1989, Fire Records approached Cocker about re-signing Pulp, promising a £10,000 recording budget; still wary from their prior experience with the label, the band booked FON's studio and producer Alan Smyth once again in hopes that they could use Fire's studio advance without actually formalising a new deal.[27] Under this arrangement, Pulp commenced work on what would ultimately become their next LP Separations. Upon completing the album, with no discernible interest from any other label, the band reluctantly agreed to re-sign with Fire Records.[29] As with Freaks, the label would delay the release of Separations considerably, sitting on the album until 1992.
In the meantime, however, in 1991, the "My Legendary Girlfriend" 12-inch became NME's single of the week. Stuart Maconie described it in his review as "a throbbing ferment of nightclub soul and teen opera".[30] Another 1991 single, "Countdown," began to be mentioned in the mainstream press,[31][32] and in October of that year, the band played its first overseas gig, a concert organised by French magazine Les Inrockuptibles.[33] Frustrated by what they viewed as a still intractable situation with Fire, Pulp worked with their new manager Suzanne Catty to drum up interest from major-label A&Rs in London; an arrangement was reached for interested suitor Island Records to informally fund a few singles on Warp Records imprint Gift in order to bolster Pulp's indie profile while testing the commercial waters with a larger production budget.[34] "O.U." was thus released by Gift in June 1992 (the same month Separations would finally see release on Fire); when Island learned of the band's heretofore unrevealed contractual obligation to Fire Records, however, further funding was withheld for fear of legal action, causing Cocker to seek a £5,000 loan from his family in order to keep Gift's planned release of "Babies" on schedule for October.[35] Amid the stress and ambiguity of this episode, the band severed ties with Catty and soon took on the services of Rough Trade's management arm, who would successfully negotiate Pulp's release from Fire to Island Records under condition of the smaller label receiving a portion of the band's future major-label earnings.[35]
The band would later look back on its experiences with Fire Records as a disillusioning time, citing problems like poor promotion, lack of adequate distribution, and a failure to coordinate release schedules with Pulp's live activity; both Cocker and Senior confessed after the fact that the band agreed to the initial Fire deal because it "was the only offer on the table."[10][36]
Upon his own reflection, Banks took a slightly more equivocal stance on the label situation during this period:
[Fire] did put out Pulp records when nobody else wanted to. OK, they were often months and years after they were recorded and almost all of them garnered zero sales, airplay, or interest but they were the only people to invest any money in Pulp for a long time. It is very easy to see that Pulp could have foundered in the mid and late eighties due to lack of interest. Is a band even a band without being able to release music? At least with Fire something was coming out. Just.[37]
Commercial height: 1993–1996
After one final Gift single in February 1993 with
This sudden increase in popularity was helped by the massive media interest in
Released in October 1995, Different Class garnered significant critical praise and debuted at the top of the UK Album Chart.[38] This was the first album featuring Pulp fan-club president Mark Webber, who became a permanent member of the band on guitar and keyboards. The album followed similar themes to their previous work with observations of life expressed through Cocker's sexualised, sometimes dark and witty lyrics. Other singles released from Different Class were "Disco 2000" and "Something Changed", which reached numbers seven and ten respectively in the UK.[38] In September 1996, Different Class won the Mercury Music Prize.[citation needed]
It was at this time that Cocker gained significant media exposure due to a notorious prank at the 1996
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".[42] 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
It was during this period of intense fame and
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".[44] 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
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.[45] 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.[46]
The band announced 22 concerts between May and September 2011, taking place in Europe and Australia.
In February 2012, It,[51] Freaks[52] and Separations[53] (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
The band played a one-off concert in their hometown of Sheffield in December that year, at the 13,500 capacity
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.[59]
Second reunion: 2022–present
In July 2022, following speculation from a cryptic Instagram post, Cocker announced that the band would reunite for a series of concerts in 2023.[60] 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."[61]
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".[62] On 2 March 2023, the band announced that Mackey had died at the age of 56.[63][64]
For the 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.[65][66] During this tour they also debuted two new songs; "Hymn of the North" and "Background Noise". The reunion continued into 2024 with a North America tour which began in September.[67] During this leg they debuted three more new songs: "Spike Island", "My Sex" and "Farmer's Market".[68][69][70]
On 12 December 2024, the band announced that they had signed with Rough Trade Records, which had managed the band previously.[71]
Band members
Current members[72]
Current touring musicians[66]
Former touring musicians
|
Former members
|
Timeline

Discography
- It (1983)
- Freaks (1987)
- Separations (1992)
- His 'n' Hers (1994)
- Different Class (1995)
- This Is Hardcore (1998)
- We Love Life (2001)
Awards and nominations
Award | Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brit Awards | 1996
|
British Group | Themselves | Nominated | [75] |
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" | Graphite Pencil | [76] |
Ivor Novello Awards | 1996 | Best Song Musically and Lyrically | "Common People" | Won | [77] |
1999 | "A Little Soul" | Nominated | [78] | ||
2017 | Outstanding Song Collection | Themselves | Won | [79] | |
MTV Europe Music Awards | 1996 | Best Song | "Disco 2000" | Nominated | [80] |
Best Group | Themselves | Nominated | |||
Best New Act | Nominated | ||||
MVPA Awards | 1998 | Best International Video | "Help the Aged" | Won | [81] |
Mercury Prize | 1994 | Album of the Year | His 'n' Hers | Nominated | [82] |
1996 | Different Class | Won | |||
1998 | This Is Hardcore | Nominated | |||
NME Awards | 1996 | Best Band | Themselves | Nominated | [83] |
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 | [84] | |||
Best Album | This Is Hardcore | Nominated | |||
Best Single | "This is Hardcore" | Nominated | |||
2012 | Outstanding Contribution to Music | Themselves | Won | [85] | |
Best Live Band | Nominated | [86] | |||
Greatest Music Moment of the Year | Nominated | ||||
2015 | Best Music Film | A Film About Life, Death And Supermarkets | Won | [87] | |
Q Awards | 1996 | Best Live Act | Themselves | Won | [88] |
1998 | Nominated | ||||
Best Album | This Is Hardcore | Nominated | |||
2012 | Inspiration Award | Themselves | Won | [89] | |
Smash Hits Poll Winners Party | 1996 | Best Indie-Type Band | Nominated | [90] |
Notes
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Pulp | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
- ^ Gerard, Chris (24 July 2016). "The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '90s – Part 4 (40–21)". PopMatters. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
- ^ 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...
- ^ Hann, Michael (25 August 2013). "Suede – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
- ^ Campion, Freddie (23 April 2012). "Band of the Week: The Drowners". Vogue. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- ^ Brown, Glyn. "Darren Spooner: Who the Hell Does He Think He Is?[dead link ]". The Independent. 23 October 2003. Retrieved on 25 September 2009.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 7.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 9.
- ^ a b c d Reed, John. "The Complete History of Pulp". Record Collector. December 1994.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 22.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 17.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 25.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 34.
- ^ Anthony. "Everybody's Problem". Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2007.
- ^ ISBN 9781781314715.
- ISBN 9781781314715.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 124.
- ^ ISBN 9781781314715.
- ^ a b Sturdy, p. 138.
- ISBN 978-1-78759-259-9.
- ISBN 9781781314715.
- ISBN 978-1-78759-259-9.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 165.
- ISBN 978-1-78759-259-9.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-78131-471-5.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-78759-259-9.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 172.
- ISBN 978-1-78759-259-9.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 190.
- ^ Robinson, N. The Courier Mail and The Sunday Mail. 15 August 1991.
- ^ Gallivan, Joseph. "Rock/gig guide". The Independent. 29 August 1991.
- ^ Sturdy, p. 198.
- ISBN 978-1-78759-259-9.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-78759-259-9.
- ISBN 9781781314715.
- ISBN 978-1-78759-259-9.
- ^ ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Ban This Sick Stunt". The Daily Mirror. 20 September 1995.
- ^ "The Highs and Lows of the Brit Awards". BBC News. Retrieved on 31 March 2009.
- ^ Mulvey, John. "Fiasco 2000!". NME. 2 March 1996.
- ^ a b Simpson, Dave. "Fame Fatale". Melody Maker. 30 March 1996.
- ^ a b Barber, Lynn. "Puppy Love". The Observer. 5 April 1998.
- ^ Marszalek, Julian (20 October 2014). "Poems In People: An Interview With Richard Hawley". thequietus.com. The Quietus. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- ^ "The article requested is no longer available". Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ "Pulp promise not to let fans down during reunion shows". Nme.com. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
- ^ "2011 tour dates". Archived from the original on 9 November 2010.
- ^ "Moss not allowed into secret Pulp gig". RTÉ News. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Setlist". setlist.fm. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2012.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ "Pulp: It (2012 Re-issue) (2012): CD". hmv.com. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ "Pulp: Freaks (2012 Re-issue): 2cd (2012): CD". hmv.com. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ "Pulp: Separations (2012 Re-issue) (2012): CD". hmv.com. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ "Jarvis Cocker On Cocktails, X-Factor And... The Gym". ShortList. April 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
- ^ "Pulp | Pulp Will Not Release New Material". Contactmusic.com. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "After You: Pulp to release Christmas present single on iTunes". The Independent. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- ^ "Pulp perform new single 'After You' on Jonathan Ross show". NME. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
- ^ "Sheffield music legends honoured with heritage plaque". Archived from the original on 18 August 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ Krol, Charlotte (25 July 2022). "Jarvis Cocker confirms Pulp reunion shows for 2023". NME. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ @therealnickbank (25 July 2022). "Register" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 August 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Murray, Robin (2 March 2023). "Pulp Bass Player Steve Mackey Has Died | News". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ "Pulp bassist Steve Mackey dies aged 56". BBC News. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Pearis, Bill (26 May 2023). "Watch Pulp play their first show in over a decade (setlist, video)". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ a b @welovepulp (7 June 2023). "Introducing some new members of the Pulp family..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Pulp announce 2024 North American tour". NME. 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Watch Pulp debut another brooding new song 'My Sex'". NME. 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Watch Pulp debut new song 'Spike Island' as they kick off US tour". NME. 9 September 2024.
- ^ "Pulp Debut New Song "Farmer's Market" in LA: Watch". 19 September 2024.
- ^ Green, Walden (12 December 2024). "Pulp Sign to Rough Trade Records". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
- ^ Campbell, Erica (28 October 2022). "Pulp's Steve Mackey won't be part of next year's reunion". NME. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ Jones, Damian (10 June 2023). "Watch Pulp perform 'Common People' with Richard Hawley at Dublin show". NME. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ Richards, Will (15 July 2023). "Watch Richard Hawley join Pulp at first Sheffield homecoming show". NME. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "History". BRIT Awards. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Pulp – Disco 2000 | Island Records | D&AD Awards 1996 Pencil Winner | Direction | D&AD". Dandad.org. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Archive | The Ivors | The Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators". Ivorsacademy.com. 30 May 1996. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Archive | The Ivors | The Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators". Ivorsacademy.com. 27 May 1999. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Archive | The Ivors | The Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators". Ivorsacademy.com. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "YOGMAIL – The Unofficial George Michael Mailing List -Nov. 2/96-Issue #41". Gminfopage.com. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Billboard – Google йМХЦХ". 5 April 1998. p. 74. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Rocklist.net...NME Lists readers Pop Poll Results..." Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Rocklist.net...NME End Of Year Lists 1998". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. 9 May 1992. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "NME Awards 2012 nominations – in full". Digitalspy.com. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "The full winners list at NME Awards 2015 with Austin, Texas revealed". Nme.com. 18 February 2015.
- ^ "The Q Awards - everyHit.com". Everyhit.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Muse, Pulp and Blur win Q Awards". Bbc.com. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "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
- Official website
- Discography at acrylicafternoons.com
- PulpWiki – a comprehensive user-generated resource for everything related to Pulp
- Bar Italia – active discussion forum for Pulp fans worldwide
- The Beat Is The Law – Fanfare For The Common People (2011) – critically acclaimed music documentary about Pulp's rise to fame
- Pulp: a Film about Life, Death & Supermarkets – Florian Habicht's film that launched at SXSW in March 2014
- Pulp discography at Discogs
- Pulp at IMDb