The Teardrop Explodes

The Teardrop Explodes was a British pop band formed in Liverpool in 1978. Their name was taken from a panel in the Marvel comic book, Daredevil No 77. Panel

Related Topics:
British - Liverpool - 1978 - Marvel comic book - Daredevil

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The band was formed by Julian Cope who had previously been in the short-lived yet locally-renowned band Crucial Three along with Pete Wylie who went on to form Wah! and Ian McCulloch later of Echo and the Bunnymen.

Related Topics:
Julian Cope - Crucial Three - Pete Wylie - Wah! - Ian McCulloch - Echo and the Bunnymen

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The band's initial line-up consisted of Julian Cope singer/bassist, Mick Finkler on guitar, Gary Dwyer on drums and Paul Simpson on keyboards. They were managed by Bill Drummond and signed to his Zoo label.

Related Topics:
Julian Cope - Bill Drummond

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The band released their first single, Sleeping Gas in February of 1979. Soon after, Simpson left the band and was replaced by Zoo label co-owner, David Balfe. As they toured Liverpool, the band steadily gained popularity. In fact, their next single Bouncing Babies inspired a tribute song of its own: I Can't Get Bouncing Babies by the Teardrop Explodes by The Freshies - an ode to the difficulty of obtaining a copy of the song.

Related Topics:
February - 1979 - David Balfe - Liverpool - The Freshies

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Finkler left the band during the recording of their debut album Kilimanjaro and was replaced by Dalek I Love You guitarist Alan Gill. The LP was a moderate success; it reached number 24 on the British pop charts.

Related Topics:
Album - Kilimanjaro - Dalek I Love You - Alan Gill - LP

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In 1981, the group was at the height of it's popularity. In January, they hit # 6 on the British charts with the Reward single and in April they broke the top 20 with Treason. During this period, there were numerous line up changes: Alfie Agius was brought in on bass and Troy Tate replaced Gill on guitar.

Related Topics:
1981 - January - April - Gill

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Expectations were high for the band's second album, Wilder. The first single Passionate Friend performed reasonably well (#25 UK), but the album itself was unsuccessful, limping to 29 on the charts, disappearing shortly afterwards.

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When the band reconvened to record their third album, they were reduced to the trio of Cope, Balfe and Dwyer. Tensions were high ? Cope wanted to write ballads and quirky pop songs, while Balfe was more interested in recording synth-based dance music. Cope eventually dissolved the band in the middle of the sessions. The material was later released in 1990 under the title Everybody Wants To Shag the Teardrop Explodes.

Related Topics:
Cope - Balfe - 1990

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Cope has gone on to a successful career as a solo artist and writer. When asked if the Teardrop Explodes would ever get back together, he said:

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"Would you ever return to having your mother wipe your asshole?" http://www.headheritage.co.uk/drude/qa/cope_music.php

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