Paris Angels

Paris Angels were a seven piece band, hailing from Guide Bridge, Ashton-under-Lyne,[1] Greater Manchester, associated with the Madchester scene of 1989 -1991. Their music fused indie guitars with electronic dance music. The band comprised Paul 'Wags' Wagstaff (later of Black Grape and the reformed Happy Mondays), Rikki Turner, Steven Taji, Scott Carey, Mark Adj, Jane Gill and Simon Worrall.

Paris Angels
OriginAshton-under-Lyne, England
GenresAlternative rock, alternative dance, Madchester
Years active1990–1992; 2013–
LabelsSheer Joy Records , Virgin Records, Stereokill Recordings
Associated actsBlack Grape
Past membersPaul 'Wags' Wagstaff
Rikki Turner
Steven Taji
Scott Carey
Mark Adj
Jane Gill
Simon Worrall

History

The band were regulars of the Boardwalk and Haçienda clubs in Manchester,[1] and as such were heavily influenced by acid house and the nascent Madchester scene of the late 1980s.

The band first signed a recording contract with Sheer Joy Records.[2] There they were introduced to producer Michael Johnson; the product was their most well known song "Perfume (All on You)", a synthesis of 1960s jangle and disco. It was 'single of the week' in the NME[3] and stayed in the Top 10 of the UK Indie Chart in the summer of 1990.[2] This was closely followed by "Scope" and "I Understand"; the latter of which was the single of the week in the final edition of Sounds.

On the back of their early success, the band signed to Virgin Records[1] and released new single "Fade" and re-released "Perfume" to back up Paris Angels only album, Sundew, to favourable reviews from NME, Vox and Melody Maker.[2] Paris Angels then recorded a session for BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel. "Stay", appeared on the best of the Peel Session's box set, and they had other radio and television sessions. In March 1991, NME reported that Paris Angels were appearing at the 'Great Indie Festival – A Midsummer's Day Dream' at Milton Keynes Bowl in June that year. Also on the bill were 808 State, Gary Clail, New Fast Automatic Daffodils, The Shamen, Shades of Rhythm plus Flowered Up.[4]

Paris Angels recruited long-time collaborator Simon Crompton to produce their next album for Virgin, however with the sale of Virgin to EMI, Paris Angels were removed from its roster. The completed album was never released. They were one of the last bands to leave during this cull along with Public Image Ltd and Definition of Sound.[2]

Left with no recording contract, and with singer Jane Gill pregnant, the band called it a day.

Wagstaff returned with Black Grape and the Happy Mondays. Rikki Turner played in St. Jack Steven. Taji went on to record with The Rude Club. Bassist Scott Carey recorded with Chelsea-based band The Shave and hosted The Evening Session and Transmission on Manchester radio station 96.2 The Revolution.

Drummer Simon Worrall died on 2 November 2011.[1][5]

In 2013 the band reformed to play live, and signed a deal with Stereokill Recordings to finally issue their second album, recorded in 1992. After the deal fell through, the group instead made the album available as a free download on Bandcamp.[6][7]

Discography

Singles
  • "Scope" (Sheer Joy 1990) – UK No. 75
  • "Perfume" / "All on You" (Sheer Joy 1990) – UK No. 55
  • "Oh Yes" (Sheer Joy 1991)
  • "Fade" (Virgin Records 1991) – UK No. 70
  • "Perfume (Loved Up)" (Virgin Records 1991)[8]
  • "Door to Summer" (Bandcamp 2015) – free download
  • "Complete Mind" (Bandcamp 2015) – free download
  • "Shake" (Bandcamp 2015) – free download

Albums
  • Sundew (Virgin Records 1991) – UK #37[8][9]
  • Eclipse (Bandcamp, August 2015)
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See also

References
  1. Aubergine, Cath; Robb, John (15 November 2011). "Simon Worrall R.I.P." Manchester Music. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  2. Carey, Scott. "Man From Delmonte, Paris Angels, Rig, Rowetta, Ruthless Rap Assassins, Krispy 3 press article 1990". Manchester District Music Archive. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  3. "Single of the Week". NME. 21 June 1990. Archived from the original on 6 June 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  4. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 482. CN 5585.
  5. Robb, John (8 November 2011). "Simon Worrall from the Paris Angels RIP…". Louder Than War. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  6. "Paris Angels bandcamp page". Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  7. "Exclusive interview with Paris Angels". gigslutz.co.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  8. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 417. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  9. Allmusic.com – Discography
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