The Darkside

The Darkside (or Darkside) were an indie rock band formed in 1989 by former members of Spacemen 3. After releasing two studio albums they split up in 1993.

The Darkside
OriginRugby
Years active1989 (1989)–1993 (1993)
LabelsSituation Two
Associated actsSpacemen 3
Past membersPete Bain
Sterling Roswell
Nick Haydn
Craig Wagstaff
Kevin Cowen
Not to be confused with Darkside (band).

History

The band formed in Rugby in 1989 and was led by Pete Bain (aka Bassman), who had left Spacemen 3 just before their 1989 album Playing With Fire. Bain was then joined in the new outfit by his former bandmate, drummer Sterling Roswell (aka Rosco). Vocals were initially handled by Nick Haydn but his departure forced Bain to assume them.[1] The group were signed to Beggars Banquet Records offshoot Situation Two throughout their existence.[2]

Contrary to much of what is written about the band, Haydn has always claimed he was a founder member, once played with Spacemen 3 himself and wrote most of the band's early material (although credited to 'The Darkside' on record labels), and also played guitar as well as being the lead vocalist. Hayden left the band shortly before he was due to go on stage at a gig in Oxford. Hayden then formed the Oxford band Flite 118 whose set list included much of the early The Darkside songs such as "Highrise Love", "Ocean of Fire" and "Can't Think Straight".

The group debuted in April 1990 with the single "Highrise Love", which was followed by "Waiting for the Angels" and the album, All That Noise. With Rosco moving to keyboards, the group recruited Craig Wagstaff, whom they had known while in Spacemen 3.[1] The band's next release was the mail-order only Psychedelicise Suburbia live album in 1991.[1] A double-EP in November 1991 preceded second studio album Melomania, which was released in January 1992.[1] With the departure of guitarist Kevin Cowen following the LP's release, Bain then assumed guitar duties for the EP Mayhem to Meditate. When Situation Two rejected the demos cut for a third LP, the band disintegrated.

Since the band's split, Bain has recorded several albums under the Alpha Stone name and guested on several of former bandmate Peter Kember's E.A.R albums. Rosco has issued the solo album Ubik under his assumed name Sterling Roswell.

Discography[3]

Albums
  • All That Noise (1990), Situation Two
  • Psychedelicise Suburbia (1991), Acid Ray
  • Melomania (1992), Situation Two

EPs
  • Loaded on Bliss (1991), Muster
  • Mayhem to Meditate (1992), Situation Two
  • Lunar Surf (1993), Bomp

Singles
  • "Highrise Love" (1990), Situation Two
  • "Waiting for the Angels" (1991), Situation Two
  • "When Fate Deals its Mortal Blow" (1993), Munster
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References
  1. Martin Charles Strong (1 October 2003). The Great Indie Discography. Canongate Books Ltd. p. 698. ISBN 978-1-84195-335-9.
  2. Darkside - Music Biography, Credits and Discography : AllMusic
  3. Darkside - Music Biography, Credits and Discography : AllMusic

Sources
  • Erik Morse: Spacemen 3 & The Birth of Spiritualized (2004)
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