Angela's deadline had been fast approaching - she couldn't compose herself, let alone the piece for the paper. The Shadowland live that previous night had been something completely different. A vibrant, un-nerving clash of Hammond and Telecaster driven by the most innovative rhythm section this side of 1967. It was important however to establish some background to the phenomenon so she had talked to the band after the previous night's performance.
It seems The Shadowland began life in 1988 as a hugely loud 3-piece guitar combo. Dave's no compromise guitar playing became legendary around the seedy Edinburgh gig circuit. "It had to be cranked up so I could generate rhythm, lead and feedback simultaneously" Dave had recounted in (cool period) Claptonesque style. The subsequent addition of Hammond in 1990 took the rough edges of the set and introduced the beginning of the dance-groove element. Their debut album Kaleidoscope captured this transition period and is now a much sought after collectors item. An astounding European tour ("The Austrians knew all the words to Vagabond!" - Lee) and incessant UK gigging, combined with their international Daisy Chain mailing list, brought her up to date.
The Autumn/Winter gig schedule that year was to promote releases on Twist Records - "Smoke" 7" EP and the album "Snap, Crackle and Pop" featuring "Vagabond". Smoke was the highlight of the set that night, brewing up images of Hendrix, Cream and The Nice with up to the minute 90's sensibility. If it were only the music, the write up would have been so much easier.
"The Shadowland is more than a band, it's an experience" stated Rod, brimming with an enthusiasm rarely found nowadays. "….live performances are becoming uncontrollable". It would be too simple to classify the band as psychedelic pop, and an injustice. Their strengths are not only in the delivery but also in the quality of the song writing.
Angela lit up another cigarette, she wasn't getting anywhere. She knew that somewhere that night incense burned and a moving-colour lightshow years ahead of it's time (or years behind?) surrounded yet another frenzied live show. The Shadowland were already existing in their own musical Utopia…."I think "Smoke" on Simon Mayo would be the trigger for a major musical re-awakening" pondered Lee then. The thought had been just too exciting to imagine. Years later, Angela looked back on those heady, exciting days and looking at her smile through tearful eyes had wondered just how much The Shadowland and fellow groovers The Prisoners (whom Rod eventually went on to play with) really had kick started the "baggy" movement. Though "Smoke" had appeared without fire, at least in their homeland, the E.P. had done remarkably well in Europe and secured the band a touring future for years to come. With "Smoke" denting the charts and providing the band with several television opportunities including the sorely missed "The Word", 1993's "She" single and album built on the momentum adding to the band's legendary cult status throughout Europe and the USA.
Largely ignored by the British media, the band only succeeded in making the news in the UK after their announcement to split. With unprecedented interest in the band, Lee and Rod embarked on a whirlwind of interviews while the singles "Paradise" and the ironically entitled "Superstar" were rushed into circulation. Sadly the beginning of 1994 saw the Shadowland record their final single "The Leaves" which was a monumental production even by the band's standards. Not long after, The Shadowland played their last gig at a packed Edinburgh University.
Angela wiped away the tears. It was a thing of the time and the memory would always stand proud. She knew the band were disappointed at the general apathy shown by their own country but was also aware this disillusionment gave fire to Rod and Lee's new band Groove Tunnel which had quickly followed. The Shadowland's contribution to the sound of The Charlatans, The Inspiral Carpets, Kula Shaker etc will sadly always go largely unrecognised by all except the lucky few that had seen or been part of the experience known as, The Shadowland.
In the latter part of 2006, Lee married Vicki in Devon and the band were re-united for the first time in 12 years! It was quite an event and drunken ideas were pitched forth on the idea of spending a weekend recording some stuff again. We'll see! All the best to Lee & Vicki, Gary & Maggie and also Dave & Freya and their family xxx
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