I was trolling the Stone Roses message board the other day, when I came across a posting about someone selling a CD by a band called Neon Cherub on EBay. This band, which I'm not completely convinced ever existed, were supposedly signed to Creation and primed to be the successors to the Roses back in the early 90s, on the strength of their demos... but then, like Richey Manic, the lead singer of the band mysteriously vanished, never to be seen again. The band dissolved shortly thereafter, but the songs, of course, live on in (sigh) bootleg recordings being sold on EBay. I was wondering if anyone in England had ever heard of this group, or whether this is some cheap marketing ploy for this guy.
Here is the "official" story, courtesy of the guy selling CDRs of the band on EBay:
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"After 3 gigs at the beginning of 1993, a Scottish four-piece band called Neon Cherub were signed up by major record label, Creation.
They were heralded as "The Next Stone Roses" by the Melody Maker and anticipation of their debut album was mind-blowing.
Their tunes were carved from the same stone as the beautifully melodic 'She Bangs The Drums' and 'Waterfall' and The Stone Roses were the band's benchmark. Constantly aiming for that perfect piece of chrystalline pop that would survive long after the band had gone.
After two years and various different recording sessions, the band had 20 songs ready for the final mix. A number of problems were compounded by the disappearance of the band's lead singer in July 1995. He had gone out to 'unwind' on his own in the city of Edinburgh after a gruelling recording session and he never returned. Although the band and their label thought this was merely a hitch in proceedings, Vocalist Vincent DuPall has never been seen since.
At the tender age of 22, the band's main songwriter had vanished without trace. This baffling sequence of events was made even worse after four months when the record company backed out and left the band without a deal. They could no longer finance a record when the songwriter had gone AWOL.
This collection of the band's incredible tunes was given to me by Lead Guitarist Richard Salmon, who wanted it mixed to an acceptable standard. We have decided to distribute it on our own record label, Radiator Records. We want to allow as many people as possible to hear these life-affirming songs as a tribute to Vinnie.
Included here are demos, radio sessions, fully mixed tracks and rough versions of potential songs for the album.
Song 6, 'Message # 1, was recorded on the night Vinnie went missing. It samples an answer phone message left by Vinnie for Richard Salmon ("Fish") early in the morning. Vinnie sounds disorientated and there may be two other voices in the background. One of the voices takes over the call and ends it prematurely. This call has puzzled everyone that knows Vinnie ever since. No one recognises the other two voices.
The track-listing is as follows:
Fifties Apple Skyline
Tortoishell Cell
Red Terrace Blues
Down By The River
She's A Glowin'
Message # 1
Waiting For The One
Rejoice In The Morning
Number 5
F.M. Static
Moondog Johnny
There Is Sunshine
Astro Plain
Flower In Your Eye
Ache Of The Sound
The Dark Of Day
Stella's Tulip
Vintage Vanouvres
Clause 22
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So has anyone ever heard of these guys, or know any stories?
― King Kobra (King Kobra), Thursday, 2 December 2004 20:23 (twenty years ago)
eight months pass...