Those people into the indie-pop scene of the early 90s will recall 2-piece UK band originally called Bulldozer Clarts, then immediately Bulldozer Crash with four 7″ singles and a succeeding (unfortunately) CD mini-album in 1995 under their belt, through memorable DIY labels as the, recently reformed, Chicago’s Sunday Records (we’ve recently highlighted the brilliant Lips from its roster) and Nottingham’s Heaven Records, both characterized by the stunning quality of their cover artwork.
I used to notice their vinyls as sought-after collection items over most wanted lists, especially from Japan, in the early 2000s.
In the new Millenium while lead vocalist Marc Elston went to form Liberty Ship, his partner Stephen Maughan previously author, between 1988 and 1990, of the legendary music fanzine This Almighty Pop! and head of the associated label of the same name, was involved in underestimated outfits Kosmonaut, and Denver through well known imprints like Elefant Records, Matinee Recordings, Firestation Records, Cloudberry Records, Motorway, Apricot Records, Jigsaw Records, etc.
Stephen‘s latest musical venture under The Memory Fades moniker, debuted last April with the brilliant 3-tracker, between power-pop and indie-folk, “She Loves The Birds” via Sunday Records, soon followed by the just-released “Space Pilot” 4-track EP.
Four well-crafted songs varying from the abrasive distorted guitar riffs and tight rhythms with hypnotic psych edges of the opening title-track, moreover he was the rocking and noisier side of Bulldozer Crash, the delicious sparkling guitar melodies, and organ washes of the breathy folk pop number “Run away” perfectly complemented with the final acoustic jangly guitar infused bittersweet reverie of “Big Pop Stars”, we’ve left for last the sublime “Listening to the Mary Chain” featuring the charming guest vocals of Estella Rosa from twee-pop duo Nah.
A sweet and subdued lyrical tribute to The Jesus and Mary Chain, underlie by alluring yet slightly unsettling Velvet Underground undertones, strums along with its delicately fingerpicked acoustic guitar arpeggios, interspersed by echoing, terse, monotous snare drum beats while the heavenly combination of male-female vocal interplay weaves a hazy and ecstatic aura, suffused with longing and wistful nostalgia, at once entrancing and seductive, enhanced by soaring mournful guitar leads and slow droning sway of cello creeping deep to sharpen a profound inner ‘ear bleeding feedback’ of solitude and alienation.
Keep up with The Memory Fades: