The Blue Aeroplanes

Cover of Huh!: The Best of, 1987–1992

The Blue Aeroplanes are an English rock band from Bristol,^[1] the mainstays of which have been Gerard Langley, brother John Langley, and dancer Wojtek Dmochowski. All three had previously been members of the new wave "art band" Art Objects from 1978 to 1981.

History

The Blue Aeroplanes first performed under that name at the King Street Art Gallery in Bristol in 1981. They consisted mainly of former members of the Art Objects, with the addition of Nick Jacobs, former guitarist and vocalist of Southampton band The Exploding Seagulls.^[2] The same line-up played three or four concerts over the next couple of years, either at the gallery or for benefits, including a Karl Marx centenary performance at the Victoria Rooms, with the addition of trumpet and didgeridoo.^[3] The Blue Aeroplanes' first album Bop Art was released on their own Party Records in 1984, and was rapidly picked up by the Abstract (US) and Fire (UK) labels.^[4] It contained material that had been considered as a follow-up to Art Objects' only album, Bagpipe Music. Gerard Langley's largely spoken poetic lyrics were combined with a heavily guitar-centric band that went on to release Tolerance (1986) and Spitting Out Miracles (1987) and several singles and EPs whose B-sides were brought together in the compilation FriendLoverPlane (1988), all on the Fire label.^[5]

In 1990 the band released probably their most critically acclaimed album, Swagger, this time on a major label Chrysalis/Ensign. This was followed by Beatsongs which was recorded in the United States and released in 1991. This second album on the major label was their highest charting, reaching no. 33 in the UK album charts. A second compilation of rare B-sides and out-takes, FriendLoverPlane2 (Up in a Down World), was released in 1992.^[5]

The follow-up to Beatsongs was delayed until 1994 when the album, Life Model was released on the Beggars Banquet label, followed by Rough Music in 1995. "Broken & Mended" from Life Model was the band's last single to chart and is a favourite at gigs. A long break and another label change to ArtStar preceded the release of Cavaliers in 2000. Following negotiations with EMI who now owned the rights to Swagger and Beatsongs, The Blue Aeroplanes made a surprise return to this major label. EMI re-released Swagger Deluxe as a 2-CD version in January 2006. This was followed by an album of new material called Altitude later that year, released on EMI's Harvest imprint. The group then recorded an album of cover versions of classic tracks that were originally recorded by artists signed to the Harvest label. The album, called Harvester, was released by EMI/Harvest in 2007.^[5]

As well as the two FriendLoverPlane compilations, several other compilations have been released in recent years. Huh! The Best of The Blue Aeroplanes (1987–1992) was released by EMI/Chrysalis in 1997 and featured many of the songs from Swagger and Beatsongs. Also in 1997, Warhol's 15 The Best of the Blue Aeroplanes (1985–1988) was released and covered the preceding period when the band was signed to Fire records. In 1996 Fruit (live 1985–1995) was released on Fire records and covered 10 years of live performances recorded at various venues. Then in 2001, ArtStar released Weird Sh*t which featured both rare tracks and alternative versions of some of the band's best-known songs from Swagger through to 'Cavaliers.^[6]

In 2008 and 2009 limited edition live albums were released and sold at the annual Christmas gig at Fiddlers in Bristol. Live in Cheltenham (2008) and Skyscrapers (2009) were limited to just 100 copies each and each featured songs not included on the other live CD. Their Christmas gig moved to The Fleece a few years later and is a staple in their touring calendar.

The band plan to release a new album Welcome, Stranger! in January 2017.^[7]

Live performances

Lead singer Gerard Langley (right) and classically trained Polish dancer Wojciech Dmochowski, April 2006.

They have played headlining gigs in small indie venues as well as supporting big acts such as REM^[8] and Siouxsie & the Banshees on major international tours, frontman Gerard Langley always wearing his trademark shades even at night in dark venues.^[9] Performances include the band's 1992 appearance at Glastonbury which was broadcast on BBC Radio 1,^[10] the finale at the Hammersmith Apollo when 12 guitarists were seen on stage performing "Breaking in My Heart" and their annual appearance at Fiddlers in Bristol^[11] which has now been relocated to the band's own venue, The Fleece.^[12]

In February 2016 the band played at the 6music festival at Colston Hall's Lantern venue, being introduced by Gidian Coe and in April 2016 they were personally chosen by curator Stewart Lee to play the ATP festival at Pontins Prestatyn.

Discography

Studio albums

• Bop Art (1984), Party
• Tolerance (1985), Fire
• Spitting Out Miracles (1987), Fire
• Swagger (1990), Ensign
• Beatsongs, (1991), Ensign
• Life Model (1994), Beggars Banquet
• Rough Music (1995), Beggars Banquet
• Fruit (1996), Fire
• Weird Shit (1996), Self-release
• Cavaliers & Roundheads (2000), Swarf Finger
• Altitude (2006), EMI/Harvest
• Harvester (2007), EMI/Harvest
• Anti-Gravity (2011), Art Star/Albino
• Welcome, Stranger! (2017)

Compilation albums

• Friendloverplane (1988), Fire
• World View Blue (1990), Chrysalis
• Friendloverplane 2 (Up in a Down World) (1992), Ensign
• Huh! The Best of The Blue Aeroplanes 1987–1992 (1997), Chrysalis
• Warhol's 15 – The Best Of The Blue Aeroplanes 1985–1988 (2002), Nectar

Singles & EPs

• "Action Painting & Other Original Works Of..." (1985), Fire
• "Lover & Confidante And Other Stories of Travel Religion & Heartbreak" (1985), Fire
• "Tolerance" (1986), Fire
• "Bury Your Love Like Treasure" (1987), Fire
• "The Janice Long Session" (1988), Night Trax
• "Veils of Colour" (1988), Fire
• "Jacket Hangs" (1990), Ensign
• "...And Stones" (1990), Ensign
• "The Loved EP" (1990), Ensign
• "Yr Own World" (1991), Ensign
• "The Boy in the Bubble" (1991), Ensign
• "Stranger" (1992), Flexi-disc given out at Bristol University gig.
• "Fun" (1992), Ensign
• "Up In A Down World" (1993), Fantastic Plastic
• "Broken & Mended EP" (1994), Beggars Banquet
• "Detective Song" (1994), Beggars Banquet
• "Sugared Almond EP" (1995), Beggars Banquet
• "China Brilliance Automotive" (2020), Albino Two Recordings

Compilation appearances

• Bludgeoned (1985). Includes different version of "Action Painting".
• Imminent Episode One (1985), Food. Includes an alternate version of "Outback Jazz".
• On The Dotted Line (1997), EMI. Includes two live tracks from the ICA, listing unknown.
• Great Fire of London (1989), Fire. Includes the uncredited version of Dave Brubeck's "Unsquare Dance" (an out-take from Bop Art), and a different version of "Gunning The Works".
• Lime Lizards (1991), CAS. Includes "Autumn Journal XV".
• Volume 2 (1991). Includes the original album version of "Aeroplane Blues" (pre-overdubs, etc.).
• Ruby Trax (1992), NME. Includes "Bad Moon Rising".
• NME Presents Viva! Eight (1992), NME. Includes "Yr Own World (live)".
• The Indie Scene 1985 – The Story of British Independent Music (1992). Includes "Action Painting".

Lineups

See also

• List of bands from Bristol
• List of record labels from Bristol
• Bristol record labels

References

External links

• The Blue Aeroplanes on Facebook
• Band Website
• Mailing List
• Swagger Deluxe and Altitude Press Release