The Soup Dragons

Last updated

The Soup Dragons
The Soup Dragons.jpg
The Soup Dragons
Background information
Origin Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland
Genres
Years active
  • 1985–1995
  • 2023–present
Labels
Members
  • Sean Dickson
  • Jim McCulloch
  • Ian Whitehall
  • Sushil K. Dade
  • Ross A. Sinclair
  • Paul Quinn

The Soup Dragons are a Scottish alternative rock band of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Named after a character in the 1970s children's television series Clangers , the group is best known for its cover of the Rolling Stones' song "I'm Free", which was a top 5 hit in the United Kingdom in 1990; and "Divine Thing", a top 40 hit in the United States in 1992.

Contents

History

The Soup Dragons formed in Bellshill, a town near Motherwell, in 1985. [1] The line up was Sean Dickson (vocals, lead guitar) (born 1966), Jim McCulloch (guitar, second voice) who replaced Ian Whitehall, and Sushil K. Dade (bass) (born Sushil Kumar Dade, 1966, Glasgow). The original drummer Ross A. Sinclair (born 1966, Bearsden, Glasgow) left the group after the first album This Is Our Art to pursue a career in art, and he was replaced by Paul Quinn (born 9 August 1963). Most of their songs were written by Sean Dickson.

The Soup Dragons recorded their first demo tape You Have Some Too after playing a few local gigs, and this was followed by a flexi disc single "If You Were the Only Girl in the World". [1] They signed to The Subway Organization in early 1986, and their first EP The Sun in the Sky was Buzzcocks-inspired pop punk. The band's breakthrough came with their second single for Subway, "Whole Wide World", [2] which reached No. 2 on the UK Independent Chart in 1986. [3] Dickson and McCulloch also played in BMX Bandits at this time. [1] The band were signed by former Wham! co-manager Jazz Summers' label Raw TV with further indie hits (and minor UK Singles Chart hits) following during 1987 and 1988. [3] [4] Over the course of six singles (the first three collected in 1986 on a US-only compilation, Hang Ten), they gradually developed a complex rock guitar sound, which culminated in their first album This Is Our Art, now signed to major label Sire Records. [5] After one single from the album - "Kingdom Chairs" - was released, they then returned to original label Raw TV and Big Life Records.

In the year after This Is Our Art , The Soup Dragons' sound underwent a change from an indie rock sound, to the rock-dance crossover sound; this was mainly due to being without a drummer and buying a sampler and drum machine and experimenting with sound with the release of the album Lovegod . This change can be attributed to the rise of the ecstasy-fueled acid house rave scene in the UK. In 1990, they released "I'm Free", their most successful hit single in the UK and an up-tempo cover of a Rolling Stones song with an added toasting overdub by reggae star Junior Reid, which reached No. 5. [4] The single later appeared on the soundtrack for the film The World's End (2013).

"I'm Free" was also used as the outro to the film Renfield .[ citation needed ]

Subsequent albums continued in the band's own style and in 1992, they enjoyed their biggest US hit with "Divine Thing", which reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. [4] It also hit No. 3 on the Modern Rock chart and its video was nominated by MTV as one of the year's best, [6] though beaten by Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit". [7]

The Soup Dragons disbanded in 1995. [8] Paul Quinn joined Teenage Fanclub. Sushil K. Dade formed the experimental post rock group Future Pilot A.K.A. Sean Dickson formed The High Fidelity and has released many records and albums with other artists like Bootsy Collins, Yoko Ono, Crystal Waters and David McAlmont. [9] Jim McCulloch joined Superstar, wrote and recorded music with Isobel Campbell, and formed the folk group Snowgoose. Ross A. Sinclair had a successful career in art, winning a number of international awards and becoming a Research Fellow at Glasgow School of Art, [10] and still makes music to this day. [11]

The story of the Soup Dragons is traced as part of the 2017 documentary Teenage Superstars . [12]

The group announced on 27 March 2023 that the original line-up will play six reunion shows in the UK in October and November 2023. Support acts will be the Vaselines, BMX Bandits and a DJ set from the Pastels. [13] [14]

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
UK
[15]
AUS
[16]
NZ
[17]
US
[18]
This Is Our Art
  • Released: 1988
  • Format: LP, CD, cassette
  • Label: Sire
60
Lovegod
  • Released: 1990
  • Format: LP, CD, cassette
  • Label: Big Life/Polygram
7542788
Hotwired
  • Released: 1992
  • Format: LP, CD, cassette
  • Label: Big Life/Mercury
7497
Hydrophonic
  • Released: 1994
  • Format: 2×LP, CD, cassette
  • Label: Raw TV/Mercury
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilations

Extended plays

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
[15]
UK Indie AUS
[19]
AUT
[19]
BEL
(FL)

[19]
FRA
[19]
IRE
[20]
NLD
[19]
NZ
[21]
US
[22]
"Whole Wide World"19862Hang-Ten!
"Hang-Ten"2
"Head Gone Astray"1987823
"Can't Take No More" [23] 651This Is Our Art
"Soft as Your Face"662
"The Majestic Head"1988774
"Kingdom Chairs"82
"Backwards Dog" [24] 19895 Lovegod
"Crotch Deep Trash"6
"Mother Universe"1990944
"I'm Free"5292638331552679
"Mother Universe" (remixed version)2645
"Electric Blues" [25] 1991Non-album single
"Divine Thing"19925335 Hotwired
"Pleasure" [26] 69
"One Way Street"1994 Hydrophonic
"Janice Long Session 01.09.86"2022Non-album singles
"John Peel Session 06.02.87"
"Janice Long Session 30.08.87"2023
"John Peel Session 24.02.86"
"Love Is Love"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franz Ferdinand (band)</span> Scottish rock band from Glasgow

Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 2002. The band's original line-up was composed of Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, Bob Hardy and Paul Thomson. Julian Corrie and Dino Bardot joined the band in 2017 after McCarthy left during the previous year, and Audrey Tait joined the band after Thomson left in 2021. The band is one of the more popular post-punk revival bands, garnering multiple UK top 20 hits. They have been nominated for several Grammy Awards and have received two Brit Awards—winning one for Best British Group—as well as one NME Award.

<i>Lovegod</i> 1990 studio album by The Soup Dragons

Lovegod is the second studio album by the Soup Dragons, released in 1990. Four songs from the album were released as singles—"Backwards Dog", "Crotch Deep Trash", "Mother Universe" and "I'm Free". The latter, a cover of a Rolling Stones cut from their 1965 album Out of Our Heads, made the top 5 in the UK charts. First pressings did not include "I'm Free", but it was subsequently placed first on the re-release, which also dates to 1990.

Thunderclap Newman were an English rock band that Pete Townshend of the Who and Kit Lambert formed in 1969 in a bid to showcase the talents of John "Speedy" Keen, Jimmy McCulloch, and Andy "Thunderclap" Newman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMX Bandits (band)</span> Scottish pop rock band

BMX Bandits are a Scottish guitar pop band formed in Bellshill in 1986. Led by songwriter and lead vocalist Duglas T. Stewart, their music is heavily influenced by 1960s pop. They have shared members with numerous other local bands, including Teenage Fanclub and the Soup Dragons. BMX Bandits were a favourite band of Kurt Cobain, who said "If I could be in any other band, it would be BMX Bandits". In 2011, they were the subject of the documentary Serious Drugs: A Film About BMX Bandits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norman Blake (Scottish musician)</span> Scottish singer, songwriter and musician

Norman Blake is a Scottish singer, instrumentalist and songwriter in the Glasgow-based band Teenage Fanclub.

Telstar Ponies are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1994. Their musical style varies considerably but displays influences from Krautrock, folk, and experimental noise.

<i>Hotwired</i> (The Soup Dragons album) 1992 studio album by The Soup Dragons

Hotwired is the third studio album by the Scottish band the Soup Dragons. It was released on April 21, 1992.

Francis John Miller is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter and actor.

<i>Rogues Gallery</i> 1985 studio album by Slade

Rogues Gallery is the twelfth studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released by RCA on 11 March 1985 and reached number 60 in the UK charts. The album was largely produced by John Punter, with bassist Jim Lea producing "Harmony", "I Win, You Lose" and "Time to Rock". For this release, the band set out to create an album of radio-friendly, potential hit singles which would be released as singles somewhere across the world.

"I'm Free" is a song by the Rolling Stones written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, first released as the final track on the UK version of their album Out of Our Heads on 24 September 1965. It was also released at the same time as a single in the US and later included on the American December's Children album.

Future Pilot A.K.A. is the pseudonym of Glasgow indie musician Sushil K. Dade. Dade is a former member of the Soup Dragons, BMX Bandits and Telstar Ponies. Future Pilot's music blends classic indie pop with Indian classical, dub and hip hop influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superstar (band)</span>

Superstar were a Scottish rock band founded in 1991.

<i>Greatest Hits 1972–1978</i> 1979 greatest hits album by 10cc

Greatest Hits 1972–1978 is a compilation album by the English rock band 10cc

The Subway Organization was a British independent record label founded in 1985 in Bristol by Martin Whitehead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mother Universe</span> 1990 single by The Soup Dragons

"Mother Universe" is a single taken from the Soup Dragons album Lovegod. The original version, "hinging on a Marc Bolan riff", was initially ignored and regarded according to Rage Magazine as 'weird'. However, after the considerable success of the album's second single, "I'm Free", Mother Universe was reworked to give it a similar feel, substituting a gospel-style chorus for guitar chords and adding various whoops and small elements of toasting. The new version reached 26 in the UK Charts and was later re-issued in the US backed by "Sweetmeat". Despite the latter version's greater success, lead singer Sean Dickson has stated his preference for the original version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grouplove</span> American alternative rock band

Grouplove is an American alternative rock band that was formed in 2009 by Hannah Hooper, Christian Zucconi, Sean Gadd (bass), Andrew Wessen, and Ryan Rabin (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phinehas (band)</span> American metalcore band

Phinehas is an American metalcore band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2001. The group consists of vocalist Sean McCulloch, guitarist Daniel Gailey, bassist Bryce Kelley and drummer Isaiah Perez. They are currently signed to Solid State Records and have released five studio albums. Their most recent studio album, The Fire Itself, was released on August 27, 2021.

<i>The Last Word Is Yours to Speak</i> 2013 studio album by Phinehas

The Last Word Is Yours to Speak is the second studio album by American metalcore band Phinehas. The album was released on July 23, 2013, through Red Cord Records. It was produced by the band themselves and Chris Galvez. This is the first release with bassist Bryce Kelley and the last with guitarist Jason Combs.

<i>This Is Our Art</i> 1988 studio album by Soup Dragons

This Is Our Art is the debut studio album by the Scottish band the Soup Dragons, released in 1988.

Teenage Superstars is a 2017 film about the Glasgow independent music scene between 1982 and 1992, focusing on the bands that emerged from in and around the city at this point including The Pastels, BMX Bandits, The Soup Dragons, Teenage Fanclub, The Vaselines, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Primal Scream. In doing so, the film also considers the early days of Creation Records and Stephen Pastel, David Keegan and Sandy McLean’s 53rd & 3rd record label. The film follows on chronologically from 2015's Big Gold Dream, also directed by Grant McPhee, with its title taken from The Vaselines song "Teenage Superstars".

References

  1. 1 2 3 Thompson, Dave (2000) Alternative Rock, Miller Freeman, San Francisco, ISBN   0879306076, p.646-647
  2. hifisean (9 December 2007). "The Soup Dragons - Whole Wide World". YouTube.
  3. 1 2 Lazell, Barry (1997) Indie Hits 1980 - 1989, Cherry Red Books, ISBN   0-9517206-9-4, p.213
  4. 1 2 3 Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN   1-84195-335-0, p.515-6
  5. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 264. ISBN   0-85112-579-4.
  6. "The Soup Dragons - Divine Thing". YouTube. 8 December 2007.
  7. "The Soup Dragons - MTV Awards". YouTube . Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  8. "I'm Free by The Soup Dragons". songfacts.com. Retrieved 21 June 2020. The band split in 1995.
  9. "Hifi Sean: 'I was consumed with guilt because I'd hurt people'". The Guardian . 16 April 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  10. "Ross Sinclair - Contemporary Art Society". Contemporary Art Society. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  11. "Patricia Fleming Projects - A contemporary art gallery and studio based in Glasgow". Patriciaflemingprojects.co.uk. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  12. "British Council Film: Teenage Superstars". Film.britishcouncil.org. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  13. "The Soup Dragons".
  14. "The Soup Dragons return for Live Tour". 27 March 2023.
  15. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 516. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  16. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 261.
  17. "Soup Dragons Lovegod New Zealand Charting". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  18. "The Soup Dragons Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard . Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Soup Dragons – I'm Free". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  20. "Search for Soup Dragons in Artist". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  21. "Discography The Soup Dragons". charts.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  22. "The Soup Dragons Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  23. Lilian De Munno (22 February 2006). "32 - Soup Dragons - Can't Take No More". YouTube.
  24. "The Soup Dragons - Backwards Dog" . Retrieved 21 June 2021 via YouTube.
  25. "The Soup Dragons - Electric Blues". 9 December 2007 via YouTube.
  26. sjteich (22 August 2006). "Soup Dragons - Pleasure" via YouTube.