The Under Appreciated Genius Of Weird Bands Who Should Have Been Bigger Than They Were.
No 1
David Devant And His Spirit Wife
This band of weirdos started life in Brighton in the early 90s. They took their name from an old English music hall magician who would finish his shows by making his 'spirit wife' appear floating over the stage, they would also use this as inspiration for their live shows.
The band became settled with members The Vessel (Also known as Mr Solo) on vocals & guitar, Foz? on guitar & saw, The Colonel on bass, Professor Rimschott on drums and The Genius on sax. Also joining their live shows were projectionist Lantern and their two 'Spectral Roadies' ICEman & Cocky Young'un.
In 1996 they were creating a buzz in London and in the music press with their outrageous live shows which involved things like The Vessel (A kind of Victorian era Elvis) floating on a magic carpet and being shot out of a cannon and culminated like their namesake with the Spirit Wife appearing at the end of the show. They were eventually signed and released their first album the following year Work, Lovelife, Miscellaneous. Critics compared them to being like early Bowie & Roxy Music on acid and gave them favourable reviews.
The album wasn't a commercial hit and the band plagued with line up changes carried on releasing albums till the mid 2000s before splitting. But they are still fondly remembered by handful of people who were lucky enough to experience them at their short peak.
Two singles they released managed to get into the lower reaches of the charts which I have included here for your appreciation.The first is Ginger, a tale of the hardships of having ginger hair.
The second single is a charming ditty informing everybody of the delights of the London suburb of Pimlico.
Enjoy