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Angelfish (band)

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Angelfish
Vocalist Shirley Manson in the late 1990s, shortly after her tenure in Angelfish
Vocalist Shirley Manson in the late 1990s, shortly after her tenure in Angelfish
Background information
OriginEdinburgh, Scotland
Genres
Years active1993–1995[3]
Labels
SpinoffsGarbage
Past members

Angelfish was a short-lived early-1990s Scottish alternative rock group originating from Edinburgh, Scotland, formed as a side-project to Scottish group Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, after keyboardist and backing vocalist Shirley Manson was signed as a solo artist to circumvent the Mackenzies' existing record contract.[4]

Career

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Angelfish released a single self-titled studio album, Angelfish, and two singles of which the first was an EP for minor college radio hit "Suffocate Me".[5] The Angelfish album was born out of necessity when Goodbye Mr Mackenzie's record distributor MCA expressed interest in recording an album with Manson on lead vocals rather than furthering its commitment to the Mackenzies. The Mackenzies' record label boss Gary Kurfirst signed Manson as a solo artist, with the remaining Mackenzies performing as her backing band to circumvent the band's existing deal with MCA.[6] Angelfish received a positive response from contemporary music critics and journalists. Barry Egan of Creem wrote: "Their self-titled debut displays the kind of out-of-kilter charm and intensity that most artists can only lie about possessing... this is indeed a record that owes much to Scotland's Cocteau Twins as it does to Lou Reed's feel-good dark angels, The Velvet Underground."[7] In the Gavin Report trade publication, their alternative reviewer wrote "An interesting sound... one that recalls elements of early Blondie and Patti Smith".

Two releases promoted the album; the first an EP, Suffocate Me was released mid-1993, while the second, "Heartbreak to Hate", was released to radio at the time of the album's release.[8] The music video for "Suffocate Me" famously aired once by MTV during 120 Minutes, where it was seen by Garbage co-founder Steve Marker.[9] Manson was asked to join Garbage, and accepted.[10] The Angelfish side-project was dissolved, while Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie continued on for another two years without Manson.[11]

Discography

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Further information: Shirley Manson discography

Albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[12]
Angelfish 196

Singles and EPs

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Year Release Label
1993 Suffocate Me EP Wasteland/Caroline Records
1994 "Heartbreak to Hate" Radioactive Records/MCA

References

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  1. ^ "Angelfish Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Shirley Manson and Butch Vig Answer 20 Questions for the 20th Anniversary of 'Garbage'". Spin. 13 August 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  3. ^ "The return of Scotland's lost rock stars, Goodbye Mr Mackenzie". www.heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 15 December 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Goodbye Mr Mackenzie – Biog". Blokshok Productions. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  5. ^ Garbage. Record Collector Magazine. 1 February 1997.
  6. ^ "Goodbye Mr Mackenzie - Biog". Blokshok Productions. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  7. ^ Egan, Barry (1 April 1993). Shirley Manson of Angelfish. CREEM.
  8. ^ Garbage. Record Collector Magazine. 1 February 1997.
  9. ^ "Garbage: Behind The Music". Behind The Music. 31 March 2002.
  10. ^ name="Radioactive vs Shirley Manson">153 F.Supp.2d 462 RADIOACTIVE, J.V., Plaintiff, v. Shirley MANSON, Defendant. No. 01 Civ.1948(SAS). United States District Court, S.D. New York. (29 July 2001)
  11. ^ Garbage. Record Collector Magazine. 1 February 1997.
  12. ^ "Charts". www.billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Garbage sues Universal Music". Canoe -- JAM! Music. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
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