Throbbing all the way from Minsk to Miami
The band Claire is not named after a girl, the band is named after a planet. Claire is a five-piece noise. Somewhere between a throb and a drone, sometimes very fast, occasionally very slow. Usually in ‘E’, but Claire does flirt with other notes too.
Formed in response to the construction of Milton Keynes in 1983, you might have heard them on John Peel in session during the eighties, if not – no fear as they reformed in 2014 with the release of their long awaited 8 track LP Maxi Power Bulge. New material now being performed and some new personel too.
Claire have throbbed all the way from Minsk to Miami in their time. but are currently distracted by other stuff.
Line-up
- Ian Wilson: Vocals, Guitar, Laptop
- Peter Devine: Guitar
- Ian Williams: Bass
- Andy Williams: Drums
Extended family
- Ian Wilkie: Metal
- Ben Suttey: Vocals
- Bradley McQuewan: Management
- Mick McCarthy: Management
- Dave Barr: Management
- Tony Jeakins: Metal
- Jason Chalk: Metal
- Chris Edwards: Metal
- Keith ?: Guitar
Timeline
1983-1985
Wanna join my band!
The band first forms when Ian and Peter meet.
Gigs are hard to get. The band spend time planning how to assault the city of Milton Keynes rather than trying to write songs. The city is still young and unfinished. Metal bashing and pile-driving formed an urban soundtrack. Unformed sound
1985-1987
End of the beginning
The Point nightclub becomes the bands rehearsal space. Thanks Nod! Rehearsals at the The Point
Claire gig in Bow Brickhill woods. Hundreds attend. Unfortunately a shooting occurs whilst band are on stage. Summer woodland party gig
Demo number 4 is recorded in Buckingham. New material is flowing fast although this session – titled ‘The Future Is Grim’ is less optimistic. 4th Demo
The Pitz – Claire become the first band to play the new Milton Keynes venue. The Pitz
The Five-O Club, Luton. Friends of Claire, UK Decay, organised the gig. The Five-O Club
Claire play Countapoint one last time. Gig attended by Mark Refoy of Spiritualized who later commented:
10. Claire, The Compass Club, Bletchley 1987
I went to see a Northampton group called The Apple Creation (Jonny Mattock on drums) support a group called Clare (sic) from Milton Keynes. Clare (sic) had a totally nuts singer who jumped onto the venue floor and pushed himself around on his back from one side of the room to the other, screaming into the mic at the same time. The band had their backs to the audience and played as if it all was completely normal. They were fantastic but I never heard of them again. I think they did a Peel session, does anyone know anything else about this band? Reference
1988-1989
The beginning of the end
- 06/12/87 – Driffield recording session – one Claire track included on box set LP release
- Jan 1988 – Move to Peckham, South East London
- Gig with Lush – Tuesday May 2nd 1988, Back to the Planet – Autumn 1988
- Peckham Dolehouse rehearsals, Camberwell rehearsals, Brixton rehearsals
- 4th April and 17th May 1989 – Record Maxi Power Bulge, Ian Wn, Peter D, Ian W, Andy W, Chris E
- No money, no food, squats… grim lives…
- Split
2014 – 2017
25 years later
- Plan to release Maxi Power Bulge to vinyl emerges
- Ben Suttey replaces Ian on vocals – Ian moves over to samples, effects and keyboards
- Gigs – highlight supporting Lydia Lunch in Manchester
- Band goes on a second extended break
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