Troy Tate
Troy Tate |
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Troy Tate is a musician and record producer who was a member of several bands including The Teardrop Explodes and Fashion as well as working as a solo artist.
Biography
Born in Liverpool, England, Tate's first band was the Cheltenham-based punk rock band Index, who released one single, "Jet Lag" c/w "Total Bland" in 1978.[1] He moved on to join former members of The Rezillos in the band Shake, recording two singles with this band. In 1981 he first recorded as a solo artist, releasing the "Thomas" single on the RCA label Why-Fi.[1] He joined The Teardrop Explodes in late 1980, replacing Alan Gill on guitar, and playing on the Wilder album.[1] While with the band, he continued his solo career, releasing "Lifeline" in 1982. He left The Teardrop Explodes, and joined Fashion in October 1982, leaving in 1983 when he signed to Rough Trade Records, for whom he debuted that year with "I Don't Know What Love Is Anymore". When The Smiths (also on Rough Trade) were looking for a producer for their debut album, Tate was chosen, although after the album was recorded, the band decided to reject these recordings and re-record the album with producer John Porter. The original version of the album is widely known as The Troy Tate Sessions and has only been released on bootlegs. "Jeane" from these sessions was released as the b-side of the "This Charming Man" single, and the version of "Pretty Girls Make Graves" was included on The Sound of The Smiths in 2008.[2]
Tate moved on to Sire Records in 1984, who issued a remixed version of "Thomas", which was followed by his debut solo album, Ticket To The Dark the same year.[1] The album featured contributions from former-Teardrop Explodes member David Balfe, Nicky Holland, Virginia Astley and Rolo McGinty of The Woodentops, and was described by Trouser Press as "an exceptionally good record".[3] A second album, Liberty, followed in 1985, which proved to be Tate's swansong.
Discography
Singles
- "Thomas" (1981) Why-Fi
- "Lifeline" (1982) Why-Fi
- "I Don't Know What Love Is Anymore" (1983) Rough Trade
- "Thomas" (1984) Sire
- "Sorrow" (1985) Sire
Albums
- Ticket To The Dark (1984) Sire
- Liberty (1985) Sire
References
- ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (2003) "Troy Tate", in The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1 84195 335 0
- ^ Keefe, Michael (2008) "The Smiths - The Sound of the Smiths", PopMatters
- ^ Robbins, Ira "Troy Tate", Trouser Press
External links
- Sinclair, Mick (1981) Troy Tate Feature, Sounds, August 1981