Summerhill (band)

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Summerhill were a Scottish jangle pop band formed by former members of Snakes of Shake. They released two albums before splitting up in 1990. They reformed briefly a few years later.

History[edit]

The band was formed in 1987 and 1988 by formed Snakes of Shake members Seori Burnett, Neil Scott, and Iain Shedden, along with bassist Keith Gilles.[1] Early recordings also featured the steel guitar of B.J. Cole.[1] After debut single "I Want You", the band released the Lowdown mini-LP in October 1988 on the Demon Records offshoot Diablo.[2] Shedden then left to rejoin The Saints, also later playing with Giant Sand. Michael Sturgis replaced him, and the band were signed by Polydor Records.[1] Two singles followed before second album West of Here, the band receiving some critical acclaim but little commercial success.[1] After a final single for Polydor, a cover version of The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses", the band split up.[1][2]

The band also recorded two David Crosby songs, "It Happens Each Day" and "Lady Friend", for the album Time Between – A Tribute to the Byrds under the name Static in 1991, receiving a 'thanks to' credit on the back cover.

Gilles and Shedden were also in the band 13 Frightened Girls with singer Sumishta Brahm, releasing a sole single, "Lost at Sea" in 1991.[1][2] Scott went on to join Horse Latitudes.[1] Summerhill reunited in 1994, although only the "No Matter What You Do" single was released before they split up for the last time.[1]

The original Lowdown-era line-up of Summerhill reformed in 2017 for a short UK tour in support of a reissue of their debut; a double CD featuring previously un-released material.[3]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • Lowdown (1989), Diablo
  • West of Here (1990), Polydor

Singles[edit]

  • "I Want You" (1988), Rocket 5
  • "Here I Am" (1989), Polydor
  • "Don't Let It Die" (1990), Polydor
  • "Wild Horses" (1990), Polydor
  • "No Matter What You Do" (1995), Tupelo

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 509-510
  2. ^ a b c Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Indie & New Wave, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0231-3, p. 418
  3. ^ Whitfield, Mark (2 August 2017). "Eighties "roots rockers" Summerhill return with UK dates". Americana-uk.com. Retrieved 1 July 2020.