Microdisney
Microdisney was an Irish musical duo formed in 1980 by Cathal Coughlan (keyboards, vocals) and Sean O'Hagan (guitar).
Original Lineup
Vocals/Keyboard: Cathal Coughlan Guitar: Sean O'Hagan Bass: Unknown(please fill) Drums: Dave Galvin
History
Like many bands, who may otherwise have gone unrecognised, they were given a wider audience by BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel.
They recorded for Kabuki, Rough Trade and Virgin records. Albums included the early compilation "We Hate You South African Bastards!" (later renamed "Love Your Enemies"), "Everybody Is Fantastic" and "The Clock Comes Down The Stairs". After signing to Virgin they released two albums "Crooked Mile" and "39 Minutes".
They disbanded in 1988, with Cathal forming Fatima Mansions and Sean The High Llamas. Post break up 2 further compilations were issued of previously released material - "Big Sleeping House - a collection of Microdisney's finest moments", and the "Peel Sessions" which has most of their collected BBC John Peel sessions apart from the last one.
Their second single, 1983's 'Pink Skinned Man" is a superb indie record, produced by Dave Feeley. They began recording in Cork, producing a muted atmospheric sound. After their initial Peel sessions and meeting with John Porter (also of the Smiths) their sound became more commercial and chart orientated. "Town to Town" (1985) was a fine rock-along sing song but Microdisney's 1987 single "Singer's Hampstead Home" is often described as an attack on Boy George (of Culture Club fame). However, exactly how this rumour came about is something of a mystery. The lyrics are about Boy George, but certainly do not attack him. In fact, they are more an attack on the way that the media and police hounded him in his post Culture Club days. The theory that this single release culminated in the Virgin label releasing Microdisney from their contract is pure nonsence. By 1987, Culture Club had pretty much split up, and in any case, Virgin would hardly worry about the lyrics of a song by such a comparatively unknown band. The real reason that Virgin failed to renew Microdisney's contract is much more liklely to be that Microdisney's music did not fall easily into a convenient "pigeonhole" category, and Virgin felt it was too much like hard work to market them.
Albums
Everybody Is Fantastic (1984)
We Hate You South African Bastards! (1984) ("Love Your Enemies")
The Clock Comes Down The Stairs (1985)
Crooked Mile (1987)
39 Minutes (1988)
The Peel Sessions (1989)
Big Sleeping House (1995)
Singles
Hello Rascals(1982)
Pink Skinned Man (1983)
Dolly (1984)
In the World (1985)
Birthday Girl(1985)
Town to Town(1987)
Singers Hampstead Home(1987)
Gale Force Wind (1988)
External links
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