User:Flowboysenior/sandbox

SON OF SAM (UK BAND)

Son Of Sam was formed by Chris Bishop in Leeds, UK in 1984/85. Named after the infamous US serial killer Early recordings, largely "solo" works, were released in cassette tape format, e.g. "Sex & Bestiality". New members were soon co-opted into the fold, originally Robert McLean (keyboards) & later, Robin Stokes (guitar / bass). Another member was vocalist Samantha Harris who appeared only on the first E.P. The band's first vinyl release in 1985 was a 12" E.P. "The Golden Age of Disco" (L'age d'Or de Disco)[Final Image] gaining them minor notoriety. Subsequent releases were 1Kbpm / One Thousand Beats per Minute, followed by an L.P. "Rich & Famous, (Eight songs of greed)" & later 12" singles "A Dangerous Age for a Woman" (Machine Jazz!) & "Hallelujah Geronimo!" All were initially released on the local "Rouska" label. Later licensed in Europe & USA. For those with an interest in categorisation, the music might be loosely described as electro-disco-rock. Dave Halsam review of "Theme from Rich & Famous"? Early recordings on 4 track equipment made use of ubiquitous at the time, cheap "Casio" keyboards, various borrowed analog synthesizers & drum machines along with basic early "samplers", creating an urgent, hard edged sound with disturbing vocal & instrumental loops underscored by crackling percussion. Later studio recordings made more use of traditional guitars & basses. Two Videos were released; "21st Century Bible" & "Dangerous Age" After mainly playing locally the band toured Europe a number of times in the late '80's. Son of Sam remained in limbo while various other projects were pursued. Recent D.J. interest in the early S.O.S. sound has resulted in the release of mutated & remixed "Rough electro boogieness"; "Nature Makes a Mistake" (Running Back) A side project of Bishop & Stokes became "Good Shepherds" who released a pseudonymous LP in 1988 copies of which are quite rare as the "Red Rhino" label went inyo liqudation when most copies were in the warehouse. There were no further releases.

Discography

The Golden Age of Disco,   1985 Final Image* 1KBPM                      1987 Rouska A Dangerous Age for a Woman 1987  " Rich and Famous             1987   " Hallelujah! Geronimo! 1988  "

Other

Dollar Cacophony (sampler) 1988   "

Band Members

Chris Bishop; Instruments, Vocals Robert McLean; Keyboards Robin Stokes; Guitar, Bass Sam Harris; Vocals*