The Teardrop Explodes formed in 1978 with original members Julian Cope (real name Kevin Stapleton) on vocals and bass, Mick Finkler on guitar, Paul Simpson on keyboards, and Gary Dwyer on drums, and quickly became the focal point for Liverpool’s emerging post-punk new wave scene.
After playing their debut show at Liverpool’s infamous ‘Eric’s’ club, the band recorded three singles for the local Zoo label before signing to Phonogram, where they perfected their provocative pop psychedelia, or “bubblegum trance music,” as one hipster put it.
Several hit singles – including Reward, When I Dream, and Treason – two albums and many madcap acid japes later, the group split up in 1982 amid no little rancour.
Their genius was taking hated 70’s musical genres such as Prog Rock and Krautrock and converting them into pop nuggets without diluting their sense of experimentation and bug-eyed, manic waywardness.
Paul Simpson was replaced by Big In Japan‘s Dave Balfe, whose keyboard work was an important part of the band’s sound. He also co-produced their 1980 debut album, Kilimanjaro.
Heralded by the bittersweet brilliance of early singles Reward and Treason (which both appeared on Kilimanjaro) the band had a sense of joyful madness, insatiable curiosity, and Julian Cope’s Christ-in-a-jar take on pop culture – chaotically but melodically expressed on Passionate Friend and You Disappear From View.
Cope shed band members like socks until he was virtually a solo artist in all but name. Guitarist Finkler wasn’t even listed on the LP’s cover, and Cope asked Balfe to leave just before Christmas 1980.
Released eight years after their dissolution, Everybody Wants To Shag The Teardrop Explodes reconstructed the band’s aborted third album, gathering seven outtakes with the four-track You Disappear From View EP.
Although it isn’t as polished as their two official studio albums, it is filled with adventurous music and is frequently more exciting than their second studio album, Wilder.
In 1984, Cope embarked on a solo career with World Shut Your Mouth, but misfortune dogged his progress. The singer intentionally gashed his stomach with a broken microphone stand during an appearance at London’s Hammersmith Palais, and his pronouncements on the benefits of mind-expanding substances exacerbated an already wayward, unconventional image.
The sleeve of his second solo album, Fried, featured a naked Cope cowering under a turtle shell, and commentators drew parallels with rock casualties Roky Erickson and Syd Barrett (both of whom Julian admired).
A third album, Skellington, was rejected by his label, prompting Cope to switch to Island Records. Paradoxically, he then enjoyed a UK Top 20 single with a newly-recorded version of World Shut Your Mouth.
Sant Julian became his best-selling album to date, but a tour to promote his next collection, My Nation Underground, was abandoned when he became too ill to continue. He maintained a low profile but re-emerged in 1990 at London’s anti-Poll Tax demonstration, dressed as a space alien, Mr Sqwubbsy.
His unconventional behaviour was tempered by a new realism, and in 1991 he scored another major hit with Beautiful Love and a double album, Peggy Suicide, which received considerable praise.
In 1992, Cope released another double album, the fiercely anti-Christian Jehovahkill, on Island Records. Musically, the album reflected his interest in Krautrock and his teenage fascination with Detroit hard rock. Despite the album reaching the UK Top 20, the label dropped Cope.
Signing to the Def Jam subsidiary American Recordings for a one-off album deal, Cope recorded Autogeddon (1994).
He finally turned his back on the mainstream music industry in 1997, launching the Head Heritage organisation – a combined record label, website and discussion forum.
In later years, he became involved in writing, releasing historical works and novels.
Julian Cope
Vocals, bass Paul Simpson
Keyboards Mick Finkler
Guitar
Gary Dwyer
Drums Gerard Quinn
Keyboards David Balfe
Keyboards Alan Gill
Guitar Troy Tate
Guitar Ron Francois
Bass
Video
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Several hit singles – including Reward, When I Dream, and Treason – two albums and many madcap acid japes later, the group split up in 1982 amid no little rancour.
