Though there is room for everybody in life’s rich musical pageant, most people with ears drew the line at Fields of The Nephilim.
Their self-financed 1985 debut EP Burning The Fields begged the question . . . “why?”. And “how did they ever get off the ground?” . . . and “can you stop now, please!”
Carl McCoy’s ludicrous bowel-deep croon and dark mutterings carried all the menace of a pantomime villain in wooly pink tights.
Dressed in flour-coated cowboy outfits the band soon found their melancholy and occult-themed music swept up with the burgeoning Goth movement.
Snatching an audience of predominantly underage goths, the Neph exploited dry ice, cowboy hats and deep gurgling vocals for all they were worth.
And yet, despite having made videos in which Carl is hanged by irradiated mutants (Preacher Man) or boiled alive in a cauldron surrounded by elfin witchdoctors (Blue Water), the band claimed to have always taken their work seriously
They did improve with time. But not much.
Carl McCoy
Vocals
Paul Wright
Guitar
Tony Pettit
Bass
Alexander “Nod” Wright
Drums
Peter Yates
Guitar
Gary Wisker
Saxophone
John ‘Cappuccino’ Carter
Bass
Gizz Butt
Guitar
Gav King
Guitars
Lee Newell
Drums
