Though there is room for everybody in life’s rich musical pageant, most people with ears drew the line at Fields of The Nephilim.
They rode into town from the wastelands of Stevenage, five mean dung-punchers with a burning thirst, preaching the prairie gospel of Goth. 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 woolly 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
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