Pulp (band)

They brought out a greatest hits package: Hits and organised a music festival: Auto (held at Rotherham's Magna centre) where they played their last gig before embarking on a temporary hiatus from the music industry.
. In 2002 the band announced they were leaving their label, Island. In recent years Rundgren has severed his connections with major record labels and now offers his new music direct to subscribers via his website, although he also continues to record and release CDs through independent labels. Produced by Scott Walker, it was a much happier and more popular album than Hardcore. He has had a pioneering involvement with music video and computing and was the co-developer of the computer screensaver system Flowfazer. Pulp then spent a few years in the wilderness before reappearing in 2001 with a new album, We Love Life, symbolising another new phase in Cocker and Pulp's development. Rundgren's music video for the song "Time Heals" was the second video to be aired on MTV.

Pulp also collaborated with Patrick Doyle on the song "Like A Friend" for the soundtrack to the movie Great Expectations. 2nd Wind also included several excerpts from Rundgren's musical, Up Against It, which was adapted from the screenplay (originally titled "Prick Up Your Ears") which British playwright Joe Orton had originally offered to The Beatles as the screenplay for their never-to-be-made follow-up to Help!. Many of the fans who had so enjoyed the happier, more amusing and light-hearted approach of Different Class were somewhat turned off by the darker tone of the new record. His first to be released on CD -- these were cut totally live in the studio, and each song was recorded as a complete single take, with no later overdubbing. The fallout of all of this, and the ensuing depression induced by finding the one thing he'd been after all his life (fame) and then deciding that it wasn't really up to much, was the subject matter of the follow-up album This Is Hardcore: a trawl through the seedy world of Soho, which during its more navel-gazing, depressed-singer-in-a-hotel-room moments stylistically approached Pink Floyd's The Wall. Rundgren disbanded Utopia in the late 80s and after a short hiatus he resumed his solo recording career with two critically acclaimed albums, Nearly Human and 2nd Wind. Cocker was also having difficulty with the celebrity lifestyle, resulting in the breakup of a long-term relationship. In addition to his own recordings, Rundgren has produced albums for Meat Loaf, Patti Smith, The Tubes, XTC, Badfinger, Jim Steinman, Grand Funk Railroad, Ian and Sylvia and many others.

It was during this period of intense fame that long time member and major innovator in the band's sound, Russell Senior, decided to call it a day to spend time with his family (and out of the tabloid press). The song "Bang the Drum All Day", from Tortured Artist Effect, later became an unofficial anthem of the Green Bay Packers, being played over the Lambeau Field sound system after Packers scores. This incident propelled Cocker into even greater notoriety in the UK, and having spent the last 15 years trying to be famous, he grabbed the attention with both hands. Subsequent solo releases included the album-long concept work Healing, the eclectic The Ever-Popular Tortured Artist Effect and A Capella, which was recorded using only Rundgren's multi-tracked vocals, and accompanied by arrangements constructed from programmed samples of his voice. But domestic attention was never really equaled in the rest of the world, and if Pulp are known beyond the UK at all it is perhaps more likely the result of Cocker's antics at the infamous 1996 Brit Awards, when he invaded the stage in protest during Michael Jackson's performance (for which he spent the night in the cells on the ungrounded charge of having injured some of the children that Jackson was "healing"). It was followed by The Hermit Of Mink Hollow (1978); this included the hit ballad "Can We Still Be Friends", which was accompanied by an innovative self-produced music video. saw the opportunity to steal the crown, and "Common People" was arguably the stand-out single of the year, if not the decade. As well as his work with Utopia, Rundgren continued to write and record material which he released under his own name, including the transitional 1976 LP Faithful, which contained one side of original songs and one side of covers of significant songs from 1966.

While Blur and Oasis were fighting it out over which band were the true kings of Britpop, Jarvis Cocker and co. All four played multiple instruments and could sing both lead and harmony vocals. This album, with its disco-infused pop-rock, and the trademark sordid yet witty lyrics about sexual encounters and working class life, is for most fans what Pulp are about. This core Utopia lineup featued Roger Powell on keyboards, Kasim Sulton on bass and Willie Wilcox on drums. 1995 saw the peak of Pulp's fame, with the release of their No.2 UK Hit single "Common People", their much loved performance at the Glastonbury festival (standing in for the Stone Roses at the last minute) and their Mercury award winning album Different Class (the first album featuring Pulp fan-club president Mark Webber, who became a permanent member of the band on guitar and keyboards). Over the next few years, as punk and New Wave reshaped pop music, Rundgren refined Utopia, scaling it down to a tight, disciplined four-piece contemporary rock group which many consider one of the best peforming and recording bands of its day. This sudden increase in popularity was certainly helped by the massive media interest in a new wave of Britpop ushered by the likes of Suede and Blur, the latter of which Pulp supported on a US tour in 1994. The larger ensemble premiered on 1975's Utopia, which opened with a dazzling performance of the title track recorded live in concert; Uptopia Mk 1 also featured on the impressive live album Another Live, which mixed three new original songs with covers of The Move's "Do Ya" and "Something's Coming" from West Side Story.

These were followed by the Ed Buller produced album His 'n' Hers which reached No.9 in the UK charts, and which, sonically, was not a million miles away from Suede. To present his new music, in 1975 he formed Utopia, a musical project that began as a large progressive rock ensemble including multiple keyboards, synthesisers and brass. Island Records then released the singles "Do You Remember the First Time" and "Lipgloss", to modest chart success. During this period Rundgren regularly played the eye-catching psychedelic Gibson SG guitar that had been once been played by Eric Clapton in Cream. The three singles released on Gift were later compiled on the album Intro which was released when they were signed up by Island Records. His new music addressed cosmic themes and showed a strong interest in spirituality; musically, the lengthy, highly-arranged and dazzlingly performed works displayed the musical influence of contemporary acts such as Mahavishnu Orchestra and Frank Zappa and on tour they were presented in a lavish stage setting that echoed the spectacular space-themed shows of acts like Parliament/Funkadelic. Fire attempted to capitalise on this by finally releasing Separations. Although he had eschewed drugs prior to this and reportedly quit Nazz because of his bandmates' drug use, Rundgren underwent a radical transformation in the mid-Seventies after experimenting with LSD, adopting an outlandish space-rock image and creating a large new repertoire of extended works that can best be described as progressive rock.

Frustrated that Separations still hadn't been released, Pulp signed to Warp Records imprint Gift Records in 1992. Much of his work of this time was heavily influenced by soul music and R&B and by the harmony pop of The Beatles and The Beach Boys. In the meantime, however, in 1991, a 12" recording - "My Legendary Girlfriend" became music periodical The NME's single of the week, and it was this that ushered Pulp's first steps towards fame. He had a brief flirtation with commercial success circa 1972, scoring a US Top Ten hit with the classic pop single "I Saw The Light". Like Freaks, its release was delayed, to an extent lessening the potential impact. Rundgren rapidly developed the ability to play numerous instruments, and married to his skills as an engineer and producer, he was able to record a number of superb albums on which -- like Stevie Wonder -- he wrote, played, sang and produced almost everything. This album, Separations, was a progression of the style of Freaks, with Leonard Cohen-esque ballads on side one and a more disco / Acid House infused track-listing on side two. For most of the early Seventies he alternated production work with his career as a solo artist.

They recorded another album for Fire after a separate deal fell through. Rundgren was a founder member of the 1960s band Nazz, who gained minor recognition with the songs "Open My Eyes" and "Hello It's Me" (which Rundgren later re-recorded). The fold was short-lived however, and a new line-up, consisting of Cocker, Senior, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks (drums) and Steve Mackey (bass) emerged. Todd Rundgren (born June 22, 1948) is a musician, singer, songwriter and record producer born in Upper Darby, a suburb of Philadelphia. This gave Cocker ample time to consider his direction, and when, later, Freaks failed to be a success, Pulp folded, with Jarvis going off to London to study film. Liars (2004). It was during this mid-80s period that Cocker fell out of a window while trying to impress a girl, and ended up in hospital, and temporarily wheelchair-bound. One Long Year (2000).

It is either loved or hated by fans, and might be considered the antithesis of the happy and optimistic It. With a Twist (1997) (bossa nova remakes of earlier songs). Its release ended up being delayed for a year, and the record was not well received. The Individualist (1995) (enhanced CD included a video game). These releases were followed by an album, Freaks in 1986, recorded in one week due to pressure from the label. No World Order (1993) (companion CD-ROM allowed the user to remix the songs). These tracks were much darker in tone than those on It, and often veered towards the likes of The Fall. Second Wind (1991).

Following her first performance with the band, they were signed to a label called Fire Records, and began to record a number of singles that were later released as the compilation album Masters of the Universe. Nearly Human (1989) ("The Want of a Nail," "Parallel Lines"). Having survived a number of ill-fated gigs, Allcard left to be replaced on keyboards by Doyle's sister Candida. A Cappella (1985) ("Pretending to Care," "Lockjaw"). The three of them established a new, more experimental, artier, and noisier direction for Pulp, and were subsequently augmented by Peter Mansell (bass) and Tim Allcard (keyboards, saxophone, poetry). The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect (1983) ("Hideaway," "Bang the Drum All Day"). He was all set to throw the towel in and go to university, when he decided to hold a practice with Russell Senior (violin, guitar, vocals) and Magnus Doyle (drums). Healing (1981) ("Time Heals," "Healing Parts I, II, III").

But fame was still not knocking, and Cocker was becoming unhappy with his chosen musical direction, especially after being forced to cut a single in the style of the then prevalent pop-group Wham!. Back to the Bars (1978) (live album). This largely consisted of jangly, happy-go-lucky, folkish, romantic pop tunes, and was a change of direction from the Peel Sessions. Hermit of Mink Hollow (1978) ("Can We Still Be Friends," "You Cried Wolf"). They managed to get enough local backing to record a mini-album in late 1982 entitled It. Faithful (1976) ("Good Vibrations," "The Verb 'To Love'"). A new set of musicians was gathered: Simon Hinkler (who later joined The Mission and produced All About Eve), David Hinkler, Wayne Furness, Peter Boam, Gary Wilson, and Cocker's sister, Saskia. Initiation (1975) ("Real Man," "Initiation").

Despite the exposure on national radio, success was not forthcoming, and most of the then line-up left for university. Todd (1974) ("A Dream Goes on Forever," "Sons of 1984"). Amazingly they landed a Peel Session, and the tracks they recorded were pretty much in the typical Sheffield sound of the time (cf. Human League, Comsat Angels) - sort of electronic new wave. A Wizard, a True Star (1973) ("Sometimes I Don't Know What to Feel," "Just One Victory"). They played their first proper gig at Rotherham Arts Centre in July 1980, and made a demo tape the following year which they gave to the DJ John Peel. Something/Anything? (1972) ("Hello It's Me" [originally recorded by Nazz in 1968], "I Saw the Light" -- see 1972 in music). The first line-up was Cocker, David Lockwood (musician), Mark Swift and Peter Dalton, though this soon disintegrated into a fairly un-set membership of Cocker and whoever else was around at the time. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren (1971) ("Be Nice to Me," "A Long Time, a Long Way to Go").

They are most famous in the UK, where their blend of disco-influenced pop-rock coupled with the amusing down-to-Earth kitchen-sink lyrics of lanky, rubber-limbed front-man Cocker, saw them become popular during the mid 1990s. Runt (1970) ("We Gotta Get You a Woman"). They were originally known as "Arabacus Pulp", but this was soon shortened.
The pop group Pulp were formed in Sheffield, England, in 1978 by then 15-year-old school-boy Jarvis Cocker (vocals, guitar). Mark Sturdy, Truth & Beauty: The Story of Pulp (Omnibus Press, 2003) - comprehensive biography.

April 2002 "Bad Cover Version" #27. October 2001 "Sunrise/The Trees" #23. September 1998 "Party Hard" #29. June 1998 "A Little Soul" #22.

March 1998 "This is Hardcore" #12. November 1997 "Help the Aged" #8. April 1996 "Something Changed" #10. December 1995 "Disco 2000" #7.

October 1995 "Mis-Shapes/Sorted for E's and Wizz" #2. June 1995 "Common People" #2. June 1994 "The Sisters EP" (Babies / Your Sister's Clothes / Seconds / His 'n' Hers) #19. April 1994 "Do You Remember the First Time" #33.

November 1993 "Lipgloss" #50. Hits - greatest hits compilation (2002) #71 UK. Countdown 1992-1983 (1996) #10 UK. Masters of the Universe - non-album singles compilation (1994).

Intro - non-album singles compilation (1993). We Love Life (2001) #6 UK. This Is Hardcore (1997) #1 UK, #114 US. Different Class (1995) #1 UK.

His 'n' Hers (1994) #9 UK. Separations (1991). Freaks (1986). It (1983).