This is how Jamming described the band:
‘The Tempest hardly comply with the dictionary definition of their name – violent, stormy, agitated. The supremely melodic, almost whimsical qualities of their music seems more in tune with that Shakespeare play from which ‘tis rumoured they drew their inspiration. There’s nothing ordinary about this Liverpool band – intent on garnering a reputation for producing pleasing tunes with acoustic instruments rather than soul-less static synths.‘However conventional and dull this may sound, The Tempest’s frontman and songwriter Mike Sheerin has a flair for songwriting comparative to Morrissey and Lloyd Cole but with added optimism and energy. It was this innate talent which probably contributed to the band’s association with Glenn Tilbrook [from Squeeze, ndt] who produced their debut single ‘Always the Same’ and their new release ‘Bluebelle’ […]. The connection extends to The Tempest joining the Squeeze tour in October [1985].
Meeting Mike is an experience which is impossible to eradicate from te memory. Resembling a younger version of Leonard Rossiter à la Rigsby, the similar characteristics are apparent, as he hurtles through conversation, spewing out philosophical reflections and silly anecdotes in the same breath. Underneath his zany humour and subtle sarcasm lies an astute mind ready to slide into overdrive. […]
‘“I want to get as much fame as possibly as I can but not fortune or adulation, critical acclaim. I want to be massively famous and on everyone’s lips so that when I open my gob – they will listen. It’s merely a vehicle for something bigger and better”. […]
‘The first single ‘ Always the Same’ conveyed the futility of our existence – in both our lives and loves and echoes that old saying which is passed on from generation to generation. Coming from Mike, this perception is quite surprising as he appears such a spirited and idealistic person.
‘Once he becomes animated, his imagination tends to take him over and the rest of the band seem to be forgotten. Bu however strong willed and eager he may seem, it will still take the efforts of all five members of the Tempest to put them on the path to success. Something which Mike readily acknowledges.
‘“We’re five individuals – all with something different to offer. I’ve listened to bands who’ve signed for huge amounts of money and they can’s even play their guitars properly. The only trouble with us is that we’re too different – there’s nothing simple for people to latch onto”’. (Jamming, October 1985)
The Tempest released four singles, starting from April 1985:
Always The Same (1985)- Always The Same
(b/w Love In The Winter Time)
Bluebelle (1985)- Bluebelle
(b/w I Want To Live)
Didn't We Have A Nice Time? (1986)- Didn't We Have A Nice Time?
(b/w The Physical Act)
Andrea Miller, reviewing the third single in NME (24 May 1986) wrote:
‘ Not many people write three-minute throw-away pop songs these days. […] Even fewer write three-minute throw-away pop songs about not being afraid of dying, and fewer still would intimate to any journalist that their purpose in this business (never mind this planet) is a good deal larger than being a popstar. […]
‘But then only The Tempest has Mike Sheerin, who’d cringe at being called a typical Liverpudlian but whose motor mouth, flights of wild fancy and insane humour could convince you he is. He is intense and intensely naïve, truly believing that pop songs can change the world and he is just the chap to do it. Sheering has a Tin Pal Alley attitude to music, backed up with a desperate need to get in the chart – skating the switchblade between pap compromise and pop credibility, between being utterly meaningless and having, as he would put it, ‘A Message’.
‘Yet the guy is probably not as crazy as I think he is. Glen Tilbrook has been convinced enough of Sheerin’s talent to stake his reputation on it and produce their yet-to-be-released album and all three of their singles to date: a sparkling little song, ‘Always the Same’, the rather disappointing ‘Bluebell’ [sic], and their current stab at the chart, ‘Didn't We Have A Nice Time?’ – a Country and Western-type number which sounds, in true Tempest style, utterly catchy and immediate. The lyrics though are a little different.
“‘Didn't We Have A Nice Time?’ is vaguely related to the reincarnation, not saying that it happens, but that if you’re going to have fun to make sure you don’t hurt anyone,” Sheering says. “The song says that we’re going to die but don’t fear death – don’t reminisce about mistakes because then we’d be frightened to do anything and we’d all be living in the same way. Try something, but not anything to hurt somebody.”
‘That said, ‘Didn't We Have A Nice Time?’ has more than a social conscience in its favours – a bustling, boppy little number that seems predestined to be played between the news and ‘First Love’.’
Although a self title album was recorded for Magnet in 1986, and produced by Tilbrook, it was never released. The band released a fourth single instead:
Lazy Sunday (1986)- Lazy Sunday
(b/w You’ve Always Got Something to Say)
After the single, and after being dropped by Magnet, the band split up.
tempest
5 commenti:
Hello. My name is Lyn. I was a member of The Tempest. That was a very long story. (AKA Agent Smith) Thank you for recording this information for historical purposes. Love. L. (AKA Agent Smith) xx
Hello. My name is Lyn. I was a member of The Tempest (a convoluted story). I wrote to thank you for recording all this information. Love. L ((AKA Agent Smith)
Also a shout out to fellow blogger manofmusic. Do I know you? Lyn
Hey Lyn - is that really You? Its Marc here - of Mark and Mike (Leonard and Briggs) how are you guys?
I was the manager of The Tempest and their music was excellent then and has stood the test of time!
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