Messengers (Scottish band)

Messengers were a Scottish new wave duo consisting of Danny Mitchell (keyboards and programming) and Colin King (vocals and percussion). The duo were originally part of Modern Man, a Glasgow post punk/new wave band discovered by Midge Ure of Ultravox. Modern Man disbanded after releasing one album produced by Ure, Concrete Scheme (1980), after which Ure stayed as producer with Mitchell and King as Messengers.[1] Messengers toured as support band to Ultravox, contributing to the live album Monument (1982), and with Mitchell co-writing Midge Ure's "If I Was".[2] Enough material for an album was recorded by 1984, but Ure's label Chrysalis declined to release an album after offering a three singles deal only. An album was finally released in November 2004 when Mitchell and King re-recorded many of their songs, written during the period of 1979 and 1985, for release via the official Ultravox website. Of the thirteen tracks released on the album, only three were new compositions: "(Did) You Take Me For A Ride", "Send That Letter Home" and "The Reformation Waltz".

Discography

Singles

Modern Man:

  • "All The Little Idiots" / "Advance". Produced by Midge Ure. 7″ single, MAM Records, MAMS 204, released 15 August 1980.
  • "Body Music" / "I Couldn't Stop". Produced by Midge Ure. 7″ single, MAM Records, MAMS 206, released 31 October 1980.
  • "Things Could Be Better" / "Wastelands". Produced by Midge Ure. 7″ single, MAM Records, MAMS 207, released 13 February 1981.
  • "Things Could Be Better" (12″ mix) / "Wastelands". Produced by Midge Ure. 12″ single, MAM Records, MAML 207, released 13 February 1981.
  • "War Drums" / "Tell Us Lies". Produced by Bob Sargeant. 7″ single, MAM Records, MAMS 211, released 31 July 1981.

All tracks written by Danny Mitchell, except "Things Could Be Better" by Jim Cook.

Messengers:

  • "I Turn In (To You)" / "The Semi-Professionals (Theme No. 1)". Produced by Midge Ure. 7″ single, Chrysalis Records, CHS 2663, released 3 December 1982.
  • "I Turn In (To You) (Extended Version)" / "The Semi-Professionals (Theme No. 1)". Produced by Midge Ure. 12″ single, Chrysalis Records, CHS 12 2663, released 3 December 1982.
  • "Great Institutions" / "Here Come The Heroes". Produced and engineered by Midge Ure. 7″ single, Chrysalis Records, MUST 1, released June 1984.
  • "Great Institutions (MF Mix)" / "Here Come The Heroes", "Strawboy (Recorded Live at Hammersmith Odeon, Dec. 1982)". Produced and engineered by Midge Ure. 12″ single, Chrysalis Records, MUSTX 1, released June 1984.
  • "Frontiers" / "Plains of Siberia". Produced by Midge Ure & Messengers. 7″ single, Chrysalis Records, MUST 2, released 28 September 1984.
  • "Frontiers (Extended Version)" / "Plains of Siberia", "Andy Warhol". Produced by Midge Ure & Messengers. 12″ single, Chrysalis Records, MUSTX 2, released 28 September 1984.

All tracks written by Daniel Mitchell/Colin King, except "I Turn In (To You)" and "Plains Of Siberia" by Daniel Mitchell and "Andy Warhol" by David Bowie.

Albums

Modern Man:

  • Concrete Scheme, MAM Records, MAMLP 5001, released 12 September 1980.

'Side 1:'

  1. "Good Time Ideology" – 1:56
  2. "Wonderful World" – 3:43
  3. "Cosmetics" – 2:15
  4. "All The Little Idiots" – 3:10
  5. "Little White Boys" – 3:45
  6. "Wastelands" – 6:07

'Side 2:'

  1. "I Think You Better Go Home" – 4:51
  2. "Body Music" – 3:43
  3. "I Couldn't Stop" – 4:16
  4. "Advance" – 4:07
  5. "War" – 5:02
  • Danny Mitchell – guitar and synthesizer
  • Jim Cook – lead vocal
  • Mike Moran – bass
  • Ali McLeod – lead guitar
  • Colin King – drums and vocals
  • All tracks written by Danny Mitchell.
  • Produced by Midge Ure.
  • Engineer - Brian Young.
  • Recorded at Cava Studios, Glasgow.

Messengers:
...It's Been Twenty Years, Let's Try Turning Up The Volume..., MESSCD200401, released 10 November 2004 (via the official Ultravox website).

  1. "Woman In The Dunes" – 4:33
  2. "(Did You) Take Me For A Ride" – 4:46
  3. "Strawboy" – 3:17
  4. "Art" – 5:34
  5. "You'd Better Go" – 3:41
  6. "The Dancing Bear" – 4:08
  7. "Departure" – 5:05
  8. "Send That Letter Home" – 5:33
  9. "The Three D Men" – 6:09
  10. "T.D.P." – 7:52
  11. "The Scars" – 4:14
  12. "A Song From A Cage" – 4:14
  13. "The Reformation Waltz" – 3:20
  • Tracks recorded and mixed at DBS by Father Dan. Vocals recorded at Carlton Studios, Glasgow.
  • Colin King and Daniel Mitchell would like to thank: Barney at Carlton Studios, Alex Norton, Cerise Reed and Robin Harris at EV, Berenice Hardman and Midge Ure.
  • A Messenger Production.
  • All songs by Messengers.

References
  1. Midge Ure: If I Was - The Autobiography - p. 112 - 2004 -"Danny Mitchell and Colin King, the Messengers, who were opening up for Ultravox, travelled with us because they couldn't stand the nannying."
  2. The Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music - Donald Clarke - 1990, p. 1189, "single 'If I Was': co-wrote most songs with Danny Mitchell, half of former Ultravox tour support the Messengers (he also played in Ure's live band that toured to promote LP)."
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