Venus Fly Trap (band)

Venus Fly Trap are a British alternative rock band formed in Northampton in the late 1980s. They have released eight studio albums, the first in 1988 and the most recent in 2018.

Venus Fly Trap
OriginNorthampton, England
GenresAlternative rock
Years active1986–present
LabelsTuesday, Danceteria, Spectre, Soundbuster, Big Blue
Associated actsNovak State Conspiracy, Nova Galaxie Robotnik, Isaws
Websitewww.spiralarchive.com
MembersAlex Novak
Andy Denton
Past membersTony Booker
Dave Freak
Chris Evans
John Novak
Tim Perkins
Curtis Johnson
Nigel Jones
Lucci
Nathan Bundy
Gary Lennon
Neil Ridley
Alex Ward
Brian Ansell
Matt Felce
Simon Alexander

History

The band was formed by Alex Novak (vocals, formerly of Religious Overdose, Attrition, and The Tempest) and John Novak (guitar, vocals, formerly Where's Lisse?), and Tony Booker on bass guitar prior to their debut twelve-inch single "Morphine" in March 1988.[1]

A further single followed later that year - the three-track Desolation Railway 12 inch EP - before they signed to French label Danceteria and released their debut mini album Mars in 1988, collecting tracks from the earlier singles [1] alongside several new numbers.

The band's lineup changed frequently, with key members including guitarists Curtis Johnson and John Novak, Dave Freak (guitar, percussion, vocals) and Chris Evans (bass). Their next album, Totem, was released in late 1989, preceded by a single featuring a cover version of Suicide's "Rocket USA" [1] produced by Kevin Haskins (Love & Rockets/ Bauhaus) and featuring The Jazz Butcher.

During this period the band played across the UK and Europe, and supported a variety of acts including Spacemen 3, Tom Verlaine, The Mission, and Red Lorry Yellow Lorry. [2]

A Czechoslovakia-only live album was released in late 1991 and Pandora's Box followed in 1992, their last studio album for Danceteria, although the label issued a compilation of the band's work later that year.[1] The original line-up split up, although Novak reformed the band with Gary Lennon (guitar), Neil Ridley (bass) and Andy Denton (drums), releasing the album Luna Tide in early 1995.[3] They toured extensively in Europe where they had a large fanbase, and released their last album for seven years, Dark Amour, in 1997.

Novak also released more electronic-oriented music under the names Nova Galaxie Robotnik and Novak State Conspiracy (with Simon Coleby).[1]

By the 2000s the permanent members were down to Novak and Denton, who released Zenith in 2004.

Musical style

The band described their sound as "Bladerunner sci-fi rock 'n' roll mixed with acidic cinematic visions".[3] MC5 and The Stooges were other reference points while the use of drum-machine on early singles recalls Sisters Of Mercy. They have been characterised as experimental rock, drawing comparisons to Christian Death,[3] also being compared to Joy Division, with goth rock influences.[1] Novak's vocals were often compared to Jim Morrison.[3] Allmusic described their sound as "darkened noise that's accompanied by a flowing of sense of bleak, electronic rhythm".[4]

Discography

Albums
  • Mars (1988), Danceteria - expanded edition released 2007
  • Totem (1989), Danceteria
  • Pandora's Box (1992), Danceteria
  • Luna Tide (1995), Spectre
  • Dark Amour (1997), Soundbuster
  • Zenith (2004), Big Blue
  • Nemesis(2011), Big Blue
  • Icon (2018), Glass Modern
Live albums
  • Jewel - Live In Prague (1991), A.Z.Y.L.
Compilations
  • Shedding Another Skin (1992), Danceteria
  • Anthology of the Food (2001), Spiral Archive
  • Metamorphosis 1987 - 2007 (2007), Big Blue

Singles and EPs
  • "Morphine" (1988), Tuesday
  • "Desolation Railway" (1988), Tuesday
  • "Rocket USA" (1989), Danceteria
  • Europa EP (1990), Danceteria
  • "Achilles Heel" (1991), Danceteria

DVD
  • Celluloid (2006)

References
  1. Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 556
  2. Thompson, Derek A. (2016) Have Guitars... Will Travel, Volume 3
  3. Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Indie & New Wave, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0231-3, p. 457
  4. DaRonco, Mike "Venus Fly Trap Biography", Allmusic, retrieved 2011-01-16
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