Tunic was an indie-rock band from Northern Ireland which was active during the 1990s. The group was formed in 1993 by Mark Gordon and Brian Flint. Mark had attended a gig by Brian's previous band, Cooper and the pair decided to start working together. They were joined in that initial lineup by Emily Sloan who played Keyboards. The fledgling outfit quickly recorded a demo tape. The recording found its way into the hands of John Peel who was impressed and invited Tunic to record a session.
Over the coming 5 years, the band recorded a series of 7" singles. Many of these were split releases. Emily was replaced by Tanya Mellotte before the group's debut album, 'Ride My Foot' was released in 1995.
The group continued to release singles throughout 1996 and 1997 before eventually splitting in 1998. A compilation album. 'Without Love, Where Would You Be Now?' was released prior to the split . The collection gathered together tracks from the various single releases and B-Sides.
Links to Peel[]
According to the Last FM website, Mark Gordon of the band was the man who managed to send not only the group's demo tape, but also other various bands demo tapes to Peel:
"Mark proved himself quickly as being the master of sticking his neck out. He blagged himself free tickets to the Phoenix and Glastonbury Festivals of 1994. At Phoenix he tracked down John Peel and off-loaded cassettes of various bands on Brian and Jonathan's NEPtunes label (including McBride's Mate Dinger, Pinner, Dave Flint Four, Speedway Stars and of course Tunic). Then at Glastonbury Mr Peel was again located and quizzed (without much hope) about the tapes. Amazingly the tapes had been carefully listened to and John Peel had attempted in vain to contact Mark. The outcome was the opportunity for Tunic to start their career off with a bang in the BBC's studios at Maida Vale." [1]
The group together did four sessions for Peel's programmes, including their last session in 1997, where they collaborated with former Eggs mainman Andrew Beaujon, covering French tunes.
Sessions[]
TUNIC John Peel 10th September 1995
1. Recorded: 1994-09-20. Broadcast: 28 October 1994
- Chandelier / Between The Lies / Locomotive / Bass Man / Tangerine Flak
2. Recorded: 1995-09-10. Broadcast: 07 October 1995
- Oh Joy / Berk Mower / Valium / The Lions In The Neighbour's Porch / Tunic In The Area
3. Recorded: 1996-08-27. Broadcast: 14 September 1996
- The Man Who Would Grab Air / Stranger Boy / Get In Dub / Wind Blows Strong
4. Recorded with Andrew Beaujon: 1997-04-13. Broadcast: 06 May 1997
- L'Accord Parfait / Marche De Sacco Et Vanzetti / Le Plus Beau Jour De Ma Vie / Les Hauts Quartiers De Peine
Other Shows Played[]
- 03 February 1995: Comeback (7 inch – Split with Starbuck) Up
- 09 September 1995: Chandelier (7 inch - split with Pinner) Neptunes
- 16 September 1995 (BFBS): 'Chandelier (split 7" with Pinner-Topiary My Neptune)' (Neptunes)
- 06 October 1995: Chandelier (7 inch - Topiary My Neptune) Neptunes
- 16 December 1995: Like A Flat Out Gulliver (album - Ride My Foot) X-Ten
- 1996
- 12 January 1996: 'Pretty Much All Of The Time (LP-Ride My Foot)' (X-Ten)
- 23 February 1996: ‘Ifeyespin (Various Artists 12 inch – 4x4 )’ Up
- 08 March 1996: 'Tangerine Flak (Compilation 12"-4x4)' (Up)
- 29 March 1996: 'Tick Tock (7")' (Love Train)
- 1997
- 20 January 1997: Between The Lies (session) (John Peel's Classic Sessions)
- 19 March 1997: ‘Also-Ran (7 inch)' Love Train
- 02 October 1997: Wizzard (Frequency Song) (7") Piao!
- Other
- Peel, Punk, Belfast and Beyond: Wind Blows Strong (1996 session) / Tunic In The Area (1995 session)