Paris Angels

Says Scott Carey; " I played bass for Paris Angels and I thought you'd might like some info: Rikki Turner - Vocals, Wind Instruments Jayne Gill - Vocals, Percussion Steven Tajti - Keyboards, Programming Scott Carey - Bass, Harmonicas Mark Adj - Rhythm Guitar, Percussion Simon Worrall - Drums, More Drums Paul Wagstaff - Guitar, Noises Being regulars of the Boardwalk and Hacienda clubs had more of an influence on Paris Angels' sound than the music they actually listened to, the summer of 1988 changed everything (starts with an E). Gone was the industrial sulphate past of Manchester ...hello Madchester and for a brief while the kids lived it and loved it up, a post-modern Haight-Ashbury in the Thatcher-era, going from the Hac to Hulme everyone had a piece of it. Paris Angels signed to Sheer Joy records home of a disgruntled ex-Factory employee introduced Paris Angels to Michael Johnson (the man behind Blue Monday) and before you could say Moo to a Moog, Perfume was born; a new synthesis between 60's jangle and full on disco. It was Single of the Week in NME and stayed in the Top 10 of the Indie chart all summer long. Perfume was closely followed by the tripped out Scope and clubbed up I Understand which was Single of the Week in the last ever edition of Sounds. The South could smell a scene and snapped up all that there was to be had in Madchester, and Paris Angels being a 7 piece band unfortunately could not survive on a hand-to-mouth indie label, took the dollar and hence their own downfall. Virgin Records released new single Fade and released Perfume to back up Paris Angels debut LP Sundew to rave reviews from the like of NME, Vox and Melody Maker. Paris Angels in the meantime recorded session for John Peel (Stay, a unrecognisable cover of Bowie's Stay appeared on the best of the Peel Session's box set) and many other radio and tv sessions. The Angels recruited long-time collaborator Simon Crompton to produce their next LP for Virgin, recording all of the UK from Rockfield to Rochdale but to cut along story short, Richard Branson decided to buy a plane set, sold his pride and joy Virgin Records to EMI who then sacked 86 bands from it's roster to concentrate on being a back catalogue company for the likes of Phil Collins. However The Angels weren't dropped striaght away told to go finish their lp, EMI sacked all the A&R department and when Paris Angels management turned up with the new demos having no representation with in the new cabal they were shown the door, but not before leaving with all the costs of the 2nd lp paid for and 25k handshake. Paris Angels were one of the last 5 bands to leave Virgin that year along with Public Image Ltd and Definition of Sound. After management rows, falling into all the cliched rock pitfalls and faced with having to hawk round an lp that a major like EMI turned down Paris Angels called it a day but not having a great time and a sack load of memories. Most of the members went on to play with other bands most notably Wags had great success with Black Grape/Happy Mondays. Rikki Turner went on to St. Jack Steven Taji went on to record with The Rude Club Bassist Scott Carey recorded with Chelsea-based The Shave and now can be heard on Manchester radio station 96.2 Revolution on The Evening Session and Transmission Mark Adj - cycled across a desert for charity and is involved with The Coral. Jane Gill is mum to 2 daughters Simon Worrall is still doing impressions of Keith Moon to unsuspecting clubbers."