Here's a fantastic album and the only one by Empire, a band which founded 1980, after leaving famed post-punk band Generation X (featuring Billy Idol), guitarist Bob "Derwood" Andrews and drummer Mark Laff formed the band along with bassist Simon Bernal. Initially an instrumental band, when no singer surfaced Andrews deputised on vocals. They released one single 'Hot Seat' and one album 'Expensive Sound', both of which went re-issued with bonus tracks in 2003 by Poorly Packaged Products.
That's a bit info from their facebook appearance (written by Tiziano Caliendo) there you can read all. For me are all eleven songs cool, melodic, rockin' and a clear voice. Sure a few weak here too, especially the 7Inch track is damn lame, and the last two at the end are also mist but with 'Today' and 'Electric Guitar' two must listenings. Ach, I don't give a shit and it's a nice litte one and you have probably thirty-three minutes of your valuable time left. Surprisingly good!
- Special Thx to Fredrik -
here
That's a bit info from their facebook appearance (written by Tiziano Caliendo) there you can read all. For me are all eleven songs cool, melodic, rockin' and a clear voice. Sure a few weak here too, especially the 7Inch track is damn lame, and the last two at the end are also mist but with 'Today' and 'Electric Guitar' two must listenings. Ach, I don't give a shit and it's a nice litte one and you have probably thirty-three minutes of your valuable time left. Surprisingly good!
- Special Thx to Fredrik -
here
I loved Generation-x, then Gen X and afer that Billy Idol.I've still got all original cds (and out of print box sets of Billy and his previous group as I said before), So ,Thank you very much bro!
ReplyDeleteGreat album thanks!!! Lost the LP when my water heater burst...
ReplyDeletenot bad at all
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteIs it possible for a re-up WDM?
ReplyDeletefixed
Deletethank you kind sir
Deletemy pleasure
Deletecan you please reupload this one?
ReplyDeletefixed
Deletethanks!
DeleteThere is an 'Expensive Sound Vol 2' comprising a couple of tracks they put out on bandcamp as a single and another 19 tracks, some marked 'demo', others I assume from the shelved second album, quite poppy some of it, tons of potential but not up there with the debut (unsurprisingly). Interesting nonetheless. You can find it to stream if you look around. Says here on discogs it was on CD but no physical copies I can find for sale.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.discogs.com/release/5322894-Empire-Volume-II-Expansive-Sound
Thanks for the info, I'll look on the web
DeleteThis album was a massive influence on Fugazi as Ian was forming the band. A real unsung gem.
ReplyDeleteHere's a Guardian piece from 2023 about the DC/Fugazi influence (some interesting comments too)
Deletehttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/22/they-were-part-of-my-sinew-empire-the-british-band-who-changed-the-80s-without-you-knowing-it
Yeah definitely a progression, both from Gen X and from Minor Threat. Will make me listen to Fugazi with fresh ears.
ReplyDelete