Mick Reed
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mick Reed | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Punk rock, post-punk, progressive rock, experimental |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | drums |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Website | 1919official |
Mick Reed is an English musician from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, best known as the drummer for UK post-punk act 1919.
Reed recorded his first single aged 18, Psykik Volts' "Totally Useless" / "Horror Stories #5", which received heavy airplay from John Peel. The single featured on a 2006 list of "Rarest Punk Singles" in Record Collector, and has been re-issued several times since its original release.[1]
Alongside vocalist/guitarist Victor Vendetta aka Slick Vinex, Reed was signed to Rockburgh Records in 1980/81. The pair released a single "Wooden Heart" / "(Rise of the) Appliances", comprising re-recorded versions of Volts songs. The record was released under the name Pop-Tones (after the Public Image song).[2]
1919/The Hive (1981–1985)
Reed joined 1919 shortly after their inception, and quickly formed a songwriting partnership with guitarist Mark Tighe. Although the band were only active for three years, they released the Machine LP along with the singles "Repulsion" / "Tear Down These Walls", "Caged" / "After the Fall", "Cry Wolf" / "Dream", and the unauthorised EP Earth Song. 1919 also recorded two Peel Sessions and featured on a number of compilations during this time, but in 1984 Reed's departure to form The Hive signalled the end of the band for three decades - his "tribal" drumming and partnership with Tighe having been fundamental to the 1919 sound.[3] In 1985, The Hive released their only album Stream Of Consciousness, and the single "Kingdom Rise Kingdom Fall" before their departure.[4]
Ship of Fools (1992–1996)
Reed formed the neo-prog psychedelic band Ship of Fools alongside guitarist Andy Banks, former 1919 synth player Sputnik (bass), and keyboardists Damien Clarke and Les Smith. Friendly with the heads of the Dreamtime label, an offshoot of heavy metal distributors Peaceville Records, the band eventually signed with them and became the premiere psychedelic eccentrics on the label. Offering two albums in their lifetime, 1993's Close Your Eyes, Forget the World and 1994's Out There Somewhere, the band broke up in 1996. Smith (who went on to join Cradle of Filth) compiled their music and in 2002 released Let's Get This Mother Outta Here, a farewell collection that summed up their career.[5]
