Pool Of Sound - Modern Eon

Modern Eon

The band, originally called 'Luglo Slugs', were founded in 1978 by guitarist and vocalist Alix Plain (real name Alex Johnson) and bassist Danny Hampson, who were at school in Skelmersdale together, to be later joined by drummer Dave Hardbattle.
This 'Luglo Slugs' lineup recorded 'Benched Down' c/w '70s Sixties' at Open Eye Studios in Liverpool. Soon after the recording Hardbattle left and guitarist Ged Allen and drummer Joey McKechnie joined. The new line-up, having changed their name to 'Tank Time' and then 'One Two', eventually decided on the name 'Modern Eon'. Their Open Eye recording was released under the name 'Modern Eon' in late 1978 on the compilation album 'Street To Street: A Liverpool Album'.
After one EP, 'Pieces', released on Eon Records in 1979, they recorded the single 'Euthenics' for Inevitable Records in 1980. Allen and McKechnie left the band in 1980, prior to the recording of their debut album, and were replaced by Bob Wakelin on strings, vocals and percussion and Tim Lever on guitar and saxophone, with 17 year old Cliff Hewitt on drums joining shortly thereafter. Alix said of the change, "It came about because we wanted special effects, but we didn't want keyboards, and to create special effects all you need is imagination, you don't need to be able to play, and Bob had that imagination." With Alex's vision and Danny's prog-rock musical background, something special was created.

Fiction Tales

Their dark and atmospheric sound drew comparisons to 'Joy Division' but the use of offbeat drum rhythms and bursts of electronics and horns gave them a sound all their own. Their songs are fueled by powerful tom-tom driven, inventive drumming and their music defies the routine by occasionally adding odd analog electronics and saxophone. The vocals are bathed in reverb and delivered with smooth eloquence, barely intelligible. In early 1981, a re-recorded version of 'Euthenics' was released as a single on Dindisc followed by two more singles, 'Child's Play' and 'Mechanic'. The album 'Fiction Tales' was released in mid 1981 and although it didn't do well commercially, it did receive critical acclaim and is held in high regard by those who have since discovered it with its lush production reflecting, and even outdoing, some of the best records of its kind. Record Mirror's review of the album stated, "This record buzzes, hums, and pulsates its way into the listener's dream world - creating a mystical place in your subconscious…Each song is an act of love which climaxes and envelopes itself in the oblivion of ecstasy."

The 'Peel' Sessions

Later that year they were set to tour with 'The Stranglers' but, during rehearsal sessions, Cliff Hewitt, whose drumming style had been such an integral part of the band's sound, critically injured his wrist. He did contribute to scheduled appearances for the John Peel, Richard Skinner and In Concert Radio One radio shows, but it soon became apparent that the rigors of a tour would be too much for him and a suitable replacement was not easily found. The solution was that they toured with Cliff's drum tracks on a tape machine and let Cliff operate it.
The end of 1981 found 'Modern Eon' at work on demos for a second album and Cliff back on his drum stool but sadly, 'Modern Eon' faded away, never to release a follow up album. Danny says, "By the end of 1981 the band had come to its conclusion. Alex's and my collaboration was beginning to drift apart and the record company wanted hits. They thought if they stuck us in a rehearsal room they'd get them but it doesn’t work like that. When Din Disc started to push us in a direction we didn't want to go, it just added unwanted pressure." Forty years on from the release of 'Fiction Tales', it seems that it has gained an iconic status among a certain group of people in a similar way as 'Sgt. Pepper' or 'Never Mind The Bollocks' did with a much larger audience.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2019/08/pool-of-sound-echo-bunnymen.html