The Escape were an English new wave band from

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

, formed in 1981 by Alan Griffiths (vocals/guitar) and Emil (drums) from Apartment with bassist Stuart Morgan. They released one single, "NoGo" / "I'll Pretend to Kill You" in 1982 on their own Volatile Records

label A label (as distinct from signage) is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product, on which is written or printed information or symbols about the product or item. Information printed ...

. In early 1983, they were signed by

Phonogram Records Phonogram Incorporated was started in 1970 as a successor to Philips Phonographic Industries, a unit of the Grammophon-Philips Group (GPG), a joint venture of Philips N.V. of the Netherlands and Siemens A.G. of Germany. Phonogram was the nam ...

and released two further singles. In late 1983, the band toured as the support act for

Tears for Fears Tears for Fears are an English pop rock band formed in Bath, England, in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, Tears for Fears were associated with the new ...

; this expanded touring line up included guest keyboardist/backing vocalist

Nicky Holland Nicky Holland (born 20 February 1959) is an English musician and singer-songwriter, notable for being a previous backing pianist/keyboardist, vocalist and co-songwriter for the band Tears for Fears during the 1980s. Early life Nicky Holland ...

along with Pat Tedd on guitar and Peter Evans on drums. However, success eluded them and the band split up in late 1984. Both Holland and Griffiths went on to tour with Tears for Fears in 1985 on The Big Chair world tour, and both would become highly involved with the band (Holland co-wrote most of 1989's ''

The Seeds of Love ''The Seeds of Love'' is the third studio album by British pop rock band Tears for Fears, released on 25 September 1989 by Fontana Records. It retained the band's epic sound while incorporating influences ranging from jazz and soul to Beatlesque ...

'' album, and Alan Griffiths later co-wrote and co-produced ''

Elemental An elemental is a mythic being that is described in occult and alchemical works from around the time of the European Renaissance, and particularly elaborated in the 16th century works of Paracelsus. According to Paracelsus and his subsequent fo ...

'' (1993) and ''

Raoul and the Kings of Spain ''Raoul and the Kings of Spain'' is the fifth studio album by British pop rock band Tears for Fears, released on 10 October 1995 by Epic Records. Like the band's previous album, ''Elemental'' (1993), it is essentially a solo effort by Roland Or ...

'' (1995), as well as

Roland Orzabal Roland Orzabal (born Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana; 22 August 1961) is a British musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, and author. He is best known as a co-founder of Tears for Fears, of which he is the main songwriter and joint v ...

's 2001 solo album ''

Tomcats Screaming Outside ''Tomcats Screaming Outside'' is the only solo studio album by British musician Roland Orzabal from the band Tears for Fears, and was released on 2 April 2001. Although Orzabal had made two albums solely with Tears for Fears moniker in the 1990s ...

''). Stuart Morgan went on to become a bass tech for U2. In 2008, Bristol Archive Records released a CD and downloadable album by The Escape called ''Is Nothing Sacred''. Alan Griffiths died on 23 March 2017 after a short illness with cancer. Dave Massey wrote a tribute and an obituary that appeared in ''The Guardian'' print edition and online. A posthumous live album by the band, ''Live in 1982'', featuring recordings made on tour that year was released on CD and online in 2018 through BristolArchiveRecords.com. The album was compiled and produced by Dave Massey from his own personal archives, and he also contributed liner notes based on his experiences working with the band at the time.

Discography

Albums

*''Is Nothing Sacred'' (2008), Bristol Archive (download)

Singles

*"NoGo" / "I'll Pretend to Kill You" (1982), Volatile Records *"Amsterdam" / "Girl in the Phone Box" (1983), Phonogram Records *"Russian Lady" / "Freezer" (1984), Phonogram Records

References

External links

Last.fmGothtronic.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Escape (band), The Musical groups from Bristol English post-punk music groups English new wave musical groups English musical trios Musical groups established in 1981 Musical groups disestablished in 1984 Phonogram Inc. artists

Discography

Albums

Singles

See also

References

External links