Intastella were an English alternative rock band from Manchester, England, who evolved from the earlier band Laugh. They had four top-75 hits in the UK during the 1990s.

History

Laugh was formed in 1980 by graphic designer Tim Gudgeon and medical student Simon Frampton. They wrote all the songs that the band performed in numerous gigs across Manchester and Liverpool until Frampton had to leave in 1984 to complete his medical training (he was to become a GP in Ormskirk). Auditions to replace his distinctive voice produced the line-up of Martin Wright (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Ian Bendelow (guitar), Martin Mittler (bass guitar), and Spencer Birtwistle (drums, later a member of The Fall).Strong, Martin C. (1999) ''The Great Alternative & Indie Discography'', Canongate, , p. 362 Their debut release was "Take Your Time Yeah!", a

flexi-disc The flexi disc (also known as a phonosheet, Sonosheet or Soundsheet, a trademark) is a phonograph record made of a thin, flexible vinyl sheet with a molded-in spiral stylus groove, and is designed to be playable on a normal phonograph turntable. ...

included with ''Debris'' magazine in December 1985, with three further singles following prior to their only album, ''Sensation No. 1'' (1988). The band had two placings on the UK Independent Chart with "Paul McCartney" (which featured Smiths guitarist

Craig Gannon Craig Gannon (born 30 July 1966) is an English guitar player, best known as the second guitarist in the Smiths. He is now a composer for film and television. Career Born in Manchester, Gannon had played in bands with friends since he was 12 ye ...

)Larkin, Colin (1998) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Indie & New Wave'', Virgin Books, , p. 242 (#44) and "Time to Lose It" (#19), and recorded two sessions for

John Peel John Robert Parker Ravenscroft (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004), known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey (DJ) and radio presenter. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly fr ...

's BBC Radio 1 show.Lazell, Barry (1998) ''Indie Hits 1980-1989'', Cherry Red Books, , p. 131 In 1990 the band parted ways with guitarist Bendelow and discovered singer Stella Grundy and dancer Lil' Anthony, changing their sound to a more dance-oriented style and changing their name to Intastella. They signed to MCA Records and hit the lower reaches of the UK Singles Chart with their first release, "Dream Some Paradise". Two follow-up singles fared similarly, and in late 1991 the band's debut album, ''Intastella and the Family of People'' was issued. The band's momentum was lost after Grundy broke her arm in a motorcycle accident, and they were dropped by MCA, returning in 1993 on the Planet-3 label with the ''Drifter'' EP, on which they worked with Shaun Ryder. The band's biggest hit came in 1995, with "The Night" reaching #60 in the UK, preceding their second album, ''What You Gonna Do'' featuring Manchester Harpist Katie Brett on the track "I'll Be Forever". Further singles followed during 1996 and 1997 but none repeated their earlier success. One of these, "Grandmaster", was used on the soundtrack of the 1997 film '' Love in Paris''. A final album, ''Nuphonia'', was released in 1997. Grundy later emerged with a new band, Stella & the Doggs. On 30 November 2019, it was announced that Anthony Green (or Little Anthony) had died. On 2 December, radio DJ Marc Riley played ''People'' by Intastella as a tribute. In November 2021, it was announced that guitarist Martin Wright had died.

Discography

Laugh

Albums

*''Sensation No. 1'' (1988), Sub Aqua

Singles, EPs

*"Take Your Time Yeah!" (1985), Debris (

) *"Take Your Time Yeah!" (1986), Remorse (12") *"Paul McCartney" (1987), Remorse (7") - UK Indie #44 *"Time To Lose It" (1988), Remorse (7") - UK Indie #19 *"''Sensation No.1'' EP (1988), Sub Aqua (7"/12")

Intastella

Albums

*''Intastella and the Family of People'' (1991), MCA *''What You Gonna Do'' (1995), Planet-3 *''Nuphonia'' (1997), Planet-3 *''Intastella Overdrive'' (2002), Castle Music - compilation

Singles, EPs

*"Dream Some Paradise" (1991), MCA - ( UK #69)Intastella
Chart Stats, retrieved 22 March 2010 *"People" (1991), MCA - UK #74 *"Century" (1991), MCA - UK #70 *''Drifter'' EP (1993), Planet-3 *"Point Hope" (1994), Planet-3 *"The Night" (1995), Planet-3 - UK #60 *"Grandmaster" (1996), Planet-3 *"Past" (1996), Planet-3 *"Skyscraper Koolaid" (1997), Planet-3 *"Soon We'll Fly" (1997), Planet-3

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Intastella 1990 establishments in England 1997 disestablishments in England English alternative rock groups Madchester groups Musical groups from Manchester Musical groups established in 1990 Musical groups disestablished in 1997