Microdisney - History

History

Microdisney began recording in their native town of Cork, Ireland. Their first few singles, including 1983's "Pink Skinned Man", were produced by Dave Feeley, and released on indie labels Kabuki records (the label which was also home Irish performance artists such as Roger Doyle, Kissed Air and Five Go Down To The Sea). One of their rarest recordings from this period is a live performance of 'National Anthem' (featured on "Kaught at Kampus"). After relocating to London, they signed to Rough Trade, and utilised John Porter (producer of The Smiths) to produce their debut album, Everybody is Fantastic. At this time, the band became acquainted with John Peel, who championed their music, and gave them the first of several celebrated Peel Sessions (they recorded a total of three Peel sessions during 1984 alone). Soon after bassist Jon Fell and drummer Tom Fenner were added as a permanent rhythm section. Microdisney's sound gradually became more commercial between 1984 and 1986 particularly and chart oriented, as heard on their 1985 release, The Clock Comes Down the Stairs, and its corresponding single "Birthday Girl".

"Town to Town" (1986) is a rock song about yuppies attempting to live normal lives amid a nuclear holocaust; whilst their 1987 single "Singer's Hampstead Home" is often described as an attack on Boy George. By 1988, Microdisney disbanded.

During their career, Microdisney recorded for Kabuki, Rough Trade and Virgin record labels. Albums also included the early compilation We Hate You South African Bastards! (later renamed Love Your Enemies), Everybody Is Fantastic and The Clock Comes Down The Stairs. After signing to Virgin Records, they released two more albums Crooked Mile and 39 Minutes. The Lenny Kaye produced album, "Crooked Mile" is singled out in Irish Rock literature, while 1985's The Clock Comes Down the Stairs was voted no. 1 album of the 1980s in the 1989 end-of-year edition of the Irish newspaper The Sunday Tribune.

Following their demise, Coughlan went onto form The Fatima Mansions, and O'Hagan, along with Jon Fell, founded The High Llamas. O'Hagan also worked with Stereolab. Three further compilations were issued of previously released material - Big Sleeping House, Peel Sessions (which has most of their collected BBC John Peel sessions, apart from the last one), and Daunt Square to Elsewhere, a two-disc compilation.

Microdisney briefly reformed in early 2012 for a one-off gig at Nick Allum's 50th Birthday Party. The lineup consisted of singer/keyboardist Cathal Coughlan, guitarist Sean O'Hagan and bassist Jon Fell, with Fatima Mansions/Grand Necropolitan/Apartments drummer Nick Allum and High Llamas/Turin Brakes drummer/vocalist Rob Allum .