This, bear in mind, was four years before Operation Desert Shield, and already Johnson saw the American century, America's global power and America's global ambitions, failing and falling in a Middle Eastern graveyard. Mind Bomb, which spread itself, lava-like, into a burning lake of foreboding about the West and Middle East, was released a year before the invasion of Kuwait. The second Gulf War, the Iraq War, was still fourteen years away. Matt Johnson was right. He saw it coming. And we laughed at him, the way one does at prophets. Because he'd really overdone the fire and brimstone this time.

a b "British Band The The Release 'Mrs Mac' – Their First Single in Over Five Years". Billboardpublicitywire.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2007 . Retrieved 2 April 2011. Instead of the darkly polished dance-pop styling of earlier albums Soul Mining and Infected, Mind Bomb opens up the music to reveal a slow, winding textured world of sound, thanks in no small measure to Marr. Lyrical subjects include politics, religion, and romance. The band would also play a world tour and record a follow-up, Dusk. After that, Johnson dissolved it and went about his business alone again. A remastered version of the album was released in 2002. Johnson is still thinking, trying to get things done, contributing his fraction to make the world a saner place.” Johnson spent the next few years collaborating with a diverse range of creative individuals, changing personnel from project to project.Hanky Panky: "The The – Hanky Panky (album)" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved 9 June 2017. In November 1977, Johnson had placed an advertisement in NME seeking "bass/lead guitarist" who liked the Velvet Underground and Syd Barrett. [ citation needed] In 1979 he placed a second advertisement in the NME, stating his new influences as the Residents and Throbbing Gristle. [2] Matt Johnson assembled a full band of The The, retaining his role as singer, primary songwriter, frontman and guitarist (and playing keyboards and other instruments in the studio), and bringing in guitarist Johnny Marr. Johnson had known Marr since the early 1980s, and had attempted to entice him into an earlier version of The The prior to Marr forming The Smiths. Completing the lineup was former Julian Cope band bass guitarist James Eller and session drummer David Palmer (while D.C. Collard provided live keyboards). Additional instrumentation on Mind Bomb was provided by sessioneers, most notably keyboard player Wix. Continuing my journey through the wonderful world of The The, we arrive at their third album and the first to really be made by a full band, rather than just Matt Johnson's solo project. From the snarling visceral "Good Morning Beautiful" to the nihilistically prophetic toe-tapper (written 21 years ago, folks) of "Armageddon Days are Here (Again)" to the sweaty exhibition of a doomed relationship in "Kingdom Of Rain" to the resigned acceptance of mediocrity in "The Beat(en) Generation"- this caresses your head as it fondles your base emotions.

Various: Manchester North Of England - A Story Of Independent Music Greater Manchester 1977 - 1993 (1) recording engineer: Felix Kendall ( UK recording engineer) additional engineer: 'Mini' Matt Howe ( producer and engineer), Stuart James ( UK producer aka "Jammer), Warne Livesey and Roli Mosimann assistant engineer: JP Baptiste, Karen Down, Geoff Foster ( sound engineer), Noel Rafferty and Wellard Walsh producer: Matt Johnson ( English singer/songwriter for “The The”) and Roli Mosimann mixer: Bruce Lampcov bass guitar: James Eller drums (drum set): David Palmer ( drummer (ABC/The The)) electric guitar: Matt Johnson ( English singer/songwriter for “The The”) and Johnny Marr keyboard and melodica: Matt Johnson ( English singer/songwriter for “The The”) percussion: Danny Cummings ( British drummer and percussionist) percussion [water percussion]: Pedro Haldemann trombone: Ashley Slater vocals: Matt Johnson ( English singer/songwriter for “The The”) recording of: Gravitate to Me(from 1988-10 until 1989-05) lyricist: Matt Johnson ( English singer/songwriter for “The The”) composer: Matt Johnson ( English singer/songwriter for “The The”) and Johnny Marr In June 2002 the The made a sole live appearance at Meltdown festival at London's Royal Festival Hall as guests of David Bowie. At this point, the band consisted solely of Johnson and longtime friend and collaborator JG Thirlwell a.k.a. Foetus on tapes and loops, and young film director on film and video. [3]We (friends and I) used to do this bit for a gag, hands cupped over mouth to simulate its Darth Vader rumble. "WHO IS IT, LUKE?" a b "dutchcharts.nl > The The in Dutch Charts" (in Dutch). Hung Medien . Retrieved 19 November 2011. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19thed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p.555. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. The The released their official studio album debut, the synth-noir classic Soul Mining, in 1983. It featured the minor UK No.71 hit " This Is the Day", as well as a new recording of the The performing "Uncertain Smile". Produced by Johnson and Paul Hardiman, it featured guest appearances from Orange Juice's drummer Zeke Manyika, Jools Holland, Thomas Leer and JG Thirlwell (a.k.a. Foetus).