The Blue Aeroplanes
The Blue Aeroplanes are an English rock band from Bristol, the mainstays of which have been Gerard Langley, brother John Langley, and dancer Wojtek Dmochowski. All three had previously been members of the new wave "art band" Art Objects from 1978 to 1981. History. The Blue Aeroplanes first performed under that name at the King Street Art Gallery in Bristol in 1981. They consisted mainly of former members of Art Objects, with the addition of Nick Jacobs, former guitarist and vocalist of Southampton band the Exploding Seagulls. The same line-up played three or four concerts over  the next couple of years, either at the gallery or for benefits, including a Karl Marx centenary performance at the Victoria Rooms, with the addition of trumpet and didgeridoo. The Blue Aeroplanes' first album "Bop Art" was released on their own Party Records in 1984, and was rapidly picked up by the Abstract (US) and Fire (UK) labels. It contained material that had been considered as a follow-up to Art Objects' only album, "Bagpipe Music". Gerard Langley's largely spoken poetic lyrics were combined with a heavily guitar-centric band that went on to release "Tolerance" (1985) and "Spitting  Out Miracles" (1987) and several singles and EPs whose B-sides were brought together in the compilation "FriendLoverPlane" (1988), all on the Fire label. On 24 February 1990, the band released their most critically acclaimed album, "Swagger", this time on a major label Chrysalis/Ensign. This was followed by "Beatsongs", which was recorded in the United States and released in 1991. It was produced by Larry Hirsch. This second album on the major label was their highest charting, reaching no. 33 in the UK Albums Chart. A second compilation of rare B-sides and out-takes, "FriendLoverPlane2 (Up in a  Down World)", was released in 1992. The follow-up to "Beatsongs" was delayed until 1994, when the album "Life Model" was released on the Beggars Banquet label; it was followed by "Rough Music" in 1995. "Broken & Mended" from "Life Model" was the band's last single to chart and is a favourite at gigs. A long break and another label change to ArtStar preceded the release of "Cavaliers" in 2000. Following negotiations with EMI who now owned the rights to "Swagger" and "Beatsongs", The Blue Aeroplanes made a surprise return to this major label. EMI re-released "Swagger Deluxe" as  a 2-CD version in January 2006. This was followed by an album of new material called "Altitude" later that year, released on EMI's Harvest imprint. The group then recorded an album of cover versions of classic tracks that were originally recorded by artists signed to the Harvest label. The album, called "Harvester", was released by EMI/Harvest in 2007. As well as the two FriendLoverPlane compilations, several other compilations have been released in recent years. "Huh! The Best of The Blue Aeroplanes (1987–1992)" was released by EMI/Chrysalis in 1997 and featured many of the songs from "Swagger  and Beatsongs". Also in 1997, "Warhol's 15 The Best of the Blue Aeroplanes (1985–1988)" was released and covered the preceding period when the band was signed to Fire Records. In 1996 "Fruit (Live 1983–1995)" was released on Fire Records and covered 12 years of live performances recorded at various venues. Then in 2001, ArtStar released "Weird Sh*t" which featured both rare tracks and alternative versions of some of the band's best-known songs from "Swagger" through to 'Cavaliers". In 2008 and 2009, limited-edition live albums were released and sold at the annual Christmas gig at Fiddlers in  Bristol. "Live in Cheltenham" (2008) and "Skyscrapers" (2009) were limited to just 100 copies each and each featured songs not included on the other live CD. Their Christmas gig moved to The Fleece a few years later and is a staple in their touring calendar. The band released a new album "Welcome, Stranger!" in January 2017 through Pledgemusic. Live performances. They have played headlining gigs in small indie venues as well as supporting big acts such as R.E.M. and Siouxsie and the Banshees on major international tours, frontman Gerard Langley always wearing his trademark shades even at night in dark  venues. Performances include the band's 1992 appearance at Glastonbury which was broadcast on BBC Radio 1, the finale at the Hammersmith Apollo when 12 guitarists were seen on stage performing "Breaking in My Heart" and their annual appearance at Fiddlers in Bristol which has now been relocated to the band's own venue, The Fleece. In February 2016 the band played at the 6music festival at Colston Hall's Lantern venue, being introduced by Gideon Coe and in April 2016 they were personally chosen by curator Stewart Lee to play the ATP festival at Pontins Prestatyn. In 2019 the  band performed at the Glastonbury Festival on the Avalon Stage.