• 1985-

  Daniel AshGuitar, vocals

  David JBass, vocals

  Kevin HaskinsDrums
• Guitarist Daniel Ash, bassist David J, and drummer Kevin Haskins started Love And Rockets in 1985. They had been three-fourths of the post-punk band Bauhaus, with vocalist Peter Murphy the one Bauhaus member who didn't join them. Their core period of activity lasted from 1985 to 1999. They got back together from 2007 to 2009 and then slated a tour for 2023.
• Love and Rockets didn't carry the dolorous Bauhaus sound forward. Their music is an eclectic mix of styles with a more upbeat energy, pop vibes, and the cutting-edge electronic instrumentation that was becoming available in the '80s.
• Other than the #3 hit single "So Alive" and its attendant Gold-certified album, Love And Rockets, the band were not among the top tier for record sales. They were, however, very influential, as attested to by the 2009 tribute album New Tales to Tell: A Tribute to Love and Rockets. It features acts like The Flaming Lips, Better Than Ezra, and The Dandy Warhols.
• Kevin Haskins and David J (birth name David John Haskins) are brothers. They were inspired to start their first band, named Submerged Teeth, after seeing a Sex Pistols show.
• The band's name comes from a comic book series started in 1982 by brothers Gilbert, Jaime, and Mario Hernandez. Also titled Love and Rockets, it was one of the first examples of the "alternative comics" movement, which features stories that fall outside the usual super-hero gimmick.
• The band's first release was a cover of "Ball Of Confusion" in 1985. They put it out as a single, saw it rise to #18 on the Canadian chart, and quickly followed it up with their debut album, Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven.
• From 1982 to 1984, Haskins, Ash, and Bauhaus roadie Glenn Campling worked on a side-project named Tones on Tail. Most of that group's output was lost, but around 2019, Campling found some recordings and gave the old group new life.
• Interestingly, a Tones on Tail promotional image showed the band standing in front of a sketch of giant bumblebee-men that look very similar to the costumes the group wore in the music video for another side project, this one being The Bubblemen of 1988. The Bubblemen featured the exact same lineup as Love And Rockets. They released a single titled "The Bubblemen Are Coming," which includes additional tracks "Bees," "Bubblemen Rap," and "Bubblemen Rap (Dub Version)."
• The cover of the band's 1996 album Sweet F.A. shows a photograph of a burned guitar salvaged from a fire that tore through a house owned by their label, American Recordings. The inferno destroyed the band's equipment and months of recordings. It also injured industrial metal pioneer and Psychic TV frontperson Genesis P-Orridge. A legal battle ensued, with Love And Rockets being found not responsible for the fire but still saddled with steep legal bills.

Comments

More Songfacts:

Louie LouieThe Kingsmen

"Louie Louie" was first recorded in 1955 by an R&B singer named Richard Berry, and his lyrics are easy to understand. When The Kingsmen recorded the hit version, their lyrics were indecipherable.

All Around The WorldLisa Stansfield

"All Around The World" by Lisa Stansfield has a sultry spoken intro inspired by Barry White. He was honored by the homage, and in 1992 joined Stansfield to record a duet version of the song.

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)Edison Lighthouse

The love is growing in the '70s hit "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" because rosemary is the name of an herb.

Bangla DeshGeorge Harrison

George Harrison's 1971 song "Bangla Desh" was the first major charity single. It was part of a concert held to bring relief to the people of Bangladesh, who were fighting for independence and suffering from a famine.

I Ran (So Far Away)A Flock of Seagulls

"I Ran (So Far Away)" by A Flock Of Seagulls ends with an alien abduction.

Rock LobsterThe B-52s

Sea creatures mentioned in "Rock Lobster" by The B-52's include a jellyfish, piranha, bikini whale and narwhal.

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.