PASCAL's KEVIN COYNE HOME PAGE

 

The `Rough Guide To Rock'

by Steve Dinsdale

 

KEVIN COYNE Born Derby, England, 1944.

"I'll just have to steam in and sort a few people out. Do a bit of damage."

Kevin Coyne's image owes as much to his experiences as a social worker as to his abiding love of blues and R&B. Blessed with one of the most individual voices in rock, he worked as a therapist at a psychiatric hospital before forming Siren in 1968 with guitarist Dave Clague. Signed to DJ John Peel's Dandelion label, the band made two albums, SIREN (1970) and STRANGE LOCOMOTION (1972), and then, disillusioned by a poor public response, the group folded. Coyne embarked on a solo career.

He poured a lot of pain into his debut, CASE HISTORY (1972), which drew directly on his work with mental patients, a source of inspiration that he would return to throughout his career. The following year he left Dandelion for fledgling company Virgin, who offered him a long-term deal, with a chance to develop as a left-field artist. The first fruit of this relationship was the milestone release MARJORY RAZORBLADE (1973), an album that won great critical acclaim for its variety of disturbingly accurate character studies, delivered with a voice of astonishing range and volume.

During the rest of the 70s, Coyne consolidated his uncompromising reputation without gaining mainstream acceptance. A loose touring outfit was formed, featuring Gordon Smith (slide guitar), who featured on a further fine album of solo and band performances, BLAME IT ON THE NIGHT (1974). Next, Coyne recruited a more heavyweight line-up of future POLICE guitarist Andy Summers, Archie Leggett (bass), Peter Wolf (drums) and Zoot Money (keyboards), for MATCHING HEAD AND FEET (1975), a bit of a mixed bag, but one yielding a roaring highlight of Coyne's vocals in "Turpentine" and a gorgeous ballad in "Sunday Morning Sunrise", aided by Summers' effortless guitar work.

This new line-up was deservedly acclaimed for its live work, and by the release of HEARTBURN (1976) they were playing larger venues, which enabled Coyne to concentrate on presentation. Props and tapes of his monologues were used as a backdrop to the simultaneously disturbing and hilarious performances, the overall flavour of which was nicely captured on the double live LP, IN LIVING BLACK AND WHITE (1977).

As rock's early 70s complacency was swept away by punk rock, Coyne's regard for honesty at the expense of finesse fitted the emerging ethic perfectly. Johnny Rotten cited Coyne as a major influence, and he responded with DYNAMITE DAZE (1978), the title track of which was a direct response to the energy of the Pistols. MILLIONAIRES AND TEDDY BEARS (1979) continued his prolific solo period, and in June of that year he immersed himself in the production of a theatrical song-cycle, BABBLE (subtitled 'Songs For Lonely Lovers'), in which he was well matched by ex-Slapp Happy singer DAGMAR KRAUSE.

BURSTING BUBBLES (1980) was Coyne at his harshest and most uncompromising, as he continued to move away from conventional musical structures. The double LP, SANITY STOMP (1980), with backing from THE RUTS and ROBERT WYATT, marked the end of his association with Virgin, who had long since begun to pursue more commercially viable acts. Two albums for indie label Cherry Red, POINTING THE FINGER (1981) and POLITICZ (1982), indicated a loss of focus, partly induced by Coyne's alcoholism and his marriage break-up.

Subsequent relocation to Germany has brought greater rewards; as well as German-only record releases, he has had two books published, exhibited his paintings, and has acted on television and on stage. Following the recent patronage of radio DJ Andy Kershaw, and the release of a CD of BBC recordings, THE PEEL SESSIONS (1990), Coyne now occasionally visits Britain to play to small but receptive audiences. His acceptance as a multimedia artist abroad is Britain's loss and Germany's gain.

CD Recommendations

Marjory Razorblade (1973; Virgin). Coyne sets out his stall, with themes ranging from the harrowing ("House On The Hill", "Old Soldier") to the humorous ("Karate King", "Eastbourne Ladies"). Its twenty-song spread remains a definitive collection of raw vocals and inspired lyrics.

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In Living Black And White (1977; Virgin). A set of fuelled live electric and acoustic performances that regularly surpassed their studio-recorded counterparts.

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The Peel Sessions (1990; Strange Fruit). Excellently recorded by the BBC, these sixteen tracks date mainly from 1973 to 1979, and offer a clear overview of Coyne's abilities, from reworkings of album material to daring one-take improvisational pieces like "Miner's Song" and "Dance Of The Bourgeoisie".