Retrofitted pop band
the Clientele had obvious roots in the hazy, autumnal glare of
Galaxie 500 and
Felt. Just as those bands took their
Velvet Underground and
Television records to heart without being derivative,
the Clientele were able to chalk up an extensive discography riddled with lush melodies of their own without sounding like a tribute band. Think of your favorite '60s pop band and odds are they're in
the Clientele's blood.
The London-based band formed in mid-1997, consisting of
Alasdair MacLean (guitar and vocals),
Innes Phillips (guitar and vocals),
James Hornsey (bass), and
Howard (drums).
Mark Keen replaced the academically occupied
Howard toward the end of 1999;
Phillips left early on to form
the Relict, a group with a varied membership that has occasionally included
Clientele members. After debuting on the Fierce Panda label's Cry Me a Liver compilation,
the Clientele released a slew of singles, compilation contributions, and EPs in short order. Most significantly, March released
A Fading Summer in 2000, an EP that harvested some of the band's hard to find singles and a couple new recordings. Later that year, the full-length
Suburban Light (another compilation of previously recorded material) was issued by Pointy.
The band hooked up with Merge in early 2001, which issued
Suburban Light in the U.S. months later. The
Lost Weekend EP came out on Acuarela in 2002, which was followed a year later by their first proper album and Merge debut,
The Violet Hour.
Strange Geometry arrived in 2005, and in 2006 the band added keyboardist/violinist/percussionist
Mel Draisey to its ranks.
God Save the Clientele, which featured production by
Mark Nevers of the band's U.S. labelmates
Lambchop, was released in spring 2007.
Bonfires on the Heath, another release for Merge, was issued during fall 2009. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide