| Peach formed in 1992 after Ben Durling and Rob havis left Unwind (personnel included future Swervedriver bassist Steve George) and recruited Durham University student Justin Chancellor and recent Liverpudlian arrival Simon Oakes. Bored with the UK's 1990s shoegazing indie scene, the four embarked on a project to blend psychedelic metal with melodic songwriting. | |||
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Five months of writing in London’s Westbourne Studios - a venue mainly chosen due to its close proximity to the famous Westway Skatepark for Rob and Justin’s Skateboard addiction - saw the band arrive in Camden with a live set sounding like Iron Butterfly meets My Bloody Valentine with Robert Fripp hosting the party. Shows
on the London circuit soon gained them a reputation for ear-bending
sonic trickery and a record deal with Mad Minute Records soon
followed. (Mint 400, an early line up of Cortizone, were also on
this label. Their original guitarist Seth now plays for My Vitriol.
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Tours of Europe and gigs
in LA brought the band to the attention of up and coming West Coast
rockers Tool. A long relationship between the two bands started and
Peach were chosen to support Tool on the European leg of their tours
throughout 1993 and 1994. Peach toured extensively to promote their debut album 'Giving birth to a stone', playing with the likes of Throwing Muses, Wool, Headswim, Skunk Anansie, Shed 7, Supergrass, Pulp and Paw. Although well received by the European Rock press, Peach failed to secure a major record deal as the British scene shifted heavily towards Britpop. In 1995 Oakes quit to set up Geyser with Adam Wolters and Al Murray (who later found fame as a comedian with his act “the pub landlord”). |
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Peach continued with replacement singer Roger Sterling but after a
final German tour Rob Havis also left to join fellow Tool support
act Submarine (later to turn into cult rockers Jet Boy DC). The
Peach name was now dropped in favour of Sterling. When Tool bassist
Paul D’amour decided to quit, JC was invited to audition and was
offered the position. He left Sterling - one of the hardest
decisions he has ever had to make - to be replaced by Andy Marlow.
The band subsequently signed a deal with Mantra Records, releasing
the album 'Monster Lingo' and four singles. |
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Peach reformed in 2003 following the unexpected success of the re-release of 'Giving birth' in the US. The name change to Suns of the Tundra reflects the fact that Justin is no longer with the band. In the current incarnation, Rob Havis now shares bass duties (his original instrument before he became a drummer) with Andy Marlow. Andy Prestidge - who used to be in Justin's brother-in-law Paul Stroud's bands Mint 400 and Cortizone - has taken the drum stool. The story continues at the Suns of the Tundra..... |
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website
Peach with friends, Denny's, Sunset Strip, September 1992 |
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