Bizarre Inc
OriginStafford, England
GenresTechno, breakbeat hardcore
Years active1989–1996
LabelsBlue Chip Records (1989)
Sony Records (1992-1995)
Vinyl Solution (1990-1994)
Some Bizzare / Mercury Records (1996)
MembersAndrew Meecham (1990–)
Dean Meredith (1989-)
Past membersMark Archer(1989–1990)
Carl Turner (1990—1997)

Bizarre Inc were an English techno group. Formed in 1989 as a duo between English DJs Dean Meredith and Mark "Aaron" Archer (not to be confused with the film producer of the same name), they later re-formed as a trio consisting of Meredith, Andrew Meecham, and Carl Turner in 1990.[1]

Career

The group formed as Meredith and Archer linked to start an acid-house/techno project under 'Blue Chip Records'. A label owned by former Wigan Casino DJ Kev Roberts.

The first releases were (and still are) only available on 12'' vinyl: "It's Time to Get Funky" (BLUE C14R), later shortened to "Time to Get Funky" (BLUE C14RR); and the 6-track debut album Technological, both written and produced by Meredith and Archer.

By 1990, Archer left Meredith to work as producer and writer with different house and techno projects, a greater part of which were for Network Records. He was also known as DJ Nex for a long time; later on he released material under names such as Mr. Nex, O.P.D., Xen Mantra, and others (including Nexus 21 and Altern-8 with co-producer Chris Peat). Still in the same year, two other experienced DJs – Andrew Meecham and Carl Turner – joined Bizarre Inc, thus forming a new trio. The first 12'' they released together was "Bizarre Theme" / "X-Static" on the now-defunct record label, Vinyl Solution. This first track got a moderate acceptance, and their next single, "Such a Feeling", which sampled the Aurra club hit "Such a Feeling", peaked at number 13. The next single, "Playing with Knives", peaked at number 4; the song's vinyl (7-inch and 12-inch) releases were issued on a couple of different European labels.[1]

On 19 October 1992, Bizarre Inc released the album Energique.[1] shortly after the BPI Silver Certified "I'm Gonna Get You" single featuring Angie Brown was released on 21 September via Vinyl Solution on 12-inch vinyl. Bizarre Inc twice went to number one on the United States Hot Dance Club Play chart. The BPI Silver Certified "I'm Gonna Get You" spent two weeks at number one in January (also hitting number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100) and was followed by "Took My Love", which was number one for two weeks in late April. Angie Brown is featured as lead vocalist on both releases. A third song, "Love in Motion" (featuring Yvonne Yanney), peaked at number 4 on the U.S. dance chart in late 1993. Three of Bizarre Inc's hit singles appeared on Energique in 1992. In 1994, a remix for Madonna's single "Secret" was included on both the U.S. 12" Single and CD Maxi-Single.

They also released a third album, the more commercial Surprise, in 1996.

Meecham and Meredith have continued releasing new music together under the name Chicken Lips. In the UK, their biggest singles remain "Playing with Knives" (number 4) and "I'm Gonna Get You" (number 3), the latter of which was a crossover dance-pop hit and was one of the biggest sellers of that year.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[2]
Technological
  • Released: 2 May 1989
  • Label: Blue Chip (#BLUETEC1)
  • Formats: LP
 —
Energique 41
Surprise
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Mercury (#514 819)
  • Formats: LP, CD, CS
 —
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[2]		 BEL
[3]		 EUR
[4]		 IRE
[5]		 NED
[6]		 SCO
[7]		 US
[8]		 CAN
Dance
[9]		 UK
Dance
[10]		 US
Dance
[11]
1989 "It's Time to Get Funky" —————————— Non-album singles
"Technological" ——————————
1990 "Bizarre Theme"/"X-Static" ——————————
1991 "Playing with Knives" 43—————————
"Such a Feeling" 13—41———————
"Playing with Knives" (re-issue) 4—26——————— Energique
1992 "I'm Gonna Get You" (featuring Angie Brown) 31419173—471—1
1993 "Took My Love" (featuring Angie Brown) 19—711722——1—1
"Love in Motion" ———————8——
"Agroovin'" ——————————
1996 "Keep the Music Strong" 33—54——39——3— Surprise
"Surprise" 21—46——20——10—
"Get Up (Sunshine Street)" 45—78——40——17—
1999 "Playing with Knives" (remix) 30—98——28——1— Non-album single
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 37. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
  2. 1 2 UK chart positions:
  3. ↑ "Belgian (Flanders) chart peaks". ultratop.be/nl. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  4. ↑ European singles chart peaks:
  5. ↑ "Irish chart peaks". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Dutch chart peaks". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Scottish singles chart peaks:
  8. ↑
    US singles chart peaks
  9. ↑ Canadian dance singles chart peaks:
  10. ↑ UK dance singles chart peaks:
  11. ↑ US dance singles chart peaks:
  12. ↑ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 4 October 2020. Note: User needs to enter "Bizarre Inc" in the "Search BPI Awards" field and press Enter
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