McAlmont & Butler
OriginLondon, England
GenresIndie rock, soul
Years active1994–1995
2002–2004
2006
2014–present
LabelsHut/Virgin/EMI
Rough Trade
MembersBernard Butler
David McAlmont

McAlmont & Butler are an English rock/soul music duo, comprising singer David McAlmont and guitarist Bernard Butler.[1]

History

Formed in 1994, David McAlmont and Bernard Butler had already experienced individual success: Butler as the guitarist in Suede, and McAlmont as a solo singer as well as part of the duo Thieves.[1]

The duo was formed after Butler met McAlmont at the Jazz Café in Camden. He presented the singer with the beginnings of the song "Yes", which was then an instrumental. The single, released in May 1995, was described as "a conceptual masterpiece"[2] and the production likened to that of Phil Spector.[3] In support of "Yes", the duo appeared at London's Hanover Grand in May 1995 (supported by Edwyn Collins[4]) and on Later... With Jools Holland the following month.[1][5] "Yes" reached number 8 in the UK Singles Chart,[1] and its success encouraged the duo to write and record more material.[3] The follow-up single, "You Do", was released in October 1995. The same month, McAlmont was interviewed by the NME – apparently intoxicated[3] – in which he highlighted how his and Butler's working relationship had deteriorated and they had little communication,[6] as well as accusing Butler of homophobia;[7][8] he later retracted his comments and issued Butler an apology.[3] In November, The Sound Of... McAlmont & Butler was released as a compilation of the group's recording sessions.[1]

The duo split following the release of the album; the split has been attributed to either McAlmont's NME interview or that from the outset the duo planned to have a limited duration.[9]

Reformations

After pursuing solo careers for several years, the duo reunited in 2002 and released Bring It Back and two singles – "Falling" and "Bring It Back".[9] The group toured in promotion of the album.[10]

Preparations for a third album were made, although negotiations with EMI Records fell through and the label dropped the band.[9][11] Despite this, the song "Speed" – taken from the album sessions – was released by Rough Trade Records in 2006.[11]

In 2014, Butler organised two special shows as McAlmont & Butler in aid of the Bobath Centre, a cerebral palsy treatment organisation. The performances were held at the Union Chapel and the Assembly Hall, both in Islington. The duo were supported by The Magic Numbers, and the shows received positive reviews; both The Guardian and the Evening Standard rating them four stars.[12][13]

In November 2015, the group headlined a UK tour.[14]

Discography

Albums

Year Album UK Albums Chart[2]
1995 The Sound Of... McAlmont & Butler No. 33
2002 Bring It Back No. 18

Singles

Year Single UK Singles Chart[2] Album
1995 "Yes" No. 8 The Sound Of... McAlmont & Butler
"You Do" No. 17
2002 "Falling" No. 23 Bring It Back
"Bring It Back" No. 36
2006 "Speed" No. 193 Non-album single

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 256. ISBN 0-7535-0427-8.
  2. 1 2 3 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 336. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Buckley, Jonathan (1999). Rock : the rough guide (2nd ed.). London: Rough Guides. p. 152. ISBN 9781858284576.
  4. ↑ "McAlmont and Butler's unfinished business". The Irish News. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  5. ↑ Sinclair, David. "McAlmont & Butler: Hanover Grand, London". The Times. Retrieved 25 January 2021 – via Rock's Backpages.
  6. ↑ "Yes! They Do Feel Better!". NME. 13 July 2001. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  7. ↑ "McAlmont and Butler: The odd couple". The Independent. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  8. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (9 August 2002). "Pop CD releases: McAlmont and Butler: Bring it Back". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 Murphy, Lauren. "McAlmont & Butler: 'It all got a bit involved. I think that's why we called it a day'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  10. ↑ Thompson, Dave. "McAlmont & Butler: Biography by Dave Thompson". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  11. 1 2 Lapatine, Scott (25 July 2006). "New McAlmont & Butler – "Speed"". Stereogum. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  12. ↑ Sullivan, Caroline (2 May 2014). "McAlmont and Butler review – joyful return of the Britpop odd couple". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Paine, Andre (2 May 2014). "McAlmont and Butler, Union Chapel - music review". Evening Standard. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  14. ↑ "Shows". McAlmont & Butler. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
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