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Barry Lamb (born 9 May 1963 in South Shields, England) is an English experimental musician.

Biography

Barry Lamb is an English composer, author and musician. He was born in South Shields, but lived in Holland-on-Sea during his secondary school years. He attended Clacton County High School where he first met his long time musical collaborator Peter Ashby. It was during his high school years that he formed Frenzid Melon with Ashby and they began experimenting with music inspired by the immediacy and DIY ethic of punk. Lamb also began making his own experimental music using simple tape manipulation techniques and they began to release their music on cassette. This marked the beginning of what has become known as cassette culture. During this period Ashby & Lamb founded Falling A Records,^[1]^[2] as one of the early cassette labels and later an independent record label.

Falling A also opened a shop in Clacton-on-Sea and acted as a distribution service for other cassette culture artists, labels and fanzines. Lamb's solo career coexisted with his collaborations with Ashby. Most of his solo albums are avant-garde / electronic / industrial in nature. The album Dusk is perhaps his best-known solo work. During his most prolific period, Lamb had regular correspondence with fellow contemporaries Bryn Jones of Muslimgauze, members of Attrition, and the Third Mind record label.^{[citation needed]}

Sometime during the course of 1981–82 Frenzid Melon disbanded but Ashby and Lamb quickly re emerged having added Owen Turley to the line up and morphing into a new band the insane picnic.^{[citation needed]} Whilst Frenzid Melon had been heavily influenced by punk, the insane picnic had more of a post punk feel to them. Their debut release in the autumn of 1982 was the critically acclaimed "Four Days in April" EP. This received a glowing review by Ian Pye in Melody Maker "A twisted cross between Echo and the Bunnymen & the Fall. The Insane Picnic succeed where most others fail by creating an atmosphere that may not be unique but is at least threateningly distanced from the obvious possibilities.."^[3] The insane picnic were unable to capitalise on momentum due to internal struggles and the inability to engage a permanent drummer for regular live performances. A planned album in 1984 did not advance beyond the demo stage. The demo tapes were eventually released on CD in 2004 under the name "this is the winter darkness".^[4] The insane picnic continued in a stop start fashion until 1989 with occasional releases and live performances. Their biggest success during this period was the "Magistrates & Saints" 12" EP.^[5] The closure of the Falling A shop in 1985 sparked the relocation of the headquarters to Reading.^[6]

In 1989 following the demise of the insane picnic, Lamb moved to Braintree, Essex and recorded a progressive rock album with Ashby under the name of Ermin Grud. The resulting album "the narrow path" was released as a private pressing in a deliberately obscure manner with no clues as to the source of the recording or musicians involved. There are fewer than 100 copies in existence. The album is saturated with the sound of the mellotron and Hammond organ in an attempt to pass it off as an authentic early 1970s private pressing.^{[citation needed]}

In the late 1990s his output was minimal, and apart from an appearance on the WMTID album Pale Saint he seemed along with many of his cassette culture contemporaries to have disappeared without a trace. Midway through 2005 though, he re-emerged with an appearance on the Jasun Martz (former member of Frank Zappa's band) album The Pillory / The Battle playing mellotron and wind synth as well as releasing a brand new album entitled It's All About Purpose on the Six Armed Man label. 2006 saw another flurry of activity with several contributions to various Six Armed Man releases and another album of new material entitled Observations of Istanbul.^[7]

In 2007 he released an album of new material called ...this is^[8] which has received critical acclaim in the underground music network. Lamb's continued partnership with former insane picnic and Frenzid Melon member Peter Ashby continues to bear fruit as they work together. Other collaborations include Lamb playing saxophone on Peter Ashby's Disturbances in the ether album, working with up and coming urban hip hop artist Tor Cesay, collaborating with Keith Levene,^[9] being covered by Swiss chanteuse Hilda Garman and recording with Wavis O'Shave.

Following another hiatus in 2016, the Ashby & Lamb partnership reconvened under the name of The Two Headed Emperor.^[10] This resulted in another flurry of new releases and activity.^[11]

In 2020, he headed up a team that curated and delivered the 40th anniversary release of Morgan Fisher's influential Miniatures series. The subsequent album contained tracks from many well known artists including some from the original 1980 album and its millennial sequel as well as a selection of lesser known musicians. Wire Magazine reviewed it as "musically tight and conceptually svelte, like a sonic haiku. Limiting tracks to one minute leads to an economy and urgency that is completely engaging".^[12]

References

^ Record Collector Magazine Oct 2011 no 393 page 54
^ "Home Taping Is Thrilling Music - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
^ Melody Maker, 25 September 1982, p. 14
^ "This Is the Winter Darkness - The Insane Picnic | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
^ "Maximum Rock n Roll magazine". maximumrocknroll.com. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
^ Music Week directory of UK record labels, 1985
^ English Experimental Musicians. ISBN 9781155807850.
^ "Barry Lamb - "…This is"". aural-innovations.com. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
^ "Keith Levene biography at Fodderstompf". Fodderstompf.com. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
^ "THE TWO HEADED EMPEROR". Progarchives.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
^ "Two Headed Emperor Discography | EPK". Retrieved 21 January 2022.
^ "Wire Magazine Review". Facebook.com. Retrieved 13 March 2021.

External links

[1] Record Collector Magazine Oct 2011 no 393 page 54

[2] "Home Taping Is Thrilling Music - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.

[3] Melody Maker, 25 September 1982, p. 14

[4] "This Is the Winter Darkness - The Insane Picnic | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 May 2020.

[5] "Maximum Rock n Roll magazine". maximumrocknroll.com. Retrieved 21 January 2022.

[6] Music Week directory of UK record labels, 1985

[7] English Experimental Musicians. ISBN 9781155807850.

[8] "Barry Lamb - "…This is"". aural-innovations.com. Retrieved 30 November 2010.

[9] "Keith Levene biography at Fodderstompf". Fodderstompf.com. Retrieved 30 November 2010.

[10] "THE TWO HEADED EMPEROR". Progarchives.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.

[11] "Two Headed Emperor Discography | EPK". Retrieved 21 January 2022.

[12] "Wire Magazine Review". Facebook.com. Retrieved 13 March 2021.

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{Notability|1=Music|date=August 2014}}
 {{BLP sources|date=August 2014}}}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
 '''Barry Lamb''' (born 9 May 1963 in [[South Shields]], England) is an [[English people|English]] [[experimental music]]ian.
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==Biography==
 [[File:Barrylambsaxophone.jpg|thumb|Barry Lamb 2011]]
-Barry Lamb is an English composer, author and musician. He was born in [[South Shields]], but lived in [[Holland On Sea]] during his secondary school years. He attended [[Clacton]] County High School where he first met his long time musical collaborator [[Peter Ashby]]. It was during his high school years that he formed Frenzid Melon with Ashby and they began experimenting with music inspired by the immediacy and [[DIY ethic]] of punk. Lamb also began making his own [[experimental music]] using simple tape manipulation techniques and they began to release their music on [[Cassette tape|cassette]]. This marked the beginning of what has become known as [[cassette culture]]. During this period Ashby & Lamb founded [[Falling A Records]].<ref>Record Collector Magazine Oct 2011 no 393 page 54</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/home-taping-thrilling-music|title=Home Taping Is Thrilling Music - Record Collector Magazine|website=Recordcollectormag.com|accessdate=2020-05-15}}</ref> as one of the early cassette labels and later an independent record label. Falling A also opened a shop in Clacton on sea and acted as a distribution service for other [[cassette culture]] artists, labels and fanzines. They became one of the most connected limbs of the diy cassette movement. Lamb's solo career coexisted with his collaborations with Ashby. Most of his solo albums are [[avant-garde]] / electronic / [[Industrial music|industrial]] in nature. The album ''Dusk'' is perhaps his best-known solo work. During his most prolific period, Lamb had regular correspondence with fellow contemporaries Bryn Jones of [[Muslimgauze]], members of [[Attrition (band)|Attrition]], and the [[Third Mind Records|Third Mind]] record label. Much of this appeared to shape his thinking about music.
+Barry Lamb is an English composer, author and musician. He was born in [[South Shields]], but lived in [[Holland-on-Sea]] during his secondary school years. He attended [[Clacton]] County High School where he first met his long time musical collaborator [[Peter Ashby]]. It was during his high school years that he formed Frenzid Melon with Ashby and they began experimenting with music inspired by the immediacy and [[DIY ethic]] of punk. Lamb also began making his own [[experimental music]] using simple tape manipulation techniques and they began to release their music on [[Cassette tape|cassette]]. This marked the beginning of what has become known as [[cassette culture]]. During this period Ashby & Lamb founded [[Falling A Records]],<ref>Record Collector Magazine Oct 2011 no 393 page 54</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/home-taping-thrilling-music|title=Home Taping Is Thrilling Music - Record Collector Magazine|website=Recordcollectormag.com|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> as one of the early cassette labels and later an independent record label.
+Falling A also opened a shop in [[Clacton-on-Sea]] and acted as a distribution service for other [[cassette culture]] artists, labels and fanzines. Lamb's solo career coexisted with his collaborations with Ashby. Most of his solo albums are [[avant-garde]] / electronic / [[Industrial music|industrial]] in nature. The album ''Dusk'' is perhaps his best-known solo work. During his most prolific period, Lamb had regular correspondence with fellow contemporaries Bryn Jones of [[Muslimgauze]], members of [[Attrition (band)|Attrition]], and the [[Third Mind Records|Third Mind]] record label.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
-Sometime during the course of 1981/82 Frenzid Melon disbanded but Ashby and Lamb quickly re emerged having added Owen Turley to the line up and morphing into a new band [[the insane picnic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1312979-The-Insane-Picnic|title=The Insane Picnic|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=2020-05-15}}</ref> Whilst Frenzid Melon had been heavily influenced by punk, the insane picnic had more of a post punk feel to them. Their debut release in the autumn of 1982 was the critically acclaimed "Four Days in April" EP. This received a glowing review by Ian Pye in ''[[Melody Maker]]'' "A twisted cross between Echo and the Bunnymen & the Fall. The Insane Picnic succeed where most others fail by creating an atmosphere that may not be unique but is at least threateningly distanced from the obvious possibilities.."<ref>''[[Melody Maker]]'', 25 September 1982, p. 14</ref> the insane picnic enjoyed further favourable reviews in the mainstream music press but were unable to capitalise on the momentum due to internal struggles and the inability to engage a permanent drummer for regular live performances. A planned album in 1984 did not advance beyond the demo stage. The demo tapes were eventually released on CD in 2004 under the name "this is the winter darkness".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/this-is-the-winter-darkness-mw0000713447|title=This Is the Winter Darkness - The Insane Picnic &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits &#124; AllMusic|website=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=2020-05-15}}</ref> the insane picnic continued in a stop start fashion until 1989 with occasional releases and live performances. Their biggest success during this period was the "Magistrates & Saints" 12" EP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Insane-Picnic-Magistrates-And-Saints/release/1579808|title=The Insane Picnic - Magistrates And Saints|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=2020-05-15}}</ref> The closure of the Falling A shop in 1985 sparked the relocation of the headquarters to [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]].<ref>''[[Music Week]]''  directory of UK record labels, 1985</ref>
+Sometime during the course of 1981–82 Frenzid Melon disbanded but Ashby and Lamb quickly re emerged having added Owen Turley to the line up and morphing into a new band [[the insane picnic]].{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} Whilst Frenzid Melon had been heavily influenced by punk, the insane picnic had more of a post punk feel to them. Their debut release in the autumn of 1982 was the critically acclaimed "Four Days in April" EP. This received a glowing review by Ian Pye in ''[[Melody Maker]]'' "A twisted cross between Echo and the Bunnymen & the Fall. The Insane Picnic succeed where most others fail by creating an atmosphere that may not be unique but is at least threateningly distanced from the obvious possibilities.."<ref>''[[Melody Maker]]'', 25 September 1982, p. 14</ref> The insane picnic were unable to capitalise on momentum due to internal struggles and the inability to engage a permanent drummer for regular live performances. A planned album in 1984 did not advance beyond the demo stage. The demo tapes were eventually released on CD in 2004 under the name "this is the winter darkness".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/this-is-the-winter-darkness-mw0000713447|title=This Is the Winter Darkness - The Insane Picnic &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits &#124; AllMusic|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> The insane picnic continued in a stop start fashion until 1989 with occasional releases and live performances. Their biggest success during this period was the "Magistrates & Saints" 12" EP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maximumrocknroll.com/review/mrr-50/magistrates-and-saints-12/|title=Maximum Rock n Roll magazine|website=maximumrocknroll.com|access-date=2022-01-21}}</ref> The closure of the Falling A shop in 1985 sparked the relocation of the headquarters to [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]].<ref>''[[Music Week]]''  directory of UK record labels, 1985</ref>
-In 1989 following the demise of the insane picnic, Lamb moved to [[Braintree, Essex]] and recorded a progressive rock album with Ashby under the name of Ermin Grud. The resulting album "the narrow path" was released as a private pressing in a deliberately obscure manner with no clues as to the source of the recording or musicians involved. There are fewer than 100 copies in existence. The album is saturated with the sound of the [[mellotron]] and [[Hammond organ]] in an attempt to pass it off as an authentic early 1970s private pressing.
+In 1989 following the demise of the insane picnic, Lamb moved to [[Braintree, Essex]] and recorded a progressive rock album with Ashby under the name of Ermin Grud. The resulting album "the narrow path" was released as a private pressing in a deliberately obscure manner with no clues as to the source of the recording or musicians involved. There are fewer than 100 copies in existence. The album is saturated with the sound of the [[mellotron]] and [[Hammond organ]] in an attempt to pass it off as an authentic early 1970s private pressing.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
 In the late 1990s his output was minimal, and apart from an appearance on the WMTID album ''Pale Saint'' he seemed along with many of his cassette culture contemporaries to have disappeared without a trace. Midway through 2005 though, he re-emerged with an appearance on the [[Jasun Martz]] (former member of [[Frank Zappa]]'s band) album ''The Pillory / The Battle'' playing [[mellotron]] and [[wind synth]] as well as releasing a brand new album entitled ''It's All About Purpose'' on the Six Armed Man label. 2006 saw another flurry of activity with several contributions to various Six Armed Man releases and another album of new material entitled ''Observations of Istanbul''.<ref>{{cite book|title=English Experimental Musicians |ISBN= 9781155807850}}</ref>
-In 2007 he released an album of new material called ''...this is''<ref>{{cite web|title=Barry Lamb - "…This is" |url=http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue38/barrylamb.html|work=aural-innovations.com|accessdate=30 November 2010}}</ref> which has received critical acclaim in the underground music network. Lamb's continued partnership with former insane picnic and Frenzid Melon member [[Peter Ashby]] continues to bear fruit as they work together. Other collaborations include Lamb playing saxophone on Peter Ashby's ''Disturbances in the ether'' album, working with up and coming urban hip hop artist Tor Cesay, collaborating with [[Keith Levene]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Keith Levene biography at Fodderstompf |url=http://www.fodderstompf.com/MEMBERS/levene.html|work=Fodderstompf.com|accessdate=30 November 2010}}</ref> being covered by Swiss chanteuse Hilda Garman and recording with [[Wavis O'Shave]].
+In 2007 he released an album of new material called ''...this is''<ref>{{cite web|title=Barry Lamb - "…This is" |url=http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue38/barrylamb.html|work=aural-innovations.com|access-date=30 November 2010}}</ref> which has received critical acclaim in the underground music network. Lamb's continued partnership with former insane picnic and Frenzid Melon member [[Peter Ashby]] continues to bear fruit as they work together. Other collaborations include Lamb playing saxophone on Peter Ashby's ''Disturbances in the ether'' album, working with up and coming urban hip hop artist Tor Cesay, collaborating with [[Keith Levene]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Keith Levene biography at Fodderstompf |url=http://www.fodderstompf.com/MEMBERS/levene.html|work=Fodderstompf.com|access-date=30 November 2010}}</ref> being covered by Swiss chanteuse Hilda Garman and recording with [[Wavis O'Shave]].
-Following another hiatus in 2016, the Ashby & Lamb partnership reconvened under the name of The Two Headed Emperor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=10970|title=THE TWO HEADED EMPEROR|website=Progarchives.com|accessdate=2020-05-15}}</ref> This resulted in another flurry of new releases and activity<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11g0mv3y1q&hl=en-GB&kgs=9b10c1534aab60eb&q=Two+Headed+Emperor&shndl=0&source=sh/x/kp&entrypoint=sh/x/kp|title=Two Headed Emperor - Google Search|website=Google.com|accessdate=2020-05-15}}</ref>
-==Discography==
-{{Clean up|section|reason=Formatting, non-use of wikitable(s), laundry list appearance, unreferenced|date=May 2020}}
-'''Solo recordings'''<br />
-Dusk<br />
-Keys<br />
-Ludi Funebres<br />
-Telephone call at the edge of the universe<br />
-Experimental Bus Service<br />
-Poetry for motorways<br />
-Picnic<br />
-Seven Secrets<br />
-It's all about purpose<br />
-Observations of Istanbul<br />
-...this is<br />
-ساحة جامع الفناء (e.p.)
-'''Remastered and reissued solo recordings with bonus material'''<br />
-Dusk<br />
-Keys<br />
-Ludi Funebres<br />
-'''with Frenzid Melon'''
-Dec - Frenzid Melon C.60<br />
-May - Graffiti Spastic Plastic C.60<br />
-Oct - Frenzid Melon II C.45<br />
-May - Stop Acting Like Babies C.60<br />
-Oct - Cosmic Peanut and Other Secret Identities C.45<br />
-Jan - I Don't Wanna Work in the Wimpy Bar (Cassette single)<br />
-Feb - The Great Roll and Butter Swindle C.90<br />
-Oct - Crazy Fog Warning C.45 (Unreleased)<br />
-Apr - Frenzid Melon C.45<br />
-Feb - Provisional Music ( A compilation of previously unreleased recordings) C.45<br />
-Jul - Clacton (CD)<br />
-Jan - The Dub Mixes (Download)
-'''with [[the insane picnic]]'''<br />
-Four days in April e.p.<br />
-Romance / Politicians Promise single<br />
-This is the winter darkness LP (unreleased until 2004)<br />
-Magistrates & Saints 12" single<br />
-Dog bones & Cradle ghosts single<br />
-Stray woman single (promo only)
-'''with Ermin Grud'''<br />
-Ruby Jones single<br />
-The Narrow Path LP<br />
-The world strikes one<br />
-(Included as a bonus download track as part of the "Renewell" tribute album, tribute to [[Martin Newell (musician)|Martin Newell]])
+Following another hiatus in 2016, the Ashby & Lamb partnership reconvened under the name of The Two Headed Emperor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=10970|title=THE TWO HEADED EMPEROR|website=Progarchives.com|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> This resulted in another flurry of new releases and activity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mailchi.mp/48d7e42e6887/twoheadedemperor/|title=Two Headed Emperor Discography {{!}} EPK|access-date=2022-01-21}}</ref>
-'''with Two Headed Emperor'''<br />
-The Happy Medium And A Depressed Conjurer album<br/>
-The Breath Of Disunity single<br/>
-Shaman Of The snow EP<br/>
-The Last Time We Did This It Ended In Disaster<br/>
+In 2020, he headed up a team that curated and delivered the 40th anniversary release of [[Morgan Fisher]]'s influential ''[[Miniatures (Morgan Fisher album)|Miniatures]]'' series. The subsequent album contained tracks from many well known artists including some from the original 1980 album and its millennial sequel as well as a selection of lesser known musicians. ''[[Wire Magazine]]'' reviewed it as "musically tight and conceptually svelte, like a sonic haiku. Limiting tracks to one minute leads to an economy and urgency that is completely engaging".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/107180064491677/photos/a-glowing-review-of-miniatures-2020-from-the-latest-wire-magazine/206325567910459/|title=Wire Magazine Review|website=Facebook.com|access-date=2021-03-13}}</ref>
-'''As collaborator''' <br />
-The Pox - Deliberate defiance of authority<br />
-The Acid Slothe - You're lost little girl <br />
-The Budva Taverna All Stars - Up the Yama Yama <br />
-Annie Anxiety - Dawn in the carnival cafe <br />
-Omming for Woks - Show me a sane man <br />
-Somebody Famous - Prisoners of the real world<br />
-[[Martin Newell (musician)|The Cleaners from Venus]] - Johnny the Moondog / Only a Shadow<br />
-The Rhododendron Stealers - The Purple Orgasm<br />
-Braintree - The concubine harvester <br />
-WMTID - Pale Saint <br />
-Wayland - Sticked and Stoned<br />
-Josda Dan - Mess_age e.p.<br />
-Ashby & Lamb - A future life in an urban sprawl <br />
-Peter Ashby - High density oscillation <br />
-[[Jasun Martz]] - The Pillory / The Battle <br />
-Ashby & Lamb - Small Packages <br />
-[[Peter Ashby]] - Disturbances in the ether <br />
-[[Keith Levene]] - Murder Global sessions / Titanium Box / Commercial Zone 2011 <br />
-Keltica - Keltica e.p.<br />
-[[Peter Ashby]] - Hagiography <br />
-Hilda Garman - Mistaken (Version) <br />
-Hilda Garman - In the summer rain <br />
-Barry Lamb Vs Skeng - Tin Snake revisited <br />
-Peter Ashby & Hilda Garman - The songbird & the minstrel <br />
-Barry Lamb Vs Ak0pian - Could you love a cloud? <br />
-Barry Lamb Vs Wet Sans Brolly - Puzzled by drama queens<br />
-Barry Lamb Vs Wet Sans Brolly - What should I say?<br />
-Fictional Rage - Absent Culture / Absent Culture (Cloud mix)<br />
-Fictional Rage ft [[Wavis O'Shave]] - Pokeawillies <br />
-The Cloud Quartet - Love Note <br />
-Barry Lamb Vs [[Keith Levene]] - The LoVe We Knew <br />
-Census of Hallucinations - Imagine John Lennon e.p. <br />
-Jasun Martz - Solo Exhibition (8-CD box set) <br />
-Jasun Martz - Non Finito <br />
-Ohead - Resurgent Resonance <br />
-Jasun Martz - Corrosion <br />
 ==References==
@@ Line 128: / Line 39: @@
 [[Category:English rock musicians]]
 [[Category:English experimental musicians]]
-[[Category:People from South Shields]]
+[[Category:Musicians from South Shields]]
 [[Category:1963 births]]
 [[Category:People from Tendring (district)]]
+[[Category:Cassette culture 1970s–1990s]]