The Weather Prophets – in session for John Peel – June 25, 1987 – BBC Radio 1 –
The Weather Prophets – a band that doesn’t ring a lot of bells, at least on this side of the Atlantic. The Indie band formed in 1986, following the breakup of The Loft. Members Peter Astor (vocals, guitar) and drummer Dave Morgan formed The Weather Prophets, recruiting Creation Records exec Alan McGee on bass. The band’s initial single (which was issued on Creation) got immediate attention, as The Loft were a well regarded band and this new band sounded like an extension, or continuation of the old one.
So anticipation was high after the single, and a German-mini album was released. However, when their debut album came out a year later, in 1987 (around the time of this session), interest had waned and the reaction was mixed both by the Press and the audience. The result was, the band was dropped from the label. They were signed to Elevation Records and issued their follow-up album in 1988. By that time, interest in the band was all but lost and the The Weather Prophets broke up shortly after a final single, Always The Light was issued.
Tonight it’s that period of high anticipation when their debut album was released. This Peel session was their second, the first being from July of 1986.
Sadly, the story is all too common – a band starts off with lots of promise and good word-of-mouth and then when the debut album comes out, it’s greeted with mixed reviews and the momentum that had built up in the beginning had quickly dissipated. But it certainly wasn’t for lack of trying.
Founding member Peter Astor embarked on a solo career with more mixed results and leaving the business for a while. But he has since returned and is currently working as well as reuniting with members of The Loft. So the story has, at least a mostly happen ending.
Have a listen if you aren’t familiar.
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