About
Modern English are a post-punk band from Colchester, Essex, England best
known for their hit single “I Melt With You”. The song has been covered by
a variety of artists, with several different versions being licensed for
film and television worldwide. Other favorites include “Hands Across The
Sea”, “Someone’s Calling” and “Ink And Paper”. The 4AD band recently self
released their first album in 30 years entitled 'Take Me To The Trees.'
The band featured original members Robbie Grey, Mick Conroy, Gary McDowell
and Steve Walker
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The summery hooks and warm lyrics of "I Melt with You" gave listeners the
impression that Modern English were an upbeat pop act, but the single,
first released in 1982, was actually an anomaly in the band's early
discography. Formed in Colchester, England in 1979, Modern English were
originally a punk group called the Lepers. Featuring Robbie Grey (vocals,
guitar), Gary McDowell (guitar), and Richard Brown (drums), the Lepers
performed mainly at parties. After Mick Conroy (bass) and Stephen Walker
(keyboards) joined, they changed their name to Modern English,
self-released their 1979 debut single, and were subsequently signed to 4AD.
Inspired by the stylish gloom of Joy Division and Bauhaus, Modern English
released the 1980 singles "Swans on Glass" and "Gathering Dust" and
followed them in 1981 with debut LP Mesh & Lace. Boiling with raw
anger, dissonant rhythms, and weird noises, the album confused some critics
while mesmerizing others. It reached number five on the U.K. indie chart.
A year later, the band streamlined their sound. Though After the Snow
featured the driving and slashing post-punk classic "Life in the
Gladhouse," the album was comparatively softer and brighter, exemplified by
the open-hearted "I Melt with You." In early April the following year, that
single entered the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. -- where it was released
on Sire -- and peaked a couple weeks later at number 78. Near that month's
end, the romantic teen comedy Valley Girl was released in the States with
the song featured prominently, and its video was placed in rotation on MTV.
An enduring minor hit of the new wave era, "I Melt with You" gradually
nudged After the Snow into U.S. sales in excess of 500,000 copies,
acknowledged in 1989 with a gold certification from the RIAA.
Modern English toured extensively, then recorded Take Me to the Trees,
produced and mixed by mate and fellow 4AD alum Martyn Young (Colourbox,
M/A/R/R/S). The album was released in early 2017.
