Edith Nylon

Edith Nylon was a French new wave band that released the 1979/80 CBS albums Edith Nylon and Johnny Johnny, followed by the 1982 Chiswick double-album Echo, Bravo.

Members: Mylène Khaski (vocals), Christophe Boutin (guitar, backing vocals), Karl Mormet [Laurent Perez] (bass), Frédéric Noyé (keyboards, piano, guitar), Zako Khaski (guitar, bass, backing vocals), Albert Tauby (drums), Aram Kevorkian (keyboards), Yann Leker (bass), Philippe Topiol (drums)

Background

Edith Nylon formed in Paris from a garage band that guitarist Zaco Khaski and drummer Albert Tauby started in 1976 in the Khaski family cellar. The pair expanded the group with vocalist/synthesist Mylène Khaski, bassist Laurent Perez, aka Karl Mormet, and guitarist Christophe Boutin.

The Khaski siblings came to France from Lebanon as children, and Tauby was their cousin. Zaco received guitar instruction; Mylène was sixteen when she joined and cited only a school Christmas choir as prior experience. Boutin, born in Paris in 1957, graduated from École Estienne, then studied two more years at the École des Arts Décoratifs. He also played guitar in a bluegrass group.

In summer 1977, Mylène Khaski and Boutin busked on beaches in Normandy, where the two became a couple. The couple traveled to London later that summer with Zaco and Tauby and encountered the British punk scene. Mylène took particular cues from Siouxsie Sioux, while Zaco found the direct song structures of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground attainable for novice players. The five returned to Paris as The Worms and rehearsed for several months in a cellar. They first tried cover songs and English lyrics, then moved to original French-language songs. The Worms played early sets at schools and provincial venues, then placed next-to-last at a June 1978 contest at the Golf Drouot.

Europe 1 presenter Alain Maneval took over management in July 1978 and helped move the group from The Worms to Edith Nylon. The group played several small shows under the new name, then entered a Hollywood Chewing Gum talent contest. CBS representatives saw Edith Nylon at the contest and arranged studio tests. In April 1979, artistic director Patrice Fabien signed Edith Nylon to CBS Records. Fabien produced the first album sessions for the self-titled CBS debut.

Discography:

• Edith Nylon (1979)
• Johnny Johnny (1980)
• Quatre Essais Philosophiques (EP, 1980)
• Echo, Bravo (2LP, 1982)

Source notes

• Edith Nylon official biography — strongest source for the 1976 cellar origin, Zaco Khaski–Albert Tauby starting point, subsequent additions, London trip, The Worms, Maneval, and CBS discovery. (Edith Nylon Officiel)
• Mylène Khaski interview, Tsugi — primary recollections on Mylène joining after Zaco and Albert, her lack of formal musical background, Zaco guitar training, Lou Reed/Velvet Underground, the London punk exposure, Siouxsie Sioux, failed covers and English lyrics, the switch to original French material, CBS discovery, and Patrice Fabien. (TSUGI)
• Mylène Khaski interview, Buzz on Web — identifies the 1977 five-piece as Mylène Khaski, Zaco Khaski, Albert Tauby, Christophe Boutin, and Laurent Perez; confirms Boutin bluegrass activity, cellar rehearsals, school/provincial concerts, the Hollywood contest, studio tests, and CBS signing. (Buzz on Web)
• SACEM Museum punk archive — supplies the summer 1977 Normandy busking episode, Mylène–Boutin relationship, London trip with Zaco and Tauby, Maneval connection, and CBS contest discovery. (Musée SACEM)
• Christophe Boutin / onestar press — primary professional biography for Boutin: Paris birth in 1957, École Estienne, two further years at the École des Arts Décoratifs, and Edith Nylon co-founding. (One Star Press)
• Golf Drouot / early chronology — later band-derived biographies place The Worms at the Golf Drouot contest in June 1978, followed by Maneval management in July and the CBS contract in April 1979. (Bandmine)
• Official album page — confirms Patrice Fabien as producer of the 1979 self-titled album. (Edith Nylon Officiel)