Modern English -

Modern English are a U.K. new wave band that debuted with a single on Limp Records in 1979, followed by a trio of standalone singles and three albums on 4AD between 1980 and 1984. They are best known for the 1981/82 albums Mesh & Lace and After the Snow and the singles “I Melt With You” and “Hands Across the Sea.”

Members: Robbie Grey (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Michael Conroy (bass, 1979-91), Gary McDowell (lead guitar, 1979-86), Stephen Walker (keyboards, 1979-86), Richard Brown (drums, 1979-86)

Background

Modern English evolved from The Lepers, a Colchester punk trio formed in 1977 by singer Robbie Grey, guitarist Gary McDowell, and bassist Michael Conroy. With the 1979 arrivals of drummer Richard Brown and keyboardist Stephen Walker, they changed their name to Modern English.

First Three Singles

On September 28, 1979, Modern English released debuted with the single “Drowning Man” (b/w “Silent World”) on three-press Limp Records.

A. “Drowning Man” (3:45)
B. “Silent World” (5:03)

Modern English signed to the fledgling post-punk indie label 4AD, which issued the bands May 1980 second single “Swans on Glass” (b/w “Incident”).

A. “Swans On Glass” (4:35)
B. “Incident” (2:38)

Modern English co-produced “Swans on Glass” at Spaceward Studios with Mike Kemp, who engineered recent records by the Soft Boys, Mandy Morton and Spriguns (Magic Lady), and Gary Numan‘s Tubeway Army (Tubeway Army).

Modern English self-produced their second 4AD single (third overall): the December 19, 1980, release “Gathering Dust” (b/w “Tranquility of a Summer Movement (Vice Versa).”

A. “Gathering Dust” (4:20)
B. “Tranquility of a Summer Moment (Vice Versa)” (7:02)

Mesh & Lace

Modern English released their debut album, Mesh & Lace, on April 10, 1981, on 4AD.

1. “16 Days” (4:33)
2. “Just a Thought” (4:08)
3. “Move in Light” (4:45)
4. “Grief” (6:28)

5. “The Token Man” (6:32)
6. “A Viable Commercial” (4:24)
7. “Black Houses” (5:44)
8. “Dance of Devotion (A Love Song)” (5:51)

Recorded 1980 Jacobs Studios, Farnham, England
Producer Modern English
Ken Thomas – engineering

Robbie Grey – vocals, production
Gary McDowell – guitar, vocals, production
Mick Conroy – bass guitar, vocals, production
Stephen Walker – keyboards, production
Richard Brown – drums, production

23 Envelope – album cover design

“Smiles and Laughter”

On September 4, 1981, Modern English released their fourth standalone single: “Smiles and Laughter” backed with “Mesh and Lace,” titled after (but absent from) their recent debut album.

A. “Smiles and Laughter” (3:12)
B. “Mesh and Lace” (4:19)

After the Snow

Modern English released their second album, After the Snow, on May 3, 1982, on 4AD.

1. “Someone’s Calling” (4:01)
2. “Life in the Gladhouse” (4:38)
3. “Face of Wood” (5:56)
4. “Dawn Chorus” (4:45)

5. “I Melt with You” (4:11)
6. “After the Snow” (3:51)
7. “Carry Me Down” (5:25)
8. “Tables Turning” (4:33)

Studio Rockfield (Rockfield, Wales)
Producer Hugh Jones, Modern English

Robbie Grey – vocals
Gary McDowell – guitars
Stephen Walker – keyboards
Michael Conroy – bass, violin
Richard Brown – drums, percussion

Additional personnel
Hugh Jones – additional keyboards, backing vocals, production, engineering
Faith – flute on “Carry Me Down”

Modern English released an extended version of “Life in the Gladhouse” (5:55) as a 12″ single backed with the lengthy non-album track “The Choicest View.“