1000 Violins

The indie pop band One Thousand Violins were bound by geographic restrictions during their four-year career. Since the group had no manager, One Thousand Violins had to limit its live performances to England, France, and Germany; however, because of the Internet, One Thousand Violins eventually acquired the exposure the band couldn't get during their lifetime. One Thousand Violins formed in Sheffield, England, in 1985. The group featured two former members of the Page Boys, Colin Gregory (guitar), and Dave Walmsley (guitar, keyboards), and Darren Swindells (bass), Peter Day (drums), and John Wood (vocals). In 1985, One Thousand Violins released their first single, "Halcyon Days." Later that year, the single "Like One Thousand Violins" was voted as one of the year's best songs by the listeners of renowned British DJ John Peel. Day was replaced by drummer Ian Addey in 1987; a year later, Wood departed from the band and Vince Keenan of the Hazze Office became the new vocalist. One Thousand Violins released three albums before breaking up in 1989 due to financial problems. Gregory ended up in the Dylans. Keenan reappeared with Splendid Fellows and then SPIGGOTT. In 1992, Walmsley passed away from cancer. In 2001, Vinyl Japan released a career retrospective, Like One Thousand Violins. Through word-of-mouth on the Internet, the music of One Thousand Violins was discovered by a new generation of indie pop buffs. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide