Secret Shine

Bristol, England dream-pop outfit Secret Shine was formed in November 1990 by vocalist Jamie Gingell and ex-Panda Pops guitarist Scott Purnell; originally dubbed Amelia's Dream, the duo recorded a three-song demo which they mailed to the influential indie label Sarah Records, who agreed to issue a single, "After Years," in the autumn of 1991. Another single, "Unbearable," appeared almost simultaneously on the German imprint A Turntable Friend; by this time the group had rechristened itself Secret Shine, expanding to a quintet with the additions of bassist Paul Vowles, drummer Nick Dyte and Purnell's guitarist brother Dean. "Ephemeral" followed on Sarah in the spring of 1992, and after adding vocalist Kathryn Smith, Secret Shine issued the gorgeous "Loveblind," their lone single to crack the UK Indie Top 20. The band's long-awaited full-length effort Untouched finally surfaced in 1993; by the release of the follow-up, the Greater Than God EP, Dyte had assumed Vowles' bass duties, with Tim Morris tapped as the new drummer. After one last flexidisc release, "Each to the Other," Secret Shine disbanded -- Gingell and the Purnell brothers later reunited in the bands Collide and Loomer. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide