* En anglais uniquement
A powerful and graceful band that was too post-punk to be folk-rock and too folk-rock to be post-punk,
Shiva Burlesque began as a partnership between vocalist
Jeff Clark and guitarist
Grant Lee Phillips. The two had previously played together in
Clark's band, the Torn Boys, in northern California. Following the death of their percussionist (a drum machine), bassist
James Brenner and human drummer
Joey Peters joined up. The foursome released a self-titled record in 1987 on Nate Starkman & Son, which received year-end praise from the likes of Melody Maker and Rolling Stone.
Greg Adamson was added on cello and fan
Paul Kimble (credited as
Dick Smack) replaced
Brenner on bass for 1990's
Mercury Blues. They quickly broke up, a result of internal tension. Not helping
Shiva Burlesque's cause was their inability to fit in with the reigning hair metal and punk scenes of late-'80s Los Angeles.
Phillips,
Kimble, and
Peters continued as
Grant Lee Buffalo, and
Clark went solo with
Adamson and
Brenner on board.
Brenner also joined
Scenic. ~ Andy Kellman