Pale Saints

Pale Saints were a British alternative rock band formed in 1987 by Ian Masters (bass/vocals), Graeme Naysmith (guitar), and Chris Cooper (drums) in Leeds, England. The group began as a jangly indie pop band, influenced by Primal Scream's early sound. By the time they recorded their first EP, Barging Into the Presence of God released in 1989, the band went into a direction that displayed a mix of Ian Masters' choirboy-like vocals along with dark atmospheric and noisy pop tunes, commonly used in the shoegazing genre.

The group's first album, The Comforts of Madness, was released in 1990, and reached the top 40 of the UK Albums Chart. The album's tracks were produced by John Fryer and Gil Norton. The album includes a cover version of "Fell From the Sun" by Opal.

In late 1990, Meriel Barham, the original vocalist of Lush, joined the band as second guitarist and vocalist. Barham contributed backing vocals and guitars to the Half-Life EP, then joined permanently for the Nancy Sinatra cover "Kinky Love", which gave the band a minor hit single as part of Flesh Balloon EP. In 1992 the band recorded their second full-length album, In Ribbons, which was produced by Hugh Jones. Ian Masters left the band in 1993. Former Heart Throbs bassist Colleen Browne joined afterwards.

Sticking with producer Hugh Jones, the group released the EP Fine Friend in mid-1994 followed by their third album Slow Buildings.

The group toured Europe and the United States in late autumn of 1994. Their final studio recording was a version of "Jersey Girl" for the Tom Waits tribute album Step Right Up. Meriel Barham departed in September 1995 and the group eventually disbanded in 1996.

Links to Peel
Peel discovered Pale Saints in 1989 through David Gedge of the Wedding Present, who saw them live and suggested to him to book a session for the band on his show, which they did. The band's popularity with his listeners led them to have two entries at the end of the year's Festive Fifty. After 1991, the group rarely got played, due to the decline of the shoegazing scene, that was at its height between the late 80's and early 90's.

Festive Fifty Entries

 * 1989 Festive Fifty: Sight Of You #11
 * 1989 Festive Fifty: She Rides The Waves #25

Sessions
1. Recorded: 1989-07-23. Broadcast: 17 August 1989. Repeated: 26 September 1989
 * She Rides The Waves / You Tear The World In Two / Way The World Is / Time Thief

Other Shows Played

 * 1989
 * Pale Saints - She Rides the Waves July 1989: 'She Rides The Waves' (Compilation LP-Diamonds And Porcupines) (Beat All The Tambourines)
 * 17 July 1989: She Rides The Waves (v/a LP - Diamonds And Porcupines) Beat All The Tambourines
 * 18 July 1989 (Radio Bremen): She Rides The Waves (v/a album - Diamonds And Porcupines) Beat All The Tambourines
 * 29 July 1989 (BFBS): 'She Rides The Waves (Compilation LP-Diamonds And Porcupines)' (Beat All The Tambourines)
 * 01 August 1989: She Rides The Waves (v/a album - Diamonds And Porcupines) Beat All The Tambourines
 * Pale Saints - Sight of You September 1989: Sight Of You (EP - Barging Into The Presence Of God) 4AD
 * 12 September 1989: Sight Of You (12" - Barging Into The Presence Of God) 4AD
 * 14 September 1989: She Rides The Waves (12" EP - Barging Into The Presence Of God) 4AD
 * 21 September 1989: Sight Of You (12" - Barging Into The Presence Of God) 4AD
 * 21 September 1989 (Radio Bremen): Sight Of You (12" - Barging Into The Presence Of God) 4AD
 * 23 September 1989 (BFBS): 'Sight Of You (12"-Barging Into The Presence Of God)' (4AD)
 * 26 December 1989: 'She Rides The Waves (12"-Barging Into The Presence Of God)' (4AD) FF #25
 * 27 December 1989: 'Sight Of You (12 inch-Barging Into The Presence Of God)' (4AD) FF #11
 * 1990
 * PALE SAiNTS ~ Language of Flowers February 1990: Way The World Is (album - The Comforts Of Madness) 4AD
 * 13 February 1990: Language Of Flowers (album - The Comforts Of Madness) 4AD
 * 20 February 1990: Language Of Flowers (LP - The Comforts Of Madness) 4AD
 * 03 March 1990 (BFBS): 'Time Thief (LP-The Comforts Of Madness)' (4AD)
 * 07 June 1990: Time Thief (album - The Comforts Of Madness) 4AD
 * 21 October 1990: 'Baby Maker (12 inch EP-Half Life)' (4AD)
 * 03 November 1990 (BFBS): 'Baby Maker (12"-Half-Life)' (4AD)
 * 1991
 * 14 July 1991: Kinky Love (EP - Flesh Balloon) 4AD
 * 2003
 * 16 December 2003: Sea Of Sound (Compilation LP - Feedback To The Future) Mobile