Death in June are a neofolk group led by English musician Douglas P. (Douglas Pearce). The band was originally formed in the United Kingdom in 1981 as a trio. However, after the other members left in 1984 and 1985 to work on other projects, the group became the work of Douglas P. and various collaborators. Over the band's four decades of existence, they have made numerous shifts in style and presentation, resulting in an overall shift from initial post-punk and Industrial music influence to a more acoustic and folk music-oriented approach. Douglas P.'s influence was instrumental in sparking neofolk, of which his music has subsequently become a part.
Pearce formed Death in June in 1981 in England, along with Patrick Leagas and Tony Wakeford. Pearce and Wakeford had been members of the openly left-wing and anti-fascist punk rock band Crisis, which formed in 1977. Crisis had gained a substantial following in the UK punk subculture. Crisis performed at rallies for The Right to Work, Rock Against Racism, and the Anti-Nazi League.
Death in June soon left the punk scene behind and began to infuse their sound with electronics and martial style drumming, combined with a Joy Division-influenced post-punk sound. Then a few years later to the synth-heavy folk style with acoustic guitar. The synths were phased out. The later music had atmospheric sound loops, dialogue samples, industrial beats, etc. added.
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Links to Peel[]
Peel played the band's debut single, 'Heaven Street' in the spring of 1982. Further material from the band were played on his radio programmes until 1986. After 1986, Peel seemed to have lost interest in their music.
Shows Played[]
- 19 May 1982 (BFBS): Heaven Street (12") New European Recordings
- 1983
- 28 June 1983: All Alone In Her Nirvana (LP - The Guilty Have No Pride) New European
- 29 June 1983: Heaven Street Mk II (LP - The Guilty Have No Pride) New European
- 1984
- 02 September 1984 (BFBS): The Calling (single - She Said Destroy) New European Recordings
- 1985
- 18 November 1985: Torture By Roses (12" - Come Before Christ And Murder Love) New European
- 1986
- 13 January 1986: 'Come Before Christ And Murder Love (12")' (New European Recordings)
- 18 January 1986 (BFBS): 'Come Before Christ And Murder Love (12")' (New European Recordings)