Orange Juice: The Punk Inspired Scottish Band

Leading members of Scottish neo-pop revolt became the destiny of the Orange Juice band that was formed in 1976 in Glasgow. Originally dubbed as Nu-Sonics, the band line up, initially comprised in Edwyn Collins (Guitarist/vocalist), James Kirk (Guitarist), Steven Daly (Drummer), and David McClymont (Bassist). The foremost official concert of the band was held on 20 April 1979, with the venue being Victoria Café in Glasgow School of Art. Their first singles were released on the Postcard Records. After the formation of Postcard label, the band was renamed in 1979 as Orange Juice, as a reaction to machismo that degenerated punk.

As a band with Postcard flagship, Orange juice distinguished this label quickly as the leading promoters of independent pop music. “Falling and Laughing” was their debut single that was recorded in 1980s for less than 100 pounds. This acquired huge critical acclaim and the subsequent releases, such as “Simply Thrilled Honey,” “Poor Old Soul,” and “Blueboy” established the band further as great new talent.

Soon, sessions were initiated to record an album of full length. However, while the recording was still on for Postcard, the band left it and signed Polydor. After the album “You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever” was released in 1982, Daly and Kirk left the group, paving the way for Malcolm Ross, ex-Josef K guitarist and Zeke Manyika, a Zimbabwe-born drummer.

Manyika’s addition provided a new capability to Collins to explore a very complicated fusion of blue-eyed and pop soul. As a result, “Rip It Up” was the only hit of the band that made it to UK Top 40 as it bagged the number 8 position on UK Singles Chart in the beginning of 1983. However, no subsequent releases could chart a good position and relations between Polydor and the Orange Juice band started to disintegrate.

During this phase of tensions, McClymont and Ross also quit. Left with the due Manyika and Collins, the band enlisted Dennis Bovell, reggae producer, to record EP Texas Fever in 1984. After the makeshift tour, both of the band members returned at the studio to record an ambitious and dark full-length album that was made public in 1984. However, neither the singles “Lean Period” and “What Pretence?!” nor the Orange Juice band a whole were able to make it onto the charts. While Polydor retained Manyika for the solo act, they dropped Collins.

It was later in 1995 that Collins regained the lost commercial respect with an amazing single named “A Girl Like You.” Later, during the late 90s and beginning of 2000s, the emergence of Scottish bands won some younger fans to the Orange Juice band that led to a 2005 compilation of their songs in “The Glasgow School.”

Orange Juice: The Punk Inspired Scottish Band

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