On January 27th 2014 Edsel Records presents Deluxe 2CD Editions of the much loved Gene, including ‘Olympian’, ‘To See The Lights’ ‘Revelations’, ‘Drawn To The Deep End’ and ‘Libertine’. Presented in 2CD casebound editions, and featuring a host of bonus tracks, rarities, and featuring contributions from the band, these are the definitive re-issues of the bands much loved catalogue.
Gene were formed in London in 1993 by singer Martin Rossiter, guitarist Steve Mason, bassist Kevin Miles and drummer Matt James, Mason and James having previously played together in Sp!n. Inspired by the songs of The Smiths, The Jam and The Faces, Rossiter’s literate vocals and Mason’s fluid guitar lines were perfectly complemented by the intuitive rhythm section of Miles and James. They released four studio albums and a collection of B-sides and radio demos between 1995 and 2001, were named Best New Act at the inaugural NME awards in 1995, and went on to score 10 Top 40 hits.
Their debut album ‘Olympian’ was originally released in 1995 and reached number eight in the UK album charts. The album went silver with the title track later released as a single, also charting in the top 20 UK Singles charts.
They followed up with ‘To See The Lights’ an LP of rarities, live tracks, radio sessions and acoustic versions of singles. Released on Polydor in 1996 the album went top 20 in the charts.
‘Drawn To The Deep End’ (1997) was their second studio album, taking its name from B-Side ‘Fighting Fit’. The album was lavishly produced: filled with strings, guitar solos from Steve Mason and Martin Rossiter’s warblings and writings of loneliness with nods towards The Smiths. It included ‘Where Are They Now?’ and ‘Speak to me Someone’.
Moving into new political and heavier rock territory ‘Revelations’ was recorded in less than a month capturing a more raucous sound. The album charted in the top 30 and included ‘As Good As it Gets’, ‘The British Disease’ and ‘Mayday’.
Parting with their label Polydor, ‘Libertine’ was subsequently released on their own label Sub Rosa in 2001. The album sees them weaving between past attitudes reminiscent of early Gene and seamlessly moving into new territory. With the addition of it being a self release ‘Libertine’ carried with it an artistic freedom for the band.
