Heartland

I seem to recall it being said previously that Andrew was the sole writer and performer behind the Reptile House EP. Is this true?

A look at the EP's Wiki page states that Adams was involved, but not Marx. And the lyrics sheet says (in rather LARGE letters) "Written & Produced by Andrew Eldritch".

Does anyone know more about the EP's recording? Were the songs played live before being recorded? Did the rest of the band 'know' about the songs before Andrew supposedly went off and did a solo EP?

I think it was just Eldritch. You'd have to check the setlists from just before the record came out, but I do recall seeing the Sisters live just after the Reptile House came out and they played it live then (awesome).

Wasn't Floodland just Eldritch too? (Patricia doesn't count).

Eldritch does have a reputation for wanting to be in control...and sometimes being a teensy bit of hard work, so it wouldn't surprise anyone if he just did his own thing.

bearskin wrote: Eldritch does have a reputation for wanting to be in control...

Hope you don't mind, but I have entered this quote in the Understatement of the Year Award.

Nikolas Vitus Lagartija wrote:

bearskin wrote: Eldritch does have a reputation for wanting to be in control...

Hope you don't mind, but I have entered this quote in the Understatement of the Year Award.

You know I think I disagree. There's a difference between dictatorship so to speak and quality control. allowed others to contribute on F&L&A and Vision Thing. He couldn't sing Wayne's lyrics post F&L&A which is fair enough. He is quoted as saying that Patricia didn't contribute as much as he thought she would on Floodland. I think most members of the Sisters have had an input from then on. I think that as a control freak is just another silly myth along the lines of the dark overlord thing.

bearskin wrote:Wasn't Floodland just Eldritch too?

And a whole bunch of session musicians.

robertzombie wrote:I seem to recall it being said previously that Andrew was the sole writer and performer behind the Reptile House EP. Is this true?

A look at the EP's Wiki page states that Adams was involved, but not Marx. And the lyrics sheet says (in rather LARGE letters) "Written & Produced by Andrew Eldritch".

Does anyone know more about the EP's recording? Were the songs played live before being recorded? Did the rest of the band 'know' about the songs before Andrew supposedly went off and did a solo EP?

Rep house was released in may 1983. In july 1982, almost a year before, they played Lights, in october 1982 they added Kiss The Carpet. and in december they played Valentine. In february 1983 they added Burn to the setlist. I do not know when the ep was recorded.

Lights first materialised in 1981 on the floorshow ep, march 1983 is a Jenson session that includes Burn & Valentine.
To quote Heartland Issue 1 Re The Reptile House EP, "The compositions developed while Eldritch & Adams were messing about in the studio"
Can't find out when they went into the studio for it though. hope that helps

It's possible they recorded it some time between November 1982 - February 1983. They didn't play many gigs around those dates and their live schedule picked up in March (presumably to promote Anaconda).

However if it was just Eldritch doing it by himself, I suppose it could be anytime!