As an excuse for heightened social status during degree finals Litany of Fear came into being in Stafford '88, as a three piece with vocals, guitar, bass and drum machine.
"GOOD, LOUD BASS HITTING STUFF..." - Vinyl Only (Staffordshire University) '90
From the start Litany put different styles of music into the ring and let them fight it out. Such a mixture of musical backgrounds gave the band an explosive tension, best witnessed live. During the early years Litany released four, self-produced 4-track demo E.P.'s which reflected the "haunted face of early rock", these were backed up with extensive local touring.
"THIS IS EXCELLENT - ORIGINAL MATERIAL.." - Branded By Idiosy (Fanzine) '90.
In late '89 the brief addition of keyboard technology saw new dimensions added to an evolving, "freak rock" sound. This only helped to highlight Litany’s well developed sense of the bizarre. Comparisons were being draw to early Ministry/Foetus.
"PSYCHOGOTHRASH"' - Tamworth Rock Festival Program '91.
Litany broadened their horizons in early '91 as support to Birmingham’s Ancestry on a tour that took them around Britain and extended their growing fan base. Gigs met with enthusiastic responses. Their contrasting set - one minute ballad, the next an Apocalyptic version of Jane’s Addictions' "Pigs In Zen" - fired imaginations. After a series of one-day festivals later that year Litany were halted in their tracks for 9 months, as guitarist Kev took up temporary employment in the States. The break came at exactly the wrong time, with Litany preparing for a substantial move forward on the music front.
"ELEGANTAND CLASSY STUFF FROM A REAL....EXPERIENCE" -Tamworth Herald '91.
Upon Kev's return in
mid '92 Litany’s progress began to accelerate with renewed vigour. A cassette single - "Dejavoodoo" was recorded which formed the cornerstone of their new outlook. Litany were celebrating "rock", whilst at the same time dismembering it. Songwriting displayed an obsession with the Western Cultural/Social Dream, it's ethics were torn up and the pieces scattered for all to see. Litany offered no solution but "change" - of thought and perspective."I DO WHAT I DO, SAY WHAT I SAY" –I Am What I Am '93.
During a period of rapid transition a "live drummer", Shaun, was recruited. He replaced Litany's limiting electronic percussion, and provided an additional element of spontaneity. Wayne, Litany's original bassist, moved to keyboards and was temporarily replaced by Wez. An obsessive "partier" Wez's mind burned with a vast array of strange ideas. Thus a formidable rhythm section was born. Within 2 months Litany had a new set, and in Autumn '92 re-emerged on the gig circuit to unanimous praise from fans.
"I DON'T LIVE - I GET PAID!" - Negative States '92.
Gigging continued through into '93, with Litany setting out on the road for a 10 date co-headline tour with Leicester’s Throb and Nottingham’s Bloody Lovely. The tour covered all major Midlands centres and proved vastly successful for all concerned. Following on the heels of the tour came a series of profile-raising support slots with Wolfsbane, New England and Creaming Jesus.
"IT'S TIME YOU CAME OF AGE, LEFT THE SAFETY OF YOUR CAGE, AND FOUND YOURSELVES SOME INDIVIDUALITY" -Morality Junk '93.
Litany took time off from gigging in May '93 to concentrate on recording, as it was decided that further progress relied on increased press and publicity. This only seemed achievable with record label backing giving Litany wider distribution and consequently a greater audience. With this in mind, Litany recorded material for a mini-album of 7 tracks, four of which are available on a limited edition MC E.P entitled "Read My Lips".
"I THINK WE'LL KEEP TUNED TO LITANY OF FEAR..." - Organ (Fanzine) '93.
July ’93 saw Wez's departure due to a lack of commitment. He was replaced by Sal (formerly of Shovelhead), whose cynicism, intensity and sense of the absurd adds yet another dimension to the bands ideas and ideals. Litany’s current sound is a concept of their own making, having developed its power and spontaneity into a unique form. Vocalist, Skez explains, "it is a composite, a fusion of art and noise". Litany defy ideas of categorisation, subconsciously plundering from any number of sources. No stone is left unturned. On stage Litany are explosive, an intense adrenaline rush, their collective foot to the floor!
"POSTSCRIPT" - November '94.
After a year of highs and lows, Litany decided to call it a day. The summer had seen the band winning their heat on Radio 1's Rock War, some high profile gigs at The Rock Cafe in Birmingham and Dudley, and a rave gig review from Kerrang's Steve Beebee. The latter part of the year however, saw increased disillusionment for the band members, after a series of gigs highlighted the complete apathy on the part of the music watching public.