Messengers (Scottish band)

Messengers were a Scottish new wave duo consisting of Danny Mitchell (keyboards and programming) and Colin King (vocals and percussion). The duo were originally part of Modern Man, a Glasgow post-punk/new wave band discovered by Midge Ure of Ultravox. Modern Man disbanded after releasing one album produced by Ure, Concrete Scheme (1980), after which Ure stayed as producer with Mitchell and King as Messengers.[1]

Messengers
OriginGlasgow
Years active1982 (1982)–1985 (1985)
LabelsChrysalis Records
MembersDaniel Mitchell
Colin King

Messengers toured as support band to Ultravox, contributing to the live album Monument (1982), and with Mitchell co-writing Midge Ure's "If I Was".[2] Enough material for an album was recorded by 1984, but Ure's label Chrysalis declined to release an album after offering a three singles deal only.

An album was finally released in November 2004 when Mitchell and King re-recorded many of their songs, written during the period of 1979 and 1985, for release via the official Ultravox website. Of the thirteen tracks released on the album, only three were new compositions: "(Did) You Take Me For A Ride", "Send That Letter Home" and "The Reformation Waltz".[3]

Discography

Album
  • ...It's Been Twenty Years, Let's Try Turning Up the Volume... (10 November 2004), MESSCD200401

Singles

All tracks written by Daniel Mitchell/Colin King, except "I Turn In (To You)" and "Plains of Siberia" by Daniel Mitchell and "Andy Warhol" by David Bowie.

  • "I Turn In (To You)" / "The Semi-Professionals (Theme No. 1)" (3 December 1982), Chrysalis Records
  • "I Turn In (To You) (Extended Version)" / "The Semi-Professionals (Theme No. 1)" (3 December 1982), Chrysalis Records
  • "Great Institutions" / "Here Come the Heroes" (June 1984), Chrysalis Records
  • "Great Institutions (MF Mix)" / "Here Come the Heroes", "Strawboy (recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon, Dec 1982)" (June 1984), Chrysalis Records
  • "Frontiers" / "Plains of Siberia" (28 September 1984), Chrysalis Records
  • "Frontiers (Extended Version)" / "Plains of Siberia", "Andy Warhol" (28 September 1984), Chrysalis Records

Tracks recorded and mixed at DBS by Father Dan. Vocals recorded at Carlton Studios, Glasgow.

Album
  • Concrete Scheme (12 September 1980), MAM Records

Singles

All tracks written by Danny Mitchell, except "Things Could Be Better" by Jim Cook.

  • "All the Little Idiots" / "Advance" (15 August 1980), MAM Records
  • "Body Music" / "I Couldn't Stop" (31 October 1980), MAM Records
  • "Things Could Be Better" / "Wastelands" (13 February 1981), MAM Records
  • "Things Could Be Better" (12″ mix) / "Wastelands" (13 February 1981), MAM Records
  • "War Drums" / "Tell Us Lies" (31 July 1981), MAM Records

Personnel

  • Danny Mitchell – guitar and synthesizer
  • Jim Cook – lead vocal
  • Mike Moran – bass
  • Ali McLeod – lead guitar
  • Colin King – drums and vocals
  • All tracks written by Danny Mitchell
  • Produced by Midge Ure
  • Engineer - Brian Young
  • Recorded at Cava Studios, Glasgow

References
  1. Midge Ure: If I Was - The Autobiography - p. 112 - 2004 -"Danny Mitchell and Colin King, the Messengers, who were opening up for Ultravox, travelled with us because they couldn't stand the nannying."
  2. The Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music - Donald Clarke - 1990, p. 1189, "single 'If I Was': co-wrote most songs with Danny Mitchell, half of former Ultravox tour support the Messengers (he also played in Ure's live band that toured to promote LP)."
  3. "wordpress". 1 March 2021.
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