The Associates
Formed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1979, the Associates comprised vocalist Billy Mackenzie and multi-instrumentalist Alan Rankine. Built on an eclectic mix of influences and interests ranging from art rock to glam and disco, the group debuted with a manic cover of David Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging," which earned them a contract with Fiction Records. Their 1980 debut LP, The Affectionate Punch, was a critically acclaimed work which expanded the duo's sound into both stark minimalism and melodramatic ballads, earning Mackenzie's powerful voice favorable comparisons to Scott Walker.
After jumping to the Situation Two label, the Associates released a series of singles which explored a continually diverse array of styles and textures. With 1982's "Party Fears Two," issued under their own Associates label imprint, the group finally hit the U.K. Top Ten, and the follow-up singles "Club Country" and "18 Carat Love Affair" both reached the Top 30. 1982's Sulk was the group's definitive statement, a fascinating blend of lush, New Romantic popcraft and dark, surreal cabaret stylings.
Following the LP's success, however, relations between Mackenzie and Rankine soured, and the latter left the group for a solo career, releasing the albums The Day the World Became Her Age (1986), She Loves Me Not (1987), and The Big Picture Sucks (1989). Undaunted, Mackenzie retained the Associates name and teamed up with Martin Rushent to record an album which went unreleased, although a few of the tracks later emerged on 1985's Perhaps, fleshed out by keyboardist Howard Hughes and guitarist Steve Reid. A long layoff followed, with another album, The Glamour Chase, recorded but rejected by label chiefs. In 1990, the Euro-disco-flavored Wild and Lonely emerged, and its lack of success effectively ended the Associates' story. In early 1997, while in the midst of preparing for a projected comeback, Mackenzie committed suicide. Alan Rankine's family issued a statement on January 2, 2023 that he had died peacefully at his home after spending the holidays with relatives; he was 64 years of age.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
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Discography
12 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Sulk (Deluxe)
Pop - Released by BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. on 14 May 1982
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fourth Drawer Down (Deluxe)
Pop - Released by BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. on 1 Oct 1981
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Affectionate Punch (2016 Remaster)
Rock - Released by BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. on 1 Aug 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Perhaps / The Glamour Chase
Pop - Released by Rhino on 1 Jul 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wild And Lonely (2006 Digital Remaster)
Rock - Released by Virgin Catalogue on 1 Mar 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Perhaps (Expanded Edition)
Punk / New Wave - Released by Cherry Red Records on 9 Jan 1985
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Best of the Associates
Pop - Released by Metro Select on 15 Apr 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Perhaps (Expanded)
Pop - Released by Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group on 9 Feb 1985
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Live at Ronnie Scott's)
Pop - Released by Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group on 2 Oct 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hi, How Can I Help You?
Rock - Released by Sde Records on 9 Jan 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -