INSIDE EDGE
evolution
Evolution: noun. /ˌɛvəˈluʃn/
1 (biology) Darwin’s theory of evolution.
2 the gradual development of something.
Inside Edge: band. / indie-rock
1 Serious jeans and serious music.
2 Hits you immediately, makes a big noise.
3 A formidable wall of sound.
The Stages of Evolution
Each stage of the evolution had its own personality, its own challenges, its own highs and lows, and ultimately its own outcomes
The process was a natural progression, at varying degrees of speed, but always moving forward.
Identity
Elegy was about identity. Four strangers in a room with a shared passion for music, but no identity.
Each person had their own thoughts, reasons why, visions and influences. Elegy was the essential prime building block of Inside Edge.
At the end of the Elegy era in early 1987, only three of the four remained. Ray, the vocalist, had left Inside Edge.
Carl, Mike, and Nigel remained, an identity had been forged, visions had aligned, and trust had been earned. The creative core of Inside Edge had evolved.
The Catalyst
Next on the evolutionary ladder was Caged Bird, which saw Inside Edge build on their experiences and move forward at lighting speed.
At the end of 1987, Matt had joined Inside Edge as the new vocalist. The band was now rehearsing full-time at its dedicated rehearsal studio in New Mills.
Caged Bird was very much a catalyst for Inside Edge with all members of the band involved in the writing of music and lyrics. The band discarded all previous songs from the Elegy era and wrote a complete new set of material.
The band was continually active playing live gigs, growing a local following, and promoting Inside Edge in the press and radio.
It did not take long for Matt to establish himself as the lead singer of Inside Edge and make a positive contribution to the shared vision.
The Winters Come Home
At the end of the Caged Bird tour, Matt announced his departure as vocalist.
Matt had been a huge influence and inspiration. Although his departure was a step backwards, it also allowed Inside Edge to face a new challenge and move forwards. The winter had come home.
The song writing continued a pace with the creative core of Carl, Mike and Nigel still based at their rehearsal studio in New Mills.
This was the Winter Flight era and found new vocalist Carol-Anne recording Winter Flight, featuring the songs “Dawn Before Dark” and “Wall of Silence”
Alas, it was not meant to be, and Carol-Anne’s tenure was short lived.
Full Colour Evolution
The Colours You Paint Me era, evolved seamlessly from Winter Flight.
Although Carol-Anne was a great vocalist, she had no input into the songwriting process.
Step forward Phil. who became the new vocalist for Inside Edge.
Phil was a friend of Matt’s and another great vocalist. He knew all the songs and had been to many Inside Edge gigs, including the Caged Bird tour gigs.
Inside Edge always knew what it wanted to say, and know it knew how to say it. Phil was the perfect vocalist for The Colours You Paint Me era and hit the ground running.
The song writing was at a zenith. Phil was able to make the role his own and have an immediate impact. This was Inside Edge in full colour, the pinnacle of its evolution.
