Eyeless In Gaza | Artist

Eyeless in Gaza is an English musical duo formed 1980 in Nuneaton, UK, by Martyn Bates (guitar, vocals) and Peter Becker (bass, keyboards, vocals). They have described their music as "veering crazily from filmic ambiance to rock and pop, industrial funk to avant-folk styles." Before coming together as a duo, Bates and Becker had both been experimenting with electronic music. After a self-released single, Kodak Ghosts Run Amok, they signed to Cherry Red Records and released their debut album Photographs as Memories in 1981. The album has since become a cult classic, establishing the duo's trademark unconventional instrumentation and arrangements, and Bates' passionate vocals, which at times are howled, whispered, or stammered. The duo has gone on to release 20 studio albums of consistently high standard, with several of the later works tending towards an ambient music style. In reviewing the bands' body of work, Mojo Magazine commented "It takes some time to truly ‘hear’ the layers and complexities, in the same way it takes time to grasp the width, breath and achievement of Eyeless in Gaza’s musical history. But time spent will be rewarded: Eyeless in Gaza remain one of the most accomplished and interesting bands to have emerged from the music-making underground post punk and postpunk". Standout albums include Photographs as Memories, Caught in Flux, Drumming the Beating Heart, Rust Red September, Orange Ice & Wax Crayons, Bitter Apples, All Under the Leaves the Leaves of Life and Song of the Beautiful Wanton. Martyn Bates has also released many fine solo albums. The band name is a reference to the novel Eyeless in Gaza by Aldous Huxley.

Artist Website: eyelessingaza.com

Featured Albums: Eyeless In Gaza

Related Artists: Martyn Bates