Love and Rockets (band)

Love and Rockets
Daniel Ash with Love and Rockets at Lollapalooza 2008
Background information
Origin	Northampton, England
Genres	Alternative rock, gothic rock, post-punk
Years active	1985–1999, 2007–2009
Labels	Beggars Banquet, RCA, American, Red Ant
Associated acts	Bauhaus, Tones on Tail, The Bubblemen
Past members	Daniel Ash Kevin Haskins David J

Love and Rockets were an English alternative rock band formed in 1985 by former Bauhaus members Daniel Ash (vocals, guitar and saxophone), David J (bass guitar and vocals) and Kevin Haskins (drums and synthesisers) after that group split in 1983. Ash and Haskins had recorded and performed in another band, Tones on Tail, between 1982 and 1984. Love and Rockets' fusion of underground rock music with elements of pop music provided an early catalyst for alternative rock. They released seven studio albums before breaking up in 1999 and reformed briefly in 2007 for a few live shows, before splitting again in 2009.

They are perhaps best known for their 1989 hit single "So Alive", which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The band's name was taken from the comic book series Love and Rockets by Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez. Gilbert later referred to the confusion caused by this in his book Love and Rockets X, as there were several different bands named "Love and Rockets" for a period.

Despite their previous band's status as gothic rock icons, Love and Rockets moved towards a slightly brighter and more pop-influenced sound, as demonstrated by their first minor hit being a cover of the Motown classic "Ball of Confusion". Their first studio album, 1985's Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven (1985), was an early example of alternative rock, combined with post-punk and psychedelic leanings. Their second album, 1986's Express, continued in the same vein, adding even more of a pop feel to the mix. It included the dance hit "Yin and Yang (The Flowerpot Man)". The 1987 follow-up, Earth, Sun, Moon, had a more acoustic sound and spawned the minor hit "No New Tale to Tell". The following year, they released the single "The Bubblemen Are Coming" under the alias The Bubblemen.