Talk Talk

Talk Talk
(L-R) Hollis, Webb, Harris. 1988
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Art rock synthpop new wave avant-rock post-rock post-progressive
Years active	1981–1992
Labels	EMI, Polydor
Associated acts	.O.rang, Bark Psychosis
Past members	Mark Hollis Lee Harris Paul Webb Simon Brenner

Talk Talk were an English new wave band, active from 1981 until their breakup in 1992. Their early hit singles include "Today", "Talk Talk" (both 1982), "It's My Life" and "Such a Shame" (both 1984). Although the band only experienced moderate success in their native country, they established some international success. Talk Talk moved away from synthpop towards more experimental music in the mid-1980s, helping to pioneer what became known as post-rock. They achieved moderate success in Europe and the UK with the subsequent singles "Life's What You Make It" (1985) and "Living in Another World" (1986), and in 1988 they released their fourth album Spirit of Eden, which was commercially less successful.

Friction with the band's label, EMI, resulted in legal action and countersuing. The band switched to Polydor for their final album, 1991's , but broke up soon afterwards. Singer Mark Hollis released one solo album in 1998 before retiring from the music industry. Founding bass player and drummer Paul Webb and Lee Harris played in several bands together; de facto fourth member Tim Friese-Greene continued in the business as a musician and producer.

Talk Talk began as a quartet consisting of Mark Hollis formerly from The Reaction (vocals/main songwriter), Lee Harris (drums), Paul Webb (bass guitar), and Simon Brenner (keyboards). In their early years they were often compared with Duran Duran. In addition to a band name consisting of a repeated word, the two shared a Roxy Music-inspired musical direction, as well as the same record label (EMI) and producer (Colin Thurston). The band also supported Duran Duran on tour in late 1981.