(c’89-’91) Mark Terry (vocals), Glenn Edwards (?), Austin Wright (drums), Marcus Cowley (guitar) and Seth Trombley (?).

Buzz Club local band night, 1990

They were from Guildford, and played the London circuit: The Powerhaus, Bull & Gate (29 Oct ’91) Opera on the Green, The Cricketers, Kensington and The Rock Garden, plus support for Captain Sensible at The Mean Fiddler, Creaming Jesus at their Guildford gig and Smashing Orange on their visit to London.

On 6 June ’89 Yellow Darkness supported Red 57, along with If This Was You, at The Rock Garden in Covent Garden and on 18 December they opened for Raw Ho! and Eager Sin Babies at The Cricketers, Kennington. On 5 December ’89 the band played Fresh at the Bull & Gate, Kentish Town, supporting Bad Soul along with The Catholics.

Yellow Darkness EP. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

By January 1990 the band supported Tragic Roundabout and World of Music at the Opera on the Green, Shepherd’s Bush, on 2 January, and were headlining a Buzz Club local bands night, with DayTripper, Slug and TwoFlower. A few days later, on 15 January ’90, Yellow Darkness were at The Rock Garden, Covent Garden and then the Powerhaus, Islington on 6 February. On 7 July ’91 they released the limited edition “I Want to be the Drug” vinyl 12″ EP, carrying “Dolls House”, “Sugar Mountain”, and “She Wears Pyjamas on the Beach”. Thatcher Youth PLC presented The Myriad Syndrone II on 14 July ’90 at the Borough Hall, Godalming with The Ha Ha Men headlining, supported by Yellow Darkness, along with Bushpigs, Octopussy and M.O.E. They also appeared at Showcase ’90 and Parafornia ’91. ABC Music’s Showcase ’90 was held on 2 August ’90 at the Civic Hall, Guildford and Yellow Darkness shared the stage with The Ha Ha Men, Lannoy, Bon Booshe, Joy, Sabena, Lost Weekend, and Kickback. But, as far as we can tell, Yellow Darkness were the only band of the eight pressed into jumping onto the back of a flat bed lorry and playing as it was driven around Guildford to promote the charity gig for Surrey and Hants Help the Children Appeal.

2 August 1990: Poster for Yellow Darkness at ABC Music’s Showcase ’90. Image courtest on Marcus Cowley

On 1 February ’91 they supported Captain Sensible and in July that year the band reported that they are banned from Flicks for “foul and abusive language” – A claim Flicks management denied. This may have been the same night (26 July 1991) they played the venue supported by Rockit Men. Late in ’91 the band supported Blue Rider at there Liquid Foundation Club appearance, along with The Gift, at the Bull and Gate, Kentish Town. They were then on the bill for the University of Surrey’s Rag Week (Crab Feast) appearing sometime between 11am and 4:30 pm on 23 November.

The band went quite for a while until the aforementioned support slot with Creaming Jesus in ’93. Soundscene caught Terry at work, in HMV, Guildford, were he stated “We’re getting to the point where we becoming the sort of band we’d really like to be.” Numerous London gigs followed as well as the Smashing Orange gig along with rumors of label interest.

Tracks:

Trampoline:

Gallery:

11 June 1989: Yellow Darkness played the Rock Garden. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley
11 June 1989: Yellow Darkness band pass for Rock Garden. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley
5 December 1989. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley
18 December 1989: Yellow Darkness played The Cricketers, Kennington. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley.
2 January 1990: Flyer showing Yellow Darkness supported Tragic Roundabout and World of Music at the Opera On The Green, Shepherd’s Bush
Jan-Feb 1990: Yellow Darkness gig list. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley
14 July 1990: Yellow Darkness played The Myriad Syndrome II. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley.
Showcase ’90 included Yellow Darkness. Picture courtesy of Martin Holmes
Woking News and Mail – September 20, 1990
Yellow Darkness to support Captain Sensible at the Mean Fiddler – Soundscene Jan 31st 1991. Picture courtesy of Harry Tuttle
A fleeting reference in this 23rd July ’91 Soundscene article. Picture courtesy of Harry Tuttle.
26 July 1991: Gig Listing from TBI local newspaper has Yellow Darkness, supported by Rockit Men, playing Flicks, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
29 Oct ’91: Yellow Darkness supported Blue Rider along with The Gift at the Liquid Foundation Club at the Bull and Gate, Kentish Town. Source: Mick Mercer via BULL & GATE MEMORIES – remembering all who sailed in her musical tidal wave
University Surrey Student Union Crab Feast (Rag Week Mag) 23 Nov 1991
Yellow Darkness get a mention in July for 1991 in review, from the 2nd Jan 1992 Soundscene column.
Clipping from local paper. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley
Yellow Darkness EP. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records