Rosetta Stone

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uno dei miei gruppi preferiti....

written primarily by Porl King




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Foreward
If I Can't Be God I'm Not Gonna Play
Rosetta are the first to admit there's no use protesting about anything (the conspiracy has too much control?!), but if some people believe the internet can even just dent the industry's complacency, then they wish to be a part of it.

Is This Meant To Be Serious?
We used to think the "major labels" were the sharks...

Small labels make their money from signing numerous bands from which the label can hope to make a very small profit. (mainly back catalogue, slow but steady returns).

Multiply this by the number of bands they control, and those small sums of cash suddenly become enough for the label staff to live a moderately comfortable lifestyle...

However, financially on paper the label is able to show its individual artists the inadequate sales (slow, due to lack of immediate exposure) justifying their complacency and reluctance to invest,

but...

We can't gain sales to those we don't reach. (prfnd.001).

And there is only so far word of mouth and reputation can take you within the confines of an underground existence.

Paying Attention?-- or Paying For Attention?
This is were the "Media" comes in, you will inevitably have to pay for your column/inches*, if the label is prepared to, but it may involve financial risk (gasp!). Something apparently alien to most indie labels.

*Unless of course you happen to drink with or fuck an established journalist.

These are the constraints imposed by labels limiting possible potential. (prfnd.002)

On this kind of level, the bands cannot live off their royalties alone!- but the labels can certainly live off a percentage of LOTS of royalties.

It's A Dangerous Thing
Enthusiasm is what makes us blind to the opportunists.

The subculture ain't economically viable. (prfnd.003)

But yet we still choose it, the goth dollar...

no security, no recognition, nothing.

Catering to the proportionately small...


wHATEver pRODUCTIONS 1995 / stating the bleeding obvious.


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Now, read about the events that lead to these self pitying conclusions...

History: Before the Rot Set In.
Pre-Stone
September 1983. The Wirral, Merseyside. North England. Karl North (keyboards) meets singer Neil R. Garner whilst attending art college and form "Jam and Jerusalem." Guitarist Porl King, a friend of a friend of Karl's and just qualified jewellery maker, completes the final line-up in 1984. A short lived experience, indulging their joint influences of The Cure and Cabaret Voltaire. Neil soon absconds to expand his education in fine art. Porl & Karl decide to carry on with Porl as guitarist/vocalist and Karl now on bass.

By 1986, Jam And Jerusalem (changing their name to Virtue towards the end) had parted company and made way for 'Third Enigma', with Ali McWatt on vocals, Porl on guitar and Karl on bass. Drummer Andy Curtis joins for the final three shows; the last of which was with the Batfish Boys (ex-March Violets). This proposed new line-up puts the nail in the coffin and Third Enigma hastily split up.

...Of the Beginning
Throughout 1987 Porl and Karl write and rehearse songs constantly; this was the fledgling Rosetta Stone. On June 10 1988 at Planet X, Liverpool (the official 'sister' club to London's Batcave!) Porl and Karl, along with the recently acquired Madam Razor - a Casio RZ1 - make their debut appearance as Rosetta Stone. Gigging locally promoting their rather tongue-in-cheek Recreate and Emulate demo proved very fruitful. Following a show at Milos in Liverpool, American producer Lazarus (Rolling Stones, Mike Oldfield..) enthralled by what he sees, requests to produce the band. A session is undertaken at the Marquee's studios in London resulting in 'Six Before Dawn' and a remake of 'Hour by Hour' - which were to appear later on And How They Rejoice. At this point in time the band toy with the idea of re-naming themselves 'Six Before Dawn'! In September 1988, Rosetta are interviewed by BBC Radio Merseyside. In the meantime, Chapter & Verse recorded at Stationhouse with producer Paul Madden, becomes the first of a trilogy of cassettes commercially available.

Retribution, again produced by Paul Madden, follows in May 1989. After frequent requests for Rosetta Stone from listeners , it's premiered during a live interview on Marcher Sound's, "Indie 1034" show. Retribution sells out within two days of going on sale at Pink Moon records, Liverpool. Consequently, demand for Rosetta material is widespread, suggesting 'And How They Rejoice (a four track compilation of the previous tapes out-takes) be released. Today, all four tapes have become very highly collectable.

The Gig We Got, That They Did Not!
In September 1989, Wayne Hussey personally invites the band to open their legendary fan club 'Shindig' in Sheffield. In front of 1,500 Mission fans Rosetta gave goths a glimpse of their future, after which Hussey immediately offers the band his production experience. On October 14, Rosetta Stone's travelling following "The Quarriers" appear on the front cover of British music weekly Sounds alongside the Mission! Halloween 1989 saw Rosetta hold their own shindig at Planet X, Liverpool which sells out the venue-- a feat rarely equalled by anyone there since. It was also at The Planet where Rosetta had one support act in the shape of Carter USM!!! Whilst rebuilding the Mission's popularity (Butterfly on a wheel), Hussey is forced to pull out of producing Rosetta's first vinyl release at the eleventh hour. Undeterred, Rosetta trek East over the baron wastes known as the Yorkshire Moors (home of The Moors murders and folklore encounters of Wolfdogs and other such stuff) to Driffield's Slaughterhouse Studios, birth place of many of The Sisters of Mercy and The Mission's finest vinyl offerings. Mission producer Colin Richardson ('Serpents Kiss', Garden of Delight') steps in. From the frantic three day session, The 'Darkness & Light' 12" single emerges - a now classic and valuable recording. Tragically, Slaughterhouse burns to the ground shortly after Rosetta Stone leave.

Perpetuating Darkness
A nine date tour in April 1990 previews the release of the Darkness & Light E.P. in May. Released on their own Futurity label and with no national publicity it sells out of its initial pressing within a fortnight. 'Black Horizon', a sixteen date tour of England to coincide with the release, nearly didn't begin in Manchester on May 30. The venue was officially closed to live acts due to a revoked drinks licence, yet thankfully with a loop hole in the law permitting a maximum of two people on stage the show proceeds. The tour concludes north of the border at Rooftops in Glasgow on June 24. Yet, despite vested interest nationwide, Darkness & Light is met by a wall of silence from the British "music press".

'Body, Spirit & Soul'. The Trichotomy, during August, marks Rosetta's debut Marquee appearance which is a near sell out. Over the August Bank Holiday Rosetta play their only outdoor show to date at the Earth Beat Festival in Sefton Park, Liverpool (remember The Omen III ?), a show marred by sunshine and Rosetta fans being reprimanded for frolicking in the poisoned lake. 'Perpetual Darkness' fills the long nights during October & November.

Gothic Big Deal?
After a second Marquee appearance on November 4 1990, Rosetta sign a deal with Phil Manzanera's (Roxy Music) Expression label. Compliments fly Rosetta Stones' way during November when Wayne Hussey comments on the Sisters of Mercy's Wembley Arena show, that "They are better than the Nephilim but not as good as Rosetta!" In December 1990, British weekly music paper, Sounds, places Rosetta Stone Nº 16 Best new Band & Nº 19 Brightest hope for '91 in their Readers' Poll. A fitting tribute to the biggest and most ignored (by journalists) underground act in Britain. The year ends with shows over Childermas in South & West Yorkshire.

While Spring blossoms in 1991, time is spent in Liverpool demoing material for the 'An Eye For The Main Chance' album. Rosetta Stone head south to Chertsey in Surrey to begin work on the album at Gallery Studios, the home to rock legends Roxy Music and Cliff Richard!

With the album, co-produced by Ash Howes & Porl Young, now completed, 'Leave Me For Dead' is chosen as it's debut single. The promotional video is shot at Shepperton Studios in London, where Steven Spielberg's people, filming 'Indiana Jones' episodes, keep intruding demanding them to lower the noise level!! In June, 'Leave Me For Dead' enters the music paper Indie charts at Nº 22. To re-create the albums immense sound live, Porl Young is drafted in on second guitar for forthcoming shows making his debut at The Hummingbird, Birmingham on June 13.

August 1991. The title track of the album, 'An Eye For The Main Chance', is released to further entice the public for what is to come. Despite its high chart position it is ostracized by the "music press" (Now there's a novelty). Siren Magazine's Sheldon Bayley brakes the mould and describes the single as "An emotional and emotive song, textured to the point of addictive indulgence". A fitting tribute to the band who are celebrated in Mick Mercer's Gothic Rock book as "The next Big Thing in Goth".

On September 30, Rosetta Stone play the Camden Underworld in London for a proposed 'Channel Four' special on Gothic Rock. After the bullshit hits the fan, due to a rival band's singer's unprecedented ego, the programme doesn't materialise.

Supressive Press
The album An Eye For The Main Chance is released in October 1991. Siren Magazine praise the album by announcing Rosetta are "The most tuneful aficionados to arrive in a long time". It remains in the NME's Indie top ten for over a month. Melody Maker, with their ear firmly to the ground, finally review the album a full month after its official release. Two live shows during December in London and Birmingham, aptly entitled 'Omegaddon' complete a very eventful 1991.

January 1992. Flying in the face of the press's ignorance and narrow mindedness, Rosetta Stone are cordially invited to appear at the prestigious Midem Music Festival in Cannes, Southern France. Making the harrowing journey (16 hours non stop) without any decent provisions, France seems like it will never end. By sharing an event with, amongst others, top Swedish act Roxette and the band's new heroes - Army of Lovers - it becomes an eye opening experience for all concerned. The journey back is just as fraught as the outward one, freezing temperatures and diabolical French cuisine making Rosetta's mission home an extremely speedy one. Never had England looked so good!!?

Adrenaline flows through the veins throughout April 1992. 'Adrenaline' the single was released on April 6, with a limited edition version a week later. It crosses the boundaries between The Sisters of Mercy, Blue Pearl! It immediately breaks into the Indie Top Ten after one week of sales. A 15 date tour concludes on April 17 in front of an 800 strong crowd at their fourth Marquee headline appearance - a phenomenal achievement considering the lack of media exposure experienced to date. 'Adrenaline' remains in the Indie charts for over a month - a feat most larger and over exposed Indie acts regularly fail to achieve. Due to further demand, Rosetta return to London, this time to the Camden Underworld, to play behind a cascading waterfall due to a faulty air conditioning system!

Season of the Witch
Autumn 1992. Twenty one years on from the original, Rosetta release a version of the 1970's semi-classic Top Ten hit 'The Witch' (A song dug up from Porl King's childhood memories!), by forgotten weirdos the Rattles. The new rendition causes great controversy in various singles charts (Music Week National 12" Chart - No.40 : MM/NME Top Twenty), as did the shooting of the accompanying video in a Methodist church near Warrington, Cheshire. Whilst breaking all the celestial laws of smoking and consuming drugs on consecrated grounds, the band proceed to cause extensive damage to an antique altar and use so much smoke it fills the church for two days after. Meanwhile during the research for the single sleeve, it is discovered that the assistant to 1960's occultist, Alex Sanders, was in fact a one Paul King! 'The Witch' sleeve finally depicts a photograph of Leila Waddel, magikal assistant to infamous British occultist Aleister Crowley. 'The Witch' video goes on to feature in the Indie Top Ten Chart on I.T.V.'s "The Chart Show" - a Goth band entering straight in at N0. 5 - the first time since the days of The Mission and The Nephilim.

A Chance Meeting With Death
Rosetta Stone celebrate Halloween with a show at The Marquee and invite health protagonists "Death" cigarettes to hold a special promotion that night. This being Rosetta's first show since their infamous Camden Underworld experience, The Marquee is sold out . Jonathon Selzer later comments in a very rare Melody Maker live review that the band are "the last burning candle for Goth".

On December 8, a wet and cold Tuesday night, Rosetta Stone headline Britain's premier nightclub, Rock City in Nottingham. The venues promoter had been scoffed at for hosting such a show, but their remarks were proved to be unfounded as over 1,000 people turned up! 1992 ends amid 'Sex, Drugs & Drum Machines', a short, sharp, shock tour of Britain's clubs.

Into 1993. During February, the much delayed On The Side Of Angels is released; A CD album compiled of 12" mixes and material previously unavailable on this format - including the rare Darkness & Light E.P. On The Side Of Angels charts at No. 19 in their favourite "Music Papers" in it's first week of sales. Over in Scandinavia the album recieves a 9/10 rating in Swedish magazine Release. with only Depeche Mode's Songs of Faith & Devotion rating higher.

Black In The U.S.A
Meanwhile, interest in Rosetta steadily increases in America - instigated by an interview in the Fall '92 issue of Propaganda magazine - regardless of any release being officially available there. In April 1993 a licensing deal with Cleopatra is signed and the compilation album Adrenaline is released. Throughout the Spring and Summer of '93 Rosetta concentrate on writing new material, and in the meantime Cleopatra release Foundation Stones (a C.D. compilation of early material) and the Epitome EP (another C.D. with all the version of 'The Witch' and 'Adrenaline' and a home recorded version of 'Sisters Are Doing it For Themselves').

Premature Articulation
New material was aired for the first time at Nottingham's Rock City in December '93 - their only gig of the year.This making them realise that much work was still needed to be done, on the new material. The first half of 1994 was spent finishing writing new material and rehearsing for their first tour of America in July - the hugely successful 'Procession' with Faith and The Muse , Das Ich and Corpus Delicti.

We Didn't Like Nothing
A single was scheduled for an October release on the Minority One label, part of H.T.D.Records (a brief and much regretted signing). New recording equipment (part of the record deal with Minority One) was supposed to arrive in June '94 but infact didn't arrive until August - which meant Rosetta had a matter of weeks to learn how to use the equipment and record the single 'Nothing'. At the eleventh hour Rosetta requested the release be terminated as they were unhappy with it. Against their better judgement it was released in October 1994 and went straight into the Indie Top Ten at no. 7 (the same week The Mission went to No.9). Part of the video for 'The Witch' was played on the ITV Chart Show as there was no video for 'Nothing'. Instead the record company decided in their infinite wisdom to spend all unavailable cash on an advert in glossy mag, VOX. (?!!?)

Still learning to use the new equipment the Tyranny of Inaction album was recorded throughout the rest of '94 (even Christmas Day and all New Years Eve/Day to meet the deadline) and was released in a compromised state in February 1995. Tyranny went into the N.M.E. Indie Top Twenty.

Not content with the English version, Rosetta re-mix and re-record two tracks for the American version - Tyranny of Inaction revised edition 1.1 - released through Cleopatra Records.

Dreading The Boards
Rosetta venture to Europe in mid-April '95 taking in Le Plan, Paris, with Rozz Williams and Gitane Demone, the Black Easter Festival in Belgium with, amongst others, Das Ich, Corpus Delecti and Ataraxia. Returning to England Rosetta embark on their first UK Tour in over two years.

Next came the (in)famous Indie-Tours Festival in May '95, at Castle Querfurt, playing on the same day as The Mission. After making sure they got paid, they play a memorable set and left the audience wanting more.

A version of 'Panic in Detroit' appears on the Christian Death re-mix album Death in Detriot and also a re-mix album of The Wake's Christine - both available on Cleopatra Records.

Abandon Everyone
Rosetta discarded their greedy and useless manager just before the British Consumer Minority Tour, and it was also decided to get rid of HTD Records, and their inept agent (ruthless no less!).


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Recent Activity
We Loved Waiting
A four-show tour of England shortly after the release of gENDER cONFUSION is hugely successful, with three of the venues selling out. Every copy of the remix album is snapped up, and a number of people who didn't order a copy right away are left having to be satisfied with a taped copy from another fan.

Shortly thereafter, Hiding In Waiting is released, a nine-track (plus one hidden) EP including thought-provoking new songs, unexpected remixes, and twisted covers. The very listenable EP is well recieved as all brands of Rosetta Stone fan can find something they enjoy on the EP. The cover art reflects the band's current interest in extraterrestrial life (which probably exists, they note, and is being covered up like any other government conspiracy) and reflects a change in their aesthetic.

Rosetta Stone continues to play gigs throughout England on a regular basis, as well as doing production and remix work for a number of bands. (Such as Complicity and Switchblade Symphony.)

In the Fall of 1998, Chemical Emissions is released, which contains "live versions" recorded in a studio setting. A rich mixture of classics, covers, and new tracks, it plants Rosetta Stone firmly in the present with an eye towards the future.

Rosetta Stone is Dead. Long Live Rosetta Stone!
Rosetta Stone announced that they would be spliting up at the start of their gig at the Whitby Gothic Weekend on October 31st 1998. The heirarchy site quickly changed to display amessage "Abandon everything goth. Major rethink in progress." Heirarchy has now been removed completely.

There were rumours on the wHATEver listSERVEr that Rosetta were planning a new album in a style similar to UK indie band Portishead, but nothing ever came of this.

Karl has now joined The Dream Disciples.

Porl is still doing remixes and cover versions for Cleopatra Records, which are still being released under the name Rosetta Stone. The latest cover (January 2000) is "The End" by The Doors for Cleopatra Records' Doors tribute album.