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The Danse Society
The Danse Society, October 2011
Background information
Origin	Barnsley, England
Genres	Gothic rock, post-punk, synthpop, new wave
Years active	1980 (1980)–present (present)
Labels	Society, Arista
Members	The Danse Society Paul Gilmartin Brian Jay Elliot Wheeler Craig Eddington Mal MacCafferty
Past members	Maetheliyah David Whitaker Steve Rawlings Martin Roberts Lyndon Scarfe Tim Wright Paul Hampshire

The Danse Society are an English gothic rock band, formed in Barnsley in 1980. They were originally active until 1987, reforming in 2011. They achieved moderate success during their career. Their lineup included Steve Rawlings (vocals), Paul Nash (guitar), Lyndon Scarfe (keyboards), Tim Wright (bass guitar) and Paul Gilmartin (drums). Scarfe was replaced by David Whitaker (formerly of Music for Pleasure) after the Heaven Is Waiting album.

Background

Evolution

Prior to 1980 Paul Hampshire (Bee/Bee Goo) Dave Patrick, Steve Rawlings and Paul Gilmartin were in a band called Y? which was established. It had management and was recording and performing. Dave Patrick left and the remaining members renamed as Danse Crazy. Looking locally for more musicians to beef up the band’s sound they invited Paul Nash and Lyndon Scarfe to join them followed rapidly by Tim Wright on bass. It was at this point that Paul Gilmartin remembered a notice on a door at Sheffield University where Y? had played a gig. It read “A meeting of the dance society will be held in Room 6” And so Danse Society was born. The final line up of the band at this time was Steve on vocals, Paul Gilmartin on drums, Lyndon Scarfe on keyboards, Paul Nash on guitar, Tim Wright on bass guitar. Paul Hampshire having left to pursue another musical direction and to enjoy success around the world.

First incarnation

In 1980, the band recorded and released their first single, "Clock", on their own newly formed record label Society. They released their debut studio album, Seduction, in 1982. It reached No. 3 in the UK Indie Chart. Their second studio album, Heaven Is Waiting, was released in December 1983 on record label Arista. It reached No. 39 in the UK albums chart. The album contained a cover of The Rolling Stones' song "2000 Light Years from Home", also edited in 1984 as a 12" single and as a limited-edition double single. In 1986, after releasing their final album, Looking Through, as The Danse Society International, all of the band members except lead singer Rawlings left to form Johnny in the Clouds. Rawlings continued as Society, and in 1987, released a single, "Saturn Girl". After 1987, Rawlings continued to pursue his path in music with the electronic dance music act Meridian Dream.

Reformation

In 2009 Drummer and original member Paul Gilmartin contacted keyboard player David Whitaker with a view to reforming the band and producing new material. They made approaches to Steve Rawlings, now living in the US and pursuing amongst other things, his musical path with Meridian Dream. Whilst waiting for a response they wrote songs and lyrics and laid down tracks in Whitaker's studio. Parallel to this, a campaign titled The Danse Society Reformation Plot was started on Facebook at the end of 2009 by Alison Howells and this had a galvanising effect on the process - It allowed contact and showed the band it still had support out there. Paul Nash was contacted by the duo and despite initial reservations where said he would "have to think very carefully" about any return - he eventually did and came in to the studio to lay down guitar tracks. Steve Rawlings delighted everyone by returning the contact and agreed to come over with a view to rejoining the line up. Steve's return was shortlived and after recording some vocals he returned to the US and has not as of yet, made clear any future intentions towards The Danse Society. Via the FaceBook page, the Italian vocalist Louisa Pile (aka Louisa Allsopp) who uses the stage name "Maethelyiah" entered the scene. The band began rehearsing with her on vocals and whilst this radical departure from a male vocalist caused much controversy amongst the faithful, the band persevered with it. Eventually a studio album took shape, Change of Skin, in July 2011. This was followed in November 2011 with the first single to be taken from another new album, "God Cry". In April 2012 they released the second single fromChange of Skin, "Vatican", backed with a reworking of their classic early song "Seduction". Their first live gig in 25 years was performed at Germany's Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival in May 2012, followed by selected festival dates and the addition of bassist Martin Roberts. Their fifth studio album, Scarey Tales, was released in February 2013.

Subsequent Events

At the time of writing this (December 2014) The Danse Society now consists of Paul Gilmartin, David Whitaker, Mal Macafferty, Elliot Wheeler, Craig Eddington and Brian Jay. Martin Roberts having left to pursue other band interests as well as recording and producing artists and bands. Paul Nash and Louisa Pile continue to make music and at this time also use the band name. Gilmartin's Danse Society has regained the original ethos of the band with a strong male vocal which is proving popular with fans old and new as well as live audiences. David Whitaker is instrumental (pun intended) in the band's development and direction and supports it in the studio whilst Craig Eddington's keyboards make the live performances as ethereal and dramatic as ever. Mal's bass and technical expertise complements Gilmartin's distinctive and powerful drums to provide a solid TDS foundation to Elliot Wheeler's innovative and evocative lead guitar. The vocal is powerful and distinctive with echoes of Rawlings in fusion with a new yet polished talent that comes from a veteran rock vocalist with the experience, charisma and presence required of a successful front person. The Danse Society Reincarnated itself and indeed - a sixth studio album penned by Gilmartin's skilled lyrical hand and scored by the band is imminent - as is another single and in 2015 more live performances to supplement the dozen or so that they have already undertaken. Behind the scenes, there is much happening including a resolution to who will actually sue The Danse Society name and title. Paul Gilmartin registered and holds Intellectual Property Rights to "The Danse Society" and the Crown of Thorns logo. Further consolidation is being finalised and 2015 will see the band refreshed and secure and delivering quality Dark Wave to the loyal and patient fanbase as well as new audiences. The Danse continues.

Discography

Studio albums

• Seduction (1982)
• Heaven Is Waiting (1983)
• Looking Through (1986) (as The Danse Society International)
• Change of Skin (2011)
• Scarey Tales (2013)

Compilation albums

• The Danse Society (1983)
• The Danse Society (1984)
• Demos Vol. 1 (2011)

Singles

References

1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guiness World Records Limited. p. 140. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
2. Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980–1989. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.

External links

• Official website

• English post-punk music groups
• Musical groups established in 1981
• Musical groups disestablished in 1987
• Musical groups reestablished in 2011
• British gothic rock groups
• English New Wave musical groups
• British dark wave musical groups
• Synthpop groups