Midway Still are a punk-pop band formed in 1990 in South London, England,
by singer/guitarist Paul Thomson, bassist Jan Konopka and drummer Declan Kelly.
After only 8 gigs the band were given a live review in Melody Maker, and soon
after that were the subject of much label interest. Signing to Fire Records'
subsidiary Roughneck (run by now Domino main-man, Laurence Bell) the Midways set
off touring endlessly around the UK and Europe, with the likes of Therapy, Mega
City Four, Snuff, Leatherface and Jacobs Mouse.
Following their NME single-of-the-week debut "I Won't Try", the band recorded a
John Peel session in 1991 and released the "Wish" EP (including a cover of My
Bloody Valentine's "You Made Me Realise" - a firm live favourite!) prior to the
release of their debut album, Dial Square (1992). The album was made by Sonic
Youth producer Don Fleming, and that year saw the band play both Reading and
Glastonbury Festivals, among others.
Their second album, "Life's Too Long" was recorded in 1993 and was produced by
Leatherface's Frankie Stubbs. Once again the band hit the road, but towards the
end of this year Kelly announced his intention to quit the band.
Thomson and Konopka auditioned dozens of drummers and replaced Kelly with Brad
Aitchison, with whom they recorded a third album. However, something had been
lost, BritPop was coming in and the record (and the band!) were shelved. Thomson
went on to sign with EMI Music with his band Grouch, (which included Konopka)
and it was not until 2000 that Thomson and Kelly resurrected MS, being joined by
Russell Lee on bass. A single, the charmingly titled "Fuck You" was released in
2001 on the band's own Antipop Records and they continued to play sporadically
live in London over the next few years.
In 2007 they were invited to play the "4 for Wiz" gig with Carter USM and The
Senseless Things after the Mega City Four singer's tragic death. It was around
this time that the recording of a new album was discussed, which finally led to
the release of "Note To Self" in 2010. The album represented both a return to
form AND a leap forward for the band and was greeted by the few in-the-know with
warm appreciation after it's release on Boss Tuneage. In November of that year
the band made their first trip to Japan and played a successful seven date tour
there.
2012 will see the band form their own label Bitter and Twisted Records which
will put out a new album "Always Ends" and re-release "Note To Self" as well as
rarities by themselves and associated bands.
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![Note to Self by Midway Still [Note to Self by Midway Still]](http://he3.magnatune.com/music/Midway%20Still/Note%20to%20Self/cover_200.jpg)
Note to Self
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