Led by Isabel Monteiro (b. São Paulo, Brazil; vocals/bass), who relocated to England in 1990. Merchants of alternative, late-night, wine drenched, smoky but occasionally spiteful indie pop. The band was formed in 1993 by Monteiro, Dave Hunter (guitar) and Mike Chylinski (drums). Just before the release of their highly acclaimed first single “Alive” in 1994, on their own label (honey), Hunter was replaced by guitarist Daron Robinson. The band then soon signed a major deal with Go-Discs (Paul Weller/ Portishead). Drugstore came to nationwide prominence at the following year’s Phoenix Festival, at which Monteiro took the stage in the national football strip of Brazil, followed by storming performances both at Reading and Glastonbury Festivals. Tours with Radiohead, Tindersticks, Jeff Buckley and The Jesus and Mary Chain followed. With their charismatic vocalist proffering highly unusual lyrical matter with an intimate delivery akin to Velvet Underground and Mazzy Star. there was delicious menace behind this seductive sound (sample lyric from Drugstore - “I’ve still got the knife that I used to get rid of that guy” - from “Nectarine”). A number of singles earned them Single Of The Week awards, as Drugstore’s rise continued. A duet with Thom Yorke of Radiohead on the excellent single “El President” put the band firmly back in the spotlight. While not all of White Magic For Lovers was able to match the commercial success set by the single, tracks such as “Say Hello” and “Mondo Cáne” proved the band were capable of equally inspired moments. Another change of record label preceded their best album to date, “Songs for the Jet Set”, which sees the band in a subtler and yet more entrancing mood.
Drugstore played at a protest in London which called for the extradition of the Chilean General Augusto Pinochet. Their song “El President” is dedicated to former Chilean President Salvador Allende,[2] who was ousted in a 1973 coup d’état in which Pinochet played a key role.
Drugstore’s music has been featured on four film soundtracks. “Superglider”, from the album Drugstore, is used on All Over Me and House of America, both released in 1997. “Fader”, also from Drugstore, is featured on the credits of the 2000 film Cherry Falls. “Old Shoes”, originally written and performed by Tom Waits from the album Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits, is used in the 2004 film East of Sunset. The band’s music was also featured throughout the BBC series This Life, whose music producer was Ricky Gervais.
Following a mysterious 7 year absence, the band returned with a sold-out gig at Dingwalls, London, Sept 2009.
Early in 2010 Isabel Monteiro announced a new line-up which will be unveiled at the ICA, London, on may 5th 2010
Isabel Monteiro publishes a blog - Anatomy (link below), where the mystery of the 7 missing years is explained and the creative process can be followed. |
