The Associates
Formed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1979, the Associates comprised vocalist Billy Mackenzie and multi-instrumentalist Alan Rankine. Built on an eclectic mix of influences and interests ranging from art rock to glam and disco, the group debuted with a manic cover of David Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging," which earned them a contract with Fiction Records. Their 1980 debut LP, The Affectionate Punch, was a critically acclaimed work which expanded the duo's sound into both stark minimalism and melodramatic ballads, earning Mackenzie's powerful voice favorable comparisons to Scott Walker.
After jumping to the Situation Two label, the Associates released a series of singles which explored a continually diverse array of styles and textures. With 1982's "Party Fears Two," issued under their own Associates label imprint, the group finally hit the U.K. Top Ten, and the follow-up singles "Club Country" and "18 Carat Love Affair" both reached the Top 30. 1982's Sulk was the group's definitive statement, a fascinating blend of lush, New Romantic popcraft and dark, surreal cabaret stylings.
Following the LP's success, however, relations between Mackenzie and Rankine soured, and the latter left the group for a solo career, releasing the albums The Day the World Became Her Age (1986), She Loves Me Not (1987), and The Big Picture Sucks (1989). Undaunted, Mackenzie retained the Associates name and teamed up with Martin Rushent to record an album which went unreleased, although a few of the tracks later emerged on 1985's Perhaps, fleshed out by keyboardist Howard Hughes and guitarist Steve Reid. A long layoff followed, with another album, The Glamour Chase, recorded but rejected by label chiefs. In 1990, the Euro-disco-flavored Wild and Lonely emerged, and its lack of success effectively ended the Associates' story. In early 1997, while in the midst of preparing for a projected comeback, Mackenzie committed suicide. Alan Rankine's family issued a statement on January 2, 2023 that he had died peacefully at his home after spending the holidays with relatives; he was 64 years of age.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
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Discography
12 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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The Affectionate Punch (2016 Remaster)
Rock - Released by BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. on Aug 1, 1980
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Fourth Drawer Down (Deluxe)
Pop - Released by BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. on Oct 1, 1981
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Wild And Lonely (2006 Digital Remaster)
Rock - Released by Virgin Catalogue on Mar 1, 1990
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Perhaps / The Glamour Chase
Pop - Released by Rhino on Jul 1, 2001
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Sulk (Deluxe)
Pop - Released by BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. on May 14, 1982
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
The Very Best of the Associates
Pop - Released by Metro Select on Apr 15, 2016
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Perhaps (Expanded)
Pop - Released by Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group on Feb 9, 1985
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Live at Ronnie Scott's)
Pop - Released by Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group on Oct 2, 2020
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Future
Keither Florence, The Associates
Disco - Released by Tramp Records on Jun 30, 2017
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Hi, How Can I Help You?
Rock - Released by Sde Records on Jan 9, 2022
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Time for Honesty
Rock - Released by Eikås Records on Mar 1, 2012
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo