Fields Of The Nephilim
This British rock group were formed in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in 1983. The line-up comprised Carl McCoy (vocals), Tony Pettitt (bass), Peter Yates (guitar) and the Wright brothers, Nod (b. Alexander; drums) and Paul (guitar). Their image, that of neo-western desperados, was borrowed from films such as ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA and THE LONG RYDERS. They also had the bizarre habit of smothering their predominantly black clothes in flour and/or talcum powder. Their version of Goth-rock, tempered with transatlantic overtones, found favour with those already immersed in the sounds of the Sisters Of Mercyand the Mission. Signed to the Situation Two label, Fields Of The Nephilim scored two major UK Independent hit singles with Preacher Man and Blue Water, while their first album, DAWN RAZOR, made a modest showing on the UK album chart. The second set, THE NEPHILIM, reached number 14, announcing the group's arrival as one of the principal rock acts of the day. Their devoted following also ensured a showing on the national singles chart, giving them minor hits with Moonchild (1988—also an independent chart number 1), Psychonaut (1989) and Summerland (Dreamed) (1990). In October 1991 McCoy left the group taking the Fields Of The Nephilim name with him. The remaining members have since vowed to carry on. With the recruitment a new vocalist, Alan Delaney, they began gigging under the name Rubicon in the summer of 1992, leaving McCoy yet to unveil his version of the Nephilim.