by Sally Churchward.
The 2004 debut album of Southampton band Delays, Faded Seaside Glamour, is being re-released on limited edition vinyl.
The album is being released through Rough Trade Records, the label who first signed the band 20 years ago. It is expected that it will be available on 27 January, 2023
The band’s lead singer, Greg Gilbert, sadly passed away of bowel cancer just over a year ago. One of his final wishes was for the album to be re-released and Greg’s brother and fellow bandmate, Aaron, and his sister-in-law have worked hard to make that wish come true.
Also available is a very limited edition orange vinyl including special words from Aaron and a print of one of Greg’s abstract paintings.
Aaron said “We are beyond ecstatic to announce that Faded Seaside Glamour will be released on vinyl for the first time… We’ve been working hard with Rough Trade to make something beautiful and we’re all the emotions to see this finally find its light… Wow is all x”
Bandmates Greg, Rowly and Colin Fox met at school, Aaron completing the quartet The were first named Corky then Idoru, releasing their debut EP in 2001, before going on to release their first single as Delays in 2003, Nearer than Heaven, through Rough Trade Records.
Faded Seaside Glamour, broke the UK top 20 album charts and the band found themselves in the spotlight, dining with Elton John, supporting Manic Street Preachers and Franz Ferdinand, touring worldwide, playing festivals, including the Isle of Wight, and appearing on Top of the Pops. They always retained a loyal following in Southampton, where they continued to live, regularly playing sold out gigs at local venues including The Joiners and The Brook.
In December 2016, Greg was diagnosed with bowel cancer which had spread to his lungs. Greg’s wife, Stacey Heale, launched a huge fundraising campaign to pay for treatment which was not available on the NHS which catapulted the couple into the limelight. Despite the devastating diagnosis, Greg found the experience led to huge creative steps beyond his musical career.
As well as being in the band, Greg also wrote poetry and was an artist and was successful in both, with exhibitions including one alongside Leonardo Da Vinci at Southampton City Art Gallery. An anthology of his poetry, Love Makes a Mess of Dying, was published to coincide with the exhibition, after he was chosen as one of four Laureate’s Choice poets by Carol Ann Duffy.
The band also began writing, rehearsing and recording music together again.
The release of Faced Seaside Glamour is being distributed by Southampton’s Vinilo Record Store, with a limited edition tote bag available with some orders.
https://delays.ffm.to/fadedseasideglamour
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