Adrian Borland

Renowned in punk circles for his raw intensity, creative mastery, and lack of widespread notice, vocalist, composer, and guitarist Adrian Borland amassed an extensive body of strong releases across multiple identities. Before turning twenty he launched the Outsiders in 1976, a group that issued a pair of albums and played often at the notorious Roxy club. That unit later became the Sound, whose several albums issued between 1979 and 1987 earned the level of regard given Echo & the Bunnymen yet remained largely overlooked because of an unpolished public persona. Much like Magazine’s Howard Devoto, Borland’s songwriting proved too candid and articulate for broad audiences, while the band’s somber tone further limited mainstream traction. Even so, the Sound served as the connective thread between Joy Division and Echo, a link that later recognition might still affirm.

Two years after the Sound’s final release Borland began a solo career with Alexandria in 1989 and Brittle Heaven in 1992, both issued under the name Adrian Borland & the Citizens. Beautiful Ammunition appeared without the Citizens two years afterward, followed closely by Cinematic in 1995. Around the same period Cinematic Overview collected highlights from his work with the Outsiders and the Sound alongside solo tracks. His final full solo album, 5:00 AM, arrived in 1997. The limited-edition acoustic collection The Last Days of the Rain Machine surfaced later, containing previously unavailable material. Although none of the solo efforts matched the Sound’s overall quality, each stood as a worthy statement given his songwriting skill and exacting standards.

Beyond his band and solo output Borland contributed to numerous side endeavors. In 1980 he joined the Witch Trials, a one-off EP collaboration that included the Dead Kennedys’ Jello Biafra and East Bay Ray. During the early 1980s he issued several recordings with Sound colleague Graham Bailey in the electronic duo Second Layer. Using the alias Joachim Pimento he participated in the Honolulu Mountain Daffodils, which released multiple albums through the rest of the decade. He also co-wrote and produced two White Rose Transmission albums alongside the Convent’s Carlo Von Putten. Through his own recordings he established himself as a producer, working with the Celibate Rifles, Felt, Dole, Steve Lake, and Red Harvest.

While tracking yet another solo project, the depression-prone Borland ended his life by stepping in front of a train on April 26, 1999. In a letter addressed to fans only a month earlier he conveyed excitement about his latest work, rendering his death especially poignant. Scheduled White Rose Transmission tour dates that predated his passing were still performed, with Chameleons front man Mark Burgess filling the role as a tribute.