Biography
Mike Always, though possessing no musical background and remaining virtually unrecognized beyond a narrow circle of enthusiasts, ranks as a revered figure in British indie pop. While directing A&R at Cherry Red Records, he essentially originated the childlike yet sardonic irony that later defined twee pop, extending that template to ever more extravagant extremes through his imprints Blanco y Negro and, above all, El Records. Though his output diminished after the mid-'80s peak, Always stayed active and, in 2001, revealed his newest project, Death by Chocolate.
Death by Chocolate originated in 2000 when Always connected the musicians and producers Jeremy Butler, John Austin, and Matty Green—previously the guitarist of the noise pop band Boyracer—with 19-year-old hotel chambermaid Angela Faye Tillett. The four immediately formed a close alliance, guided by Always' directive that the venture should function as a musical counterpart to Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Drawing from the richest and most eccentric pockets of '60s psychedelia, sunshine pop, and freakbeat, Butler, Austin, and Green fashioned ornate, tuneful backdrops over which Tillett delivers her whimsical spoken-word verses in a miniature, endearing, thoroughly English tone that evokes Alice in Wonderland.
After two early demos surfaced on 2000's Songs for the Jetset, Vol. 3, the group issued its self-titled full-length debut in early 2001. The album featured interpretations of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore's "The LS Bumblebee" and Cat Stevens' "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out," resulting in an unapologetically sugary confection. Released in July 2002, Zap the World—its title taken from the theme of the villain Witchiepoo in the '70s children's series H.R. Pufnstuf—perpetuated the quartet's sugary twee pop sensibility.
Following a decade-long pause, the lineup (by then consisting of Tillett, Butler, and Canadian soundtrack composer Jason Frederick) resurfaced with a fresh album. Bric-a-Brac appeared on Darla Records in February of 2012.
Death by Chocolate originated in 2000 when Always connected the musicians and producers Jeremy Butler, John Austin, and Matty Green—previously the guitarist of the noise pop band Boyracer—with 19-year-old hotel chambermaid Angela Faye Tillett. The four immediately formed a close alliance, guided by Always' directive that the venture should function as a musical counterpart to Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Drawing from the richest and most eccentric pockets of '60s psychedelia, sunshine pop, and freakbeat, Butler, Austin, and Green fashioned ornate, tuneful backdrops over which Tillett delivers her whimsical spoken-word verses in a miniature, endearing, thoroughly English tone that evokes Alice in Wonderland.
After two early demos surfaced on 2000's Songs for the Jetset, Vol. 3, the group issued its self-titled full-length debut in early 2001. The album featured interpretations of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore's "The LS Bumblebee" and Cat Stevens' "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out," resulting in an unapologetically sugary confection. Released in July 2002, Zap the World—its title taken from the theme of the villain Witchiepoo in the '70s children's series H.R. Pufnstuf—perpetuated the quartet's sugary twee pop sensibility.
Following a decade-long pause, the lineup (by then consisting of Tillett, Butler, and Canadian soundtrack composer Jason Frederick) resurfaced with a fresh album. Bric-a-Brac appeared on Darla Records in February of 2012.
Albums
Singles
