Biography
World of Twist, an electronic bubblegum group, originated in Sheffield, England, during 1985. James Fry—younger brother of ABC frontman Martin Fry—teamed with drummer Tony Ogden to establish the act, then added guitarist Gordon King, bassist Andrew Hobson, saxophonist Rory Connelly, organist Nick Phillips, and synth player Andy Robbins. Their sound reflected influences from Roxy Music, Joe Meek’s productions, and rare Northern soul sides, forging an evident parallel with the similarly emerging Sheffield band Pulp, which even opened for World of Twist at the latter’s first shows. That initial roster dissolved by mid-1986.
A reconstituted lineup surfaced in Manchester in 1988, now fronted by Ogden on vocals, with King continuing on guitar and Hobson shifting to synthesizer; keyboardist Alan “Adge” Frost, audio/visual specialists MC Shells and Angela Reilly, and drummer Nick Sanderson completed the new configuration. A four-song demo surfaced in early 1990. At the height of British press excitement surrounding the Madchester scene, the band was promptly hailed as Manchester’s next breakout act. Following their signing to Circa, an imprint of Virgin Records, the eagerly awaited debut single “The Storm” narrowly missed the UK Top 40; its successor, a Martin Hannett-produced reading of the Rolling Stones’ psychedelic classic “She’s a Rainbow,” met the same result.
World of Twist supported their 1991 debut album Quality Street with a run of sold-out concerts that underscored the group’s theatrical leanings, as Ogden frequently appeared onstage encased in tinfoil that was progressively unwound during each opening number. While preparing a second album, however, Ogden suffered a nervous breakdown and declared his withdrawal from vocal duties. Although auditions for a replacement singer took place, mounting creative friction caused the band to disband permanently. The later breakthroughs of kindred acts such as Saint Etienne, Air, and Goldfrapp fostered a devoted cult following for World of Twist over the ensuing decade. After more than ten years out of view, Ogden returned in 2005 fronting a new project, the Bubblegum Secret Pop Explosion, only to pass away the following year in Cheshire, England, on July 26, 2006.
A reconstituted lineup surfaced in Manchester in 1988, now fronted by Ogden on vocals, with King continuing on guitar and Hobson shifting to synthesizer; keyboardist Alan “Adge” Frost, audio/visual specialists MC Shells and Angela Reilly, and drummer Nick Sanderson completed the new configuration. A four-song demo surfaced in early 1990. At the height of British press excitement surrounding the Madchester scene, the band was promptly hailed as Manchester’s next breakout act. Following their signing to Circa, an imprint of Virgin Records, the eagerly awaited debut single “The Storm” narrowly missed the UK Top 40; its successor, a Martin Hannett-produced reading of the Rolling Stones’ psychedelic classic “She’s a Rainbow,” met the same result.
World of Twist supported their 1991 debut album Quality Street with a run of sold-out concerts that underscored the group’s theatrical leanings, as Ogden frequently appeared onstage encased in tinfoil that was progressively unwound during each opening number. While preparing a second album, however, Ogden suffered a nervous breakdown and declared his withdrawal from vocal duties. Although auditions for a replacement singer took place, mounting creative friction caused the band to disband permanently. The later breakthroughs of kindred acts such as Saint Etienne, Air, and Goldfrapp fostered a devoted cult following for World of Twist over the ensuing decade. After more than ten years out of view, Ogden returned in 2005 fronting a new project, the Bubblegum Secret Pop Explosion, only to pass away the following year in Cheshire, England, on July 26, 2006.