Drugstore

Led by Isabel Monteiro (b. São Paulo, Brazil; vocals/bass), who relocated to England in 1990. Merchants of alternative, late-night, wine drenched, smoky but occasionally spiteful indie pop. The band was formed in 1993 by Monteiro, Dave Hunter (guitar) and Mike Chylinski (drums). Just before the release of their highly acclaimed first single “Alive” in 1994, on their own label (honey), Hunter was replaced by guitarist Daron Robinson. The band then soon signed a major deal with Go-Discs (Paul Weller/ Portishead). Drugstore came to nationwide prominence at the following year's Phoenix Festival, at which Monteiro took the stage in the national football strip of Brazil, followed by storming performances both at Reading and Glastonbury Festivals. Tours with Radiohead, Tindersticks, Jeff Buckley and The Jesus and Mary Chain followed. With their charismatic vocalist proffering highly unusual lyrical matter with an intimate delivery akin to Velvet Underground and Mazzy Star. there was delicious menace behind this seductive sound (sample lyric from Drugstore - "I've still got the knife that I used to get rid of that guy" - from "Nectarine"). A number of singles earned them Single Of The Week awards, as Drugstore's rise continued. A duet with Thom Yorke of Radiohead on the excellent single "El President" put the band firmly back in the spotlight. While not all of White Magic For Lovers was able to match the commercial success set by the single, tracks such as "Say Hello" and "Mondo Cáne" proved the band were capable of equally inspired moments. Another change of record label preceded their best album to date, "Songs for the Jet Set", which sees the band in a subtler and yet more entrancing mood. Drugstore played at a protest in London which called for the extradition of the Chilean General Augusto Pinochet. Their song "El President" is dedicated to former Chilean President Salvador Allende,[2] who was ousted in a 1973 coup d'état in which Pinochet played a key role. Drugstore's music has been featured on four film soundtracks. "Superglider", from the album Drugstore, is used on All Over Me and House of America, both released in 1997. "Fader", also from Drugstore, is featured on the credits of the 2000 film Cherry Falls. "Old Shoes", originally written and performed by Tom Waits from the album Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits, is used in the 2004 film East of Sunset. The band's music was also featured throughout the BBC series This Life, whose music producer was Ricky Gervais. Following a mysterious 7 year absence, the band returned with a sold-out gig at Dingwalls, London, Sept 2009. Early in 2010 Isabel Monteiro announced a new line-up which will be unveiled at the ICA, London, on may 5th 2010 Isabel Monteiro publishes a blog - Anatomy (link below), where the mystery of the 7 missing years is explained and the creative process can be followed. ---- Drugstore project began at the beginning of 2009, as union of members of the spanish collective Bayona Music, as a way to express the musical interests of their components. In its early bet on the creation of very diverse music, "touching" many styles in the electronic music. Another bet was to publish music for free, on licensed Creative Commons netlabels, where Drugstore music fit in very well from the start. At this stage came the releases on netlabels as important as Antiritmo (ES), Ignored Records (ES), Offaudio (ES) or Zimmer (DE). They were also warmly welcomed the podcasts published on netlabels like Loopzilla (DE) or Mixotic (DE). During the year 2010, the goal has remained the same, hold and gain respect within the netlabel world and try on the other hand be publishing in labels for payment. Today, the 2 objectives have been met. In the facet netlabel have reached releases on netlabels like AudioExit (HU), Inoquo (ES), Zimmer (DE), Subversive Media (UK), among others. On the payment side seals have been published Drugstore's tracks on Naked Lunch (PT) and M_REC (IT), the latter being a full EP. About sets, have also achieved major milestones, getting to play our sets on radioshows such as Beton, Mantis or B_Side (among others) and publishing on netlabels like Mixotic (DE) or TechnoPodcast (EN). Another milestone achieved in 2010 was the return to the radio, in "Culture Techno" radioshow, where Drugstore guys collaborate with their section "Bayona Techno Music", making bios of renowned techno artists and presenting tracks from netlabel world. The goal for years to come is simple, at the same time difficult to achieve. On the one hand, keep betting on the free music, by supporting the netlabels and creating music with more underground touches. On the other hand, consolidate into the electronic scene, strengthening its techno sound and trying to publish and collaborate with top artists and newcomers on the music scene. Drugstore music have been supported, reviewed and played by DJs and producers of the electronic music scene from all over the world. Including Dosem (ES), Nuke (ES), Exium (ES), Bas Mooy (NE), A.Paul (PT) or DVNT (UK), among others. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.