From the late 1980s to the early 2000s, Madchester music was a powerful force in the British music scene. And no Madchester band made as big an impact as Inspiral Carpets. Combining punk, psychedelia and dance beats, Inspiral Carpets created a unique sound that captured the attention of millions of listeners around the world. Now, more than two decades later, the band's legacy continues to inspire new generations of fans. Formed in Oldham, England in 1986, Inspiral Carpets consisted of members Graham Lambert (guitar and vocals), Stephen Holt (bass and vocals), Craig Gill (drums), Martyn Walsh (guitar and vocals) and Clint Boon (keyboards).
Their debut album, Life, was released in 1989 and quickly became a hit on the UK Indie Chart. Soon after, Inspiral Carpets had several top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart. Through their music, they helped to define the sound of Madchester and influenced a generation of musicians. Now, more than two decades later, Inspiral Carpets remain one of the most influential bands from the Madchester scene. While their music has been sampled by many modern artists, the original recordings continue to inspire new generations of fans.
So join us as we take a look at the incredible history of Inspiral Carpets – one of the most important bands in British music history. Inspiral Carpets were a Manchester-based alternative rock band formed in 1989 by Graham Lambert (guitar), Stephen Holt (guitar/vocals), Martyn Walsh (bass), and Craig Gill (drums). They developed a unique sound that combined elements of pop, psychedelia, and punk rock. The band’s debut album, Life, was released in 1990 and spawned several successful singles, including “This Is How It Feels” and “Saturn 5”. The album was well-received by critics and was followed by the release of the band’s second album, Revenge of the Goldfish, in 1992. The album was less commercially successful than its predecessor but was still well-received by critics. Inspiral Carpets were one of the most prominent bands of the Madchester music scene, which emerged out of Manchester in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Other influential bands from this era included The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and The Charlatans. The scene is known for its mix of psychedelic rock and dance music, combining elements of funk, house, and acid house. The band released several more albums before disbanding in 1995. After their split, several members went on to form new bands such as Black Grape and Monaco. In 2014, the original line-up reunited for a series of shows to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album. The reunion shows were well-received by fans and critics alike.
Legacy
Inspiral Carpets were an influential part of the Madchester music scene and helped to bring it to wider attention.Their unique sound fused psychedelic rock, pop, and dance music elements and has been cited as an influence by many musicians from the Britpop era onward. The band's popularity soared in the early 1990s, with their hit songs such as “This Is How It Feels” and “Dragging Me Down” becoming staples of British indie music. Even after their split in 1995, their legacy has continued to be celebrated by fans across the UK. The Inspiral Carpets' influence extended beyond the Madchester music scene, with their unique sound inspiring many bands to come. Their ability to mix elements of psychedelia, pop, and dance music together helped to create a new sound that was highly influential in the Britpop era.
Bands such as Oasis and Blur have cited the Inspiral Carpets as an influence on their sound, while they also inspired many other artists including The Stone Roses and The Charlatans. Today, the Inspiral Carpets' legacy lives on in their iconic songs and albums. They are remembered fondly by fans of Madchester music and those who enjoy the band's influence on the Britpop era. Their music has stood the test of time, and will continue to be celebrated for years to come.
Musical Style
Inspiral Carpets' unique sound combined elements of pop, psychedelia, and punk rock. While their first album featured more guitar-driven songs, their later albums leaned more towards dance music with elements of funk and acid house.The band's music has been described as having a distinctive 'psychedelic jangle pop' sound, blending elements of pop, psychedelia and punk rock. Influenced by bands such as The Smiths, The Stone Roses and Joy Division, Inspiral Carpets created a signature sound that was both melodic and energetic. Their debut album, Life, featured guitar-driven songs such as 'This Is How It Feels', which was released as a single in 1989 and reached No. 14 in the UK charts. In the early 1990s, Inspiral Carpets began to move away from the guitar-driven style of their earlier work and towards a more dance-oriented sound.
This new style was evident on their second album, Revenge of the Goldfish, which featured a more synth-heavy sound and the hit single 'Saturn 5'. Their third album, Devil Hopping, saw the band further developing their new dance-rock sound, incorporating elements of funk and acid house. The band's musical style has been credited with helping to define the Madchester music scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While Inspiral Carpets may not have achieved the commercial success of some of their peers, their unique sound has been hailed as one of the defining sounds of this era in Manchester music. Inspiral Carpets were an important part of the Madchester music scene that emerged out of Manchester in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their unique blend of pop, psychedelia, and punk rock helped define the sound of Madchester music and has been cited as an influence by many musicians since then.
The band is remembered for their upbeat, psychedelic rock sound and for the lasting impact they had on the Madchester music scene.
