Modern English

Bio

Modern English is a rock band best remembered for their iconic 1982 song "I Melt With You", a top 10 hit has appeared in various commercials and movies over the years with a popular music video that became an MTV staple. Exploring post-punk themes of loss, reflection, and devotion, the group faced changing waves of success over the 80s and early 90s, putting four albums into the Billboard 200 chart. They disbanded a while in 1991, but they later resurfaced in 1995 with some new members. They most recently released their seventh studio album in 2010, touring sporadically over the past recent decades. Formed in Colchester, Essex, England, in 1979 by Robbie Grey (vocals), Gary McDowell (guitar, vocals), and Michael Conroy (bass, vocals), Modern English was originally known as "The Lepers". The group expanded to "Modern English" when Richard Brown (drums) and Stephen Walker (keyboards) were subsequently added to the line-up of the indie rock band (later Ted Mason, Matthew Shippley). A debut single, "Drowning Man" was released in 1980 on the Limp Records label. The band's full-length debut, called 'Mesh & Lace' and released by 4AD Records a year later, drew heavily on the gloomy gothic rock sound already patented by bands such as Bauhaus and Joy Division. The follow-up album, titled 'After The Snow' and recorded by the same line-up, introduced warmer sounds and strong guitar harmonies (most notably on the hit "I Melt With You") in contrast to the tinny bleakness of the debut, although keeping the same post-punk dramatic focus. The August 1982 release was well received in the U.S., selling 500,000 units, and the band relocated to New York, New York to consolidate a popularity encouraged by college radio. Their subsequent album Ricochet Days had a crisper production with hits such as "Ricochet Days" and "Hands Across the Sea". By the time of Stop Start, released in the US by Sire Records in 1986, Walker and Brown had left, and Aaron Davidson (keyboards, guitar) (later of March Violets) had joined. The band had tried too hard for commercial success, pushed by their label and subsequent producers. Grey returned to England to form a new outfit, but reconvened Modern English in 1990 with Davidson and Conroy. They released Pillow Lips on the TVT label, selling 300,000 units. Robbie Grey and band member Ted Mason co-wrote and produced a second release for TVT, recording with live strings and multiple harmonies. It received very little enthusiasm from TVT and has been seen as the least successful Modern English album. Locked into contractual obligations with TVT, Grey subsequently put the band on hold in 1991 to study and travel, and Mason handled the legal issues of getting out of the TVT deal. In 1995, Modern English with Matthew Shipley (keyboards), Ted Mason (guitar, vocals, production) recorded Everything's Mad for the Imago label. Robbie Grey continues to tour extensively on the US club circuit with Matthew and new guitarist Steven Walker writing new songs and playing them to packed audiences across the US, and in 2001 signed a new recording contract with A.P.G. Music. The new lineup recorded a new album with legendary producer Hugh Jones who originally produced "I Melt With You." 2007 saw the repackaged–remastered re-release of Everything's Mad for the Mi5 Recordings label distributed by Caroline/EMI. A Modern English rarities album with unreleased material was expected in early 2008, but it became stalled. The group put out their latest studio effort in 2010 with 'Soundtrack'. Said work reunited them with Hugh Jones, the producer of 'After the Snow'. As of 2013, Modern English has sold close to four million records worldwide, and they were present at the BMI awards in the Dorchester Hotel in London where Robbie Grey, Mick Conroy and guitarist Steven Walker were presented with a lifetime achievement award for 3 million radio plays of "I Melt With You." . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

Similar artists

The Psychedelic Furs, Naked Eyes, The Church, The Chameleons, The Sound

Genres

new wave,post-punk,80s,alternative,4ad,uk,alternative rock,british,pop rock,england,english,new romantic,new wave,new wave pop,synthpop,

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Infos

On Tour: No

country: GB

city: Colchester

Begin Date: 1979

Last Update:

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Videography

Modern English - I Melt With You (Official Video)

Modern English - I Melt With You (Official Video)

Aug/2025

Artist discography

by

Last FM

I Feel Small - Single

I Feel Small - Single

Feb/2017

I Feel Small

Feb/2017

Highlights of Modern English

Highlights of Modern English

Feb/2017

Sweet Revenge - Single

Sweet Revenge - Single

Jan/2017

Sweet Revenge

Jan/2017

Take Me To The Trees

Take Me To The Trees

Sep/2016

Everything is Mad

Everything is Mad

Jun/2014

Rarities and The Unreleased

Rarities and The Unreleased

Jun/2014

Rock n' Roll Masters: Modern English

Rock n' Roll Masters: Modern English

Jun/2014

I Melt With You (Remastered Single)

I Melt With You (Remastered Single)

Oct/2013

Modern English Greatest Hits

Modern English Greatest Hits

Sep/2013

Best in Live: Modern English

Best in Live: Modern English

Sep/2012

Blister

Apr/2012

I Melt With You (Film Version) - Single

I Melt With You (Film Version) - Single

Nov/2011

I Melt With You (Film Version)

I Melt With You (Film Version)

Nov/2011

Blister EP

Aug/2010

Blister - EP

Aug/2010

Soundtrack

May/2010

It's Ok

Mar/2010

Modern English (Live)

Modern English (Live)

Dec/2009

Live (Live)

Feb/2020

In Concert (Live)

In Concert (Live)

Feb/2020

Rock n' Roll Masters: Modern English

Rock n' Roll Masters: Modern English

Jun/2014

After The Snow (Live From Indigo At The O2)

After The Snow (Live From Indigo At The O2)

Aug/2021

After the Snow Live from Indigo at the O2

After the Snow Live from Indigo at the O2

Aug/2021

After The Snow (Live From Indigo @ O2)

After The Snow (Live From Indigo @ O2)

Nov/2021

After the Snow Live from Indigo at the O2 (Live)

After the Snow Live from Indigo at the O2 (Live)

Aug/2021

1 2 3 4

Feb/2024

Not My Leader

Jan/2024

Not My Leader - Single

Not My Leader - Single

Jan/2024

Crazy Lovers

Nov/2023

Crazy Lovers - Single

Crazy Lovers - Single

Nov/2023

Long in the Tooth

Long in the Tooth

Sep/2023

Long in the Tooth - Single

Long in the Tooth - Single

Sep/2023

I Melt With You (Lockdown Version)

I Melt With You (Lockdown Version)

May/2021

Moonbeam

Mar/2017

Crazy Lovers (Remixes)

Crazy Lovers (Remixes)

Jun/2025

Voices (1234 Remixes)

Voices (1234 Remixes)

Jun/2025

Long in the Tooth (INHALT 84 Remix)

Long in the Tooth (INHALT 84 Remix)

Jun/2025

Not My Leader (Remixes)

Not My Leader (Remixes)

May/2025

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