Картер USM: Инди-панк тобының тарихы

English indie punk band

Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (also known as Carter USM or simply Carter) were an English indie rock band formed in 1987 by singer Jim "Jim Bob" Morrison and guitarist Les "Fruitbat" Carter. They made their name with a distinctive style of power pop, fusing samples, sequenced basses and drum machines with rock 'n' roll guitars and off beat wordplay loaded lyrics. They reached the height of their fame in 1992. Over the following years the band took on new members, reaching a six piece, but struggled to regain their earlier popularity. They initially split up in 1998 after releasing seven albums.

Based in Lambeth in South London, England, Carter and Morrison originally played in an indie band called Jamie Wednesday, which released two singles – "Vote For Love" and "We Three Kings of Orient Aren't". Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine was formed on Thursday 6 August 1987, when Carter and Morrison were the only band members to turn up for a charity gig at the London Astoria, and went on stage to perform as a duo with backing tapes. The debut single "A Sheltered Life" was released later in 1988 on the Big Cat label, but it was not until the second single "Sheriff Fatman" was released in 1989 that the band began to receive recognition.

In 2001 and 2002, Jim Bob and Fruitbat toured as Who's The Daddy Now? The pair's two bands, Jim's Super Stereoworld and Abdoujaparov, would play a set each, after which the pair combined to perform a number of Carter USM songs. On 4 March 2007, almost ten years after the band last performed, Carter USM's original two man line up played a set of four songs as part of a gig to celebrate the life of Darren 'Wiz' Brown, former frontman of the Mega City Four, who had died in December 2006. The band had been booked to play acoustically but surprised the audience by playing a traditional electric set at the last moment. Due to the success of this performance, Carter reunited for two 'farewell' gigs later that year. The first show took place on 2 November 2007 at London's Brixton Academy with support from The Sultans of Ping. Another concert was later arranged, which took place at Glasgow Barrowlands on 20 October 2007. This was recorded for the "Back in Bed With Carter" DVD that contained the whole concert, along with an interview and rehearsal footage. Support at The Barrowlands came from The Frank and Walters and Chris T T. The reunion celebrated twenty years since the band's foundation and ten years since their split. The gigs were performed as the original two piece of Fruitbat and Jim Bob. To coincide with the reunion EMI released a two CD anthology, You Fat Bastard, compiled by Jim Bob and Fruitbat. The songs were digitally remastered at Abbey Road studios. This was released in conjunction with the majority of their back catalogue (albums and promo videos) being made available digitally for the first time by EMI. On 6 February 2008, Jim Bob and Fruitbat hinted at the possibility of further Carter USM gigs when they sent an email to members of the band's mailing list. Two dates were then announced for Birmingham Academy and Brixton Academy for 21 and 22 November 2008. Support came from EMF at both gigs. Two further sell out gigs followed in London in November 2009, titled "The Drum Machine Years". Further concerts followed in November 2011, with the band playing Manchester Academy on Friday 18 November and London O2 Academy Brixton on Saturday 19 November. In February 2012, more reunion concerts were announced, in Leeds O2 Academy on 9 November and London O2 Academy Brixton on Saturday 10 November. EMI also announced re mastered versions of the albums 30 Something and 1992 – The Love Album to coincide with these concerts. Carter announced in February 2014 that they would play another one off gig at the Brixton Academy on 22 November that year, billed as the final ever Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine live show – The Last Tango in Brixton. Due to popular demand, a further date was added at Shepherd's Bush Empire on 21 November.

Year Title UK US Alt 1988 Oct "A Sheltered Life"–––– — 1989 Nov "Sheriff Fatman"–––– 101 Damnations 1990 Jun "R. u. b. b. i. s. h"–––– — Oct "Anytime Anyplace Anywhere"83––– 30 Something 1991 Jan "Bloodsport for All"48––– Jun "Sheriff Fatman" (Reissue)23––29 101 Damnations Oct "After the Watershed (Early Learning the Hard Way)"1112421– — 1992 Jan "R. u. b. b. i. s. h" (Reissue)14–13– Apr "The Only Living Boy in New Cross"7701826 1992 – The Love Album Jun "Do Re Me So Far So Good"22––– Nov "The Impossible Dream"21––– 1993 Aug "Lean on Me I Won't Fall Over"16––– Post Historic Monsters Oct "Lenny and Terence"40––– 1994 Feb "Glam Rock Cops"24––– Starry Eyed and Bollock Naked Nov "Let's Get Tattoos"30––– Worry Bomb 1995 Jan "The Young Offender's Mum"34––– Sep "Born on the 5th of November"35––– Straw Donkey