Ghost Dance (band)

British gothic rock band

Ghost Dance is a British gothic rock band formed in 1985 by Gary Marx (ex Sisters of Mercy guitarist) and Anne Marie Hurst (ex Skeletal Family vocalist) as both were leaving their respective bands. The band were originally signed to Nick Jones' record label, Karbon Records, then were later signed to the major label Chrysalis Records, before splitting up in 1989. In 2019, the band reformed with Hurst being joined by new members Tim Walker (guitar), Stephen Derrig (guitar), Phil Noble (bass), and Dave Wood (drums). They began work on new material. Reunion shows followed in the UK and the band signed to Voltage Records for a new album release in 2022.

Bassist Paul Etchells was hired, and with a drum machine nicknamed 'Pandora', the band set about releasing their debut 12" single, "River of No Return", featuring a cover of Roxy Music's song "Both Ends Burning". By Marx's own admission, the sound quality was poor. Nevertheless, the single was released in early 1986.

The second single to be released was "Heart Full of Soul", a cover of The Yardbirds' song. It was backed with a cover of Golden Earring's hit single "Radar Love". The 12" version of the single had a silver sleeve instead of the pale blue of the 7" single, as well as a bonus track on the A side, a cover of Suzi Quatro's "Can The Can". Steve Smith from Red Lorry Yellow Lorry had been helping the band live and occasionally in the studio, and on this single, contributed by adding backing vocals and extra guitars. The various issues of the singles included a live "Gathering Dust Medley" for the B side. This was a live recording of "The Grip of Love" / "Last Train" / "Celebrate". A promotional German release of this single was released as 'Introducing Ghost Dance'. The band released their debut album, Stop the World (some copies coming with a bonus live 12" single), despite the tensions in the band growing. and despite demoing new songs, such as "Rock It" and "Adrift Without You" with new manager Chris Cooke, the band slowly disintegrated, playing their final concert in Amsterdam, on 4 December 1989.

As of 2009, Hurst had returned to music, potentially playing old Ghost Dance songs. Marx was in contact with Andrew Eldritch in 1995, and wrote several tracks for a studio collaboration, but never heard from Eldritch again. In 2005, Marx released the tracks as the album 1995 and Nowhere. He has also released his own debut album Pretty Black Dots and attempted to reissue Gathering Dust as a remastered CD R, but it was soon withdrawn. Copies of Ghost Dance releases are no longer available. Stop the World occasionally appears on eBay, with the comparably scarcer CD issue often selling for over £40 (the exception is the reissue from Cherry Red Records can still be purchased direct, at retail price). The official Ghost Dance website contains several mp3s of unreleased and rare songs, with extra tracks for forum members. In 2019 Hurst formed a new version of Ghost Dance with ex Harlequyn members Tim Walker, Dave Wood and Phil Noble, joined later by Stephen Derrig of Original Sin. All four new members played several gigs as support to the original Ghost Dance line up in the late 1980's. The new Ghost Dance signed to Voltage Records for an album release in 2023. After two singles, the album 'The Silent Shout' was released on 5th May 2023 worldwide through Voltage and Plastic Head distribution.

Year Title Formats NotesCharts 1986 "River of No Return" 12" compiled on Gathering Dust#16 UK Indie Singles 1986 "Heart Full of Soul" 7", 12" compiled on Gathering Dust#4 UK Indie Singles 1986 "The Grip of Love" 7", 12" compiled on Gathering Dust#19 UK Indie Singles 1987 "A Word to the Wise" 12" #92 UK Singles #4 UK Indie Singles 1988 "Gathering Dust" LP, CR r compilation of 3 Karbon singles#10 UK Indie Albums 1989 "Down to the Wire" 7", 12", CD lead track on Stop the World#66 UK Singles 1989 "Introducing Ghost Dance" 12" German promotional single 1989 Stop the World LP, CD Some LPs contain live 12" single. 1989 "Celebrate" 7", 12", 12" Picture Disc, CD title track on Stop the World#85 UK Singles 2021 "Falling Down" Download / streaming single first single for Voltage Records UK 2022 "Jessamine" Download / streaming single second single for Voltage Records UK 2023 "The Silent Shout" Download / CD / vinyl album Voltage Records UK / PHD worldwide