Before There Was Garbage, There Was Angelfish

The story goes that Angelfish was born out of MCA Records request for an album with Shirley Manson on lead vocals. At the time, Manson was in the band Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie, a band that MCA Records didn’t want to commit anything more to as a label.

The Mackenzies’ record label boss, Gary Kurfist, signed Manson as a solo artist with the remaining members of Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie performing as her backing band. Thus circumventing the band’s existing deal with MCA Records.

And on this day in 1994, the band known as Angelfish released their self-titled debut and only album.

The album starts off strong with the fierce “Dogs in a Cage” with its thumping drums and ripping guitar. Manson’s vocals are whispery and ominous. It was a much heavier, industrial sound that wasn’t heard from Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie. 

Up next was the single that caught everyone’s attention, “Suffocate Me”. A sexy, slinky number that reminds me of a mix of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Chrissie Hynde. It shot up college radio charts and the video was shown extensively on MTV’s 120 Minutes. The video caught the attention of Garbage co-founder Steve Marker.

Manson was asked to join Garbage and the rest is history…but let’s finish talking about Angelfish.

“You Can Love Her” has a real Pixies-vibe to it. It’s a fantastic cover of the Holly Vincent song. “King of the World” is a fantastically classic 1990’s alternative music with punchy guitars with enough synth behind it to drive home a pogo dance feel. 

Did I mention that two of the greatest alternative artists ever produced the album? Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz (Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club) were behind the board on the album and their experience and musicianship certainly helps drive the music.

The dark, singalong “Mummy Can’t Drive” is a fun, moody track that again allows Manson to shine. The back and forth in the chorus between Manson’s vocals and the echoing of the guitar is fantastic.

This is a highly underrated album that gave Manson her voice out in front of the band and catapulted her into stardom. And while I’m thrilled that Garbage found it’s singer, I’d have been cool with a few more albums from Angelfish.