Skullflower

/Skullflower

Band

Skullflower

Details

Genre
Doom/Drone/Stoner
Year Formed
1988
Country
UK

About

Skullflower, one of the most important and influential British noise bands, formed in 1988. They are eternally led by Matthew Bower, the current lineup featuring Lee 'Culver' Stokoe and Samantha Davies. Recent studio recordings and concerts have featured original drummer / vocalist Stuart Dennison.

The band originally evolved from a group of occasional, floating players working under various guises, which became Skullflower prior to the release of the debut 'Birthdeath' EP on Broken Flag records in 1988. This first record featured the following line-up: Stefan Jaworzyn, Gary Mundy (of the seminal Ramleh), Matthew Bower and Stuart Dennison.

The first full-length Skullflower album 'Form Destroyer' (released on Broken Flag records in 1989, re-released with extra tracks as 'Ruins' on Shock records in 1990) featured the same central line up alongside additional musicians including Anthony Di Franco (Ramleh, Ax, Novatron) on bass and Stephen Thrower (Coil) on drums (2 tracks).

The follow-up album 'Xaman' was released on Stefan Jaworzyn's Shock imprint in 1990. featured Mathew Bower (Guitar/Bass) Stuart Dennison (Drums /Vocals) Stefan Jaworzyn's (Guitar) and Alex Binnie international Tatto guru (Bass). However, creative tensions within the band soon lead to Jaworzyn leaving following it's release.

In 1991 Skullflower entered the studio to record the 'Third Gatekeeper' album, the line-up this time featuring Matthew Bower (Guitar), Stuart Dennison (Drums, Vocal, Piano, Guitar) and Anthony Di Franco (Bass). The album was released in 1992 on HeadDirt, and re-released in 2007 on Crucial Blast records. Shortly after this Lp, Anthony Di Franco was replaced by Russell Smith (Guitars, ex Terminal Cheesecake, God, A.R.Kane) for the following releases.