Silent Running

• Peter Gamble - vocals
• Tony Scott - guitar
• Richard Collett - bass
• Ian Gault - drums
• Clive Gates (1983) - keyboards, later replaced by Alex White

Bio:

Belfast band who'd been active since 1978 as The Setz. The Setz changed image and musical direction at the end of 1981 and renamed themselves Silent Running.

Silent Running recorded a self-released demo single in 1982 with a Setz track on one side and a Silent Running track on the other. Just 300 copies of this demo single were pressed. It was not generally available to the public. Instead it was sent to various labels, DJs, journalists and other contacts within the music business as a calling card for the new band. As such it is now a difficult item to locate.

One DJ who liked what he heard was BBC One's Peter Powell, who invited the band to record a session for his radio program in the Autumn of 1982. This in turn led to interest from Warner Brothers who financed a seven song demo, but the deal being offered wasn't good enough and Silent Running signed instead to EMI. As far as I know the Warner session tracks have never been released.

Silent Running in 1983

Colin Gates joined on keyboards in 1983, the same year the band's first single on EMI was released. This was followed by a series of records during 1984-87 which were criticised for being "forgettable passionless dance-rock". This is perhaps unfair, though their records are sometimes plagued by an over-earnest over-riding seriousness and an overbearing early 1980s production. At their best, they're reminiscent of Simple Minds of the same era.

The band made several TV appearances including The Tube in 1984. Check youtube for details.

Alex White left in 1985 and was not replaced, session players being used as needed. Ian Gault left in 1988 during the recording of the final album and was replaced by Gary Kirby (ex True Colours).

Notes: There is also a US coupling of "Home Is Where The Heart Is" and "Emotional Warfare" on a promo only 12inch on EMI America.

tracks: (UK running order)
Home Is Where the Heart Is
Emotional Warfare
One in a Million Day
Sticks and Stones
That's Life (In the Real World)
Young Hearts
Crimson Days
Shades of Liberty
Go for the Heart

Notes: There is also a US promo with the LP version and a 3:53 edit of "Sanctuary" on Atlantic (PR 2108).

Notes: Was this also released on 12 inch? There is a USA promo 12-inch (Atlantic PR 2215) with edits of "Heartland".

tracks:
Sanctuary
Heartland
Hunger
Heartbreak City
Walk on Fire
Winds of War
Under Your Skin
Till Tomorrow Comes

tracks:
Deep in the Heart of Nowhere
Eveything Your Heart Desires
Angel of Mercy
Strength of Our Love
When Will I Learn?
Flame of Love
Sunshine in the Rain
Local Hero
Deliverance
Something So Wrong

We need your help to correct and/or complete this entry. If you can provide more information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can use, or spare copies of any releases, then please get in touch.