Figures on a Beach
Figures on a Beach was an American 1980s musical band that played in a style that drew influences from new wave, techno and pop music.History
Figures on a Beach was formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the early 1980s from the ashes of the band Razor 1922. The group was composed of vocalist Anthony Kaczynski, guitarist John "Rik" Rolski, keyboardist Christopher Ewen, bassist Perry Tell and drummer Michael Smith. The group recorded an independent EP, Swimming in 1983, and the Don Was-produced single "Breathless" in 1984.
Figures moved to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1985 and was signed by Seymour Stein of Sire Records soon afterward. They released their first full-length album in 1987, titled Standing on Ceremony. A self-titled LP followed in 1989, containing a hit cover of Bachman–Turner Overdrive's "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and a single titled "Accidentally 4th Street ". The group disbanded in 1991.
Chris Ewen went on to form Future Bible Heroes, a collaboration with Stephin Merritt and Claudia Gonson from The Magnetic Fields. Kaczynski performed Merritt's vocals on Future Bible Heroes' 2013 tour, which Merritt opted to skip. Ewen and Kaczynski are performing on the Magnetic Fields 2017 tour for Merritt's 50 Song Memoir.
Anthony Kaczynski and Michael Smith went on to form Fireking.
Michael Smith currently performs as Smitt E. Smitty and Little Billy Lost.
"Accidentally 4th Street " was covered by The Echoing Green on the band's self-titled album.Charting singles
Discography
Albums
- Paradise And Other Four Letter Words
- Standing On Ceremony
- Figures on a Beach
Singles
- Swimming EP
- "Breathless"
- "In Camera Obscura/Paradise"
- "No Stars"
- "Accidentally 4th St. "
- "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet"
Compilation albums
- Just Say Yes..
- Just Say Mao