Gleaming Spires


Gleaming Spires was an American new wave pop group in the 1980s.

Background

Performing as Bates Motel, they were enlisted by brothers Ron and Russell Mael to be a part of the 1981–85 incarnation of their band, Sparks. After completing demos with neophyte producer Stephen Hague, principal members Leslie Bohem and David Kendrick recruited fellow Sparks members Jim Goodwin and Bob Haag to form Gleaming Spires with the blessing of the Mael brothers.
Following promotional materials by graphic artist Kevin J. Walker, they were signed to Posh Boy Records on the strength of what had been intended by the group as a non-LP B-side, "Are You Ready for the Sex Girls". "Sex Girls" became a hit on Los Angeles' KROQ-FM radio station and was later featured in the films The Last American Virgin and Revenge of the Nerds, the latter of which also featured the Gleaming Spires song "All Night Party". The cover art for Gleaming Spires' Walk on Well Lighted Streets album was designed by artist Mark Kostabi, who later went on to design album covers for Guns N' Roses and the Ramones.
Though the band's three studio albums have never been reissued on CD, "Are You Ready for the Sex Girls" has been featured on numerous various artists compilation albums, including Rhino Records' . In 2014, the Gleaming Spires' debut album, Songs of the Spires, was remastered and reissued on 180 gram LP by the Futurismo Inc. label, in two different color variations. The package was housed in a gloss laminate sleeve, featuring new artwork from original illustrations by artist Kevin J. Walker, and included an Artzine booklet, as well as one bonus track, "Walk Right."

Members

Albums