1979- 1981 Illustration

Illustration were described as playing futurist and early electronic music.

The group were together for approximately 3 years, rehearsing mainly in Stockport where the band were based.

They recorded demos for Phonogram and Island Records. A new record label (in 1980), Some Bizzare, planned to release records by Illustration. Unfortunately as with many a creative foray the group disbanded just as their first single was about to be released.

This unreleased single DANCEABLE (IG0011) produced by Martin Hannett is now available on Invisiblegirl Records - January 21 2008 drop.  See news item here.

 

 DANCEABLE is available on Apple Music and most streaming platforms.

Buy on CD with PayPal (both singles)

Illustration 1979
(L-R) Timm Johnson - guitar/synth, Tony Harrison - vocals, Julia Adamson - keyboards, Paul Lancaster - bass and George Terry - drums

Bass player Paul Lancaster, a graphic designer, created sparkling promotional material for the group, including mailers for record companies, one titled 'Front Games For Boardrooms' which was well received and complimented by the likes of producer Tevor Horn amongst others.

 

Illustration toured with groups from the Liverpool scene at the time, such as Pink Military, Echo And The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes where label Zoo Records (owned by Bill Drummond) showed an interest in the group.
They also played the Russel Club in Manchester, Factory Records first venue.

(L) Saul a mime artist friend who performed as a support act to Illustration at their headline concerts and also joined them on stage as a mime occasionally, pictured here with vocalist Tony (R) in 1981

With manager Graham Cooper, the group made various demo's for record companies and agreed to release one of these songs, on a compilation album for 'Futurist' artists.
The song was taken from a demo engineered and produced by Phil Ault and the album was to become a collectors item, as it documented initial releases from many groups, including Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, Blancmange and The The.  There are more details in the catalogue about this release titled 'Some Bizzare Album'.

 

TIDAL FLOW  (IG0005) - the first track on side one, was re-issued on Invisiblegirl Records on December 21 2007 and available from Apple Music and most streaming platforms.

Buy on CD with PayPal (both singles)

A ticket promoting a launch night for the Some Bizzare release.

A poster from the same tour.

Illustration appear on 2020 compilation, 'The Tears Of Technology' on Ace Records with song Tidal Flow.

Illustration appear on 2022 compilation, 'Prophecy + Progress' UK Electronics 1979-1990 - on Peripheral Minimal Records with an unheard song, Dimensions Of Design.

February 2023 - A book from Wesley Doyle about Stevo and The Some Bizzare Album titled 'Conform to Deform', includes a contribution from Illustration and is receiving some great reviews.

In June 2023 Illustration were included in the soundtrack of Apple TV new series The Crowded Room - episode 4, 20 minutes in, you can hear Dimensions of Design, a song from 1979 by the group.

Invisible Girl Music Publishing 2015