Paint My Name In Black And Gold
By Mark Andrews
Paint My Name In Black And Gold is the story of the first five years of The Sisters of Mercy.
Publication date: November 2021
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About the book
'Will entertain anyone with a bottle of black dye lurking in their past' Victoria Segal, Mojo
Leeds, 1980. Amid the violence and decay, the city was home to an extraordinarily vibrant post-punk scene. Out of that swamp crawled the Sisters of Mercy. Over the next five years, they would rise from local heroes to leading alternative band, before blowing apart on the verge of major rock stardom. Their path was strewn with brilliant singles, astonishing EPs, exceptional album tracks and legendary live shows.
Two classic line-ups were created and destroyed: Andrew Eldritch on vocals, Craig Adams on bass, Gary Marx and Ben Gunn – later replaced by Wayne Hussey – on guitars, and a drum machine called Doktor Avalanche. Hussey and Adams styled themselves as the Evil Children and played hard both on and off the stage; neither Gunn nor Marx were natural rock 'n' roll animals, but the latter performed with such abandon that it was hard to believe he also wrote the Sisters' most delicate and beautiful music. Eldritch was the most peculiar and compelling of them all, a singular and mesmerising amalgam of T. S. Eliot and David Bowie who staked a powerful claim to be the greatest rock star of his generation.
Drawing on dozens of interviews with band members and key figures in the Sisters' journey, Paint My Name in Black and Gold is the most complete account yet of how – against the odds and all reasonable expectation – these young men came to make transcendent and life-changing music.
Leeds, 1980. Amid the violence and decay, the city was home to an extraordinarily vibrant post-punk scene. Out of that swamp crawled the Sisters of Mercy. Over the next five years, they would rise from local heroes to leading alternative band, before blowing apart on the verge of major rock stardom. Their path was strewn with brilliant singles, astonishing EPs, exceptional album tracks and legendary live shows.
Two classic line-ups were created and destroyed: Andrew Eldritch on vocals, Craig Adams on bass, Gary Marx and Ben Gunn – later replaced by Wayne Hussey – on guitars, and a drum machine called Doktor Avalanche. Hussey and Adams styled themselves as the Evil Children and played hard both on and off the stage; neither Gunn nor Marx were natural rock 'n' roll animals, but the latter performed with such abandon that it was hard to believe he also wrote the Sisters' most delicate and beautiful music. Eldritch was the most peculiar and compelling of them all, a singular and mesmerising amalgam of T. S. Eliot and David Bowie who staked a powerful claim to be the greatest rock star of his generation.
Drawing on dozens of interviews with band members and key figures in the Sisters' journey, Paint My Name in Black and Gold is the most complete account yet of how – against the odds and all reasonable expectation – these young men came to make transcendent and life-changing music.
As I pledged for Write Your Name High ... and as my four year old son, represents the earliest of the next generation that loves the Sisters, would you be okay with in the front my name appears, but in the back it reads “Aaron Quinton & Noah Quinton”? His favorite songs are Crash and Burn, Doctor Jeep and Lucretia My Reflection. He calls Lucretia the “dance the ghost song”. ;)
Just checking with the publisher ... my kids are 7 and like 'Hey Now Now", "Mundane By Day", "Alice In Her Party Dress" and "No Time To Cry".
Hi, I pledged on the wrong reward - I meant to choose Names Are Just For Souvenirs but clicked on Maybe It's A Way Too Long instead, and managed to go through payment without noticing - is it possible to change it?
No problem Neil - you can upgrade your pledge to the reward you'd prefer. Just head here for more info on how to do this: http://help.unbound.com/unbound-for-readers/managing-your-subscriptions/how-do-i-upgrade-my-level-of-support. I hope this helps! Unbound Support.
Hi, thanks for the reply, but that doesn't work. The pledge I want to change to is the same value as the one I originally made, so that doesn't seem to be included as an 'upgrade'. I just want to change one for another. Can I cancel and start the whole process again?
No problem Neil, I've changed this over for you so you're now down for the Names Are Just For Souvenirs reward level and you'll be able to check this over in your account (unbound.com/account). Apologies, I hadn't realised the levels were both the same price! Please do let us know if we can help with anything else. Unbound Support
Hi - Does the White Rose Babylon pledge level include ‘special playlist curated by the author’; and if it does not, is it possible to add just that item to White Rose Babylon? Thanks for answering, and thanks to Mark Andrews and Unbound! - Geoffrey Rabe
Good question. I don't see why not. Let me check with Unbound ...
I would like to donate more to help get this fully funded. Is there a way we can privately discuss this?
Hi Aaron, Message me/Friend request me on FB? Message me via Heartland, if you are a member? Best, Mark
I would also like to donate substantially more to get this funded having pledged very early on. I don’t do Facebook or MyHeartland, is there another way I can contact you or unbound to discuss this? Thanks
Do you Skype, Chris? Best, Mark
Hi Mark I enjoyed your articles for the Quietus. How's it going with the book? Julian
76%. Less than £4,000 needed. I think we'll get there ... Thanks for your pledge Julian. Best, Mark
I'm surprised (especially after seeing your Quietus pieces) that you didn't get to 100% ages ago. I see you seem to have had good FB coverage (I do a bit of promo work on it). I wonder if there is anything I can do to help spread the news? > is it possible for me to upgrade to the £75 pledge
Some people have upgraded. If it's not straightforward, post another Q and someone at Unbound will pick it up and explain. Best, Mark
Hi Mark, I don’t skype, I’m happy to email directly but I don’t want to post my address on a public forum. I’ve found a way to increase my donation, which I’ve done, but I’d like to speak to you directly as I’m prepared to donate more if we can find a way for me to hear the Hussey demoes without travelling to the Leeds or Brussels events. I’m happy for Unbound to release the email address associated with my account to you directly if that’s a way to start the conversation. Thanks, Chris
OK. I'll ask Unbound for it, Chris. Best, Mark
Hi Mark Will there be photographs and other images in the book? Good luck! Can't wait. cheers Paul
Hopefully. There is some money in the budget for photos. I would only be interested in using unseen or very rare and I'm not sure how far the budget will stretch. I do know a couple of folks who shot the band in this era and haven't ever released the photos. Best, Mark
Hello. I've already accidentally done 2 "Black December" for a total of £40. Can we combine them and add ten for a "White Rose Babylon" . Let me know if you can, thanks
Hi Paul, I've had a look and you've successfully upgraded to White Rose Babylon level, so it looks like you've sorted this now. If you need any more help with your pledge please contact us via support@unbound.com and we'll be happy to help. Unbound Support
Hi Mark how's the book going - got any updates for us?
Knee-deep in final interviews and transcribing at the moment. Most recent was Dave Allen. Frankly, I'm not looking forward to writing about the making of FALAA, although Dave was fantastically funny. The big update will be connected to a piece for The Quietus - I'll be unloading all my Sisters/Psychedelic Furs research: John Ashton, Duncan Kilburn, Les Mills, Howard Thompson and some choice comments from Gary. That's written and I'll be submitting over the summer. It's looking like 8,000 words. Then 7,000 words of footnotes to that will be posted here. In that vein ...If Paint My Name is 85,000, I think White Rose will be at least that again. Also currently negotiating with photographers: there are some amazing never published photos. Can a deal be done within budget? I hope so ... I've seen one more from the band's very first photo session. When I get these interviews taken care of, I'll post more ...
When I ordered the White Rose Babylon edition, I was under the impression it is a hardbound book - but when I read the new description - it only refers to it as a PDF? Can you confirm - as I want a hardbound edition and already paid heavy postage costs for it to ship to USA. Please confirm what the White Rose comes with....is it both a book and a PDF plus a playlist? And yes, please source some great pics for the book. Seeing many great ones online lately.....cheers, Marc
HI Marc, The White Rose Babylon level does include a signed hardback. It's mentioned at the end of the reward description, so apologies if this was confusing! Unbound Support
Hello, when will the book finally be published and sent out? Thanks.
Don't have an exact date ... because once I submit a final manuscript to Unbound(due very soon), there are various editing and design stages + picture sourcing is ongoing. Sometime in 2020 - second half - would be my estimate.
Hi Mark Do you have any more updates / tidbits for us? Julian
I have fixed up a limited edition piece of art that will be available for some pledgers. Update coming soon ... I am pruning some very long draft chapters at the moment. What are you interested in seeing 'leaked'?
Thanks Mark: that's welcome news in itself - wouldn't want to distract you from your work by requesting leaks. Am keenly awaiting the book - like many others I'm sure. {have recently read several early 80's music books by 'respected' authors: its shoddy how totally overlooked SOM are}.
I agree and I think that's why I ended up writing those long articles for tQ. The Sisters are my Dylan or Beatles, so I'm quite unapologetic about giving them that level of scrutiny. The band have been so neglected in book form that even when Simon Reynolds savaged them in "Rip It Up ..." his book on postpunk, it was still good to see a great music writer approaching the band in a serious manner!
Hi I pledged a while ago to receive the hardback book and ebook. After visiting the site today and seeing the two upgrades still available, i pledged an extra £5 thinking it would add the playlist onto my order (as i was already down for the ebook) Instead, I seem to have inadvertently removed the hardback book I had originally ordered - I'm gutted. How can I correct this please as I really wanted the physical book. Davina
I think someone at Unbound can 'restore' you and make sure you get what you need. I think someone reads these Qs as well as me, so you should hear back in this thread. If not, I'll pass you message on. Best, Mark
Hi, I’ve had the book delivered - thanks- but how do I access the other benefits of the white rose Babylon , which I pledged (pdf, dodging all book etc )
Hi Steve, The other digital rewards are being sent out via mailout this week! Keep an eye on your inbox!
Hi recieved my book yesterday , hod do I get the rewards and the playlist ? Andy
Hi Andrew, The other digital rewards are being sent out via mailout this week! Keep an eye on your inbox!
Hi, just wondering when the ebook will be released please.
Hi Dom, We are just waiting on the final ebook files to be delivered and will be releasing them soon!
I ordered a signed book, not a signed miniature sticker, please advise as there is a big difference
Hi Tony, Bookplates were used on this occasion as the author lives abroad and arranging a signing of the books was not possible due to ongoing covid restrictions. This bookplate is personally signed by the author. We understand that this is not the same as a signed book, but it’s the safest and quickest alternative to still enable you to have a signature inside your copy.
Hi, I’m on White Rose Babylon tier. Received my signed hardback, and got links the Spotify playlist, which I am endeavouring to replicate in Apple Music, and also a link to the “repaint” / redux ebook. This only seems to contain footnotes but not the actual text of the book itself. Should there be an additional link to this? Would be easier if this is all in one place as it will be nigh on impossible to understand what’s going on otherwise
The PDF extra is just footnotes. I think they make sense once you've read the book. The eBook was sent out by Unbound by email last Saturday, so you should have that in various formats. If not, then Unbound need contacting.
Hi, is the eBook version available yet? I still haven't received the email to download it.
Was sent out by email in various formats last Saturday. If that isn't in spam or Inbox, you'll need to contact Unbound.
Hello again Mark, loved the book enormously, and am now deeply regretting not signing up for the White Rose Babylon pdf. Never having even been to Leeds, I am surprised at how interesting I found everything that was going there back then. Is there any way to get access to this now the pledging is all closed? As before, happy to discuss offline if you prefer to get my email from Unbound. Thanks again, and what a fantastic piece of work you have produced!
Thanks Chris! I've answered the next Q.
Hi Mark, is there any way to access the White Rose Babylon pdf now that the pledging has all closed? I absolutely loved the book, and rather surprised myself with how interesting I found all the goings on in Leeds in that era aside from the band history, despite never having been there. I only pledged for the book itself initially. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Try support@unbound.com That pledge level has closed but it might just be the matter of an update and being emailed the PDF.
Per your reply, you knew the author lived abroad when soliciting pledges. My 2 pledges were for signed books not book plates, per the rewards. I could have ordered the same thing through Rough trade.
Hi Tony, The changeable travel restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic made this very difficult to arrange. Through Unbound you also had access to all of the authors updates throughout the process as well as the ebook. The bookplates are the best option of getting a handsigned signature to the supporters during this ongoing situation.
Hi Mark, until now no book arrived at my home, what's the problem? Ordered in 2018,well that's quite some time ago!
Hi Jan, Thank you for reaching out. I can see that your order was dispatched on 2nd November. As so much time has passed the tracking link is no longer active. But please do contact support@unbound.com so that we can look into this for you. Best wishes, Lena