Band Biography
Cyclops Records (1999-2008)
The history of The Pineapple Thief began with a brief hiatus in the history of another band: Vulgar Unicorn. While taking an extended break after recording sophomore album “Sleep With The Fishes” (1996) with musical partner Neil Randall (Persona Non Grata, Schloss Adler), Bruce felt the need to concretize his musical ideas into an album – of his own, if need be. Having a contract with UK progressive label Cyclops, as well as his own personal studio (the Dining Rooms) operating out of his home in Yeovil, this idea was less than far-fetched.
Abducting The Unicorn (1999)
Within the span of a couple of months, he had completed TPT’s tentatively-titled first album “Abducting The Unicorn” (1999), performing all parts himself in addition to mixing and mastering the CD. The ‘band’ was created under a variety of cinematic pseudonyms, taking it’s name from a line in a 1997 Samuel L. Jackson film, “Eve’s Bayou”. The CD art, featuring a baby on the cover, was originally titled “Abducted At Birth”. This was then altered by a marketing decision by then-label Cyclops to tie-in with Vulgar Unicorn.
137 (2001)
Initial success overseas, particularly in the Netherlands, as well as online fan support and third-party label interest pushed Bruce to follow up “Unicorn” with a musical re-invention for the band – “137″ (2001). Stating work with producer/artist Steve Coe (Monsoon, Sheila Chandra) as a significant influence, Bruce injected The Pineapple Thief with more musical sophistication and accessible production. TPT’s ‘bittersweet sound’ developed most in this period, while taming its psychedelic and droney experimentations. Around this time, Bruce took TPT’s music live for the first time in London in September 2001 at the Water Rats venue.
Variations on a Dream (2003)
Live shows would occur infrequently over the next 2 years under a variety of pseudonyms (“Collapsar”, etc.) in an attempt to focus the band’s direction. During this formative period, a number of TPT rareties were released: “Sherbert Gods” (2001), and a handful of one-off recordings that would surface on later releases (“Live”, “12 Stories Down”, and “10 Stories Down”). Bruce began an orchestral/acoustic project in 2002, during which he endured the passing of a close personal friend. The album “Variations On A Dream” (2003) came as a result, featuring powerful and emotive songs that expanded their fanbase considerably and garnered further international attention. According to Bruce, the “8 Days” project came from a pressing order surplus that he was requested to fill by Cyclops with bonus material. The product of writing, recording, and mixing a song a day for 8 days was included with the first 1000 copies of “Variations”, and remains highly sought-after by fans.
Bruce, in a pivotal decision, formed the live band for TPT around this time with musical colleagues and old friends from university. Present members Jon Sykes (featured on a track in “Variations”), and Keith Harrison were recruited, alongside TPT alumni Wayne Higgins and Matt O’Leary. Careful planning of the band’s second (first officially as TPT) venture into live performances led to 3 memorable gigs at Whitchurch, Rotherham, and a prog festival in Royan, France, a combination of which are presented in the DVD/CD release of “Pineapple Thief – Live 2003″ that same year. The audio CD contains most of the previously unreleased material from 2002.
12 Stories Down (2004)
Not one to rest on laurels, Bruce set to work almost immediately on the follow-up to “Variations”. “12 Stories Down” (2004) attempted to veer away from the sample-based, solo production of previous TPT albums by including the live band members in the recording process. This album featured artwork by a local UK artist, and included the sequel project “8 Days Later” with the initial CD pressings.
Documenting the progress of the album on their website, the band endured several obstacles to the completion and release of their music from this time period. Most notably, 100 copies had a glaring mastering error affecting sound quality, and the initial run of 1000 copies were pulled by Bruce after negative fan reaction. Handing mastering duties to good friend Steve Kitch, TPT took the next 6 months to re-order and re-master the tracks from “12 Stories”, incorporating fan feedback and renewed aplomb. The resulting “10 Stories Down” (2005) was successfully released with a slightly amended “8 Days Later”. According to Bruce, the whole process made it “emotionally speaking, the hardest album.. because it took a long time to get it to sound any good.” This album also marked the last recorded in his original studio.
Little Man (2006)
2005-2006 saw the departure of Matt, replaced by Steve Kitch, on keyboards. The new lineup took TPT music to North America and debuted new material for the next release in progress. Incorporating fan participation into the song ‘Snowdrops’, the album “Little Man” (2006) was marred by the loss of Bruce’s premature son Felix. Songs are varied, but thematically linked to the titular character, and for the most part feature a maturity in composition and performance. The following year, TPT released their final Cyclops album “What We Have Sown” (2007) as less a song-based album than a gift of experimentation and sonic exploration for fans. Affectionately dubbed “8 Weeks Later”, the entire project was completed in 8 weeks.
Kscope (2008-present)
Tightly Unwound (2008)
TPT signed with Kscope in mid-2008 after more international live gigs and released “Tightly Unwound” (2008), an edgier, more powerful sounding CD than their past efforts. Several songs not included with the album and alternate versions saw the light of day in the form of “The Dawn Raids” Vols 1 & 2 (2009), while the band continued to hone their live show with the addition of Mark Bowyer in charge of their front-of-house sound. This prolific period also saw the release of “3000 Days” (2009) – a retrospective compilation of selected TPT tracks from their whole back catalogue, re-mixed and re-mastered by Bruce and Steve.
The trend towards restoring older material, and allowing newer fans access to long-deleted material selling for extreme markups online, led Bruce and Kscope to begin re-mastering TPT’s Cyclops-era albums one by one. Beginning with “Little Man” (re-issued 2009), the band have also tackled “10 Stories Down” and “Variations On A Dream” (both re-issued 2010), including their respective bonus “8 Days” discs.
Someone Here is Missing (2010)
2010 heralded the release of “Someone Here Is Missing” (2010) to great critical acclaim. Although TPT’s history has been fraught with the constant battle between evolving the band’s sound and not alienating their loyal fanbase, it can be safely said that “Someone” has garnered the band a wealth of new fans and exposure. Continuing the edgy, more contemporary feel of their Kscope debut, the latest album features larger-than-life soundscapes and a confident sense of musicianship from all band members.
With cover art designed by famed artist Storm Thorgerson (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Muse) and the support of award-winning music videos, the band is establishing itself as an industry force to be reckoned with. Hot on the heels of “Someone Here Is Missing” came the “Show a Little Love” EP (2010) featuring 4 new tracks as part of an ambitious 16-minute set-piece (a trademark of the band), and the official live recording of their European 2010 tour “Someone Here Is Live” (2010) including songs from as far back as “Variations” in the track list.
Continuing their storied 13-year journey, TPT have released (through MOJO magazine) a cover of Pink Floyd’s ‘Money’ (2011) recorded at Real World Studios, as well as continued touring in the UK for the latter half of 2011. Kscope hosted a live performance at the Union Chapel featuring a 30-minute acoustic set by Bruce alongside labelmates NoSound and Anathema.
New record (2012-present)
Bruce and the band are currently in the studio working on their next studio album, due to be released in September 2012. A promotional EP will be released in Spring 2012 comprised of new material. Progress can be followed on Twitter and at their website, http://www.thepineapplethief.
Biography written by Will Torrens
