Underworld (band)

History

Karl Hyde and Rick Smith first played together in the late 1970s in Cardiff as the Screen Gemz, a band shaped by Kraftwerk and reggae. They later became Freur after adding bassist Alfie Thomas, drummer Bryn Burrows, and keyboardist John Warwicker. This version of the band, known as Underworld Mk1, fell apart in 1990 after a stadium tour opening for Eurythmics left them deep in debt, which Smith spent a year clearing. Hyde stayed in Los Angeles while Smith went back to the UK.

Hyde later said he felt miserable on that tour, explaining that they had twisted their natural sound to chase chart success and were not good at it, describing the band as trapped in the body of another band. They brought in DJ Darren Emerson and signed to Steven Hall’s Junior Boys Own label. After putting out music as Lemon Interupt and Steppin’ Razor, they returned to the name Underworld, now a trio making danceable techno, referred to as Underworld Mk2.

Emerson’s arrival completed their fusion of techno and rock, pushing out the pop elements. Their third album, Dubnobasswithmyheadman, was seen as more accessible and spanned a wide range of dance music. Hyde’s lyrics became poetic, hypnotic, and whispered, blending traditional songwriting with bits from overheard conversations and answering machine messages.

Did You Know?

• In 2008, the band participated in an album called Songs for Tibet to express support for the Tibetan people.
• The album Songs for Tibet was issued on 5 August via iTunes and on 19 August in music stores around the world.