Gene Loves Jezebel

Gene Loves Jezebel is a Welsh gothic rock band from the United Kingdom, active since 1980. The group is founded by twin brothers Michael Aston and Jay Aston, and its early line-up also includes guitarist Ian Hudson and a drum machine. The band begins under the name Slav Aryan before adopting Gene Loves Jezebel. The Astons grow up in Porthcawl, South Wales, and move to London in 1981.

Early releases and line-up changes

After relocating to London, the band plays live and signs to Situation Two. The label releases the demo and the single “Shaving My Neck” in 1982. Julianne Regan later joins on bass, before Ian Hudson returns to bass duties and Albi DeLuca takes over guitar. The group goes through many line-up changes in its early years, with the twins remaining the central figures.

Gene Loves Jezebel issues two further singles in 1983, and its debut album Promise reaches number 8 in the UK indie chart. In 1984 the band records a John Peel session for BBC radio and tours the United States with John Cale. The second album, Immigrant, follows in 1985.

Commercial period in the mid-1980s

During a US tour for Immigrant, Ian Hudson suffers a nervous breakdown and is replaced by former Gen X guitarist James Stevenson. In 1986 the band moves to Beggars Banquet Records, with US distribution through Geffen Records. This period brings stronger chart results: “Sweetest Thing” reaches the UK Top 75, and Discover reaches number 32 in the UK Albums Chart. The band also gains radio play on college and alternative stations in the United States, and its sound shifts further towards dance-influenced material. “Desire” and “Heartache” both receive heavy play on KROQ in Los Angeles. Chris Bell later joins as the band’s fifth drummer.

The fourth album, The House of Dolls, appears in 1987 and produces the singles “20 Killer Hurts” and “The Motion of Love,” both of which make a mark on the US pop charts. “Suspicion” also appears on the Billboard Hot 100.

Split, separate projects and reunions

By 1989 the band’s more polished pop direction leads to a split between Michael and Jay Aston. Michael leaves and pursues solo work, while Jay continues using the Gene Loves Jezebel name. Jay records Kiss of Life in 1989 and later Heavenly Bodies, which reaches number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. After that period, the project ends following poor sales and the collapse of Savage Records.

Michael works with members of Scenic, forms the Immigrants, later renamed Edith Grove, and releases the acoustic solo album Why Me, Why This, Why Now. In the 1990s Michael and Jay work together again and record two tracks for the compilation From the Mouths of Babes on Michael Aston’s Bonnaire Records, issued in 1995. A reunion tour follows in 1997, but the brothers then enter a legal dispute over the Gene Loves Jezebel name. Michael later holds the exclusive rights to the name and trademark.

Later releases

Michael Aston continues to tour under the Gene Loves Jezebel name and releases Love Lies Bleeding, Live in Voodoo City, Giving Up the Ghost and Exploding Girls between 1999 and 2003. The band’s membership across its history also includes Stephen Davis, Snowy White, Jean-Marc Lederman, Peter Rizzo, Robert Adams, Chuck Garric, Marcus Gilvear and Albie de Luca.