Lithium

Lithium is a United States group known for 1990s rock covers. It has two members, Laura Jean and P.T. Keenan.

Overview

The group forms in 1993 and develops around vocalist and guitarist David Owens after the end of his former band, Texas Flood, with guitarist Jay van Rensburg. Bassist Paul Opie joins, and drummer Simon Portlock is recommended by David Owens. The line-up later changes when Jay van Rensburg leaves and Ian Watson becomes the guitarist. The band is guided and managed by Paris Lucas, who is a DJ in the southern suburbs of Rock venues.

Activity and releases

Lithium gigs extensively in Cape Town before its debut release, a 1994 demo with original songs including “H.I.V”, “Another Boring Sunday Afternoon” and “Obituary”. Around this time, the group stages an experimental concert at Fish Hoek Senior High School as part of its promotion. Its growing profile leads to headline shows across Cape Town, appearances on 5FM’s Battle of the Bands on Barney Simon’s Night Zoo show, magazine and newspaper coverage, and a television interview broadcast around South Africa.

The group later plays at Claremont Civic Hall and then tours Johannesburg, including a performance at “The World On The Edge Concert” hosted by Phil Wright of 5FM. In 1995 it tours Johannesburg and Durban and signs an album and EP deal with EMI.

Recorded work

Lithium’s first official album, Broken, is recorded in Johannesburg and includes “H.I.V”, “Obituary”, “Schizoid”, “More Than Life” and “Guilty”. “Be Strange” also appears on several South African compilation CDs and receives radio play. A third concert at Claremont is recorded and filmed live for mail-order release to fans.

In 1996 the band records the Take Out E.P. in Johannesburg as part of the EMI deal and then joins the Bandslam Tour of South Africa with Nine, Springbok Nude Girls, Sugardrive and Squeal, sponsored by Benson & Hedges and hosted by 5FM’s Barney Simon. The EMI contract is later terminated, and the group continues independently.

During 1997 Lithium tours and writes new material that leads to an independent release recorded in Cape Town. In 1998 it releases Zennon Supertroopers, with tracks such as “Impending”, “Green Scooter” and “Slice”. In 1999 it records the lo-fi Century Depravation, including “Aesop”, “Swarm” and “Big White Beast”.

Later activity

The band’s final regular gig in Cape Town takes place at the end of 1999, after which it retires because record companies do not want to take a chance on rock music. It returns for reunion festivals and gigs in 2005, 2006 and 2008.