Relish

Relish are a Northern Irish rock band from County Down in the United Kingdom. They are known for classic pop and rock, with soul and gospel influences also described in their music, and they build their sound around direct rock songwriting rather than a single fixed style.

Line-up and background

The band are made up of brothers Ken Papenfus and Carl Papenfus, along with Darren Campbell. Ken and Carl grow up in County Down, while their musical background is shaped by a family record collection that ranges from Ray Charles and Charlie Mingus to The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, and other roots and world music.

The Papenfus brothers are the sons of South African jazz singer Jane Londis, who performs with Golden City Dixies and later releases solo material on EMI. Their father later becomes a doctor of psychology and an author, and he appears as a percussionist on Kwella Kids recordings. The family moves to Belfast after fleeing South Africa’s laws against interracial marriage.

Career

Before Relish take shape, the brothers play in various local bands and develop a reputation as strong instrumentalists. When their line-up falls apart during the demo process, Darren Campbell joins on bass and becomes part of the group’s core. Ken Papenfus, who has already sung backing vocals, ends up singing lead on the demo tracks that help secure management attention and a recording deal with EMI Ireland.

The band record their debut album Wildflowers with John Leckie and later complete it with Al Clay. The album leads to radio hits in Ireland, platinum sales, awards, strong reviews, and high-profile support from musicians including U2’s Larry Mullen and Queen’s Brian May. U2 invite Relish to play at their first Slane Castle concert in front of 80,000 people. They also support Stereophonics, Coldplay, Kelis, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ocean Colour Scene.

The singles Let It Fly and Rainbow Zephyr are notable tracks from Wildflowers. A later single, You I’m Thinking Of, reaches number one on Japan’s international airplay chart, number two on the national airplay chart in Japan, and number seven in Spain. Relish are also played on BBC Radio 1 and are A-listed on BBC Radio 2.

Later releases and activity

The second album Karma Calling reaches gold status, despite receiving less attention in the UK and Ireland than the debut. After leaving EMI, the band take a hiatus. Westlife later record Rainbow Zephyr as Hey Whatever, which becomes a UK top-five hit and a worldwide hit and appears on Westlife’s successful album.

After their split from EMI, Ken and Carl work with the British jazz/funk group The Players, whose membership includes musicians from Paul Weller’s band and Ocean Colour Scene. They also appear on the first two albums by Steafan Hanvey. Ken tours as a guitarist for Paul Weller and appears on his Studio 150 DVD, Darren appears with Weller on the Jonathan Ross Show, and Carl also works with Paul Brady, Hal, Lesley Roy and Juno Falls.

Relish later return with Connected on their own label with major distribution. The band describe this release as sounding like a debut album, and present it as a fresh start after their earlier career.