{"title":"14 Iced Bears","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 Iced Bears, formed in Brighton in mid-1985, is an influential indie pop band. The original lineup consisted of Rob Sekula on vocals and guitar, Alan White on bass, and Nick Emery on drums. After White's departure, Dominic Minques took over on bass and Kevin Canham joined as rhythm guitarist. Despite ongoing roster changes, the band found stability with their self-titled debut album released in 1988 under Thunderball Records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout their career, 14 Iced Bears experienced several disbandments but also reunions for tours across the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Their music is often associated with other notable bands from the indie pop scene such as Even As We Speak, Razorcuts, Brighter, Another Sunny Day, and The Orchids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDespite their relatively short time together as a band (disbanding in 1991), 14 Iced Bears left a lasting impact on the indie pop genre. With their melodic soundscapes and introspective lyrics combined with energetic performances,\u003cen\u003e\u003c\/en\u003e they continue to be celebrated by fans of alternative music.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"john-peel-session-27-07-87","title":"John Peel Session 27.07.87","description":"\u003cp\u003eThings had changed for 14 Iced Bears by the time of their second Peel session, only eight months after their Maida Vale debut. Half the band had changed – and so had their record label, as they were destined to release the fourth single on the soon-to-be legendary Sarah Records. (It was actually Sarah 5, as 4 was a fanzine … and even 3 was a flexi!. Also not far away was a distinct progression in sound to a more psych-indie feel – but not necessarily on this spectacular outing for Peel, which features a couple of fine examples of the frenetic punk pop (notably the fan favourite ‘Spangle’) that characterised their early output, plus their softer, more reflective side (see the delicious ‘Hay Fever’). Now released on vinyl for the first time, these releases capture a band in momentum from early indie popularity to genre-shaping creations. Features a sleeve essay by Robert Sekula plus printed inners with unseen images plus download codes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Precious Recordings of London","offers":[{"title":"Black 10\"","offer_id":50445724942667,"sku":"2208218","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3392491907_10_041b6ebb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727044181"},{"product_id":"john-peel-session-26-11-86","title":"John Peel Session 26.11.86","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most beloved bands of the C86 era, 14 Iced Bears recorded two Peel sessions during their formative period, when they were mainstays of the UK indie scene focussing on the legendary Big Twang club in Brighton. The group’s first visit to the BBC’s Maida Vale studios in late 1986 coincided with the release of their first single ‘Inside’ and features a magnificent version of fan favourite ‘Cut’ alongside ‘Balloon Song’ (destined to become their second single) and two more tracks, including the never-released ‘Shy(-)Like You’. Released on vinyl for the first time, this Precious release features a sleeve essay by Robert Sekula plus printed inners with unseen images plus download codes. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Precious Recordings of London","offers":[{"title":"Black 10\"","offer_id":50445726417227,"sku":"2208217","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a0274176471_16_1ee66360_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727044201"},{"product_id":"wonder-1","title":"Wonder","description":"\u003cp\u003eLimited edition double album pressed on colour vinyl. Gatefold sleeve, printed inners. Includes 9 track bonus disc that contains tracks from the 'World I Love EP', 'Mother Sleep EP' and 'Hold On EP'. 14 Iced Bears second album 'Wonder' was Originally released in 1991, by now they were listening more to The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Big Star and the 13th Floor Elevators and they had strayed even further from their early indie-pop origins towards spaced out soundscapes, their sound had become notably more psychedelic, with the band drawing deeper on their 60s influences, while still retaining the feel for melody present in their previous work. The subsequent EP 'Hold On \/ 'Summer Nights' \/ 'In The Morning' was to be the band's last release but they went on to support Sterling Morrison and Mo Tucker from the Velvet Underground and Big Star's Alex Chilton on his 1992 solo tour. 14 Iced Bears called it a day at the end of 1992 after Robert Sekula moved back to London, Thereafter their cult status grew, fuelled by CD retrospectives from Overground, Slumberland and Cherry Red. Culminating in 2010 when the band reformed and toured the US.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Optic Nerve","offers":[{"title":"LP | x2","offer_id":50471219069259,"sku":"405171","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2135299a-8431-4293-bc05-9abc6ff3cceb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727395785"},{"product_id":"14-iced-bears","title":"14 Iced Bears","description":"\u003cp\u003eLimited edition double album pressed on colour vinyl. Gatefold sleeve, printed inners. Original album plus 12 track bonus LP including all tracks from their first three singles. The 14 Iced Bears were formed within a vibrant indie scene in Brighton in 1985 by Robert Sekula and drummer Nick Emery, with a punky, DIY pop ethic that held melody as key and technical expertise as less of an issue. They wrote catchy pop songs, recorded with a ramshackle charm that reflected their passion for sixties garage and psychedelia. Inspired by bands like The Byrds, and Velvet Underground this set them apart from their C86 contemporaries. They were spotted at their first gig by-ex Television Personalities bassist Mark Flunder, he decided that he wanted to put out a 14 Iced Bears single on the fledgling Frank Records and Inside, was released in late 1986. On hearing it, legendary BBC 1 Radio 1 DJ John Peel booked them in for a session. His enthusiasm was evident. He made it one of his sessions of the year and praised each track in turn after playing it. 'Balloon Song' was featured in the session and the single version which fronted the bands second single, 'The Importance of Being Frank' EP further consolidated their following. The band toured England and Europe and the press was ecstatic. The late 80s revival of classic guitar-based pop was kind to the 'Bears, and Sekula's talent at penning catchy, twisted melodies earned them a coveted spot as one of the best of the lot. A third single sealed the deal, the raucous 'Come Get Me' on the seminal indie label Sarah Records. The band went on the release their self-titled debut album in 1988; it was a masterpiece of psychedelic pop that turned a lot of heads with it's ambition and skilled songcraft. The album betrayed the influence of sixties psychedelia on the group and became a hit on US college radio.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Optic Nerve","offers":[{"title":"LP | x2","offer_id":50471219626315,"sku":"405170","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/18670b96-f7c2-4032-8fd3-bd0cf40e72b6_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727395805"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_218f4e24_thumbnail_4096_b553f88e-0948-47eb-a3da-a56b6e1241f7.jpg?v=1727044162","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/14-iced-bears.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}