Pale Saints were an English alternative rock and shoegaze band formed in 1987 in Leeds by singer-bassist Ian Masters, guitarist Graeme Naysmith and drummer Chris Cooper.

History

The group began as a jangly indie pop band influenced by Primal Scream's early sound. By the time they recorded their first EP, Barging Into the Presence of God, released in 1989, the band went into a direction that displayed a mix of Ian Masters' ethereal, choirboy-like vocals along with dark atmospheric and noisy pop tunes. Ashley Horner from Edsel Auctioneer briefly joined the band on guitar in the same year. The album includes a cover version of "Fell from the Sun" by Opal.

In late 1990, Meriel Barham, the original vocalist of Lush, joined the band as second guitarist and vocalist.

Guitarist Graeme Naysmith died on 4 April 2024.

Post-band projects

Masters continues to create music, often of an experimental nature. His first project after Pale Saints was Spoonfed Hybrid with former A.C. Temple member Chris Trout. Naysmith died on 4 April 2024.

Barham has gone on to record melodic electronica under the name Kuchen. She has released two albums on the Karaoke Kalk label: Kids with Sticks in 2001 and the collaboration Kuchen Meets Mapstation in 2003 with Stefan Schneider of To Rococo Rot (who also records as Mapstation).

Horner is a film producer based in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Browne went on to play with Warm Jets, Rialto,

  • Slow Buildings (August 1994) US CMJ No. 25

Compilation albums

  • Mrs. Dolphin (10 January 1991), Japanese release containing Barging Into the Presence of God and the Half-Life EPs with the tracks "Colours and Shapes" and "A Deeper Sleep for Steven"

Singles/EPs/demos

  • "Children Break" (1988)
  • Barging Into the Presence of God EP (September 1989) UK Indie No. 3 UK No. 135
  • Half-Life EP (October 1990), 12" contains a bonus spoken-word track "Colour of the Sky" UK No. 86
  • "Kinky Love" (1991) (12" issued as Flesh Balloon EP) (June 1991) UK No. 72
  • "Porpoise" (1991)
  • "Throwing Back the Apple" (May 1992) UK No. 93
  • Fine Friend EP (August 1994)
  • "Fine Friend" (1994), US promo including "One Blue Hill" live acoustic @ KCRW