The musical collaboration of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith started in the late 70s when they played in a proto-electroclash project “Screen Gemz”. The group has released one single and collapsed, but both musicians became the members of a new wave band “Freur” in 1981. This formation lasted longer and left a couple of albums, and then on its ruins, and “Underworld” appeared. In the initial composition of “Underground” in addition to Hyde and Smith were the drummer Bryn Burrows (ex-“Freur”), bassist Baz Allen and the master of special visual effects John Warwicker. By changing the sign, the team changed its direction and headed for guitar-oriented pre-funk electropop.
About Underworld
Beginning
In the late '80s, the band released a couple of albums, made under the influence of Prince, “Eurythmics” and “Yello". But if the first one has caused some interest among the public and rose to the 139th Billboard line, then “Change The Weather” left most listeners indifferent. In 1989, the team hit the road in USA, warming up “Eurythmics”. Then the version of “Underworld MK1” ceased to exist.
New Style
After a couple of years, Hyde and Smith reunited and with the participation of DJ Darren Emerson began to record under the name “Lemon Interupt”, but later decided to return to the old brand. However, the style of “Underworld” has now become quite different than before, and this was demonstrated by the album “Dubnobasswithmyheadman”. Having made a U-turn to the progressive techno, the team made a serious bid for success. Updated hypnotic sound of the team enchanted critics and made them burst into enthusiastic reviews.
Even more successful was the issued LP “Second Toughest In The Infants”, but the lion's share of its success was ensured by the single “Born Slippy”, used in the soundtrack of the acclaimed film “Transpointing “.
Other Works
The emergence of “Beaucoup Fish” caused some disappointment among the audience at first, then because of the dancefloor smash hits “Push Upstairs” and “Jumbo” the matter adjusted. Next came a collection of “1992-2002”, and in 2005, “Underworld” pleased their fans with a 3-disc concert “Live In Tokyo”. A new studio disc appeared only after a five-year pause. The album of 2010 “Barking” turned to be more vigorous and the influence of Depeche Mode is noticed.