Twelfth Night were an English neo-progressive rock band of the 1980s, reformed between 2007 and 2012 and again in 2014. The BBC has described them as Reading's. Find album reviews, stream songs, credits and award information for Art & Illusion: The Definitive Edition - Twelfth Night on AllMusic. Art and Illusion, an Album by Twelfth Night. Released in October 1984 on (catalog no. MFN 36; Vinyl LP). Genres: Neo-Prog. Featured peformers: Brian Devoil (drums.

Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • History [ ] Formation [ ] The seeds of Twelfth Night were sown when guitarist and drummer joined forces on 23 February 1978 to win a talent competition. The road crew included as backdrop painter, and as dry ice engineer.

Devoil's previous musical experience was of various local bands in Reading, including Trash with whom he recorded a single 'Priorities' released by in October the previous year. Revell's previous bands (in ) included Joe Soap and The Bubbles and Abraxas.

Later in 1978, wandered into a rehearsal and asked for a job. Devoil described Mitten as being very good in creating opportunities, convincing them when he said 'you need a bass player'.

Mitten had previously played with local bands in, including Luna Hare. Twelfth Night [ ] Following a couple of gigs as the 'Andy Revell Band', the band changed their name to Twelfth Night. In March 1979, the band completed its first recording which resulted in the 'legendary' demo (Line-up: Devoil, Mitten, Revell).

Later, during the Summer, they played one notable gig: a Midsummer Rock Concert at Reading University where friend Mann guested on vocals. After a couple of open-air concerts in the summer, the band retired to Mann's parents' home in Manchester for rehearsals taking Battersby with them. Xforce Keygen Autocad 2013 more. While there they played a gig in Salford to an audience of 10 year olds. When Battersby and Mann joined the band it was their first musical venture, although Battersby had previously been classically trained in the piano.

However, Mann decided to remain in Manchester to paint and work with a close friend,, in a two-piece 'off the wall' band called the 'God Stars'. So Twelfth Night, having decided to forge ahead as an instrumental band, started gigging in earnest early in 1980. These early gigs were mainly pubs in the Home Counties. Coming to notice [ ] The band's first publicly available material was released in January 1980. This was an album featuring live versions of Fur Helene and Encore along with studio tracks Freddie Hepburn and Sequences. It was only available as a cassette and was named.

Their first major breakthrough came when music paper 'Musicians Only' voted this tape its 'Demo of the Week'. This was followed by an ecstatic gig review and full page article - the band's first national press. To find a vocalist, the band advertised in and during that summer recruited American singer Electra MacLeod. Electra added lyrics to a number of previously instrumental pieces, notably 'The Cunning Man', 'Abacus', 'Keep The Aspidistra Flying' and 'Sequences'. Live recordings of this line-up remain unreleased. The band, with Electra, recorded a second cassette album (known variously as ) which was released to coincide with an autumn tour.

However, this did not work out and Electra left during November 1980. Despite this, a single, jokingly named 'The First 7' Album' (TN001) was released that December featuring Electra's vocal contribution to 'The Cunning Man' and a newly recorded short version of 'Fur Helene'.

Following Electra's departure the band quickly recorded a live album, (TN002). This album was released in February 1981 and was promoted by extensive live dates on a couple of which support was provided by 'God Stars'. This tour included the band's first gigs at the Marquee Club, London. Success [ ] The album Live at the Target was recorded over two days in January. This led to a publishing deal with Neptune - signed in March 1981 - and the initial success of the album prompted Pinnacle Records to offer a distribution deal which meant the band had product available nationally for the first time.