{"id":1674,"date":"2025-06-26T15:37:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T15:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/?p=1674"},"modified":"2025-06-27T09:50:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T09:50:18","slug":"my-bloody-valentine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/my-bloody-valentine\/","title":{"rendered":"My Bloody Valentine"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"191\" height=\"164\" src=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/My-Bloody-Valentine.png\" alt=\"My Bloody Valentine\" class=\"wp-image-1675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/My-Bloody-Valentine.png 191w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/My-Bloody-Valentine-150x129.png 150w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/My-Bloody-Valentine-50x43.png 50w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/My-Bloody-Valentine-100x86.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 191px) 100vw, 191px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">My Bloody Valentine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lists:<br><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/list-134-the-best-irish-band-of-all-time\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/list-134-the-best-irish-band-of-all-time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Best Irish Bands of All  Time<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My Bloody Valentine is an influential alternative rock band known for pioneering the <strong>shoegaze<\/strong> genre, defined by its swirling guitar textures, dreamy vocals, and dense, immersive soundscapes. Formed in Dublin in 1983 and led by the enigmatic <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kevin_Shields\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kevin_Shields\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kevin Shields<\/a><\/strong>, the band created some of the most groundbreaking and sonically ambitious music of the late 20th century. Their 1991 masterpiece, <em>Loveless<\/em>, is widely considered one of the most important and innovative albums in alternative music history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Formation and Early Years (1983\u20131987):<\/strong><br>My Bloody Valentine was formed in Dublin by <strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kevin_Shields\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kevin Shields<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> (guitar, vocals) and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colm_%C3%93_C%C3%ADos%C3%B3ig\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colm_%C3%93_C%C3%ADos%C3%B3ig\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colm \u00d3 C\u00edos\u00f3ig<\/a><\/strong> (drums), later joined by <strong>Debbie Googe<\/strong> (bass) and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bilinda_Butcher\">Bilinda Butcher<\/a><\/strong> (vocals, guitar). The band initially relocated to the Netherlands and later London, where they started releasing music that drew from punk, gothic rock, and post-punk influences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their early work \u2014 including the mini-album <em>This Is Your Bloody Valentine<\/em> (1985) \u2014 was heavily inspired by bands like The Birthday Party and The Jesus and Mary Chain. These releases hinted at their future sonic experiments but were more conventional than the style they would later become famous for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Breakthrough and Creation Records Era (1988\u20131991):<\/strong><br>Signing to <strong>Creation Records<\/strong> in the late 1980s marked a turning point. They began crafting a revolutionary new sound \u2014 layered, distorted, and atmospheric \u2014 using custom guitar tunings, effects pedals, and innovative recording techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key EPs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>You Made Me Realise<\/em> (1988) \u2013 featured the seminal title track, introducing their signature \u201cglide guitar\u201d sound and dreamy vocals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Feed Me With Your Kiss<\/em> (1988) \u2013 continued their exploration of controlled chaos<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Glider<\/em> (1990) and <em>Tremolo<\/em> (1991) \u2013 experimental and ambient, precursors to <em>Loveless<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Loveless (1991):<\/strong><br>Their landmark album <em>Loveless<\/em>, released in November 1991, redefined the possibilities of guitar music. It took over two years to record and nearly bankrupted Creation Records due to its cost and complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sound &amp; Innovation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shields used <strong>\u201cglide guitar\u201d<\/strong> technique: bending the tremolo arm while strumming, producing a woozy, pitch-shifting effect<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vocals by Shields and Butcher were deliberately buried in the mix, becoming part of the overall texture rather than the focal point<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Songs were built more like sound collages than traditional rock compositions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Notable tracks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cOnly Shallow\u201d \u2013 thunderous drums and dreamy distortion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cWhen You Sleep\u201d \u2013 hazy, euphoric blend of melody and noise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cTo Here Knows When\u201d \u2013 otherworldly and ambient, like sonic fog<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cSoon\u201d \u2013 dance-influenced and blissed-out, later considered a proto-shoegaze-dance crossover<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Impact:<\/strong><br><em>Loveless<\/em> received widespread critical acclaim and became a blueprint for the <strong>shoegaze<\/strong> genre \u2014 characterized by walls of sound, buried vocals, and emotional detachment. Though not a commercial smash initially, it became a <strong>cult classic<\/strong> and one of the most revered albums of the 1990s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hiatus and Legacy (1992\u20132007):<\/strong><br>Following <em>Loveless<\/em>, the band fell into a long period of silence. Shields\u2019 perfectionism and mental health challenges stalled progress on new material. Despite signing with Island Records in the mid-1990s, no new albums emerged, and the band effectively went on <strong>hiatus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During this time, their influence only grew. Artists across genres \u2014 from Radiohead and Sigur R\u00f3s to Smashing Pumpkins, M83, and Slowdive \u2014 cited MBV as a major influence. Shoegaze itself became a touchstone genre for indie and post-rock artists in the 2000s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reunion and <em>m b v<\/em> (2008\u20132013):<\/strong><br>In 2007, My Bloody Valentine reunited for live performances, playing critically acclaimed shows across the world, including Coachella and Primavera Sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2013, more than two decades after <em>Loveless<\/em>, they released <strong><em>m b v<\/em><\/strong>, their long-awaited third album. It was self-released and stunned fans with its continuation of the <em>Loveless<\/em> sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key tracks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cShe Found Now\u201d \u2013 warm, drifting haze of reverb<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cOnly Tomorrow\u201d \u2013 textured, heavy, and anthemic<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cWonder 2\u201d \u2013 chaotic and jet-engine-loud, bordering on drum &#8216;n bass<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>m b v<\/em> received widespread praise for its daring and consistency, proving the band\u2019s legacy was not frozen in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Later Activity and New Material:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kevin_Shields\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kevin Shields<\/a> has confirmed the band has worked on new material since 2018. In 2021, My Bloody Valentine signed their catalogue to <strong>Domino Records<\/strong>, and Shields revealed plans for two new albums \u2014 one described as \u201cwarm and melodic,\u201d the other more experimental. As of 2025, no new album has been officially released, but anticipation remains high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Musical Style and Innovation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Shoegaze pioneers<\/strong> \u2013 blending melody with intense, textured distortion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Abstract lyricism<\/strong> \u2013 dreamlike, often unintelligible, emphasizing mood over meaning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Production wizardry<\/strong> \u2013 analog-heavy, using tape manipulation, pitch bending, and intricate layering<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Genre blending<\/strong> \u2013 touching on noise rock, dream pop, ambient, experimental, and even dance rhythms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Band Members:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kevin_Shields\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kevin Shields<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> \u2013 guitar, vocals, production<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bilinda_Butcher\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bilinda_Butcher\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bilinda Butcher<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 vocals, guitar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Debbie Googe<\/strong> \u2013 bass<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colm_%C3%93_C%C3%ADos%C3%B3ig\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colm_%C3%93_C%C3%ADos%C3%B3ig\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colm_%C3%93_C%C3%ADos%C3%B3ig\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colm_%C3%93_C%C3%ADos%C3%B3ig\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colm \u00d3 C\u00edos\u00f3ig<\/a><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong> \u2013 drums<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite being a collective, Shields has long been the band&#8217;s driving force and sonic architect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Discography:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MrqhQ2n_Sjw&amp;list=RDMrqhQ2n_Sjw&amp;start_radio=1\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MrqhQ2n_Sjw&amp;list=RDMrqhQ2n_Sjw&amp;start_radio=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>This Is Your Bloody Valentine<\/em><\/strong> (1985)<\/a> \u2013 early gothic sound<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=J0wMV83pmDw&amp;list=PLI6kLIhBBwmRpniLcINrFSv0OzMa3gLZo\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=J0wMV83pmDw&amp;list=PLI6kLIhBBwmRpniLcINrFSv0OzMa3gLZo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Isn\u2019t Anything<\/em><\/strong> (1988)<\/a> \u2013 first full realization of shoegaze style<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4nzZeUUiG2c&amp;list=PLfM0RQhM6C7OJKD3RFp592t3nH-OTY545\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4nzZeUUiG2c&amp;list=PLfM0RQhM6C7OJKD3RFp592t3nH-OTY545\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Loveless<\/em><\/strong> (1991)<\/a> \u2013 masterpiece of noise-pop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rBKjhgHGVZs&amp;list=PLXOnlCqloqTSguImVyHlMKiZPlblljXXr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>m b v<\/em><\/strong> (2013)<\/a> \u2013 long-awaited, triumphant return<br><em>+ Several seminal EPs and remastered collections released in later years<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Legacy and Influence:<\/strong><br>My Bloody Valentine is often cited as one of the <strong>most influential bands in alternative music history<\/strong>. They helped define shoegaze and influenced generations of artists across rock, indie, electronic, ambient, and experimental music. Despite a sparse discography, their impact has been immense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bands influenced by MBV include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Radiohead\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Radiohead\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Radiohead<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Smashing_Pumpkins\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Smashing_Pumpkins\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Smashing Pumpkins<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mogwai\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mogwai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mogwai<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BJLcbj80Ka8&amp;list=RDBJLcbj80Ka8&amp;start_radio=1\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BJLcbj80Ka8&amp;list=RDBJLcbj80Ka8&amp;start_radio=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beach House<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deafheaven<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tame Impala<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Slowdive (who reunited after MBV\u2019s comeback)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conclusion:<\/strong><br>My Bloody Valentine remains a singular force in modern music \u2014 mysterious, uncompromising, and sonically visionary. With just a handful of albums, they changed the way guitars, vocals, and distortion could be used as expressive tools. Their music is not just heard; it\u2019s <strong>felt<\/strong> \u2014 a physical, immersive experience that continues to resonate with listeners around the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lists:The Best Irish Bands of All Time My Bloody Valentine is an influential alternative rock band known for pioneering the shoegaze genre, defined by its swirling guitar textures, dreamy vocals, and dense, immersive soundscapes. Formed in Dublin in 1983 and led by the enigmatic Kevin Shields, the band created some of the most groundbreaking and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1675,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-singers-musicians"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1674"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1755,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1674\/revisions\/1755"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}