Taxi Girl

For the 1977 comedy film, see Taxi Girl (film).
Taxi Girl
OriginFrance
GenresNew wave, pop, alternative rock
Years active1978–1986
LabelsMankin
Virgin
Past membersDaniel Darc
Mirwais
Laurent Sinclair [fr]
Pierre Wolfsohn
Stéphane Erard
Pascal
Phillipe Mongne
WebsiteTaxi Girl Official Site

Taxi Girl were a French new wave band, adopting the New Romantic aesthetics of the time, such as clashing red and black clothing, synthesizer-led songs, and taking influence from mythology and literature. The group existed between 1978 and 1986, producing 5 mini-albums, and one full-length album, Seppuku. Their early success is attributed to two singles, "Mannequin" in 1979 and "Cherchez le garçon" in 1980.

Their music was said to capture the energy of The Stooges, mixed with the retro-futuristic soundscapes of Kraftwerk.[1][2][3] Their most successful album was Seppuku, produced by Jean-Jacques Burnel of The Stranglers; Jet Black drummer of The Stranglers, provided percussion, stepping in after the death of Pierre Wolfsohn. They also toured the UK in 1981, providing support to the Stranglers on their La Folie tour.

After disagreements about how the band should develop musically, Laurent Sinclair [fr] left the group in 1983, to pursue a solo career. Daniel Darc and Mirwais continued under the Taxi Girl name, releasing singles such as "Paris" and "Aussi Belle Qu'Une Balle", until 1986 when they disbanded. In 1985, they contributed a cover of "Stephanie Says" for a Velvet Underground tribute album Les Enfants du Velvet.

Since then, Daniel Darc released several solo albums under his own name. Mirwais collaborated with the group 'Juliette Et Les Indépendants', before being discovered by Madonna in the late 1990s. He then produced her albums Music and American Life, and part of Confession On The Dancefloor, as well as releasing his own solo album Production.

Darc died, at the age of 53, on 28 February 2013.[4] Six years later, on 2 September 2019, Laurent Sinclair, the band's keyboardist and co-composer, died at the age of 58.[5]

Members

  • Daniel Darc – Vocals (1978–1986) (died 2013)
  • Mirwais – Guitar (1978–1986)
  • Laurent Sinclair – Keyboards (1978–1983) (died 2019)
  • Pierre Wolfsohn – Percussion (1978–1981) (died 1981)
  • Stéphane Erard – Bass (1978–1980)
  • Pascal Geneix – Guitar (1978)
  • Phillipe Le Mongne – Bass (1983–1986)

Discography

Albums

  • Cherchez le garçon (1980)
  • Seppuku (1982)
  • Seppuku UK version, with vocals in English and an additional track (1982)
  • Quelqu'un comme toi – Mini Album (1983)
  • Quelque part dans Paris (live) (1990)
  • 84-86 (Compilation) (1990)

Singles – 7"

  • "Mannequin" (1980)
  • "Cherchez le garçon" (1980)
  • "Jardin Chinois" (1981)
  • "Les armées de la nuit" (1981)
  • "La femme écarlate" (1981)
  • "Viviane Vog" – flexi live Manchester 1981 Stranglers (1981)
  • "Quelqu'un comme toi" (1983)
  • "Dites-le fort" + A4 Biography (1984)
  • "Paris" (1984)
  • "Aussi belle qu'une balle" (1986)

Singles – 12"

  • "Man'quin" (1979)
  • "Cherchez le garçon" (1980)
  • "Les armées de la nuit" (1981)
  • "Quelqu'un comme toi" (1983)
  • "Nous sommes jeunes, nous sommes fiers" (1984)
  • "Paris" (1984)
  • "Aussi belle qu'une balle" (1986)
  • "Cherchez le garçon – 4 remixes" (1995)

References

  1. ^ Michka Assayas. "Dictionnaire Du Rock". Taxi.girl.free.fr. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  2. ^ "Taxi Girl (1978–1986)". Taxi.girl.free.fr. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Taxi Girl / 1907". Taxi.girl.free.fr. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Daniel Darc est mort". Lemonde.fr. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  5. ^ "Décès de Laurent Sinclair, un des piliers de Taxi Girl". lefigaro.fr. Retrieved 2 September 2019.

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