Transister

For the semiconductor device, see Transistor.
Transister
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresAlternative rock
Years active1995–1997
LabelsInterscope
MembersEric Pressly
Gary Clark
Keely Hawkes

Transister was a British-American alternative rock band formed in late 1995 in Los Angeles. Despite only having released one album to moderate sales, their work has been featured on a number of film soundtracks. The band was fronted by Keely Hawkes, the sister of English musician Chesney Hawkes and daughter of Len 'Chip' Hawkes, member of English beat group the Tremeloes.

History

Transister's formation was the culmination of various collaborations between songwriter Eric Pressly, former Danny Wilson frontman Gary Clark, and vocalist Keely Hawkes. Hawkes first made use of Pressly's songwriting on her 1993 solo debut for EMI, while Pressly and Clark first worked together in the band King L, releasing album Great Day for Gravity in 1995.[1][2] The three were encouraged by the results of their early songwriting attempts, and decided to release a six-song EP on their own record label.

Transister began to attract major label attention after KCRW DJ Christopher Douridas played a few of the self-recorded tracks on Morning Becomes Eclectic in early 1996. Interscope Records released Transister's self-titled debut in the US in 1997; UK and international distribution was handled by Virgin Records. Tracks from the album were featured on a number of film soundtracks, including Nightwatch (1997), Wild Things (1998), Jawbreaker (1999), Never Been Kissed (1999), Charlie's Angels (2000) and Cheaters (2000). Although members of the band have since gone on to other projects, Hawkes and Pressly maintained a relationship and were married on January 8, 2005.

Their song "Look Who's Perfect Now" entered the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at No. 56 in March 1998.[3][4] "Look Who's Perfect Now" also charted in Australia, where it peaked at No. 76 in June 1998.[5] A second single, "Dizzy Moon" peaked at No. 90 in the UK in July 1998.[3]

Discography

Album

  • Transister (Interscope, 1997 / Virgin Records, 1998)

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[3] 		AUS
[5]
"Look Who's Perfect Now" 1998 56 76 Transister
"Dizzy Moon" 90 —

References

  1. ^ Team, uDiscover (February 18, 2020). "Danny Wilson & Gary Clark - Timeless Scottish Songwriters | uDiscover".
  2. ^ "One L of a reincarnation". The Independent. October 23, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Official Charts > Transister". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  4. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 564. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 284.