Not the greatest name for a band. Or do you disagree with me? Religion. Is that a good name?

Hard to google in any case. So bear with me as I try to find out more information about them.

We know they were active in the late 80s. I know them through a compilation called “The Jamboree Bag” that was released in 1987 by Primitive Records (Prime 19). This label was based in Surrey and had released Mega City Four and The Trudy as well as other bands which I’m not familiar with.

“The Jamboree Bag” includes aforementioned The Trudy, which is a band I’m familiar with. But again, I don’t know the rest of the bands, Shout Girl Shout, Le Modular, Heyday, Cha Boom Cha, Magnolia Siege or Hallmark.

Religion appears on this vinyl compilation with the first track which is titled “So Brand New”. It is a very good pop song, with very nice guitars and good melodies. The sleeve of the record doesn’t give us much information about the band or the release. On the labels we find that the person who wrote the Religion song is called Kevin White.

Kevin White also had a release in 1987 as Kevin White and the Yellow Parade, also on Primitive Records. It is a 7″ single with two tracks, “Commuters Dance” and “(A Bit of a Dancer) Sometimes”. It is quite different to Religion, the songs here are proper synthpop.

Religion appeared on a few other compilations in those late 80s.

In 1988 their song “Hope” appears on “The Trance Compilation” a tape released by Being Cut (BC001) and Primitive Records. On this tape we see some bands I know like Shiny Two Shiny or Jesus Couldn’t Drum.

A year later, 1989, the band contributes “Too Many Secrets” on a tape comp called “Welcome to the Dreamhouse” released by Being Cut (BC002). The song seems to date from the early days of Religion. Also notice that Graham Simmons is credited (as well as Kevin White) on the song. Graham from The Cardiacs?

In 1990 the band appears with “21st Century Man” on “Individual Pop : Delay”. This is a tape released in Germany. But no more information about the band is given.

I haven’t been able to find the songs from the last two compilations, only the first 2. And I really liked them.

Not much more online sadly about them. So hopefully some friends do have more info and hopefully can shed some light about this obscure band that left us some very nice songs.

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Listen
Religion – So Brand New