Halliday and Garcia were introduced to each other by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. Dean Garcia had played bass guitar as part of Eurythmics' live band in 1983–84 and on two of their studio albums, Touch and Be Yourself Tonight. Toni Halliday was signed to Stewart's Anxious Records label as a solo artist. She also sang with The Uncles and Bonk in the early 1980s.
Toni Halliday and Dean Garcia briefly formed the unsuccessful group State of Play in the late 1980s before parting ways. She attempted a solo career, releasing the album Hearts & Handshakes in 1989. The album was produced by Toni Halliday and Alan Moulder, who later got married. Alan Moulder also produced music for artists like Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and My Bloody Valentine.
In 1991, Halliday reunited with Garcia to form Curve. Their alchemy the second time around created sonically charged music, setting heavy beats and Garcia's densely-layered guitar tracks and feedback against Halliday's airy vocalization of lyrics that frequently explore such topics as alienation, addiction and love on the wane. Curve released three acclaimed EPs throughout 1991 on Stewart's label Anxious Records: Blindfold EP, Frozen and Cherry. These EPs will be included on the compilation Pubic Fruit, issued a year later.
In 1992, Curve released their debut album Doppelgänger. The group also toured extensively during this period, with Halliday and Garcia being supported on stage by the additional guitarists Debbie Smith and Alex Mitchell, plus the drummer Steve Monti. Songs such as "Horror Head", "Coast Is Clear" and "Faît Accompli" brought them critical acclaim and built a solid fanbase for the group.
Their sophomore studio album, Cuckoo, was issued in 1993. The album was a musically more varied but significantly darker release than their debut. On their first two albums, Curve worked with producer Flood (U2, Smashing Pumpkins). Also in 1993, it saw the light of the day the live compilation Radio Sessions.
After nearly a decade and a half of partnership the band split in 1994. During their hiatus, Halliday formed the band Scylla. Their track "Helen's Face" was featured on the Showgirls soundtrack. Garcia began a solo project under the name Headcase.
Toni Halliday also collaborated with other artists, most notably with Leftfield on the track "Original", with Recoil on two songs, "Edge to Life" and "Bloodline" from Bloodline, with The Future Sound of London on the song "Cerebral", with Paul van Dyk on "Words (Curved Headcase Mix)" and with DJ? Acucrack on the song “So To Speak”.
In 1996, the single "Pink Girl With the Blues", marked Curve's official return, followed by the EP Chinese Burn. In 1997, the band released their fourth studio album Come Clean. Curve also contributed the track "Nowhere" to Greg Araki's movie of the same name. Halliday married producer Alan Moulder.
In 2001, the band released on the internet the compilation Open Day at the Hate Fest. This album contained music recorded by Curve since their reformation in 1996. In the same year, the band released the critically acclaimed album Gift. The single "Hell Above Water" has gained the highest public profile as a result of its use in trailers for the 2002 film Spider-Man and the 2008 film Iron Man.
Their final album was 2002's The New Adventures of Curve, released only over the internet. In 2004 The Way of Curve, a best-of compilation was released, featuring their most popular songs and singles, as well as rare B-sides and fan favorites. Halliday announced on their official web site in early 2005 that the group split again.
After the split, Toni Halliday started a solo project entitled Chatelaine and released the album Take a Line For a Walk in 2010.
Dean Garcia founded SPC ECO in 2007 with his daughter Rose Berlin on lead vocals, and guitarist Joey Levenson; and welcomed the addition of guitarist Perry Pelonero in 2011. Garcia is also currently a member of the bands The Black Holes (with Jo Neale; 2007-present), The Chronologic (2006-present), Inkraktare (with Mark Wallbridge aka Vasko The Pig; 2009-present), The Secret Meeting (with kaRIN and Statik of Collide; 2007-present), KGC (with Sascha Konietzko and Lucia Cifarelli of KMFDM; 2006-present) and Morpheme (with Perry Pelonero and Kim Welsh of Bliss.City.East, Skylight and Clenched Fist; 2010-present).
In 2011, SPC ECO released the Big Fat World EP; and the album You Tell Me which includes a track titled Let It Out -- an updated version of Curve's Something Familiar from the album Come Clean. Morpheme released their debut single INFECTION // SINGLE and the RED DOG EP; and Garcia released a solo album entitled How Do You Feel ?, with special guests Mark Wallbridge, Todd Astromass and Jeff Beck.
Official sites:
http://curve.co.uk
http://curve.bandcamp.com
http://on.fb.me/CurveOfficialManagedByDean
2. Starting in the early 2000's, Japanese curve was a two piece for much of their existence, only gaining a third member with their most recent album. They've also had quite a bit of exposure throughout the world, touring through Malysia/Singapore and appearing on a split in the USA.
Official Site
http://www.curve-official.com/
Coming Up Roses
Curve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flying high
No-one can touch me
As I wave good-bye
I'm tall as a willow baby
Tall as a willow
I'm sure not sorry for that
And have collected
I'm hung up on breathing now
When I want
No-one can hurt me
When I'm in trouble
I'm strong as I'm mellow baby
Strong as I'm mellow
I sure am happy for that
Have you ever seen the things I own
And have neglected
They're all quite strange
And unconnected
And that's why they're strong
A mile is long when home is far away
Coming up roses now flying high
A mile is long when home is far away
Home is far away
I'm holding the fiddle now
Playing hard
I've learnt my lesson
In self-composure
I shout and I bellow baby
Shout and I bellow
Can you hear me out back?
Can you feel the way I've grown
And disconnected
A mile is long when home is far away
Coming up roses now flying high
A mile is long when home is far away
Coming up roses now flying high
A mile is long when home is far away
The night is long the day is long
The night is long the day is long
A mile is long when home is far away
The night is long the day is long
The night is long the day is long
A mile is long when home is far away
Coming up roses now flying high
A mile is long when home is far away
Home is far away
A first thought came to the sound
And it filled itself with spectrum
So it can see from the back of its head
It can sense the shifting moods
How little the first thought knows
Its intentions its code of honor
Till it's formed with cunning humor
Feel the beat fall in
Then a second leg came from the sound
What if I just don't deliver
The queen bee the enemy the ecstasy
A beast at the core of its nature
A beast at the core of its nature
The song "Coming Up Roses" by Curve is a triumphant and assertive track about self-confidence and growth. The lyrics describe the singer's newfound strength and self-assurance, as well as their detachment from material possessions. The imagery of being "tall as a willow" and "flying high" suggests a sense of liberation and freedom from past limitations, while the repetition of "a mile is long when home is far away" underscores a feeling of displacement or distance.
The chorus, with its soaring melody and repeated refrain of "coming up roses now flying high," reinforces the idea of a journey or ascent towards a brighter future. The verses, on the other hand, feature more introspective and enigmatic lyrics, such as "have you ever seen the things I own and have neglected / they're all quite strange and unconnected / and that's why they're strong." These lines suggest a meaning beyond material wealth or societal norms, perhaps hinting at a more spiritual quest for authenticity and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm coming up roses now
I am in a very fortunate period of my life
Flying high
I feel empowered and successful
No-one can touch me
I feel untouchable and confident
As I wave good-bye
I am leaving behind anything that doesn't serve me
I'm tall as a willow baby
I feel confident and powerful like a willow tree
Tall as a willow
I am growing stronger and more confident every day
I'm sure not sorry for that
I am proud of who I am and what I have achieved
You wouldn't believe the stuff I know
I have gained valuable knowledge and experience
And have collected
I have accumulated a wealth of useful information
I'm hung up on breathing now
I am focusing on my breathing to calm myself
When I want
I am in control of my emotions
No-one can hurt me
I am strong enough to handle anything life throws at me
When I'm in trouble
I remain strong and self-reliant even in difficult times
I'm strong as I'm mellow baby
I have both inner strength and a sense of calm
Strong as I'm mellow
I am both tough and relaxed
I sure am happy for that
I am content with who I am
Have you ever seen the things I own
I have a lot of strange and unusual possessions
And have neglected
I do not always give these possessions the attention they deserve
They're all quite strange
My possessions are unusual and eclectic
And unconnected
They do not necessarily have any common theme or purpose
And that's why they're strong
Their uniqueness and variety make them strong in their own way
A mile is long when home is far away
When I am far from home, time seems to move more slowly
I'm holding the fiddle now
I am in control and calling the shots
Playing hard
I am putting in my best effort
I've learnt my lesson
I have learned from my mistakes
In self-composure
I am composed and calm
I shout and I bellow baby
I am assertive and vocal
Shout and I bellow
I am not afraid to speak my mind
Can you hear me out back?
I want to be heard and acknowledged
Can you feel the way I've grown
I have grown and developed in many ways
And disconnected
I have become more independent and self-sufficient
The night is long the day is long
Time seems to pass slowly and I am waiting for something
A first thought came to the sound
I had an initial idea or impulse
And it filled itself with spectrum
It expanded and became more complex
So it can see from the back of its head
I have a broader perspective and better understanding
It can sense the shifting moods
I am attuned to changes in emotions and attitudes
How little the first thought knows
I realize how much more there is to learn and understand
Its intentions its code of honor
I have principles and standards that guide my actions
Till it's formed with cunning humor
I refine and develop my insights with cleverness and wit
Feel the beat fall in
I am picking up on a rhythm or mood
Then a second leg came from the sound
My original thought is branching out and taking on new dimensions
What if I just don't deliver
I worry about falling short of expectations
The queen bee the enemy the ecstasy
There are different ways to view success and power, and they can be dangerous
A beast at the core of its nature
There is an elemental, primordial urge within me
A beast at the core of its nature
I have a deep, instinctual drive that underlies my actions
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DEAN GARCIA, TONI HALLIDAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hedonist4antasy
🫡