Young Marble Giants emerged in the British post-punk scene of the late 1970s. Formed in 1978 in Wales by brothers Stuart and Philip Moxham and vocalist Alison Statton, the band adopted the “Do It Yourself” approach of the musical movement of the time, but without the typical aggressiveness of punk rock. Their music was characterized by Statton's delicate vocals and minimalist instrumental elements. The simple, catchy songs are supported by punchy bass lines, electronic drums, sparse guitars and organ sounds. The trio were signed to Rough Trade in 1979 after appearing on a compilation of Cardiff bands entitled Is The War Over?.
In their short life, Young Marble Giants released their only album — Colossal Youth — in 1980. That same year the EP Final Day arrived. In 1981, the band released the EP Testcard E.P.. Despite touring Europe, the United States and Canada, The end of the band occurred in 1981, motivated mainly by internal conflicts.
Cultivated, the trio survived in the history of independent music, receiving tributes from names that came later. Galaxie 500 and Belle and Sebastian re-recorded "Final Day". Hole covered "Credit in the Straight World", included on his second album, Live Through This (1994). The Magnetic Fields covered "The Man Amplifier". Kurt Cobain cited Young Marble Giants as one of his favorites.
Stuart Moxham co-produced the album You Turn Me On (1992) by the American band Beat Happening. Young Marble Giants made some sporadic returns in the early 21st century for a few performances, including a show at the Spanish festival in Primavera Sound in 2008.
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