B i o g r a p h y (by Wikipedia)
Linoleum is a London-based indie rock/alternative band formed in 1994. They are known for their raw, energetic sound blending influences from post-punk, new wave, and 1990s indie acts, often drawing comparisons to bands like Elastica, Sonic Youth, The Pretenders, PJ Harvey, and the Pixies. Caroline Finch (vocals, guitar) and Paul Jones (guitar) first met in 1991 and began writing songs together. The band properly formed in 1994 when they were joined by drummer Dave Nice. Bassist Emma Tornaro completed the lineup in 1995. That same year, they secured a management deal with CMO. The group took their name from the flooring material and embraced it playfully in their early releases. They established their own independent label, Lino Vinyl, and handled much of their early output themselves.Rise and Debut Album (1996–1997)Linoleum released their first singles in distinctive sleeves made from actual linoleum: "Dissent" (1996) and "Smear" (1996). These were followed by "On a Tuesday" (1997) and "Marquis" (1997). Their debut album, Dissent, came out in 1997 on Lino Vinyl (with a U.S. release via Geffen Records). It was recorded at Fort Apache Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and produced by Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade—known for their work with Radiohead, Hole, and Pixies. The album received mixed reviews and failed to achieve the commercial breakthrough the band hoped for, though it earned some critical attention in the indie scene. After Dissent, the band switched to Fierce Panda Records for later singles. Paul Jones left in 2000 to join Elastica and was replaced by guitarist Gavin Pearce. Their second album, The Race from the Burning Building, was released in 2000. It featured a cover of The Passions' "I'm in Love with a German Film Star." Linoleum played their final show before disbanding at the Union Chapel in Islington, London, in 2001. In March 2022, after over 20 years, Linoleum announced their reformation for live performances. They returned with shows at The Craufurd Arms in Wolverton (September 2022) and the Moth Club in London (December 2022). They performed at the 2023 Shiiine On Festival in Minehead and have continued with occasional gigs into 2024. Linoleum's sound mixed sharp guitars, driving rhythms, and Finch's distinctive vocals, pulling from late-1970s/early-1980s new wave and post-punk as well as contemporary indie rock. While they never achieved major mainstream success, they left a cult following in the UK indie scene of the late 1990s. Their self-reliant approach with Lino Vinyl and distinctive packaging added to their charm.
Dissent
Marquis He wakes up Sha- sha- shaking With half a tooth missing Lifts his head feels the aftermath kick in Last night he was shining And so entertaining Today he is tired and wasted and grey And each time he says he won't do it again His head is a rhythm And muscles start twitching As he lights up a cigarette Which does him no favours Today like the others He'll spend under the covers And wait for the night to get up there again And each time he says he won't do it again But tonight you know that he'll do it again And each time he says he won't do it again But tonight you know that he'll do it again And each time he says he won't do it again But tonight you know that he'll do it again Dissent You sat down Staggered out You're acting strange And I feel tense As I can sense That you're insane Your eyes on fire Burning bright Your lips are wet I thought you could have Pulled a gun You took out your cigarette And it looked to me Like you've been going down too long It looked to me Like you've been on the ground too long Then later on I'm going home I think I see you everywhere Down in the station Round a corner In the darkness You wait to catch me unaware Will it be you Walking me home And I feel strange Like I've been in this town too long You make me strange Since I've been hanging round too long You sat down Staggered out You're acting strange And I feel tense As I can sense That you're insane I look for you Walking me home It's funny how Since I've been hanging round too long I've been in this town too long Dangerous shoes I think that you should know What's over your face And three weeks in a row is too much Why come to this place Maybe it's time to go I'm looking afright And it's tiring putting a show on every night Why should it be turning me off It's insane that it's making me strong I won't go out tonight Can't be bothered To stumble around in my dangerous shoes I won't go out tonight Can't be bothered To stumble in dangerous shoes Dangerous shoes I think that you should know Maybe it's time to go Why should it be turning me off It's insane that it's make me strong I won't go out tonight Can't be bothered To stumble around in my dangerous shoes I won't go out tonight Can't be bothered To stumble in dangerous shoes Dangerous shoes I think that you should know What's over your face And three weeks in a row is too much Why come to this place Maybe it's time to go I'm looking afright And it's tiring putting a show on every night Why should it be turning me off It's insane that it's turning me on I won't go out tonight Can't be bothered To stumble around in my dangerous shoes I won't go out tonight Can't be bothered To stumble in dangerous shoes Dangerous shoes I won't go out tonight Can't be bothered to I won't go out tonight I'll be avoiding you I won't go out tonight Can't be bothered To stumble around in my dangerous shoes On a tuesday I got a message says that you wanna know me That's how I know today it must be a friday It's been a while since we were last wasted Funny how you never call me on tuesday I wouldn't like to say that you're not a good friend But seems you're only around when it's snowing Today's a grey day but I know that you won't know I've heard you're far too busy powdering your nose I'd like to know you But when I see you, you act like I'd like to know you But when I see you, you always feel like God Don't understand why I feel nervous around you I can't explain it must be something that you do Anyway you're a million miles from me I think I live in a different world from you I'd like to know you But when I see you, you act like I'd like to know you But when I see you, you always feel like God I got a message says that you wanna know me That's how I know today it must be a friday It's been a while since we were last wasted Funny how you never call me on tuesday I'd like to know you But when I see you, you act like I'd like to know you But when I see you, you always feel like God Stay awhile Stay awhile if you want Don't wanna see you go We can sit here not moving Hardly talking Not alone If you want to pretend Everything is alright Then stay another day And I'll you watch you play Not alone But if you wanna know Which way to go, Ask somebody else And if you're wondering What's going on Remember that we're not alone For a while So for another day I'll sit and watch you play Not alone Staring up at the ceiling I can hardly remember And I'm floating freely above Just for tonight It's alright But if you wanna know Which way to go, Ask somebody else And if you're wondering What's going on Remember that we're not alone If you wanna know Which way to go, Ask somebody else And if you're wondering What's going on Don't hold me down When I want to go high Let me sit and just floating Hardly breathing Not alone Restriction Why can't you see those hands are cold are grey When her imperfections hide away And in the half-light you can Barely see that face Maybe it's better that way As you fall into waiting arms That loosen their embrace Finding comfort in restriction Eternally replace Why don't you know what's going on here The same things happen every few years As you fall into waiting arms That loosen their embrace Finding comfort in restriction Eternally replace Why can't you see those hands are cold and grey Their imperfections hide away At times you realize you Barely knew that name Maybe it's better that way As you fall into waiting arms That loosen their embrace Finding comfort in restriction Eternally replace Ray Liotta Running to the station And you're feeling just like Ray Liotta Eyes are blacker than your shades You're wearing pretty thin Tearing through the crowd 'Cause you won't wait And you can't face a weekend Staring at the ceiling The walls are closing in Life's too slow So you run away And you know Life's too slow Turn into the market And you catch him on the stairs Man, you kept me waiting And it's giving me the fear He takes you 'round the corner And he passes you the gear You bitch about the money He says that's the cost of living And life's too slow I'll have you run away And you know You can run away Back into the open And you're feeling kind of nervous Wanna get there quick So get a cab Rushing for the door It seems you're never gonna get there Now you're sitting again without your friend You're looking in the mirror but it's not at your reflection And a hit between the eyes starts your weekend You're looking in the mirror but it's not at your reflection And a hit between the eyes starts your weekend She's sick She says Why don't you let me take you home He's bored And doesn't want to sleep alone She'd like another drink And he's blinded by her clothes They sit In darkened corners everywhere She's sick He seems completely unaware He's spent too long Going nowhere He waits round for things to try She knows ways of killing time He flies He says his feet don't touch the ground She's tired But she forgets when he's around It's weird The way they always dress the same But he lies Always denying it again They spent too long Going nowhere He waits round for things to try She knows ways of killing time He waits round for things to try She knows ways of killing time Twisted I should warn you, keep away I'm seeing things in a twisted way, Anyway, And tonight, I'll be a nightmare. I see your face in a different light Tonight Laughter passes me by Talk goes over my head Think I should we avoid us Why don't you avoid me, Anyway I don't want to know the time Things that excite me Don't seem such fun today Laughter passes me by Talk goes over my head Think I should we avoid us Why don't you avoid me, Anyway I'm seeing things in a twisted way Beds The room's spinning again She can't seem to remember getting into this mess Don't try and pick her face up off the floor And all the while she waits for sleep That never comes, she'll twist her feet They tangle in the crumpled sheets She's always in He's tired of borrowed beds and feeling nothing As living takes its toll upon his teeth His kisses don't seem hungry any more And all the while he waits for sleep That never comes, he'll twist his feet They tangle in the crumpled sheets He stumbles in all shining eyed with laughter She's never been that steady on her feet They fall together blindly to the floor And all the while he softly sleeps She lies awake and listens to him breathing Entangled in the crumpled sheets They're always in And all the while he softly sleeps She lies awake and listens to him breathing Entangled in the crumpled sheets Unresolved Why talk for hours I'd rather everything remained unsaid And I see shadows So I hide away What are you thinking now, I wonder As you stand forlorn Against the wall, I wonder I'm tired of saying I don't know I tired of thinking too much Don't ask me questions any more I don't see things like you do Like you do They talk for days I'm glad I wear my name around my neck To save confusion Why must we argue in such Convoluted ways 'Cause you do I'm tired of saying I don't know I tired of thinking too much Don't ask me questions any more I don't see things I'm tired of saying I don't know I tired of thinking too much Don't ask me questions any more I don't see things Like you do, like you do Like you do. Smear There's something moving under your skin I saw it creeping in there It eats you slowly from within I watch you growing thinner Your blood is thick and sticky red All over those fingers They've warned you as it drains away But you don't listen Intent on living a lie Shame you There must be vaseline on your limbs Do you see everything in restraint? It leaves a black and dirty trail You won't recover And bleeds you dry then moves away To find another With teeth and talons in your neck You look for bidding And as it takes all it can get You say that's giving Intent on living a lie Shame you There must be vaseline on your limbs Do you see everything in restraint? There must be vaseline on your limbs Do you see everything in restraint? There's something moving under your skin I saw it creeping in there It eats you slowly from within I watch you growing thinner Your blood is thick and sticky red All over those fingers They've warned you as it drains away But you don't listen Intent on living a lie Shame you There must be vaseline on your limbs Do you see everything in restraint? There must be vaseline on your limbs Do you see everything in restraint? Ether I painted it blue It reminds me of you Blue like the skies that I saw in your eyes But I pictured them red as you dwelled in my head As you I look over my shoulder Look back into your eyes And drifting away I've got nothing to say My hands are tied My hands are tied They're tied Remember the first flash of anger I watched as they clouded to grey As I saw you grow cold Found my sap pour away And I swallowed my pride Swallowed my pride Swallowed my pride Stemmed the anger inside When it died I stand in the shadows Look up at the sky Not to remember The passing of time Surrounded by ether I almost forget that you I look over my shoulder Look back into your eyes And drifting away I've got nothing to say My hands were tied My hands were tied
The Race from the Burning Building Your Back Again You're back again and I can almost say You're back again as you are sleeping next to me Even if the night should break in two I'll be breathing down your neck as I lie watching you The lights beyond the door at dawn (?) I've seen them once before I think so Hold me as my head begins to swim On your face I see the trace Of a smile Where did I stay the night You're back again until the next time You're back again, I keep your legs entwined in mine Even if the night should break in two I'll be breathing down your neck as I lie watching you The lights beyond the door at dawn I've seen them once before I think so Hold me as my head begins to swim The lights beyond the door at dawn I've seen them once before I think so Hold me as my head begins to swim Black Dress She suits you And as she's walking in She's saying when Are you gonna give in I've been In the state you're in Breathe me Breathe me in I'm in Try me on for size I'm in Try me on for size She smiles and says I'm cold But your arms can hold me She's whispering I'll keep you thin I've been In the state you're in Beat you, console you I hold you, you hold me Breathe me in, breathe me in She soothes you She lies soft upon your skin As we lose you She stands silent in the wings Are you gonna give in I've been In the state you're in Beat you, console you I hold you, you hold me Breathe me in, breathe me in I'm in Try me on for size Don't Come Down Slow down They taught you how to breathe You're wondering Why we're here I saw that you were smiling still So you said we're tired of black eyes We can levitate and Leave the ground behind So don't come down Stay with me So don't come down Stay with me here So sober They brought you to your knees They always seem so strange to me Because you're smiling still We can levitate and Leave the ground behind So don't come down Stay with me So don't come down Stay with me here Sirens Walk tall as night falls The streets call bright things Embrace us, undress us We saw your gilded wings So entertain us Don't look beyond our eyes You see we haven't got much time We'd like to befriend you We caught the gleam in your eyes Thought you'd like to run outside We thought you Might like to Taste the film on her skin We're prey, just alive So entertain us Don't look beyond our eyes You see we haven't got much time So don't detain us Our lives are on the line You see we haven't got much time Walk tall as night falls The streets call bright things Embrace us, undress us We saw your gilded wings So entertain us Don't look beyond our eyes You see we haven't got much time So don't detain us Our lives are on the line You see we haven't got much time to kill 29 Wake us gently Sunshine hurts Our eyes are empty Mineral eyes keep streaming Did we sleep last night What's there to try for I never saw you breaking But I'll stay while you're twenty-nine They never say you wear it well Still, I'm not dreaming Wake us gently Somewhere in the night We're waiting No surprise We're feeling Did we meet last night What's there to try for I never saw you breaking But I'm narrowly by your side They never say you wear it well Still, I'm not dreaming We're meeting Somewhere in the night What's there to try for I never saw you breaking But I'll stay while you're twenty-nine They never say you wear it well Still, I'm not dreaming I’m in Love With a German Film Star (The Passions) I'm in love with a German film star I once saw in a bar Sitting in a corner in imperfect clothes Trying not to pose For the cameras and the girls It's a glamorous world I'm in love with a German film star I once saw in a movie Playing the part of a real troublemaker But I didn't care It really moved me It really moved me I'm in love with a German film star I once saw in a bar Sitting in a corner in imperfect clothes Trying not to pose For the cameras and the girls It's a glamorous world I'm in love with a German film star I once saw in a movie Playing the part of a real troublemaker But I didn't care It really moved me It really moved me It really moved me It really moved me I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love I'm in love Libertine I turn my insides inside out To watch a smile creep 'round your mouth As disappointment made you thin And with your eyes upon the floor You tell me nothing hurts at all When are you coming 'round again I can't hear you scream If your head is under your feet So everything's all right As we say good night Good night, libertine I know everything's all right As we say good night I stare until my hands are gone We laugh at things that I forgot And as my head begins to spin I saw you with your back against the wall You said it wasn't far to fall Would it be easier to swim I can't hear you scream If your head is under your feet So everything's all right As we say good night Good night, libertine I know everything's all right As we say good night Sing to Me Watching, we're waiting My head hits the table I'm struck by the look in your eyes My thoughts are escaping This city hems me in I'm crushed by the weight of your smile So I fly high Nothing's real tonight Sing to me, sing to me While I watch the world collide Glassless and bleeding We slept on the ceiling You always looked up as you cried As you cried high Nothing's real tonight Sing to me, sing to me While I watch the world collide Until the daylight breaks the sky Our eyes are violet blue When I come out to lie Oh, nothing's real tonight Sing to me, sing to me While I watch the world collide Sing to me while I watch the world Watch the world collide Til Daylight Found Them All summer long They'd hide 'Til daylight found them At dawn, they'd say Nothing would ever change. She'd rest her head upon his shoulder He'd push the hair back from her face She'd turn to him and say I wouldn't care It could all end tonight Here in your arms I'd sigh goodbye He watched her look away She'd grown colder with the days She said "It looks like rain" But he'd spent hours rearranging The letters of her name I'll lay you down beside me And you'll never love another love again No, I wouldn't care It could all end tonight Here in your arms I'd sigh goodbye She didn't turn around Never knew that he was there Silent tears fell on her cheek as He imagined she was crying And as he pushed the hair back from her face He thought he heard her say I wouldn't care It could all end tonight Here in your arms I'd sigh goodbye No, I wouldn't care It could all end tonight Here in your arms I'd sigh goodbye This Scene See her walking down the street Reflections on her perspex ?? She'll break you gently Wasted days and evenings Same rounds All this with the same intent Have left her empty Her hand is grown, her grip is strong The reins are only four foot long It's what you wanted So if you come to take her down She'll tell you she's already been there Already been there Her eyes are dark, her mind is bright Sleeps by day and sleeps by night It's so much fun And though her minds are never dry She's laughing as she waves goodbye She needs no one So if you come to take her down She'll tell you she's already been there Don't bother running in this town She knows 'cause she's already been there Already been there Flat on your face now Stumble from grace I sent you ??? Maybe thirty days and then Alibis and cigarettes It's what you needed So if you come to take her down She'll tell you she's already been there Don't bother running in this town She knows 'cause she's already been there Already been there FIN Donne-moi tes yeux Donne-moi tes bras Ne t'inquiète plus Ne t'inquiète pas Les gens qui voient Les gens qui savent N'existent plus N'existent pas Que ça change, je reste là Ne sois pas triste Donne-moi tes bras Ne t'inquiète plus Ne t'inquiète pas Viens avec moi Tes désespoirs N'existent plus N'existent pas Plus ça change, je reste là
Non AlbumS Tracks Cellophane (Smear EP) She came packaged And brightly wrapped in cellophane With a warning No one read anyway Learning quickly She knew all the games Other people played It's been a while now Chasing things that slip away She would fix you with crystal ice Strange looks that thinly disguised Stuff in her hands (?) Empty feelings start to creep in Walking late at night alone again She could fix you with crystal ice Strange looks that thinly disguised Waking strangers on the floor again She's wearing someone else's clothes again And drinking far too much to make sense Waiting around for things to happen She would fix you with crystal ice Strange looks that thinly disguised Stuff in her hands (?) And if your ?? Is running over your head And if your ?? Is running over your head
Flawed (Marquis EP) Why is it my mind won't behave Today when I'm alright Four nights I slept I held you up to the light To find things you hide Why is it that I end up here Again looking downwards You claim to understand Don't hold me up to the light There's things I need to Hide away from myself Too much time makes look inwards Don't stay in my head Or prey on my mind Visit my eyes You're not invited to stay There's things my I hide away from myself Too much time makes look inwards Don't stay in my head Or prey on my mind Visit my eyes You're not invited to stay Why is it that I end up here Again looking downwards Shine brightly (Marquis EP) There's a girl who laughs all day She whiles the night away with strangers This girl's got everything Which she gives away and wonders where it's gone Why she feels wrong And how much longer, she says Will I feel this way Shine brightly but fade Look around you Take care Look around you Be aware There's a girl stays out all night Chasing dreams, but she comes home wild And how much longer, she says Will I feel this way Shine brightly but fade Look around you Take care Look around you Be aware
Swim (On A Tuesday EP) She said, come swim with me They say, still waters run deep Today finds me asleep I pray, bring me peace She laid soft by my side Afraid, closed my eyes It's cold outside In here, together we'll hide
This game (On A Tuesday EP) Blinded, I walk into your light Look around corners Watching in silence As you catch your reflection Your lips curl with mine Missing, I forgot you had nothing to lose In spite of the wrong night It's cold in my room As you catch your reflection Your lips curl with mine As you give into temptation You sweetly lie Distorted, you take on the truth And I'm spiralling in it with you As you caught your reflection Your lips curled with mine As you give into temptation You sweetly lied And I awake, still feels the same But I have awoken Let's not play this game anymore
Tired (Smear EP) I'm so tired, dear But my head won't let me sleep Rise and fall, dear Feeling cold, yeah Haven't you noticed It's been a while And I don't even know you, dear Drifting away Drifting away Feeling lonely, dear It gets stronger when you're near Smiling softly, dear Don't think you're with me, yeah Haven't you noticed You never smile And I don't even know you, dear
Un mardi (On A Tuesday French Version / Dissent LP French Edition) J'ai un message tu veux me revoir, Je sais comme ça qu'il doit être vendredi, Ca fait longtemps qu'on s'est pas défoncé, Etrange que tu ne m'appelles jamais le mardi. Je veux pas dire que tu n'es pas mon ami, Mais tu es seulement là quand il y a de la neige, Aujourd'hui il fait gris mais je sais que tu ne vois pas Tu es trop occupé à te poudre le nez. I'd like to know you But when I see you, you act like I'd like to know you But when I see you, you always feel like God Je sais pas pourquoi je me sens nerveuse, Tu y es peut être pour quelque chose, Quand même tu es vraiment si loin de moi, Je crois que j'habite dans un autre monde de toi I'd like to know you But when I see you, you act like I'd like to know you But when I see you, you always feel like God J'ai un message tu veux me revoir, Je sais comme ça qu'il doit être vendredi, Ca fait longtemps qu'on s'est pas défoncé, Etrange que tu ne m'appelles jamais le mardi. I'd like to know you But when I see you, you act like I'd like to know you But when I see you, you always feel like God Ways to escape (Dissent LP Vinyl Edition) Enter the room softly with hidden wings Saying you talk strange things I don't understand Maybe you'll find time someday to answer me then I saw those eyes Too delicate Just look away Ways to escape are never clear I've been holding my breath For a week and it's getting me down Sometimes I find I need a Eye takes me anywhere but here Just take a blind leap Of faith in the dark Why do you measure every guess? Seems I've been holding my breath For a week and it's getting me down Sometimes I find I need a Eye takes me anywhere but here Holding my breath For a week and it's getting me down Sometimes I find I need a Eye takes me anywhere but here