From Batcave to Botanica: The Eternal Return of March Violets
March Violets - Photo courtesy of Toni Slater
I have always had a soft spot for this band, ever since I first saw them at the tiny Colne Francs Club in Colne, Lancashire, somewhere around 1982. I don't think "gothic" had actually had that moniker bestowed upon it at that point—terms like "Batcave," "post-punk," and "positive-punk" were all being bandied about. Siouxsie had definitely transformed a million young ladies' identities, and Theatre of Hate, UK Decay, and Bauhaus adorned the backs of many leather jackets of the era.
Rosie Garland of March Violets - Photo courtesy of Simon Topp
Out of all this change, as punk rock morphed into one of its many subgenres, popped the marvellous March Violets. They were always a bit different from the rest. Rosie Garland and Simon Denbigh formed an excellent duo on vocals, with Tom Ashton on guitar delivering jarring, jangly parts that often felt otherworldly. They weren’t quite as caught up in spiders, cobwebs, and skulls as some of their contemporaries—visually and audibly, they stood apart. Which made them right up my street.
Anybody unfamiliar with their back catalogue should familiarize themselves immediately. Rosie left the band around 1983 after recording the classic "Snake Dance" single to focus on writing and poetry. She went on to become an accomplished poet and novelist. Her place in the lineup was filled by then-secondary singer Cleo Murray. The original March Violets formation dissolved a few years later, around 1987. I always thought—tragically—without ever releasing an album. But in 1993, that disappointment was corrected with the release of Botanic Verses, a compilation of all the early recordings, which I joyously snapped up, along with many other savvy MV fanatics feeling the absence and remembering the quality of this band.
But curiously, there were no live events to promote it—until October 2007, when a reunion gig came like a thunderbolt from the darkness. I was extremely grateful for it and lucky to attend. The excitement was short-lived, however, as Rosie had a very serious illness to overcome before things could pick up again in 2010, to much rejoicing from their loyal and ever-loving fans. Their first London shows in 25 years followed, and the album Made Glorious was released in 2013. In 2014, I caught them live again at DNA in San Francisco for the first time since 2007—and they were just as spectacular as ever.
But in 2016, tragedy struck again. The huge personality, unmistakable figure, stage presence, and sound of Simon Denbigh was lost due to a long-term hospitalization following a stroke. And one of my favorite bands fell into silence again. I presumed forever this time.
So I was surprised—delighted, even—to find them resurged, promoting a new album Crocodile Promises and listed at Rebellion Festival last year. But I did wonder how that would work without the big booming presence of Simon D, who had been such an integral part of it. Returning bass player Mat Thorpe took on the unenviable task of pulling double duty to cover Simon’s vocals. I’m pleased to confirm—it worked surprisingly well. I was lucky enough to catch them again later in the year at The Chapel venue in San Francisco, and as always, they were on top form and immaculate.
Crocodile Promises is full of very strong songs, with no drop in the high quality they've consistently produced. It’s been on rotation in my truck ever since I bought it. "Hammer the Last Nail,” "Kraken Awakes,” "Mortality,” "World Away from Kind,” and "Crocodile Teeth" are personal favorites—but there are no weak filler tracks. Every one is valid and up to the very high standard they’ve set in their earlier work.
And now, my good people and kinfolk of the UK—and anyone lucky enough to afford the airfare—this fantastic band is announcing a UK tour, and I implore you to go see them. They never disappoint.
In her literary career, Rosie Garland has been named one of the most compelling LGBTQ+ writers in the UK today. She writes fiction, poetry, and song lyrics, and is the author of four historical novels: The Palace of Curiosities, Vixen, The Night Brother, and The Frates, a retelling of the Greek myth. Her poetry collection Everything Must Go documents her experience and recovery from throat cancer in 2009. Her latest collection, This Is How I Fight (Nine Arches), is due out in June 2025.
Fellow bandmate Tom Ashton has composed indie film soundtracks and produces various bands in the southeastern U.S., including Vision Video and Tears for the Dying, as well as guesting in bands such as The Sisters of Mercy, Danse Society, and Clan of Xymox.
Set list and selfies with March Violets—courtesy of John Greenwood
rosiegarland.com
New poetry collection 'This Is How I Fight' (Available for fo preorder) at
Nine Arches Press
Rosie's short fiction collection, 'Your Sons & Your Daughters Are Beyond,' and latest novel, 'The Fates,' are available. at
