Primal Scream: Get Yer Rocks Off! Quiz

Answer: 1983

At first, Primal Scream were the Glasgow-based duo of Bobby Gillespie and his schoolmate Jim Beattie. They made 'elemental noise' music and covered Velvet Underground and Byrds songs. Their name is a term from psychotherapy.

Answer: Alan McGee

The trio who formed an unsuccessful band back in 1978 included Innes, in the present Primal Scream line-up, and Alan McGee, the two of whom took their band to London after Gillespie left. There, McGee founded a club night and set the stage for his very successful Creation Records company, who later released much of the 'Scream's output.

Answer: Jesus and Mary Chain

After hearing a demo of the Jesus and Mary Chain in late 1983, Bobby Gillespie helped them get signed, and then played with the band until 1986, when they decided they needed someone who could play the drums properly! Bobby also played with a Glasgow band called 'The Wake', and Primal Scream's first gigs were support slots for them.

Answer: 'C86'

Primal Scream's first 'release' was two experimental tracks on a low-budget compilation entitled 'Pleasantly Surprised', in 1984. By 1985, the group released a single for Creation, 'All Fall Down', which had a more '60s sound. 'Velocity Girl' was originally the B-side of their second single, but first reached widespread notice when it featured on the NME compilation.

Answer: 'Sonic Flower Groove'

The band released 'Sonic Flower Groove' in 1987, to a disappointing reception. After several line-up changes, wrote its eponymous follow-up in 1989, with a more rocking, 70s sound.

Answer: All of these

With the remixing skills of the DJ Andy Weatherall, 'Loaded' was the song which broke the band, and led to 'Top of the Pops' appearances, and a world tour featuring more of their new-found dance/rock fusion style. This exciting new sound graced their 'Screamadelica' album, which put them in the midst of the UK's blossoming 'acid house' scene.

Answer: Gary Mounfield

Robert Young had joined the group as bassist as early as 1984, and later played rhythm guitar. Gillespie's schoolfriend Andrew Innes joined to play guitar in 1988, and these three became the core of the band. Martin Duffy joined from 'Felt' as keyboardist in 1991, and Gary Mounfield, better known as Mani from the 'Stone Roses' didn't join until 1996.

The band have also boasted any number of short-term members and session musicians.

Answer: No

'Give Out...', including the legendary single 'Rocks', was released in 1994, and was a great album to perform. It launched the band on their biggest world tour yet, playing with a huge range of different acts, from 'Hole' to George Clinton! Vanishing Point, released in 1997, is a brooding album inspired by a notorious American 70s road chase movie.

Answer: Irvine Welsh

Primal Scream have been involved in a large number of collaborations, an released an entire album, 'Echo Dek', of remixes of their 'Vanishing Point' album. Irvine Welsh has long been a friend of the band, who wrote a song for the sound track of 'Trainspotting' the film based on his book of the same name.

Answer: It consisted of consonants only

The band's sixth album, released in 2000 was entitled 'Xtrmntr', perhaps their angriest and most political to date (Gillespie is a committed socialist). Since then the 'Scream' have released yet another successful album, 'Evil Heat', in 2002, and attracted controversy through the track 'Bomb the Pentagon', which had to be renamed and reworked after the tragic events of September 11th. Primal Scream are a band who have never been afraid to experiment and court debate, and so anything they release rewards a listen - and if you get a chance, don't miss their explosive live performances!