Editing Primal Scream

{{short description|Scottish rock band}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Primal Scream
| image           = Primal Scream.jpg
| image_size      = 
| landscape       = yes 
| caption         = Primal Scream performing in [[Southampton]] in 2006
| background      = group_or_band
| origin          = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| genre           = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]|[[electronic music|electronic]]|[[alternative dance]]|[[neo-psychedelia]]|[[House music|house]]|[[indie pop]] (early)}}
| discography     = [[Primal Scream discography]]
| years_active    = 1982–present
| label           = {{hlist|[[Elevation (record label)|Elevation]]|[[Creation Records|Creation]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]|Intercord|[[B-Unique Records|B-Unique]]|First International}}
| website         = {{URL|primalscream.net}}
| current_members = {{unbulleted list|[[Bobby Gillespie]]|[[Andrew Innes]]|[[Darrin Mooney]]|Simone Butler}}
| past_members    = {{unbulleted list|[[Mani (musician)|Mani]]|[[Barrie Cadogan]]|[[Jim Beattie (musician)|Jim Beattie]]|Judith Boyle|[[Martin Duffy]] (deceased) |[[Debbie Googe]]|Paul Harte|Jim Hunt|Denise Johnson (deceased)|Duncan Mackay|Tom McGurk|Stewart May|Henry Olsen|Steve Sidelnyk|[[Kevin Shields]]|Gavin Skinner|Martin St. John|[[Toby Toman|Phillip "Toby" Tomanov]]|Paul Mulreany|[[Robert Young (musician)|Robert "Throb" Young]] (deceased)}}
}}

'''Primal Scream''' are a Scottish [[rock music|rock]] band originally formed in 1982 in [[Glasgow]] by [[Bobby Gillespie]] (vocals) and [[Jim Beattie (musician)|Jim Beattie]] (guitar). The band's current lineup consists of Gillespie, [[Andrew Innes]] (guitar), Simone Butler (bass), and [[Darrin Mooney]] (drums).

Primal Scream had been performing live from 1982 to 1984, but their career did not take off until Gillespie left his position as drummer of [[The Jesus and Mary Chain]]. The band were a key part of the mid-1980s [[indie pop]] scene, but eventually moved away from their jangly sound, taking on more [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]] and [[garage rock]] influences, before incorporating a [[dance music]] element to their sound with their 1991 album ''[[Screamadelica]]'', which broke them into the mainstream. The band have continued to explore different styles on subsequent albums, experimenting with [[blues]], [[trip hop]] and [[industrial rock]]. Their most recent album, ''[[Come Ahead]]'', was released on 8 November 2024.

==History==
===Formation and early years (1982–1984)===
Bobby Gillespie moved to [[Mount Florida]] in southeastern Glasgow, where he attended [[King's Park Secondary School]], where he first met Robert Young.<ref name="uncut">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.theprimalscream.com/press/uncut-nov99.html |title=True Adventures of Primal Scream |access-date=27 December 2007 |author=[[Michael Bonner]] |date=November 1999 |magazine=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123182728/http://www.theprimalscream.com/press/uncut-nov99.html |archive-date=23 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Another schoolfriend was [[Alan McGee]], who took Gillespie to see his first concert, [[Thin Lizzy]].<ref name="uncut"/> McGee and Gillespie were heavily influenced by [[punk rock]], and they joined a local punk band, the Drains, in 1978. The Drains' guitarist was a 15-year-old Andrew Innes.<ref name="uncut"/> The band was short-lived, and Innes and McGee moved to London while Gillespie chose to remain in Glasgow.

After the punk movement ended, Gillespie became disenchanted with mainstream [[new wave music]].<ref name="uncut"/> He met another schoolfriend who shared his outlook, Jim Beattie, and they recorded "elemental noise tapes", in which Gillespie would bang two dustbin lids together and Beattie played fuzz-guitar.<ref name="record">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.theprimalscream.com/press/recordcollector-may94.html |title=John Reed Looks Back Over the Career of the Outspoken Bobby Gillespie and His Band, Who Are Back with a Controversial New Album |access-date=27 December 2007 |author=John Reed |date=May 1994 |magazine=[[Record Collector]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726103811/http://www.theprimalscream.com/press/recordcollector-may94.html |archive-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They soon moved on to [[the Velvet Underground]] and [[the Byrds]] cover songs before starting to write their own songs, based on [[Jah Wobble]] and [[Peter Hook]] basslines. Gillespie later said that the band "didn't really exist, but we did it every night for something to do."<ref name="uncut"/> They named themselves Primal Scream, a term for a type of cry heard in [[primal therapy]]. Still essentially a partnership, Primal Scream first played live in 1982.<ref name="record"/>

===First recordings, ''Sonic Flower Groove'' and ''Primal Scream'' (1984–1989)===
Their first recording session, for McGee's independent label Essential Records, produced a single track entitled "The Orchard", with Judith Boyle on vocals. Beattie later claimed that they burned the master tape.<ref name="uncut"/><ref name="record"/> After the aborted recording, Gillespie joined [[the Jesus and Mary Chain]] as their drummer, and alternated between the two bands. While the Jesus and Mary Chain became notorious for their chaotic gigs, Gillespie and Beattie expanded Primal Scream's lineup to include schoolfriend Young on bass, rhythm guitarist Stuart May, drummer Tom McGurk, and tambourine player Martin St. John. This lineup was signed to [[Creation Records]], an [[independent record label]] founded by Alan McGee, and recorded the group's debut single, "All Fall Down", which received positive reviews.<ref name="uncut"/>

After the release of the single, Gillespie was told by the Jesus and Mary Chain leaders [[William Reid (musician)|William]] and [[Jim Reid]] that he was to either dissolve Primal Scream to join their band full-time or resign.<ref name="uncut"/><ref name="record"/> Gillespie chose to remain with Primal Scream. Stuart May was replaced by Paul Harte, and the group released a new single, "Crystal Crescent". Its B-side, "[[Velocity Girl (song)|Velocity Girl]]", was released on the ''[[C86]]'' compilation, which led to their being associated with the scene of the same name. the band strongly disliked this, Gillespie saying that other groups in that scene "can't play their instruments and they can't write songs."<ref name="uncut"/>

The band toured throughout 1986, and Gillespie became disenchanted with the quality of their performances. He said that there "was always something missing, musically or in attitude."<ref name="uncut"/> They switched to McGee's newly set-up [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] subsidiary [[Elevation Records]]. Before the band entered [[Rockfield Studios]] in Wales to record their debut album, McGurk was asked to leave. The group subsequently began recording using session players. They spent four weeks recording with producer [[Stephen Street]] before deciding to halt the sessions.<ref name="uncut"/>

May was subsequently dismissed; Gillespie's former bandmate Innes was brought in as his replacement, and the band found a new drummer, Gavin Skinner. With their new lineup, the band re-entered the studio, this time in London with producer [[Mayo Thompson]]. By the time ''[[Sonic Flower Groove]]'' was completed, it had cost £100,000.<ref name="uncut"/> The album reached number 62 on the British charts<ref name="uncut"/> and received poor reviews, with [[AllMusic]] calling it "pristine but dull."<ref>{{cite web|last=Raggett |first=Ned |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sonic-flower-groove-mw0000375395 |title=Sonic Flower Groove - Primal Scream : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> The backlash from the album caused internal strife within the band. Beattie and Skinner subsequently resigned.<ref name="record"/>

The band, now consisting of Gillespie, Innes and Young, relocated to [[Brighton]] to regroup.<ref name="uncut"/> Young switched to guitar, and they recruited bassist Henry Olsen and drummer Phillip "Toby" Tomanov, who had both been in [[Nico]]'s backing band, the Faction. They traded in their [[jangle pop]] sound for a harder rock edge, or as Gillespie said, "[w]e had found rock 'n' roll."<ref name="uncut"/> The band re-signed to Creation Records and released their first single in two years, "Ivy, Ivy, Ivy". This was followed by a full album, ''[[Primal Scream (Primal Scream album)|Primal Scream]]''. The band's new sound was met with poor reviews, ''[[NME]]'' called it "confused and lacking in cohesion".<ref name="uncut"/> Fans responded as unfavourably as the critics, with many of the old fans being disappointed or simply confused by the new sound.<ref name="uncut"/> Both ''Sonic Flower Groove'' and ''Primal Scream'' featured contributions from [[Felt (band)|Felt]] keyboardist [[Martin Duffy (musician)|Martin Duffy]].

===''Screamadelica'' (1990–1992)===
[[File:Primal-Scream.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Bobby Gillespie on tour in 1991 at [[Club Citta]], [[Kawasaki, Kanagawa|Kawasaki]], Japan]]
The band were first introduced to the [[acid house]] scene by McGee in 1988. They were at first sceptical; Gillespie said: "I always remember being quite fascinated by it but not quite getting it."<ref name="uncut"/> The band developed a taste for it and began attending raves. The band met up with DJ [[Andrew Weatherall]] at a [[rave]], and he was given a copy of "I'm Losing More Than I'll Ever Have", a track from ''Primal Scream'', to remix for one of his shows.<ref name="record"/> Weatherall added a drum loop from an Italian bootleg mix of [[Edie Brickell]]'s "What I Am", a sample of Gillespie singing a line from [[Robert Johnson (musician)|Robert Johnson]]'s "[[Terraplane Blues]]" and the central introductory sample from the [[Peter Fonda]] [[B-movie]] ''[[The Wild Angels]]''. The resulting track, "[[Loaded (Primal Scream song)|Loaded]]", became the band's first major hit, reaching number 16 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name=":0" /> This was followed by another single, "Come Together", which reached number 26.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Primal Scream {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29655/primal-scream/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=www.officialcharts.com|date=27 June 1987 }}</ref>

[[File:Denise Johnson (50186008088).jpg|thumb|left|Denise Johnson on tour in 1991 at [[Club Citta]], [[Kawasaki, Kanagawa|Kawasaki]], Japan ]]
The band entered the studio with Weatherall, [[Hugo Nicolson]], [[the Orb]] and [[Jimmy Miller]] producing, and [[Martin Duffy (musician)|Martin Duffy]] now full-time on keyboards after Felt disbanded. They released two more singles, "Higher Than the Sun" and "Don't Fight It, Feel It" which featured the lead vocals of Manchester singer Denise Johnson. The album ''Screamadelica'' was released in late 1991 to positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas |first=Stephen |url=https://allmusic.com/album/screamadelica-r15763 |title=Screamadelica - Primal Scream : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |date=8 October 1991 |access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> ''Ink Blot Magazine'' said that the album was "both of its time and timeless."<ref>[http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/rev-archive/Primal_Scream_Screamadelica.htm]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624054313/http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/rev-archive/Primal_Scream_Screamadelica.htm|date=24 June 2008}}</ref> The album was also a commercial success, reaching number eight on the UK chart. The album won the first [[Mercury Music Prize]], beating Gillespie's former band the Jesus and Mary Chain.

The supporting tour kicked off in [[Amsterdam]], and it included a performance at the [[Glastonbury festival]] before coming to an end in [[Sheffield]]. Throughout the tour the band and their increasingly large entourage gained notoriety for their large narcotic intake.<ref name="uncut"/> Around this time, the band recorded the ''[[Dixie Narco EP]]''. Some of the tracks had a more American [[blues rock]] sound than previously, and displayed a [[P-Funk]] influence.<ref name="uncut"/>

===''Give Out But Don't Give Up'' (1992–1995)===
The band began work on their fourth album in Roundhouse Studios in London in September 1992.

In March 1994, the first single from the new album, "[[Rocks (song)|Rocks]]", was released. It was the band's highest-charting single to date, reaching number seven on the UK charts.<ref name=":0" /> The single was not received well, with ''NME'' calling them "dance traitors".<ref name="uncut"/> The album ''[[Give Out But Don't Give Up]]'' was released in May to mixed reviews. Whereas some praised the band's new [[the Rolling Stones]]-influenced sound,<ref>[http://www.theprimalscream.org/press/select-giveoutrev.html On a Jagger Tip!]. Published in ''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]''. Retrieved 31 December 2007.</ref> some dismissed the album as tired and drawing too heavily on their influences.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas |first=Stephen |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/give-out-but-dont-give-up-mw0000111048 |title=Give out but Don't Give Up - Primal Scream : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> Two more singles were released from the album, "Jailbird" and "(I'm Gonna) Cry Myself Blind", both of which charted progressively lower.

While touring in support of the album, relations within the band began to wear down. The band's American tour, when they supported [[Depeche Mode]], was, in the words of manager Alex Nightingale, "the closest we've come to the band splitting up."<ref name="uncut"/> After the completion of the tour, the band remained quiet for a long period of time. Gillespie later remarked that he was unsure if the band would continue. The only release during this period was a single, "The Big Man and the Scream Team Meet the Barmy Army Uptown", a collaboration with [[Irvine Welsh]] and [[On-U Sound]], which caused controversy due to offensive lyrics about [[Rangers F.C.]] and their fan base.<ref name="uncut"/>

===''Vanishing Point'' (1996–1998)===
After a short hiatus, the band returned with a new lineup. [[Gary Mounfield|Gary "Mani" Mounfield]], fresh from the well-publicised break-up of his previous band, [[the Stone Roses]], was added as the band's new bassist, and Paul Mulraney was added as their new drummer. The arrival of Mani revitalized the group, who were considering disbanding after the failure of ''Give Out''.<ref name="NME97">{{cite magazine |author=Kevin Westinberg |date=8 May 1997 |title=Vortex, Drug & Rock n Roll |url=http://www.theprimalscream.org/press/nme-3may97.html |access-date=3 January 2008 |magazine=[[NME]]}}</ref> The album was recorded in the band's personal studio in two months, and was mixed in another month.<ref name="NME97"/> Most of the recording was engineered by Innes, and produced by [[Brendan Lynch (music producer)|Brendan Lynch]] and [[Andrew Weatherall]].

The music on the album had a complex shoegazing dance/dub rhythm, harking back to the crossover success of ''Screamadelica'', yet sounding significantly darker. Some songs on the album were inspired by cult 1971 film ''[[Vanishing Point (1971 film)|Vanishing Point]]''; Gillespie said that they wanted to create an alternative soundtrack for the film.<ref name="NME97"/> Other lyrics were inspired by the band's past experiences with drug abuse. Gillespie described the album as "an anarcho-syndicalist speedfreak road movie record!"<ref name="NME97"/> The first single released from the album, "[[Kowalski (song)|Kowalski]]", was released in May 1997, and reached number 8 on the British charts.<ref name=":0" /> The album, titled ''[[Vanishing Point (Primal Scream album)|Vanishing Point]]'' after the film, was released in July and revitalized the band's commercial viability. It received almost positive reviews upon release, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' calling it a "swirling, hypnotic acid-trip",<ref>{{cite magazine |date=11 July 1997 |title=Top of the Flops |url=http://www.theprimalscream.org/press/ew.html |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=3 January 2008}}</ref> and ''Musik'' saying that "this group's place in the history book of late 20th Century music is assured."<ref>{{cite web |date=August 1997 |title=Vanishing Point review |url=http://www.theprimalscream.org/press/musik-vanishing.html |access-date=3 January 2008 |website=Theprimalscream.org}}</ref> The inclusion on the album of [[Trainspotting (soundtrack)|the title track]] from the film ''[[Trainspotting (film)|Trainspotting]]'' also helped cement the band's place in alternative modern culture.

The band scheduled a short supporting tour to take place during July. The band had to postpone the dates. This led to speculation that there were problems within the band, and that one of the members may resign.<ref name="uncut"/> The band's press agent issued a statement saying "[i]t's not a drugs thing and it's not a nervous breakdown."<ref name="uncut"/> Before the tour was scheduled to begin, Mulraney left the band and they were forced to use a drum machine. The initial dates were poorly received, but they eventually hired drummer [[Darrin Mooney]] and the gigs improved. Throughout the Vanishing Point tour Primal Scream employed the up-and-coming [[Asian Dub Foundation]] as a support act, helping them to break into the mainstream.

In February 1998 the band released the "If They Move, Kill 'Em" EP. This notably featured the bands' first collaboration with [[Kevin Shields]], on his remix of the title track. Later that year, Shields joined the band on tour and would have a major influence on their sound in the next few years. After the release of the album, a collection of alternative mixes/remixes from Vanishing Point were released as the album Echo Dek, with the bulk of mixes done by [[Adrian Sherwood]].

===''XTRMNTR'' and ''Evil Heat'' (1999–2005)===
Recording sessions for the band's sixth album went well. The band were for the most part free of drugs, and their lineup had stabilised.<ref name="street">{{cite web |author=Ferguson, Jason |title=Street Regal |url=http://www.theprimalscream.org/press/magnet-aug00.html |access-date=19 January 2007 |publisher=Magnet Magazine}}</ref> Despite their new-found peace, the band pursued a harsher and angrier musical direction. Many of the songs they wrote had overtly political lyrics, Gillespie said the band wished to convey "What it's like to be in Britain in this day and age."<ref name="street"/> The album featured multiple guest appearances, including the [[Chemical Brothers]], [[New Order (band)|New Order]]'s [[Bernard Sumner]], and former [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]] guitarist [[Kevin Shields]], who had become a semi-permanent member.

The first single from ''[[XTRMNTR]]'', "[[Swastika Eyes]]", was released in November 1999. The song's overtly political content, Gillespie said it was about "American international terrorism",<ref name="slut">{{cite web |author=King, Simon |title=Everybody's Fucked.. |url=http://www.theprimalscream.org/press/jockey-oct99.html |access-date=19 January 2007 |publisher=Jockey Slut}}</ref> made it controversial. Nevertheless, it was a hit, charting at No.&nbsp;22 on the British charts. ''XTRMNTR'' itself fared well, reaching No.&nbsp;3. The political content was well received, with Allmusic calling it a "nasty, fierce realization of an entire world that has... lost the plot.".<ref>{{cite web|last=Carlson |first=Dean |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/xtrmntr-mw0000260651 |title=XTRMNTR - Primal Scream : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |date=2 May 2000 |access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> In 2009 ''[[NME]]'' charted ''[[XTRMNTR]]'' at No.&nbsp;3 in ''The Top 100 Greatest Albums of The Decade''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade/158049/article/158062#article |title=The Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade |publisher=Nme.com |access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

In 2000, the band began recording their seventh album, ''[[Evil Heat]]'', released in 2002. Though the political content was not as strong as the previous album, there was a song originally slated for the album entitled "Bomb the Pentagon", which was reworked into the song "Rise" after the [[September 11 attacks|11 September attacks]].<ref name="dazed">{{cite web |url=http://www.theprimalscream.com/press/dazed-june02.html |title=Then There Was a Light |access-date=19 January 2007 |publisher=Dazed and Confused |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726103936/http://www.theprimalscream.com/press/dazed-june02.html |archive-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album, like many of Primal Scream's previous albums, had multiple producers. Shields produced several tracks, and Andrew Weatherall produced three tracks, his first work with the band since ''Vanishing Point''. [[Kate Moss]] sang professionally for the first time with single "[[Some Velvet Morning]]", a version of the Lee Hazlewood/Nancy Sinatra song. The album also featured another guest appearance, [[Led Zeppelin]] singer [[Robert Plant]].  In 2003 the double CD album ''[[Dirty Hits]]'' was released containing the better known works and some previously unheard versions and remixes of those tunes.

In June 2005, Primal Scream played a controversial set at the [[Glastonbury Festival]], throughout which Gillespie was playfully abusive to the crowd and was alleged <sup>[by whom?]</sup> to have made Nazi salutes during the song "Swastika Eyes". They were eventually forced off by officials after overrunning their allotted time; the festival organisers were at that point already annoyed at the band when, in response to their invitation to join other recording artists in signing a ''Make Poverty History'' poster which would be auctioned off for charity, lead singer Bobby Gillespie instead altered the poster so that it read "Make Israel History".<ref name="Israel">{{cite magazine |date=15 April 2006 |title=A Fucking Nazi |url=http://www.theprimalscream.org/press/nme-15april06.html |access-date=18 July 2011 |magazine=[[NME]]}}</ref> Gillespie later said that this was to show his support for the [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]] cause.<ref name="Israel"/>

===''Riot City Blues'', ''Beautiful Future'' and ''Screamadelica'' 20th anniversary (2006–2012)===
[[File:Primal Scream at Summercase 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|At Summercase, 2008]]
[[File:Primal Scream 2009.09.20 006.jpg|thumb|In 2009]]
In an interview with ''[[NME]]'', Gillespie said that the band had written "euphoric rock 'n' roll songs" for their next album.<ref name="NME Riot">[https://www.nme.com/news/primal-scream/22462 Primal Scream reveal all about new album | News | Nme.com]. Interviewed on 11 March 2006.</ref> They intended to capture the energy of their live performances. The band chose [[Martin Glover|Youth]] as their producer, which led to speculation that they had fallen out with Shields. Although the band themselves admitted that they were unsure of the situation,<ref name="NME Riot"/> Shields subsequently joined them on tour.

The album's first single, "[[Country Girl (Primal Scream song)|Country Girl]]", was released on 22 May 2006, and regular airplay resulted in a chart entry of number 5, their highest ever.<ref name=":0" /> It was also used by the [[BBC]] in the closing credits of the [[Grand National]] 2007 and as the backing track to a video celebrating the successes of the Scottish racing driver Dario Franchitti in the 2007 Autosport Awards ceremony in London. The album ''[[Riot City Blues]]'' was released in June and reached number five on the [[UK Album Charts]]. However, it received mixed reviews: ''[[Pitchfork Media]]'' called it "flat and dead",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/36669-riot-city-blues |title=''Riot City Blues'' review |publisher=Pitchforkmedia.com |date=6 June 2006 |access-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225012447/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/36669-riot-city-blues |archive-date=25 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> while [[AllMusic]] called it "a refreshingly retro rock & roll album".<ref>{{cite web|last=Jurek |first=Thom |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/riot-city-blues-mw0000779322 |title=Riot City Blues - Primal Scream : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |date=22 August 2006 |access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

In support of the album, the band toured the UK, along with selected dates in Europe. The band released their first DVD, ''[[Riot City Blues Tour]]'', in August 2007. The DVD featured clips of the band's performance in [[London]], as well as all their music videos and an interview with Gillespie and Mani.

On 26 August 2006, bassist Mani was arrested at the Leeds music festival, after what was said to be a drunken brawl.  However, he was soon released and the band's appearance at the festival went ahead. Also around this time, Young left the band to go on sabbatical,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/primal-scream/22724 |title=Primal Scream reveal new album &#124; News |publisher=Nme.com |date=7 April 2006 |access-date=18 July 2011}}</ref> failing to appear on their November 2006 UK tour. It was later stated by Bobby Gillespie that Young was unlikely to make a return. He was temporarily replaced by [[Barrie Cadogan]] of [[Little Barrie]]. Young died in September 2014.

After touring ''Screamadelica'' for most of 2011, on 18 October [[Gary Mounfield]] revealed he had left the band due to the reformation of his original band [[the Stone Roses]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-stone-roses/59869 |title=The Stone Roses confirm reunion and two homecoming shows for 2012 &#124; News |publisher=Nme.com |date=18 October 2011 |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref> [[Debbie Googe]] (of [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]]) was announced as his replacement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/primal-scream/63501 |title=Primal Scream name My Bloody Valentine's Debbie Googe as new bassist|publisher=Nme.com |date=27 April 2012}}</ref> Simone Butler would join the band as bassist in 2012.

Primal Scream supported the Stone Roses at their [[Heaton Park]] concert in [[Manchester]] on 29 June 2012.<ref>{{cite web|author=RETROFUZZ |url=http://www.thestoneroses.org/ |title=Official Website |publisher=The Stone Roses |date=22 October 2011 |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref>

===''More Light'' and ''Chaosmosis'' (2013–2018)===
[[File:Primal Scream en Rock en Conce.jpg|thumb|Primal Scream en Rock en Conce]]

The band's tenth album, ''[[More Light (Primal Scream album)|More Light]]'', was released in May 2013 on the band's own label, First International, via Ignition Records. The new album was produced by [[David Holmes (musician)|David Holmes]], who confirmed the release on his [[Facebook]] page on 11 January 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=549487018414748&set=a.254909957872457.75840.242190792477707&type=1|title=Timeline Photos|author=[[David Holmes (musician)|David Holmes]]|date=11 January 2013|publisher=[[Facebook]]|access-date=13 May 2013}}</ref> The first track taken from the album is "[[2013 (Primal Scream song)|2013]]" with a music video directed by Rei Nadal. The first single proper is "[[It's Alright, It's OK (Primal Scream song)|It's Alright, It's OK]]", which was played in the UK by both [[BBC Radio 2]] and [[BBC Radio 6 Music|6 Music]], as well as supported by leading alternative music stations [[XFM]] and [[Absolute Radio]]. It also appears on the soundtrack for ''[[Freaks of Nature (film)|Freaks of Nature]]'' (2015), playing over the final scene and end credits. The second single is "Invisible City".

Former guitarist Robert "Throb" Young died in September 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Primal Scream pay tribute to former guitarist Robert Young |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/11/primal-scream-death-guitarist-robert-young |website=the Guardian |access-date=20 December 2022 |language=en |date=11 September 2014}}</ref>

Their eleventh album ''[[Chaosmosis]]'' was released on 18 March 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pitchfork.com/news/62428-primal-scream-announce-new-album-chaosmosis/ |title=Primal Scream Announce New Album Chaosmosis |website=Pitchfork |date=7 December 2015 |access-date=29 April 2017}}</ref>

In August 2018 it was announced that the band would release the original long-lost recordings made for ''Give Out But Don't Give Up'' for the first time, which were made when the band went to Memphis's [[Ardent Studios]] in 1993 to work on a new album with producer [[Tom Dowd]] and the [[Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/primal-scream-original-memphis-recordings-2370474|title=Primal Scream are releasing the long-lost, original recordings of 'Give Out But Don't Give Up'|first=Samantha|last=Maine|date=24 August 2018|website=Nme.com|access-date=31 March 2019}}</ref>

===''Maximum Rock'n'Roll: The Singles'' and ''Come Ahead'' (2019–present)===
On 24 May 2019 the band released a third compilation album, ''Maximum Rock'n'Roll: The Singles''. The album contains seventeen tracks spanning the period from 1986 till 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/maximum-rock-n-roll-the-singles-mw0003265640|title=Maximum Rock 'n' Roll: The Singles - Primal Scream - Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref>

In 2022 Primal Scream played at the [[Victorious Festival]] in [[Portsmouth]]. In April, the band sold song rights of fifty percent of their back catalogue to [[BMG Rights Management|BMG]]. The deal involved Gillespie, Innes and the estate of Robert Young.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=2022-04-29 |title=Primal Scream members sell 50 per cent of their song rights |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/primal-scream-sell-50-per-cent-song-rights-3215747 |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> 

Martin Duffy died in December 2022 at the age of 55.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Snapes |first1=Laura |title=Martin Duffy: Primal Scream and Felt keyboardist dies aged 55 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/20/martin-duffy-primal-scream-and-felt-keyboardist-dies-aged-55 |website=the Guardian |access-date=20 December 2022 |language=en |date=20 December 2022}}</ref> Following his death, Duffy's son, Louie, made a statement at his father's inquest. Louie claimed that despite playing with the band for over 30 years, he was paid only as a session musician.<ref>http://www.dafts.co.uk/louieduffystatement.pdf</ref> 

On 23 May 2023, Primal Scream announced that they would be performing as a 12-piece band for their upcoming tour dates, with the core line-up augmented by members of the House Gospel Choir on backing vocals, Alex White of [[Fat White Family]] on saxophone, and keyboards by former [[Mozart Estate (band)|Go-Kart Mozart]] member Terry Miles<ref>{{citetweet|author=Primal Scream|author-link=Primal Scream|user=ScreamOfficial|number=1661030712630210560|title=This summer we are going out with a 12-piece band...}}</ref> who had also previously played with the band in Martin Duffy's absence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/concerts/primal-scream-alexandra-palace-park-review-ecstatic-life-affirming/|title=Primal Scream, Alexandra Palace Park, review: an ecstatic, life-affirming alfresco experience|first=Andrew|last=Perry|work=The Telegraph|date=17 July 2022|accessdate=30 May 2023}}</ref>

The band released the single "Love Insurrection" in July 2024 and simultaneously announced their twelfth studio album ''[[Come Ahead]]'' for release on 8 November 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://diymag.com/news/primal-scream-come-ahead-love-insurrection|title=Primal Scream return with details of new album ''Come Ahead'' and share latest single 'Love Insurrection' {{!}} News|magazine=[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]|last=Carter|first=Daisy|date=18 July 2024|access-date=31 July 2024}}</ref>

The band features in the book ''[[Postcards from Scotland]]'' detailing the 1980s and 1990s independent music scene in Scotland.<ref>{{cite book|title=Postcards from Scotland|first=Grant|last=McPhee|author-link=Grant McPhee|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|year=2024|isbn=9781913172473}}</ref>

In 2025, the band signed an open letter in support of the hip-hop trio [[Kneecap (band)|Kneecap]] which opposed a "clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform" the group.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.sky.com/story/kneecap-row-paul-weller-and-primal-scream-lead-musicians-in-signing-open-letter-in-support-of-rap-trio-13358969 | title=Kneecap row: Paul Weller and Primal Scream lead musicians in signing open letter in support of rap trio | work=Sky News | date=1 May 2025 | access-date=16 May 2025}}</ref>

==Members==

=== Current members ===
*[[Bobby Gillespie]] – lead vocals (1982–present)
*[[Andrew Innes]] – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1987–present)
*[[Darrin Mooney]] – drums, percussion (1997–present)
*Simone Butler – bass guitar, keyboards, percussion (2012–present)

==== Current touring musicians ====
* Terry Miles – keyboards (2023–present)
* Alex White – saxophone (2023–present)

=== Former members ===
*[[Robert Young (musician)|Robert "Throb" Young]] – bass (1982–1988), guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1988–2006; died 2014)
*[[Jim Beattie (musician)|Jim Beattie]] – guitar, keyboards (1982–1987)
*Tom McGurk – drums (1982–1987)
*Stuart May – guitar (1985–1986)
*Paul Harte – guitar (1986)
*Martin St. John – percussion (1986–1987)
*Dave Morgan – drums (1987)
*Gavin Skinner – drums (1987–1988)
*Henry Olsen – bass (1988–1995)
*[[Toby Toman|Phillip "Toby" Toman]] – drums (1988–1995)
*[[Martin Duffy (musician)|Martin Duffy]] – keyboards, synths, turntables (1989–2022; died 2022)
* Denise Johnson – backing vocals, co-lead vocals (1990–1995; died 2020)
* [[Mani (musician)|Gary "Mani" Mounfield]] – bass (1996–2011)
* Paul Mulreany – drums, programming (1996–1997)
* [[Barrie Cadogan]] – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (2006–2015)
* [[Debbie Googe]] – bass (2012)

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
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Legend     = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
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ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1984

Colors =
  id:Vocals  value:red       legend:Lead_vocals
  id:BVocals value:pink      legend:Backing_vocals
  id:Guitars value:green     legend:Guitar
  id:Keys    value:purple    legend:Keyboards
  id:Bass    value:blue      legend:Bass
  id:Drums   value:orange    legend:Drums
  id:Perc    value:claret    legend:Percussion
  id:Lines   value:black     legend:Studio_album
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  at:10/05/1987 color:black layer:back
  at:09/04/1989 color:black layer:back
  at:09/23/1991 color:black layer:back
  at:03/28/1994 color:black layer:back
  at:07/07/1997 color:black layer:back
  at:01/31/2000 color:black layer:back
  at:08/05/2002 color:black layer:back
  at:06/05/2006 color:black layer:back
  at:07/21/2008 color:black layer:back
  at:05/13/2013 color:black layer:back
  at:03/18/2016 color:black layer:back
  at:11/08/2024 color:black layer:back

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  bar:Bobby    text:"Bobby Gillespie"
  bar:Johnson  text:"Denise Johnson"
  bar:Jim         text:"Jim Beattie" 
  bar:Stuart     text:"Stuart May" 
  bar:Paul        text:"Paul Harte" 
  bar:Andrew  text:"Andrew Innes"
  bar:Robert    text:"Robert Young"
  bar:Barrie     text:"Barrie Cadogan" 
  bar:Henry     text:"Henry Olsen" 
  bar:Mani       text:"Mani"
  bar:Debbie       text:"Debbie Googe"
  bar:Simone  text:"Simone Butler" 
  bar:Martin   text:"Martin Duffy"
  bar:Tom       text:"Tom McGurk" 
  bar:Dave     text:"Dave Morgan"
  bar:Gavin    text:"Gavin Skinner" 
  bar:Toby    text:"Toby Tomanov" 
  bar:Paul2      text:"Paul Mulreany" 
  bar:Darrin   text:"Darrin Mooney" 
  bar:StJohn   text:"Martin St. John"

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  bar:Bobby from:start till:end color:Vocals
  bar:Johnson from:01/01/1990 till:06/06/1995 color:BVocals
  bar:Johnson from:01/01/1990 till:06/06/1995 color:Vocals width:3
  bar:Jim from:start till:12/31/1987 color:Guitars
  bar:Jim from:start till:12/31/1987 color:Keys width:3
  bar:Stuart from:01/01/1985 till:03/01/1986 color:Guitars
  bar:Paul from:03/01/1986 till:12/31/1986 color:Guitars
  bar:Andrew from:01/01/1987 till:end color:Guitars
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  bar:Andrew from:01/01/1987 till:end color:BVocals width:3
  bar:Barrie from:09/01/2006 till:10/01/2015 color:Guitars
  bar:Barrie from:09/01/2006 till:10/01/2015 color:Keys width:7
  bar:Barrie from:09/01/2006 till:10/01/2015 color:BVocals width:3
  bar:Robert from:start till:08/01/1988 color:Bass
  bar:Robert from:08/01/1988 till:09/01/2006 color:Guitars
  bar:Robert from:08/01/1988 till:09/01/2006 color:Keys width:7
  bar:Robert from:08/01/1988 till:09/01/2006 color:BVocals width:3
  bar:Henry from:08/01/1988 till:12/31/1995 color:Bass
  bar:Mani from:01/01/1996 till:12/31/2011 color:Bass
  bar:Debbie from:04/27/2012 till:10/04/2012 color:Bass
  bar:Simone from:10/05/2012 till:end color:Bass
  bar:Simone from:10/05/2012 till:end color:Keys width:7
  bar:Simone from:10/05/2012 till:end color:Perc width:3
  bar:Tom from:start till:04/01/1987 color:Drums
  bar:Dave from:04/01/1987 till:12/01/1987 color:Drums
  bar:Gavin from:12/01/1987 till:08/01/1988 color:Drums
  bar:Toby from:08/01/1988 till:12/31/1995 color:Drums
  bar:Paul2 from:01/01/1996 till:10/01/1997 color:Drums
  bar:Darrin from:10/01/1997 till:end color:Drums
  bar:Darrin from:10/01/1997 till:end color:Perc width:3
  bar:Martin from:04/01/1987 till:12/18/2022 color:Keys
  bar:StJohn from:01/01/1986 till:04/01/1987 color:Perc
}}

==Discography==
{{Main|Primal Scream discography}}
{{div col}}
*''[[Sonic Flower Groove]]'' (1987)
*''[[Primal Scream (Primal Scream album)|Primal Scream]]'' (1989)
*''[[Screamadelica]]'' (1991)
*''[[Give Out But Don't Give Up]]'' (1994)
*''[[Vanishing Point (Primal Scream album)|Vanishing Point]]'' (1997)
*''[[XTRMNTR]]'' (2000)
*''[[Evil Heat]]'' (2002)
*''[[Riot City Blues]]'' (2006)
*''[[Beautiful Future]]'' (2008)
*''[[More Light (Primal Scream album)|More Light]]'' (2013)
*''[[Chaosmosis]]'' (2016)
*''[[Come Ahead]]'' (2024)
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
* [[List of bands from Glasgow]]
* [[List of Scottish musicians]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Primal Scream}}
* [http://www.primalscream.net Official website]
* {{imdb name|2152095}}
* {{Discogs artist|Primal Scream}}

{{Primal Scream}}{{Authority control}}

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