Jill Bryson (born 15 June 1963) is a Scottish musician and songwriter, best known as one half of the new wave band Strawberry Switchblade.
Jill Bryson | |
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 Jill Bryson in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 15 June 1963 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genres | New wave, pop, post-punk |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1982–1986, 2013–present |
Early life and background
editJill Bryson was born on 15 June 1963 in Glasgow, Scotland. Growing up in a culturally rich city, she was exposed to a diverse range of musical influences from an early age. Her passion for music developed during her teenage years as she performed in local bands and engaged with Glasgow’s vibrant punk and post-punk scenes. These early experiences were instrumental in shaping her musical career.
The punk movement was expanding rapidly in the United Kingdom in 1976. At the time, Rose McDowall and Jill Bryson were part of the bohemian art scene who adored the New York Dolls and who followed Scottish punk band Nu-Sonics (later Orange Juice) during their career, with McDowall playing and recording with Paisley punk band The Poems.
In her late teens, Bryson began making relationships with other musicians, which eventually led to the formation of Strawberry Switchblade in 1982, which was originally comprised of Jill (backing vocals, lead guitar), Rose McDowall (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Janice Goodlett (bass) and Carol McGowan (drums). Janice Goodlett and Carol McGowan left the band for an unknown reason
Jill Bryson studied for four years at the Glasgow School of Art where she achieved a BA honors degree in mixed media.
As friends, McDowall and Jill Bryson socialised in Glasgow pubs, catching many local bands at the time. One of these bands was Orange Juice, fronted by Edwyn Collins. Members of New Pop and Orange Juice had recorded a live version of "Felicity" as a flexi-disc and intended to release it. A fanzine, to be titled Strawberry Switchblade after a James Kirk song, was planned to promote the flexi-disc but never materialised. The "Felicity" flexi-disc was eventually released in conjunction with the debut Orange Juice single, "Falling and Laughing".
Strawberry Switchblade
editIn 1982, Bryson, alongside Rose McDowall, formed Strawberry Switchblade which was comprised of Jill (backing vocals, lead guitar), Rose McDowall (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Janice Goodlet (bass) and Carol McGowan (drums). The band's debut single, “Since Yesterday,” became a hit in the UK and internationally, gaining them a dedicated following. Strawberry Switchblade's sound was characterized by Bryson and McDowall’s distinctive vocal style and the band's fusion of catchy pop melodies with a darker, post-punk edge.
The band's first single, "Trees and Flowers", was released in July 1983 through 92 Happy Customers, an independent record label run by Will Sergeant from Echo & The Bunnymen, and sold over 10,000 copies. It was featured at number 47 in John Peel's 1983 Festive 50. "Trees and Flowers" was written by Jill Bryson about her anxiety disorder, agoraphobia. It featured Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera on guitar and was produced by Bill Drummond.
The band's very first incarnation, an all-female 4 piece, recorded one demo at Glasgow's Hellfire Club and played a handful of gigs. Friends Janis Goodlet and Carole McGowan completed the line up on bass and drums respectively.
Strawberry Switchblade played at a John Peel gig in Scotland, and he invited them to record a session for his BBC Radio 1 show in October 1982. They also recorded a session for David Jensen's Radio 1 show three days later. On both sessions the band were augmented by James Kirk from Orange Juice on bass and Shahid Sarwar from The Recognitions on drums.
The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 1985 and included notable tracks such as “Since Yesterday” and “Jolene.” Despite the band's critical success in Glasgow, they disbanded due to personal disputes between them in 1986.
Before the disbandment of Strawberry Switchblade, Jill Bryson had conceptualized and recorded a few songs that were meant to be on the second album for Strawberry Switchblade, which never was released.
In December 2005, Warner Bros. Platinum Records released a career retrospective of the band, made up of sixteen different tracks from various recordings on one compact disc.
Personal life
editFollowing the disbandment of Strawberry Switchblade, Jill Bryson took a hiatus from her music career for over 30 years. until in 2013, she made a return to the music scene by forming a new band, The Shapists. This new band was formed with her daughter, Jesse Frost, and musician Craig Hood.
Jill Bryson is known for her private nature, often keeping her true personal life out of the public eye. She resides in London and is active in the art scene.