The March Violets 'The Palace of Infinite Darkness' 5CD box set - shipping now

THE MARCH VIOLETS release a 5CD boxset The Palace of Infinite Darkness (November 18 2022).  Despite the band never getting around to recording an album in the 80’s, a wealth of material has been discovered. 

In addition to a full CD of their singles (also issued as Play Loud Play Purple on 2LP purple vinyl) and another CD of extended versions, the box includes six excellent sessions recorded for the BBC (also reissued as Big Soul Kiss 2LP yellow vinyl after a sold-out RSD release).  Then there are two whole discs of unreleased sessions – one from the early period 1982-84, and one from the later period 1985-87 - the band have uncovered numerous sessions have never been heard. 

This box set chronicles their development with lead singers Simon Denbigh, Rosie Garland and Cleo Murray, backed by bassist Lawrence Elliot and guitarist Tom Ashton.

Founder-member Rosie Garland recounts the band’s story, with quotes from Tom, Cleo, Loz and Simon, in an illustrated 44-page booklet.

UPDATE: The March Violets have reformed, and are gigging the UK & Germany in May/June 2023 as well as making new recordings.  More info:  marchvioletsband.com

Discs and tracks: -

Disc 1 - ‘PLAY LOUD PLAY PURPLE’ (COMPLETE SINGLES 1982-85)

Radiant Boys, Religious as Hell, Fodder, Children on Stun, Bon Bon Babies, Grooving in Green, Steam, Crow Baby, 1 2 I Love You, Long Pig, Snake Dance, It’s Hot, Slow Drip Lizard, Walk into the Sun, Lights Go Out, Essence, Deep, Eldorado, Electric Shades.     All the recordings released 1982-85 in original versions

Disc 2 - ‘PLAY LOUDER PLAY PURPLER’ (EXTENDED VERSIONS & ERAS)

Crowbait, Snake Dance (extended), Walk into the Sun (extended), Lights Go Out (extended), Essence (extended), Deep (Deeper Mix), Cut Down Pretty, Road of Bones, Mortality (Demo). Club versions plus three 21^st Century tracks

Disc 3 - ‘BIG SOUL KISS’ (THE BBC RECORDINGS 1982-84)

Radiant Boys, Steam, 1 2 I Love You, Grooving in Green, Crow Baby, The Undertow, Strangehead, Slow Drip Lizard, Walk into the Sun, Deep, Kill the Delight, Big Soul Kiss, Lights Go Out, Love Hit, Don’t Take it Lightly, Electric Shades, The Face of the Dragonfly, Snake Dance, Deep.

Recorded by the BBC for the John Peel, Kid Jensen and Richard Skinner programmes

 Disc 4 - ‘INFINITE DARKNESS’ (UNRELEASED RARITIES 1982-84)

Strangehead (Alternative version), Grooving in Green (Alternative Version), Radiant Boys (Alternative version), Radiant Boys, Children on Stun, Steam, The Palace of Infinite Darkness, Fodder, Virgin Sheep, Religious as Hell, 1 2 I Love You, Long Pig, Bon Bon Babies, Radiant Boys, Steam, The Palace of Infinite Darkness, Big Soul Kiss, Cold Blue Breakdown, Love in a Nightmare, Rich City.

Studio and live recordings 1982-84

Disc 5 - ‘SILVER LINING’ (UNRELEASED RARITIES 1985-87)

High Times, Close to the Heart, South Country, Avalanche of Love, One Cut Too Much, Silver Lining, Turn to the Sky, Gold, The Peacemaker, Persuasion, No Love No Money, Flames of Love, Snake Dance, Big Soul Kiss, Out of This World, Face of the Dragonfly, Wonderland, Snake Dance.

1-4 BBC Session for Janice Long; plus studio sessions 1985-87

Someone made an unboxing video: -