THE EMPTY SET
Brit-styled Post-Punk Pop Rock
[1985 - 1992]
BANDCAMP
Influences: Robyn Hitchcock, XTC, Squeeze, Kinks, Syd Barrett, Beatles
{playful surrealism w/ introspective lovelorn melancholy}
Laurence Miller
12-string acoustic, electric guitar, and vocals
[playing additional keyboards and bass in studio recording sessions]
Ron DeVore
Bass, & vocals
Bill Frank
Drums & vocals
**************************************
STUDIO MUSICIANS
Benjamin Miller: Alto Saxophone
David Dimes: Bb Clarinet
Joe Robinson: Bagpipes
Steve Roback [of 'Rain Parade' fame]: Keyboards
Mark Shultz [of 'P.I.L' fame]: Lead Guitar
Larry Goetz: Lead Guitar, Keyboards
'LIVE' MUSICIANS
Fred Klein: Keyboards, tambourine
John Housely: Guitar (acoustic/electric)
THE EMPTY SET was born out of the ashes of Ann Arbor's NONFICTION in 1985. Soon 'based' in LA, The Empty Set chose
to focus primarily on studio recording with limited showcase performances. The band released two vinyl records; WANDERING
IN WONDER and LOST IN THE RYPTIDE.
What started out as a creative adventure in playful songwriting and
performance eventually turned into yet another relatively generic post-punk band. Though initially chief songwriter, Laurence was drifting
apart from the band by 1989 and in 1992 internal politics took him out all
together. The Empty Set continued on without
Laurence and have since released several CD's on various labels. The band is now defunct.
NOTE: Laurence remixed remastered and released a handful of CDs focusing on his material (and a few covers) recorded back in those daze. These particular collections came to final fruition between 2020 and 2023 and are found on Bandcamp.
[Please be sure to watch these videos below on YouTube so we get our 'views'!]
LaLa Records © 1986
and other catchy yet dramatic departures from the rock norm..."
LaLa Records © 1988
Wednesday November 3, 2010
on their archival website. The Empty Set's left-of-the-dial pop/rock was competent and occasionally ironic,
but with the exception of Lost in the Ryptide's most stimulating offerings like "Ryptide Zone" and "Sing Song
Babble On" they were a bit non-descript. Though their cover of the Comsat Angel's icy and enthralling 1980
single "Independence Day" hardly outdoes the original, it's inclusion here is a greatly appreciated gesture.
Even the briefest listen to my rip of this album will reveal a copious amount of vinyl noise that at times is
damn near interrupting. It appears that Empty Set front-man Laurence Bond has a few remaining copies
of Lost in a Ryptide he's hawking through the band's site. So if you enjoy what you hear, consider patronizing
him for what might very well be an improved listening experience..."
WANDERING IN WONDER
4-song 33rpm Vinyl EP
© 1986 LaLa Records
SOLD OUT
FRONT COVER
BACK COVER
LOST IN THE RYPTIDE
10-song 33 rpm Vinyl LP
© 1988 LaLa Records
$25.00
FREE P & H in U.S.A.
( Out-of-Print only 20 records left! )
FRONT COVER
BACK COVER
