THE EMPTY SET
Brit-styled Post-Punk Pop Rock
[1985 - 1992]
BANDCAMP
Influences: Robyn Hitchcock, XTC, Squeeze, Kinks, Syd Barrett, Roger McGuin, Beatles
{playful surrealism w/ introspective lovelorn melancholy}
Laurence Miller
12-string acoustic, electric guitar, and vocals
[additional keyboards & bass in studio recordings]
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)
Steve Roback: Keyboards
Mark Shultz: Guitar
Larry Goetz: Guitar
and other catchy yet dramatic departures from the rock norm..."
33 rpm 12" LP LaLa Records © 1988
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.
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."
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; 7" 33rpm EP called WANDERING IN WONDER and a 12" LP called 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, if not somewhat understandably. The Empty Set continued on without Laurence and 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 songs and a few covers, recorded back in those daze. These particular collections came to fruition between 2020 and 2023 during 'The Pandemic' and are found on Bandcamp.
[BELOW are 'live performances' from the late 1980's for your viewing pleasure]
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 Shipping P&H in U.S.A.
Out-of-Print only 20 records left!
FRONT COVER
BACK COVER
