The Thrashing Doves were an underrated and unfairly overlooked alternative rock band from the late 1980's. Led by brothers Ken and Brian Forman, the group also consisted of Ian Button and Kevin Sargeant. The Group put out two albums on the A&M label : "Bedrock Vice"(1987) and "Trouble In The Home"(1989)
On "Bedrock Vice" Lead singer Ken Forman displayed a half-croonhalf yelp that reminded some music critics of Gordon Gamo of The Violent Femmes. Two years after "Vice" the Doves were back expanding on not only thier music range, but with "Trouble In The Home". also featured more of the slight religious undertones that they briefly flirted with on "Vice"-only with more prominence here.
Were they switching from a secular image to a more Christian one? Or were they following U2's example-only occasionally using spiritual influences on certian songs or future albums? It is not unusual for music artists and bands to incorporate spiritual issues in thier music ( such as Collective Soul,Creed, Live or Jewel ) but "secular" they remain.
Indeed, at least four songs on "Trouble In The Home" make references to God and Jesus Christ. There is also an anti-porn (!) rock song in here-("Like Heartbreak") which pulls no punches. In the middle of the song "Rebrobate's Hymn" you clearly hear Ken Forman sing 'I jus'wanna say/Jesus is the way/Choose the Life/I'm feelin'alright...I'll sing my/Rebpobate's Hynm/for m'litl brother/and for m'mother/ for m'self and my lover' and the title track starts off:"They're taking bookings now/for Noah's Ark/a good friend/is all you need/I'm gonna find myself/a happy girl/and take her with me".So What happened?The Thrashing Doves seems to have faded off the map, despite "Home" being better in sales than the debut album. Anyway, you may wonder how a fine American like yers truly wound up even findingthe cassettes I have in question. I found "Bedrock Vice" in early 1990, browsing through a local mall's sidewalk sale. I took a chance.Loved it. Tried to find out about the band.Not much-except that they opened for Duran Duran around the time of DD's tour promoting "Big Thing".
Anyhow, I journeyed back to college (Ferris State University ,Big Rapids,MI,Fall 1991).And that's where I found "Bedrock Vice"-in a used record and tape store(!) .I have had both tapes ever since,still in good condition.Still play like a charm. I have been told that both "Trouble" and "Vice" can be found in England. Where in England?That's something else. In any case, CD wise, there is a glimmer of hope,at least for "Trouble"-A place to buy it?
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