The Tear Garden
From ArticleWorld
The Tear Garden is a group that comprises psychedelic synthpop. It was formed by Edward Ka-Spel of The Legendary Pink Dots and cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy, in 1985.
Key worked with Ka-Spel on his tour in Canada as a sound engineer. The Tear Garden was released that same year, with Dave Rave Ogilvie producing. Ogilvie is well known for his incredible production skills, particularly with Skinny Puppy.
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First Reunion
The group reconvened in 1987 to release their album, Tired Eyes Slowly Burning. The album gained some success. But nothing to build on due to their sporadic album releases.
The media would not hear from Tear Garden until 1992 when they finally released their next album, Last Man to Fly. They released an EP as well which was mostly live improvisation. This EP, Sheila Like the Rodeo also has a video within it,
Delay
The band would be further delayed due to the downfall of Skinny Puppy. Kevin would be tied up trying to complete the album, The Process. As this was a tribute to his fallen band mate Dwayne Goettel. By the time Key, Ogre, and Ogilvie completed the work it was 1995, it had taken them three years to finish the work that was slated to only originally take part of a year at most.
Commitment
With his primary commitment over, Key and The Tear Garden released To Be an Angel Blind, The Crippled Soul Divide in 1996. This album was also followed by Crystal Mass in 2000.
Crystal Mass marked a departure for the group, with more focus seemingly directed toward sound and production than the traditional staple, the lyrics. In 2002 a limited edition compilation of previously unreleased songs, Eye Spy With My Little Eye came out on Key's Subconscious Communications label. A best of, For Those Who Walk With The Gods is also available.
Despite being together since 1985, The Tear Garden never went on a major tour, only sporadic shows in small venues. This was one major detail that has limited their commercial potential. In late 2003, Key hinted in an online chat that a new album was being worked on, however, as of 2006, no album or release date had been officially announced.
Conclusion
With the rebirth of Skinny Puppy, Key’s heavy DJ workload, his Download side project, and his involvement with Ogre’s solo work, it is doubtful that more will come from Tear Garden. That doesn’t mean there won’t be anything though.