Jocasta

Comprising vocalist Tim Arnold, guitarist Jack Reynolds, bass player Andy Lewis and drummer Adrian Meehan, UK indie pop band Jocasta was listed on many industry ‘tip sheets’ at the end of 1995. The band’s history dates back to the time when Arnold, who had spent his youth in London, Yorkshire, France and Spain, was enrolled at the same school as Reynolds. Their first meeting was at a lesson in Greek mythology. Later, they named their band Jocasta, the name of the mother of Oedipus. After Arnold returned to Spain, he renewed his acquaintance with Reynolds as part of a musical relationship. In 1994 he moved to Soho, London, where he was joined by Reynolds. During breaks from their day jobs as chef and doorman at an illegal drinking establishment, they began to write their first songs together. The rhythm section of Lewis and Meehan met them while drinking at the same club. The band’s first demos were allegedly financed by the delivery of an unmarked envelope through Meehan’s door containing 20, 000 Yen, the origin of which remains a mystery. The demos instantly secured an American contract, while the band turned down several offers so that they could remain on their own V4 Records in the UK. Their debut single, ‘Go’, announced a vivacious approach to songwriting - contrasting Britpop harmonies with rhythmic muscle comparable to that of the Smashing Pumpkins. With the release of their debut album No Coincidence, however, Jocasta were revealed to be a fairly straightforward Britpop band. The indifferent reception afforded the album hastened the demise of the band, who finally split up in 1999. Lead singer Arnold later embarked on a solo career.