Named in honor of filmmaker Gus Van Sant's indie classic Drugstore Cowboy, the dark, atmospheric British-based trio Drugstore formed in London in 1993. The group was led by vocalist/bassist Isabel Monteiro, an expatriate Brazilian who relocated to the U.K. in 1990; after singing in a number of short-lived groups, she eventually teamed with drummer and Los Angeles native Mike Chylinski, and soon Drugstore began to take shape. Claiming to hate her haunting, smoky voice, Monteiro insisted that the fledgling group test other singers, but when none of the auditions proved suitable, she grudgingly agreed to handle vocal chores. After originating as a thrash outfit, Drugstore's sound gradually grew slower and more dreamy, hotwiring their music's languid psychedelic beauty with crashing waves of distortion and white noise. Instead of recording a demo, the group issued their debut single, "Alive," on their own Honey label in the spring of 1993. After a flurry of critical acclaim, the follow-up, "Modern Pleasure," appeared as an installment in the Rough Trade Singles Club series. Inviting guitarist Daron Robinson to join the group full-time, Drugstore soon signed to the Go-Discs! label; after issuing the Starcrossed EP at the beginning of 1995, their stunning self-titled debut album followed later in the year. White Magic for Lovers appeared in 1998. Another change of record label preceded their best album to date, "Songs for the Jet Set", which sees the band in a subtler and yet more entrancing mood. Isabel is currently working on NEW MATERIAL for the next DRUGSTORE album.
In 2010 Monteiro announced a new line-up, comprising of: Tito and Graham Gargiulo on guitars, and Lee Moulds on drums.
The band will be unveiling the 'new cowboys' at the ICA, london, on May 5th 2010.
Twitter Updates
Cave temperature cold, but heart warmed up by small, but visible, silver string of good things lining Drugstore's twisted path ahead.
10:49 AM February 08
Y'know how gr8 it is when you move from economy to 1st? Back from full-day rehearsal. Drugstore: same trip, upgraded.
10:43 AM February 06
@OliverPolar Possible Personal trainer?My orangejuice/yoghurt/walking days are always followed by booze/praline reward.Need more discipline.
01:48 PM February 05
@gigsniffer monteiro, now having to fight the 'have to see it to believe it crowd' - u should know me better by now. believe.
09:51 AM February 05
@gigsniffer 'painfull the next day?!!' LoL - nevermind the day after, it's the night before you should be worried about...
09:35 AM February 05