Figures on a Beach

History

Figures on a Beach was formed in Detroit, Michigan, in the early 1980s from the ashes of the band Razor 1922. The group was composed of vocalist Anthony Kaczynski, guitarist John "Rik" Rolski, keyboardist Christopher Ewen, bassist Perry Tell and drummer, multimedia designer, animator and illustrator Michael "Smitty" Smith. The group recorded an independent EP, Swimming in 1983, and the Don Was-produced single "Breathless" in 1984.

Figures moved to Boston in 1985 and was signed by Seymour Stein of Sire Records soon afterward. They released their first full-length album in 1987, titled Standing on Ceremony. A self-titled LP (Figures on a Beach) followed in 1989, containing a minor hit cover of Bachman–Turner Overdrive's "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and a single titled "Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)". The group disbanded in 1991.

Chris Ewen went on to form Future Bible Heroes, a collaboration with Stephin Merritt and Claudia Gonson from The Magnetic Fields. Kaczynski also performed Merritt's vocals on Future Bible Heroes' 2013 tour, which Merritt opted to skip.

Anthony Kaczynski and Michael Smith went on to form Fireking.

"Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)" was covered by The Echoing Green on the band's self-titled album.

Albums

Singles

Pertinent compilations