This exhibit focuses on the London based band, Exiled Spiders. This exhibit starts with the formation of the band in 1977, and how each individual member joined. The band consists of Dutch Pierce; the guitarist, Drea Grey, lead singer and bassist; Elvira Valentine, pianist and songwriter; and Ani Iver, drummer. In 1978, the band released it’s premier album, “19 x Angsty” which took the world by storm. Also in 1978, the band performed at it’s first gig where you’ll see the poster and Valentine and Pierce’s romantic relationship became public. In the third year of the band’s existence, they released their most popular album, “Flight of the Navy Spiders” with it’s now easily recognizable hit, “Asylum in My Mind”. The band also went on their world tour in 8 different countries. In year four, the band released its final album, “Limp Mouth”, which foreshadowed the band’s eventual breakup. Valentine and Pierce broke up in this year as well and the band started spiraling downhill. In the final year of the Exiled Spiders in 1981, the band broke up and went down different paths. Throughout this exhibit, you will see exclusive journal excerpts from the band members, along with letters and cards. This exhibit also includes different pictures of personal possessions of the band members. After viewing this exhibit, you will have an in depth understanding of the band and it’s member’s history.
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Meet the Membersof
Exiled Spiders
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Andrea (Drea) Grey was born on December 2, 1954 in Salisbury, United Kingdom. Grey was the lead singer for the Exiled Spiders, and along with Dutch Pierce held the auditions for the band during their founding. Grey also played bass guitar when she was not singing. Drea Grey was known as the quiet member of the band, but her melodic voice captured fans around the world. In the end, Grey wanted to have a solo career when the Exiled Spiders started breaking down. After the band's split, Grey has had a successful solo career and her first and breakout album is Born Bloody. Loading...
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Drea GreyDutch Pierce was born in Oxford, Britain, on August 29th, 1954. He was the guitarist for Exiled Spiders, and helped create the band. He had feelings for Elvira Valentine, the pianist and song writer for Exiled Spiders. They eventually got into a relationship in 1977, the same year the band started. Dutch and Elvira would break up in 1980, due to Elvira's substance issues and Dutch having trouble trusting Elvira. After the band broke up, Dutch went on to become a music producer for many different bands.
DUTCH
PIERCE
PIERCE
Elvira Valentine (April 26, 1955- present day) was born in Brighton, UK. She was the pianist for Exiled Spiders. She wrote all of the songs for the three albums that the band released. Throughout most of the band's time together, she was romantically involved with the band's guitarist, Dutch Pierce, and was known for being Ari Iver's, the band's drummer, best friend. After the release of Flight of the Navy Spiders, Elvira became a hardcore alcoholic. After the band broke up, she took up a career in pro fencing.
Elvira Valentine
Ani Iver (March 28, 1955 - Present Day) was born in Manchester, UK. She was the drummer for Exiled Spiders. Iver was known for being best friends with Exiled Spiders pianist and songwriter, Elvira Valentine. After the band's second album, Flight of the Navy Spiders, Iver turned to drugs, and soon became addicted. She was arrested alongside best friend, Valentine, after getting into a street fight. After the band's breakup, she became an author.
Ani Iver
White Vans
June - July 1979
Donated by Drea Grey
These white vans were Exiled Spiders’ lead singer, Drea Grey, shoes during the band’s world tour stops during the months of June and July in 1979. White vans were Grey’s signature shoes for her time with the band, and for every performance, she would be wearing them. Many Exiled Spiders fans have bought white vans, and sales skyrocketed after the release of “Flight of the Navy Spiders” in 1979. As you can see, there are many dirt and grass stains on these vans. It can be assumed that some of these stains were due to some of the band’s antics on their world tour, which included rolling down hills near Paris.
June - July 1979
Donated by Drea Grey
These white vans were Exiled Spiders’ lead singer, Drea Grey, shoes during the band’s world tour stops during the months of June and July in 1979. White vans were Grey’s signature shoes for her time with the band, and for every performance, she would be wearing them. Many Exiled Spiders fans have bought white vans, and sales skyrocketed after the release of “Flight of the Navy Spiders” in 1979. As you can see, there are many dirt and grass stains on these vans. It can be assumed that some of these stains were due to some of the band’s antics on their world tour, which included rolling down hills near Paris.
Pages of Song Notes
April 1981
Courtesy of London Panic Records
These pages of possible music are taken from Exiled Spiders’ lead singer, Drea Grey’s, song journal. These were written in April 1981, a couple months before the band’s breakup. Grey, a now successful solo artist, had been writing lyrics as well, and her solo aspirations were one of the reasons for the band’s breakup. If you look closely at some of the notes on these pages, you may recognize them from Grey’s premier album, “Born Bloody”.
April 1981
Courtesy of London Panic Records
These pages of possible music are taken from Exiled Spiders’ lead singer, Drea Grey’s, song journal. These were written in April 1981, a couple months before the band’s breakup. Grey, a now successful solo artist, had been writing lyrics as well, and her solo aspirations were one of the reasons for the band’s breakup. If you look closely at some of the notes on these pages, you may recognize them from Grey’s premier album, “Born Bloody”.
Bass Guitar
July 1978
On loan from Drea Grey
This bass guitar was used by Drea Grey during the Exiled Spiders first gig in 1978. Although Grey is most known as the lead singer, she does play bass and during a couple of songs at the Poor Man’s Pub in London, she played while other band members sang.
July 1978
On loan from Drea Grey
This bass guitar was used by Drea Grey during the Exiled Spiders first gig in 1978. Although Grey is most known as the lead singer, she does play bass and during a couple of songs at the Poor Man’s Pub in London, she played while other band members sang.
Guitar
Dutch Pierce
1981
Dutch Pierce used this guitar for their first performance at Poor Man’s Pub. He started using other guitars over time, but this will always be known as the original. Not much is known about the other guitars Dutch owned, though.
Dutch Pierce
1981
Dutch Pierce used this guitar for their first performance at Poor Man’s Pub. He started using other guitars over time, but this will always be known as the original. Not much is known about the other guitars Dutch owned, though.
Leather Jacket
Dutch Pierce
1981
This is Dutch’s iconic leather jacket that he wore to every one of his shows, beginning at the band’s first gig at Poor Man’s Pub. He put it up for auction after the band broke up in 1981. Parts of it have rotted away.
Dutch Pierce
1981
This is Dutch’s iconic leather jacket that he wore to every one of his shows, beginning at the band’s first gig at Poor Man’s Pub. He put it up for auction after the band broke up in 1981. Parts of it have rotted away.
Journal Entries
Dutch Pierce
1981
These journal entries are from Dutch’s journal, which he used to record his rise to fame. He also wrote love letters to Elvira, new song ideas, and he drew the band’s album covers in this journal.
Dutch Pierce
1981
These journal entries are from Dutch’s journal, which he used to record his rise to fame. He also wrote love letters to Elvira, new song ideas, and he drew the band’s album covers in this journal.
