From Manchester, Membrane's unique take on post-punk in the early 80's saw them pioneer a dark energy sound that saw them an acclaimed influence and the first band to record with Steve Albini outside his own bands in 1986. After a 20 year break they returned in 2015 at the request of Steve Albini to play ATP and their darkwave music was perfectly captured on their 2019 6th album 'What Nature Gives...Nature Takes Away'. The album was critically acclaimed for its epic, brooding soundscapes. With an added 20 piece choir combined with the band's trademark bass driven songs and strings, it's an imaginative reshaping of their sound that has had many people calling it 'album of the year.' One of the key underground bands in the UK in the 80s, The Membranes have been an influence on scenes as diverse as Grind-core (Napalm Death credit them as starting the scene) and My Bloody Valentine who used to support them and American bands like Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jnr, Mercury Rev, Big Black (Steve Albini's first recording being Membranes 1987 Kiss Ass Godhead) and @marklanegan who they recently toured with. 
 The band's revival has seen many festivals and support tours with The Sisters Of Mercy, Killing Joke, the Stranglers, Sleaford Mods, Therapy, The Undertones, My Bloody Valentine.