ANTARCTICS

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ANTARCTICS


ANTARCTICS – circa 1965 (Sources: Broadgate Gnome / Coventry Standard and Coventry Telegraph)

SCOTT OF THE ANTARCTICS HAS HOT POP CHANCE
COVENTRY STANDARD August 26 1965 (Merry Go Round Column).


“The red van outside was scrawled with the chalked messages of fans – ” Don’t leave us, we love you, Sue and

Janet,” – “Hilda loves the Antarctics, ” – and, unaccountably – “Noddy is the greatest.”. At 64 Somerset Road, Radford, I was talking to 20 years old Clive Scott, leader of the Antarctics beat group. Reason – the celebrated group – The Mighty Avengers have shown interest in two numbers he has composed.

First is a ‘beaty’ number “I’m in Love with You” Said Clive “The second is more of a ballad, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”….use the other exit” he chuckled goonishly! The Antarctics are right behind Clive and, in the near future, will be making a demonstration disc of his numbers so that they can be played to The Avengers’ manager.

Can Read Too!
The back room of the corner shop run by Clive’s mother Mrs Brenda Webb, bore all the hall marks of an up and coming group – amplifier, guitar, a record player. Half denuded, a piano exposed its strings in harp fashion (“It’s not a ‘honky tonk’ – I’ve got the top off because it needs adjusting,”). Most surprising – on the piano was music manuscript paper with real live staff notation written by the composer. For Clive is one of those comparatively rare beings a “pop” Man who can read music. Trained as a serious musician, he studied harmony and counterpoint and composition for two years. Formerly a chorister at Nicholas Church, he composed music for their panto, Robinson Crusoe.


Another venture was a musical play “21st Nightmare”, loosely based on Midsummer Night’s Dream”. He has been composing since he was 12. Since he took the matter seriously – this last two years – he has about 30 numbers to his credit.
…………………………………….
Clive Scott, later joined The Transatlantics and eventually, Jigsaw.

These from Broadgate Gnome…

From Coventry Telegraph May 14th 2009 by Tina Junday.


Former Coventry pop star Clive Scott dies at 64

A SEVENTIES pop star and successful record producer has died after falling off a ladder in a tragic accident.
Music producer and songwriter Clive Scott enjoyed chart success in the 1970s with Jigsaw, a group made up of members from Coventry and Rugby. Their biggest hit was Sky High in 1975.

Clive, who used to live in Radford, Coventry, suffered severe head injuries during the fall and died two weeks later after suffering a stroke. He was 64.

The accident happened at his home in Ascot while he was fixing the gutter. He died on Sunday, May 10, in Finley Hospital.

Clive, who sang and played keyboards with Jigsaw, leaves a wife Ann, aged 53, and son, Sam, aged 15.


Ann said: “He was a family man and loved being at home. I’ve received some beautiful cards saying what a gentleman he was – he always saw the best in everybody.
“He was well known in the music industry. It was a tragic accident, I love him and I will miss him.”

Jigsaw, which was formed in Rugby in 1966, included bass player, Berry Bernard, Kevin Mahon on tenor sax, Tony Campbell guitar, Dave Beech on drums. Des Dyer later joined following Beech’s departure.


Their big break came when an Australian film company was looking for a theme tune for the movie Man from Hong Kong.

Writers Des and Clive came up with the song in three days and found they had an Australian number one on their hands. The song was their 1975 hit single Sky High, one of the biggest selling English language records in Japan of all time. The duo won the most performed song in 1975 award, then later an Ivor Novello certificate of honour award before starting a world tour shortly afterwards. When the group split in the 80s, Clive went into song-writing and production for other artists, working mainly with Ian Levine at a studio in Ascot.

Their work together included producing Blue’s One Love/Get Ready and remixing Billie’s She Wants You.


Ian described Scott as a “wonderful and brilliant and irreplaceable song-writing partner.”

He said: “The world will never be the same. He was the yin to my yang, my right arm. He was a great person to work with.” At least 500 people are expected to attend the funeral in Ascot, including X Factor’s Rowetta Satchell, soul supremo Jimmy James, and American soul singer Pearly Gates.

The duo also wrote Who Do You Think You Are? which was a hit for Opportunity Knocks winners Candlewick Green in 1974. Clive first played with a band called Scott and The Antarctics.

The Angstroms

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The Angstroms


The Angstroms circa 1964-6 (Sources Broadgate Gnome / Pete Chambers)
Beat group (From Broadgate Gnome)
Gordon Kelly (lead guitar), Paul Lamb (rhythm guitar), Roy Powell (bass), Rick Brooks (drums).
Played Star Club in Hamburg and cut a single in early 1965. ‘Angstrom is a technical term for a measurement of sound’  they told Midland Beat in 1965.
Lamb and Kelly left to be replaced by Martin Jenkins and Ted Arnold. They became the Davy Jones Crew in December 1966. Jenkins later formed Dando Shaft.
Single:
A: We Will Fall In Love / B: Coffee Break (? 1965)
From Coventry Telegraph – Pete Chambers
“THE ANGSTROMS were not one of the area’s biggest bands. Nevertheless, they built up a great following that saw this 60s band thrive for many a year. 
Gordon Kelly had piano lessons as a child, thanks to his older brother Ray (who was also to become part of the local 60s music scene). Gordon joined the Merchant Navy in the early 60s and got himself a guitar. When he left in 1962, he had become an accomplished player, and put an advert in the Telegraph looking for likeminded musicians. 
By 1963 the Angstroms were born. 
“We played our first gig in the Church Hall, Willenhall,” says Gordon. 
“I don’t remember too much about it, we lined-up with Roy Powell, Rick Brookes, and Paul Lamb, and myself, but we must have gone down well, as it inspired us to carry on. With the help of manager Mike Vanderstay they broke out of the local circuit and played all over the country and out of it. In 1965 they arrived in Hamburg, Germany. 
Gordon recalls that time: “When we got there we were very hungry and short of cash. We had this old van we used, and on arrival in Germany we set up the primer stove in the back of the van as we always did. We would share a tin of beans between us. 
“Unfortunately in Hamburg the pan of beans caught alight and started to flare up, we were used to it, unlike the German pedestrians, who were horrified by the sight of this unfussed English pop group all sitting around a flaming stove in the back of their van. 
“Our manager fixed us up with lodgings at the Ecuador Embassy, all I can remember is snow up the windows and doors. It was all hard work over there, we played for 12 hours a night, three quarters of an hour on and 15 minutes off and an hour for lunch, then back on stage again.” 
In 1966 after much gigging at places such as the Leofric, the Heath, the Walsgrave, the Plough, the Navigation and the Cheylesmore, they decided to reinvent themselves. 
“Our drummer was into all technical things and he came up with Angstroms,” reveals Gordon. “Some people had problems pronouncing it and spelling it, so we thought of a new name, a nautical name The Davy Jones Crew, as in Davy Jones’s locker. The amazing thing was, within a couple of months of changing the name, we ended up with a new drummer whose name was Dave Jones.” 
By 1967 Gordon had emigrated to Australia, the band continued for a while without him, eventually splitting up in the same year. The trip took five weeks thanks to the closing of the Suez Canal, but Gordon played on the ship and had a fun year in Australia. He had intended to stay, but began missing his mates and the music scene. 
On his return Gordon played in various jobbing show bands. 
He added: “But I had a full time job, and arriving home from a Manchester club at four in the morning, did not fit in with my lifestyle anymore.” 
He quit the scene for a few years, eventually joining the 70s covers band Museum. Also in the band was former Pinkertons Colours guitarist Tom Long. Here is his take on the band: “Museum was potentially the best band I was ever in. Four guys who all sang lead and harmony vocals, three were multi-instrumental. Great talent and possibilities. Unfortunately too short lived. 
“We specialised in playing 60s covers, hence the name Museum. We had some great musicians in that band, we got regular work and were well paid, we supported the likes of Marmalade, the Equals and Edison Lighthouse.” 
From Museum, Gordon joined Opportunity Knocks winners New City Sounds in 1978, who had become The Internationals by then. 
“We had a great front-man called Lenny Bennett,” reveals Gordon. “He was a very short guy, but he used to dress as a policeman during the set and sing, of course, The Laughing Policeman. 
Nowadays Gordon is still involved with music, writing and recording his own songs. “I really enjoyed playing with a lot of talented musicians, but I got tired humping equipment around. 
I did bump into an old Angstrom Roy Powell a year ago, we hadn’t met for 40 years, we now have regular jam sessions, and recall those great times,” said Gordon. 
THE ANGSTROMS 
FOR a short while Martin Jenkins was a member of the Angstroms, Martin went on to become a folk hero in Dando Shaft and as a solo artist. 
IN 1965 The Angstroms played a rooftop concert at the Locarno. Smithford Way was packed, it was a long way down and with such tiny amplification, Gordon wasn’t sure if anyone could hear properly. Though they still beat the famous Beatles’ Apple rooftop concert by four years. 
AN ATOM OF SUCCESS… The Angstroms (above), in their guise as The Davey Jones Crew (right), and Gordon Kelly today (bottom).” 

Backbeat Gold: The Angstroms – the small band with a big following

By Pete Chambers

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/backbeat-gold-angstroms—small-8862539

The Angstroms were not one of the area’s biggest bands, indeed their very name is a microscopic measurement usually applied to atoms.

Nevertheless, they built up a great following that saw this 60s’ band thrive for many a year.Gordon Kelly had piano lessons as a child, thanks to his older brother Ray (who was also to become part of the local 60s’ music scene).

He joined the Merchant Navy in the early 60s and got himself a guitar. When he left in 1962, he had become an accomplished player and put an advert in the Telegraph looking for like-minded musicians.
By 1963 The Angstroms were born.

“We played our first gig in the Church Hall, Willenhall,” said Gordon. “I don’t remember to much about it, we lined-up with Roy Powell, Rick Brookes, Paul Lamb and myself, but we must have gone down well, as it inspired us to carry on”.

Carry on they did, with the help of manager Mike Vanderstay they broke out of the local circuit and played all over the country and out of it.

Gordon said: “When we got there we were very hungry and short of cash. We had this old van we used, and on arrival in Germany we set up the primer stove in the back of the van as we always did.

“We would share a tin of beans between us. Unfortunately in Hamburg the pan of beans caught alight and started to flare up. We were used to it, unlike the German pedestrians who were horrified by the sight of this unfussed English pop group all sitting around a flaming stove in the back of their van.

“Our manager fixed us up with lodgings at the Ecuador Embassy, all I can remember is snow up to the windows and doors! It was all hard work over there, we played for 12 hours a night, three quarters of an hour on and 15 minutes off and an hour for lunch, then back on stage again.”

In 1966 after much gigging at places like the Leofric, the Heath, The Walsgrave, The Plough, The Navigation and The Cheylesmore, they decided to re-invent themselves.


“Our drummer was into all technical things and he came up with Angstroms”, said Gordon, “some people had problems pronouncing it and spelling it, so we though of a new name, a nautical name The Davy Jones Crew, as in Davy Jones locker.


“The amazing things was, within a couple of months of changing the name, we ended up with a new drummer who’s name was Dave Jones!”

By 1967 Gordon had emigrated to Australia, the band continued for a short while without him, eventually splitting up in the same year.

The trip took five weeks thanks to the closing of the Suez Canal, but Gordon played on the ship and had a fun year in Australia. He had intended to stay, but began missing his mates and the Coventry music scene.



Angstroms Trivia
For a short while Martin Jenkins was a member of The Angstroms, Martin went on to become a folk hero in Dando Shaft and as a solo artist.

An Angstrom (abbreviated Å) is one ten-billionth (1/10,000,000,000) of a meter. A hydrogen atom measures about 1Å across. A German fan once said to them “You, I think, are the smallest band in the world”

In 1965 The Angstroms played a rooftop concert at the Locarno. Smithford Way was packed, it was a long way down and with such tiny amplification, Gordon wasn’t sure if anyone could hear properly. Though they still beat the famous Beatles Apple rooftop concert by four years.


In 1965 they arrived in Hamburg, Germany.

The Davey Jones Crew

Gordon Kelly in 2007

Analog

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Analog



ANALOG – Source – Hobo – Coventry Music and Arts Magazine / Workshop 1973 – 75
circa 1974-5

Quoted in HOBO magazine as being ‘rock’. 

Members of the Reluctant Stereotypes
Three members of Analog later (after some other bands) became members the early version of the  Two Tone band The Reluctant Stereotypes ie  Mick Hartley and Steve Edgson and Paul Brook. Steve Edgson remained with the final version of The Reluctant Stereoypes.



In the beginning…

In 1974, guitar player John Rushton sent a letter to me (Trev Teasdel) at Hobo (Coventry Music and Arts magazine, seen here.  They had a piece in Hobo and by July we had given them their first gig at the Hobo Workshop – Holyhead Youth Centre, Coventry and a second gig on the Monday 23rd August 1974.

Letter to Hobo from John Rushton

“Trev, I thought you might like some details of a new and truely original Coventry Rock band to include in your mag – HOBO.

The name is ANALOG, and includes the following people;-

Mick Hartley – Bass, Steve Edgson – 2nd guitar and Clarinet and recorder, Paul (Babbling) Brook – drums (he plays a double kit) and vocals, and John Rushton (multi-track maniac) on lead guitar and backing vocals.

We are working on a 40 minute suite at the moment, as yet untitled, based on an original idea by Paul Brook. This will comprise the first half of the set, along with a super high energy instrumental entitled Custer’s Last Stand. (Say no more!).

The suite contains mo9re words than Close to the Edge and has seven main parts.

Equipment is as follows:-
Mick Hartley – Sound City 120 Watt amp and cab. Paul Brook – Pearle double bass drum kit. Steve Edgson – Park Combination amp and cab. John Rushton – Park 100 watt amp and R.P.A. cab + horn unit.

We’ll have a PA when we play live of course, as we can’t afford the bread at the moment.

Cheers John A. Rushton. Earlsdon”

Below  – The original letter.



There were strong jazz-rock and early King Crimson, Colosseum and Yes influences in the music.


You can hear their music on Soundcloud on this link – 3 Tracks recorded at Bird Sound Studios, Snitterfield. 1974. Click here to listen o9n Soundcloud.





In HOBO it was reported that the band had been rehearsing an original set for a year without playing any gigs.

From Hobo Magazine – May 1974 – Edited and written by Trev Teasdel

ANALOG

“A new original rock band freaturing Mick Hartley bass (Sound City 120 watt amp + cab), Steve Edgeson 2nd guitar / clarinet and recorder (Park Combination amp + cab), Paul (Babbling) Brook drums and vocals and concept (Pearl double bass drum kit) John Rushton (multi-track-maniac) lead guitar and backing vocals (park watt amp + RPA cab and horn unit. They are currently working on a 40 min suite written by Paul Brook. This will comprise the first set followed by high energy instrumentals. The suite contains more words than Yes’s Close to the Edge.”

and

“ ANALOG is a band that have been rehearsing an original set for about a year, without playing any gigs. They have written and composed a 40 min long suite which they will perform in the first half of their set. This will be followed by a high energy piece. The line up consists of Mick Hartley bass (sound City 120 watt amp = cab); Steve Edgson 2nd guitar / clarinet / recorder (park combination amp + cab), Paul (Babbling) Brook – drums and vocals (Pearl double bass Drumkit); John Rushton (multi tracking maniac) lead guitar and backing vocals (Park 100watt amp = RPA cab and horn unit).” 


HOBO WORKSHOP – HOLYHEAD YOUTH CENTRE, COVENTRY

Analog played their first ever gig at The Hobo Workshop at the Holyhead Youth centre in Coventry on Monday July 8th 1974. This was the second of the weekly sessions at the Holyhead Youth Centre. They played a second gig for the Hobo Workshop on Monday 23rd August 1974.

This is a photo of the gig from the Coventry Journal with Analog on stage. In the photo at the back is the organiser Trev Teasdel (long blond hair) next to songwriter Phil Knapper – stripy shirt – older brother of Stu Knapper who later formed the punk band Riot Act. At the side of the stage is Bob Rhodes – a youth worker and co-organiser and musician and Liz Scott – a co-organiser.


The full cutting is below. The Hobo Workshop gigs were initiated by Hobo Magazine edited b y Trev Teasdel and Coventry Voluntary services Youth service represented by Detached Youth Worker Bob Rhodes and so the article is focused on the youth work more than the work of Hobo and the bands.

Advert in the Coventry Telegraph for the Analog gig


Some photos of Analog submitted by guitarist John Rushton

Paul Brook – Analog Drummer and writer.



Bass player Mick Hartley recording with the band at Bird studios Snitterfield.


.Analog recording at Bird Studios Snitterfield.


Paul Brook’s double drum kit


John Rushton in a later band.

Amber Sin

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Amber Sin


Amber Sin were a club band formed by Errol McGrath after Coconut Mat split up in 1970. Errol tells us “Amber Sin were around for a couple of years with various different line ups and as with most bands at the time. We played most of the Working Men’s Clubs’s in the Midlands. 


The line up in this pic from left to right –

Errol McGrath (Vocal/Guitar),
Brian White (Bass),
Lol Ivans (Rhythm guitar),
Tony Gibbard (Drums).

Other musicians include Trevor Hilton on bass (who defected to Smackee)
and Tommy ? on drums at one stage.

At one stage bass player Al Varney (Ex Fission with Johnny Adams) was in Amber Sin.

This Amber Sin Mark 2 with 
Errol McGrath (Vocal/Guitar),
Alan Varney (Bass),
Tony Gibbard (Drums).

Geoff Tookey was a roadie with the band.


Al Varney on bass with Amber Sin

All About Eve

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All About Eve

Julianne Regan

BAND INDEX

Julianne Regan (born 30 June 1962, Coventry) – singer, song writer, guitarist, bass guitarist and keyboard player, is best known for being the lead singer of the band, All About Eve.


From Wiki

Regan moved to London at the age of 19 and found work as a journalist for music magazine Zig Zag, while also studying at the London College of Fashion. In her capacity as a journalist she was given the task of interviewing Gene Loves Jezebel and then subsequently joined that band on bass guitar…

All About Eve (first era) (1985-1992)

The first line-up of the group hit the studio in 1985 to record the first single “D For Desire”, but following a falling out between Zwingmann and Regan, the former left the band. Soon after this Andy Cousin replaced Jackson on bass, thus creating the first well-known All About Eve line-up of Bricheno, Cousin and Regan, plus a drum machine. The group recorded demos and played several well-received gigs.

In 1986 Regan met a girl known to the wider world only as “Crazy Rachael” and her boyfriend ex-The Sisters of Mercy guitarist Wayne Hussey. Hussey was at the time recording the first Mission album God’s Own Medicine and was so impressed with Regan’s voice that he asked her to contribute backing vocals to the song “Severina”. This started a close collaboration between the two bands that continues to this day, and at the time got All About Eve signed to the Mission’s record label (on the back of them being support to the Mission’s first tour and Regan appearing on several TV programmes with the Mission for performances of “Severina”). Regan also provides backing vocals on The Mission song “Wishing Well”, which appears on the US version of their early songs collection album The First Chapter.

During production of the first, eponymous, All About Eve album, Regan formed a relationship with Simon Hinkler, guitarist with the Mission. Meanwhile a full-time drummer Mark Price was recruited to the band in 1988: he would go on to marry Regan’s sister and also have a child, Joe (born 1990).

All About Eve soon hit the big-time with the first album and the single “Martha’s Harbour” both going Top 10 along with four other Top 40 singles between the summers of 1988 and 1989. Fame, however, did not seem to sit all that well with Regan. She broke up with Hinkler, a situation which inspired Hussey to pen Mission song “Butterfly on a Wheel”: this song is often viewed as a direct response to All About Eve’s song “Scarlet”, even though it contains references to several others. A short time later, Regan started a relationship with her own guitarist, Bricheno.

It was the collapse of her relationship with Bricheno that plagued the recording of the second album Scarlet and Other Stories. It is on record that Regan suffered something of a breakdown during this time and would later say “I don’t think I’ve wept as often in my life as I did during the making of Scarlet and Other Stories.” Understandably therefore, the lyrics to the songs on this album reflect the unhappiness of their author, particularly in “Scarlet”, “December”, “Drowning” (the B-side to “December”) “Pieces of Our Heart”, “Road to Your Soul” and “Only One Reason”.

With Regan and Bricheno unable to speak to each other, the latter left the band at the end of 1990 (and join The Sisters of Mercy), to be replaced by Church guitarist Marty Willson-Piper. Two songs, “Strange Way” and “Farewell Mr Sorrow”, from All About Eve’s third album, Touched By Jesus, are concerned with the end of this relationship: however this was not an entirely bitter work for she would also write the concluding song, “Are You Lonely?” for her father.

Touched By Jesus did not quite enjoy the commercial success of the first two albums and All About Eve subsequently changed record labels to MCA in 1992. Here they were to record their fourth (and final) studio album Ultraviolet – a somewhat psychedelic move in which, as Regan later admitted, her vocals were mixed too far down into the swirling guitars, with the net result sounding something akin to Cranes or Spiritualized. This alienated fans, and the record did not make the Top 40. MCA ditched the group, and they split up in early 1993.



Alchemista

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Alchemista

Current band  



A range of genres including rock, folk, blues – and a touch of prog rock.


From their website

Their single Calico Jack.


Alchemista are a Coventry-based five-piece band playing their own original songs in a style best described as melodic rock. 

Caroline Luxton-White (lead vocals), Paul Jayes (keyboards), Steve Kavanagh (guitar), Matt Molland (bass) and Colin Halliwell (drums) 

All share a love of an eclectic mix of songs, ranging from ethereal and epic to catchy and up-tempo. Reviewing their last EP “Clear Skies to See” in Hot Music Live (a publication promoting originals music in Coventry and Warwickshire) Andy Holdcroft said, “Alchemista are definitely a band unlike any others around here currently and I recommend their classic song writing and playing style to you. The tracks are admirably clear, and you can appreciate both the excellent vocals and often very subtle instrumental touches. Above all, the songs have very clear meanings and have obviously been wrought with care, intelligence and love”.




THE AK BAND

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THE AK BAND



THE AK BAND
Punk, Powerpop, Ska, Indie, Alternative c1980

Singles
Pink Slippers / Skegaway produced by Roger Lomas I believe.
Label: BAATTLE BOB1
8.3.12 / Walnuts-Moleteazers UK 1981
Over You / Dead Slumber
Album
Manhole Kids RCA 1981

Lead Vocalist / Bass Neville (Nev Slipper) (Later joined Coma Cou) They featured on Rhythm Method Compilation
Johnny AK / Maz Walnut.
Won Battle of the Bands 1980

Pete Chambers says
” The AK Band were the nearest thing Kenilworth ever had to a hit band. Playing Ska music very much in the mould of Bad Manners. Their single Pink Slippers has graced many a Best of Ska Album.”

From Tone and Wave
“This is the Ak Bands first recording from 1980. They were a British power pop trio who played a lot of 2Tone inspired ska with no horn section or keys. The first song here Pink Slippers is an up-tempo song about receiving a bad Christmas gift and the other song Skegaway has more of a Police sound to it.

Side A – Pink Slippers
Side B – Skegaway



Comment
My brothers band were playing in the final of the London heat in Battle of the Bands in 1980 at the Rainbow theatre, they came second to a band called The Time Flies. The Ak Band were in the competition at an earlier heat and were signed straight away and you could tell why, when they came on and performed their songs the whole place was rocking. Great memories.
Sean M
Hoxton London




The Agents

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The Agents


R & B c 1964

Dave Burns and The Agents….line up Keith Bates lead Guitar, Terry Hamilton Vocals, Clive Ellams Drums, Colin Bonsor Bass, Alan Hankinson Rhythm Guitar.

The Agents broke up with the late Alan Hankinson and the Late Dave “Spud” Simpson on Drums accompanied by Rob Price vocals, the late Roger Prince Lead Guitar and Mick Broadhurst on bass……The Joneses

Keith Bates joined The Reason formerly The Puncture Outfit.



ADORABLE

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ADORABLE


L to R Robert Dillam, Stephen ‘Wil’ Williams,

Piotr Fijalkowski, Kevin Gritton


ADORABLE c 1990 – 1994 – Sources Pete Chambers – Godiva Rocks 2004 / Wikipedia
Alternative rock, shoegazing

Says Pete Chambers ” Here’s a Cov band that almost had it all in their hands”

Piotr Fijalkkowski – Vocals / Guitar  Robert Dillam – Guitar Kevin Gritton – Drums
Stephen ‘Wil’ Williams – Bass

Great Indie Songs  – Breathless / Sistine Chapel Ceiling / Submarine / Kangeroo Court

Formed 1990/ 91 out of small time Coventry bands – Bubblegum Flesh and The Candy Thieves. Influences – Echo and the Bunnymen (and Ian McCulloch).

Signed to Oasis Label Creation in a Coventry pub.
Pete Chambers writes – “continued arrogance and record company squabbling killed off initial momentum” Dropped when Sony took over Creation Label.

Albums
Against Perfection (Creation / CRE 138) – Mar 1993 – Charted No 70 Album Charts
Fake (Creation / CRE 165) – Sept 1994 (Failed to chart – dropped from Creation label)
Footnotes – Best Of 92-94 (Cherry Red / CDMRED327) – Jan 2008
Singles
Sunshine Smile (Creation / CRE 127) – Apr 1992 12″ Rave reviews in NME – No1 in Indie Charts
I’ll Be Your Saint (Creation / CRE 133) – Jul 1992 (Top 5 in Indie Chart)
Homeboy (Creation / CRE 140) – Oct 1992 (Top 5 in Indie Chart)
‘Homeboy/Summerside’ (fanclub only tape)
Sistine Chapel Ceiling (Creation / CRE 153) – Jan 1993 (Top 5 in Indie Chart) NME Single of the Week
Favourite Fallen Idol (Creation / CRE 159) – Apr 1993
Kangaroo Court (Creation / CRE 172) – Apr 1994
Vendetta (Creation / CRE 177) – Sept 1994

Piotr then formed Casino and then Polak

Wikipedia explains further –
” The 12″ single of “Sunshine Smile” (“I’ll Be Your Saint” & “Breathless” on the b-side) was pressed up to be released on record producer Pat Collier’s ‘Money To Burn’ label the band received a gushing review in the NME. The single was never released.

Signed to Creation Records in 1992, after a UK tour supporting Curve they released their first single a re-recording of “Sunshine Smile” in May of that year. Distancing themselves from the Shoegazing movement, by attempting to be more outspoken than traditional shoegazers, Adorable were briefly seen along with other bands Suede and The Verve as being a part of a new movement tagged ‘New Glam’, a label attributed to Fijalkowski’s assertion that “we want to put the glamour back into pop”.

“Sunshine Smile” was NME’s Single of the Week, and topped the Indie Singles chart as well as entering the mainstream UK single top 100 charts for three weeks. A backlash in the press against the band’s outspoken image immediately followed, and the band were never to be interviewed in the mainstream UK press after their debut single. The band released “I’ll Be Your Saint”, “Homeboy” and “Sistine Chapel Ceiling” (NME single of the Week), which all went into the Top 5 in the Indie charts, but failed to enter the mainstream Top 75. The Album “Against Perfection” released in 1993 went to #70 in the album charts, and the band toured the USA, Europe, Australia & Japan.

The second album “Fake”, was seen as a far more introspective album, which Fijalkowski himself suggests was the result of the band feeling vulnerable. Although the two singles “Kangaroo Court” & “Vendetta” again entered high in the Indie Singles chart, the album failed to dent the mainstream Top 75, and strained relations both within the band and with Creation resulted in the band announcing their split onstage in Brussels in late 1994.

In subsequent years, the band has been re-classified as being part of the shoegazing movement.

Subsequent to the band’s demise, Robert Dillam moved to Scotland where he joined The Zephyrs and is teaching computer networking. Stephen Williams remains in Coventry and is currently the Assistant Director of the International Office at the University of Warwick, whilst Fijalkowski went on to form the band Polak, who signed to One Little Indian Records and now uses the anglicised version of his name; Pete Fijalkowski.

From Adorable’s My Space
“Within two pints of Adorable meeting Alan Mcghee for the first time in a pub in the centre of Coventry in January 1992, the conversation got quite heated when we asked him about the dropping of My Bloody Valentine from the label. Mcghee likened his relationship with MBV as that of a girlfriend and boyfriend, but said that he couldn’t tell Kevin Shields face to face that his services were no longer required at Creation. I made Mcghee promise that if and when he came to drop Adorable from Creation he would have the guts to do so to my face.

So was born an uneasy relationship between Adorable and Creation records, that was never really to thaw over the next two and a half years. Things started promisingly enough, our first single ‘Sunshine Smile’ got NME single of the week, lots of evening session play on National Radio One, number one in the indie charts and three weeks in the national top 100 charts, but had we had the advantage of a crystal ball we would have seen that this was to be our UK high point, and that it would be downhill all the way from thereon.”



The Candy Thieves

Before Adorable, three of the band were in The Candy Thieves





Adorable – Contented Eye (HD) (Homeboy)

Adorable – Have You Seen The Light