The Woodentops with Rolo McGinty in conversation with David Eastaugh
The band formed in 1983 in South London with an initial line-up of Rolo McGinty (vocals, guitar, formerly of The Wild Swans and The Jazz Butcher), Simon Mawby (guitar), Alice Thompson(keyboards), Frank DeFreitas (bass guitar), and Benny Staples replacing Paul Hookham (drums).
After a debut single, "Plenty" on Food Records in 1984, which received a glowing review from Morrissey in Melody Maker, they signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records, releasing a series of singles in 1985 and their debut album, Giant, in 1986. Generally well received by critics, the album's sound was characterised by acoustic guitars, but also featured accordion, marimba, strings, and trumpet sounds. The album reached No. 35 on the UK Albums Chart. A single from the album, "Good Thing", reached No. 7 on the UK Indie Chart.
The band then became more experimental and frenetic when playing live, using more electronicsounds. This first became apparent as documented on the live album Live Hypno Beat (1987), which was recorded in Los Angeles in 1986. The band also started to become more 'raw' and unpredictable live, becoming one of the most exciting independent groups from the UK, while gaining an early hit on the burgeoning club scene in Ibiza with '"Why".
Ron Johnson special with Dave Parsons
The Pandoras with Karen Basset
Porl Young - Rosetta Stone
Becky Wreck - Lunachicks
The Shend special - The Cravats, Very Things, Grimetime
Karen Haglof - Band Of Susans, The Crackers, The Wad
Happy Mondays special with Paul Ryder
The Dream Syndicate with Steve Wynn
The Barracudas with Jeremy Gluck
Toni Basil in conversation
Nancy Barile - I'm Not Holding Your Coat
Meg Lee Chin - Pigface & Teknofear
Green on Red with Chris Cacavas
Chris Utting or Criss Crass - The Muffs, Vains, The Rockinghams
Girlschool with Jackie Chambers
The Muffs with Ronnie Barnett
The Loft with Andy Strickland
Native Records with Kevin Donoghue
Dom Brown talking about his new album & life with Duran Duran
Duran Duran special with author Annie Zaleski
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Irish Songs with Ken Murray
Immediately Kinfolk
Turned On
Resident by Hernan Cattaneo
Markus Schulz presents Global DJ Broadcast