Clive Parker
Encyclopedia
Clive Parker also known as Clive Parker-Sharp, is a British
drummer
, active in the punk
, post-punk
and New Wave
genres. He was a member of the bands The Members
, Spizzenergi/Athletico Spizz 80, Big Country
, and Scary Thieves
. He went on to play with John Moore in The Expressway.
Parker had his own bands The Planets, Lopez & the Waveriders, Kingfishers Catch Fire, Holy Trinity, Barra (Sony-ATV/English Garden Records), and electronic guitar duo Marshall Star. He went on to production and management, forming his own small record label.
In 1992, Parker had a minor dance hit with UK soul singer, Kasie Sharp, co-writing as part of the pop dance production team One Horse Man, who were also released by Arcade Records
in Europe.
, Surrey
. He lives in East Sussex
with his wife. He is now also a writer & published author, and plays guitar and keyboards.
's. He also joined punk rock groups in Camberley
, the Home Counties, and West London circuits, often as support band to groups like The Members, Eddie and the Hot Rods, and others who performed at The Moonlight Club in Hampstead, and Nashville Rooms in West Kensington.
Parker plays with a traditional and matched grip, later double-bass drums, heavily influenced by Keith Moon
and John Bonham
, style non-strict and sometimes experimental or chaotic.
In 1979, Parker joined Spizzenergi, after auditioning at a small rehearsal room in arches at Waterloo, London. Spizzenergi was a late 1970s punk rock/new wave band that changed its name several times during its existence. Alternate names including Spizzoil and Athletico Spizz 80.
In 1980, as Athletico Spizz 80, Parker played on the album, Do a Runner, which spent five weeks on the UK Albums Chart
, peaking at number 27. The album was recorded and mixed at Berry Street studios in London over the spring bank holiday weekend, and featured Jim Solar, Mark Coalfield, and Dave Scott in the line up.
In 1980, the group appeared at the Futurama festival, along with Gary Glitter
and Joy Division
. The festival, which was recorded for the film Urgh! A Music War
, took place at Leeds Queens Hall.
, the band toured the United States with 999
. During the tour, and with Solar, Spizz and Lu Edmonds from The Damned
as the line up, they played the Palladium in New York City
as support band to Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Spizz
Parker toured with Spizz, extensively in Europe and the United States, in support of The Clash
, The Only Ones
, and the Human League. Support bands for Spizz tours included Tenpole Tudor
, Altered Images
, Department S
, and The Mo-dettes
. The band played a week of sold-out shows at London's Marquee Club
, with a matinee for younger fans.
Big Country
Parker toured with Big Country
, playing at the Dunfermline Glen Pavilion (first ever BC gig), and dates with Alice Cooper
Armed Forces tour.
Scary Thieves
Parker toured the UK with Scary Thieves
and Nik Kershaw
.
John Moore
Parker toured the UK with John Moore and Pop Will Eat Itself
, Crazyhead
, and Living Colour
. Dates in the United States, in addition to solo appearances, included performances with My Bloody Valentine.
Kingfishers Catch Fire
Kingfishers Catch Fire played support to Deacon Blue
, and toured the UK college circuit after a favourable showing in Melody Maker
, by writer Helen Fitzgerald.
Athletico Spizz 80, BBC John Peel session 30 April 1980
Scary Thieves
Kingfishers Catch Fire
Kasie Sharp
One Horse Man
Marshall Star
Big Country
Scary Thieves
Barra
Marshall Star
Scary Thieves;
Kasie Sharp
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, active in the punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
and New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
genres. He was a member of the bands The Members
The Members
The Members are a British punk band that originated in Camberley, England. Their best known recording is "The Sound of the Suburbs" .-Career:...
, Spizzenergi/Athletico Spizz 80, Big Country
Big Country
Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife in 1981. They were most popular in the early to mid-1980s, but they still release material for a cult following...
, and Scary Thieves
Scary Thieves
The Scary Thieves were a short-lived English 1980s New Wave band, best known for their 1984 hit "Tell Me Girl" and their 1985 hit "The Waiting Game"...
. He went on to play with John Moore in The Expressway.
Parker had his own bands The Planets, Lopez & the Waveriders, Kingfishers Catch Fire, Holy Trinity, Barra (Sony-ATV/English Garden Records), and electronic guitar duo Marshall Star. He went on to production and management, forming his own small record label.
In 1992, Parker had a minor dance hit with UK soul singer, Kasie Sharp, co-writing as part of the pop dance production team One Horse Man, who were also released by Arcade Records
Arcade Records
Arcade Records was a Dutch multimedia concern, which started off as a record label specialized in compilations.-History:The label itself was founded in 1972 by Herman Heinsbroek, who followed the example of its UK division. Seeing the huge success of their releases the company grew enormously and...
in Europe.
Personal background
Parker was born in 1960, in WindleshamWindlesham
Windlesham is a village in the Surrey Heath district of Surrey in South East England. It is also the name of the parish that covers Bagshot and Lightwater, in addition to Windlesham...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. He lives in East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
with his wife. He is now also a writer & published author, and plays guitar and keyboards.
Professional background
From the age of nine, Parker played in local show bands and working men's clubWorking men's club
Working men's clubs are a type of private social club founded in the 19th century in industrial areas of the United Kingdom, particularly the North of England, the Midlands and many parts of the South Wales Valleys, to provide recreation and education for working class men and their families.-...
's. He also joined punk rock groups in Camberley
Camberley
Camberley is a town in Surrey, England, situated 31 miles southwest of central London, in the corridor between the M3 and M4 motorways. The town lies close to the borders of both Hampshire and Berkshire; the boundaries intersect on the western edge of the town where all three counties...
, the Home Counties, and West London circuits, often as support band to groups like The Members, Eddie and the Hot Rods, and others who performed at The Moonlight Club in Hampstead, and Nashville Rooms in West Kensington.
Parker plays with a traditional and matched grip, later double-bass drums, heavily influenced by Keith Moon
Keith Moon
Keith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
and John Bonham
John Bonham
John Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
, style non-strict and sometimes experimental or chaotic.
In 1979, Parker joined Spizzenergi, after auditioning at a small rehearsal room in arches at Waterloo, London. Spizzenergi was a late 1970s punk rock/new wave band that changed its name several times during its existence. Alternate names including Spizzoil and Athletico Spizz 80.
In 1980, as Athletico Spizz 80, Parker played on the album, Do a Runner, which spent five weeks on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, peaking at number 27. The album was recorded and mixed at Berry Street studios in London over the spring bank holiday weekend, and featured Jim Solar, Mark Coalfield, and Dave Scott in the line up.
In 1980, the group appeared at the Futurama festival, along with Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter is an English former glam rock singer-songwriter and musician.Glitter first came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s...
and Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
. The festival, which was recorded for the film Urgh! A Music War
Urgh! A Music War
Urgh! A Music War is a British film released in 1982 featuring performances by punk rock, New Wave, and post-punk acts, filmed in 1980. Among the artists featured in the movie are Magazine, The Go-Go's, The Fleshtones, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, XTC, Devo, The Cramps, Oingo Boingo, Dead...
, took place at Leeds Queens Hall.
Tours
In 1980, after signing with A&M RecordsA&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
, the band toured the United States with 999
999 (band)
999 are an English rock band who formed in London in 1977. They are often cited as one of the first punk rock bands. Between 1978 and 1981, they had five Top 75 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and one Top 40 single. After extensive touring across the Atlantic Ocean, the band's third and fourth...
. During the tour, and with Solar, Spizz and Lu Edmonds from The Damned
The Damned
The Damned are an English gothic punk band formed in London in 1976. They were the first punk rock band from the United Kingdom to release a single , an album , to have a record on the UK music charts, and to tour the United States...
as the line up, they played the Palladium in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
as support band to Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Spizz
Parker toured with Spizz, extensively in Europe and the United States, in support of The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, The Only Ones
The Only Ones
The Only Ones are an English rock band. They were initially active in the late 1970s and were associated with punk rock, yet straddled the musical territory in between punk, power pop and hard rock, with noticeable influences from psychedelia...
, and the Human League. Support bands for Spizz tours included Tenpole Tudor
Tenpole Tudor
Tenpole Tudor are an English punk band fronted by Edward Tudor-Pole. The band has been active intermittently since 1977.-Origins:Tenpole Tudor formed in 1977 when Tudor-Pole met guitarist Bob Kingston , bassist Dick Crippen, and drummer Gary Long...
, Altered Images
Altered Images
Altered Images were an early 1980s Scottish New Wave / post-punk band. Led by lead singer Clare Grogan, the band branched into mainstream pop music, and had a string of chart hits between 1981 and 1983.-Early career:...
, Department S
Department S (band)
Department S were a British new wave band formed in 1980, who took their stage name from the 1960s TV series Department S. They are best known for their debut single, "Is Vic There?", which was originally released in December 1980.-1980s:...
, and The Mo-dettes
The Mo-dettes
The Mo-dettes were an all-female punk band, formed in 1979 by Kate Korris, an original member of The Slits and brief member of The Raincoats, and Jane Crockford, former member of The Bank of Dresden.-Biography:...
. The band played a week of sold-out shows at London's Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
, with a matinee for younger fans.
Big Country
Parker toured with Big Country
Big Country
Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife in 1981. They were most popular in the early to mid-1980s, but they still release material for a cult following...
, playing at the Dunfermline Glen Pavilion (first ever BC gig), and dates with Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
Armed Forces tour.
Scary Thieves
Parker toured the UK with Scary Thieves
Scary Thieves
The Scary Thieves were a short-lived English 1980s New Wave band, best known for their 1984 hit "Tell Me Girl" and their 1985 hit "The Waiting Game"...
and Nik Kershaw
Nik Kershaw
Nik Kershaw is an English singer-songwriter. The one time jazz-funk guitarist was a mid-1980s teen idol. His 50 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1984 beat all other soloists...
.
John Moore
Parker toured the UK with John Moore and Pop Will Eat Itself
Pop Will Eat Itself
Pop Will Eat Itself are an English alternative rock band, originally formed in Stourbridge in 1986, with members from Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country. Initially known as a Grebo act, their style changed to incorporate sample driven indie and industrial rock...
, Crazyhead
Crazyhead
Crazyhead are an English garage punk band from Leicester, England. Though lumped in with the largely media-created grebo scene, they were more influenced by the garage rock of the late 1960s, as well as bands like The Ramones, The Stooges and Captain Beefheart...
, and Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
. Dates in the United States, in addition to solo appearances, included performances with My Bloody Valentine.
Kingfishers Catch Fire
Kingfishers Catch Fire played support to Deacon Blue
Deacon Blue
Deacon Blue are a Scottish pop band formed in Glasgow during 1985. Their name was taken from the title of the Steely Dan song "Deacon Blues". The band consists of vocalist Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh, keyboard player James Prime and drummer Dougie Vipond....
, and toured the UK college circuit after a favourable showing in Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
, by writer Helen Fitzgerald.
Singles
Spizz- Athletico Spizz 80: June 1980 "No Room" "Spock's Missing" Rough Trade
- Athletico Spizz 80: July 1980 "Hot Deserts" "Legal Proceedings" A&M
- Athletico Spizz 80: October 1980 "Central Park" "Central Park" (Dr. & Nurses dub version) A&M
- The Spizzles: February 1981 "Risk" "Melancholy" A&M
- The Spizzles: April 1981 "Dangers of Living" "Scared" A&M
Athletico Spizz 80, BBC John Peel session 30 April 1980
Scary Thieves
- "Tell Me Girl" (3:48)/"Only Fascination" (3:45) (7" Parlophone, 1984)
- "Tell Me Girl" (6:37)/"Tell Me Girl" (3:48)/"Only Fascination" (3:45) (12" Parlophone, 1984)
- "Dying In Vain" (3:11)/"Behind The Lines" (4:00) (7" Parlophone, 1985)
- "Dying In Vain" (Extended Version)/"Dying In Vain" (Remix)/"Behind The Lines" (12" Parlophone, 1985)
- "The Waiting Game" (Extended Version) (6:19)/"The Waiting Game" (Radio Version) (4:13)/"Live In Another Day" (2:55) (12" Parlophone, 1985) – first pressing with limited edition poster
- "Tell Me Girl" (Extended Version) (6:29)/"Tell Me Girl" (Radio Version) (3:54)/"Only Fascination" (3:45) (12" More Disco, 1994)
Kingfishers Catch Fire
- "Radio Kampala"/"Bella"/"Battle Scars", 12" vinyl EP, 1986 Furry/Rough Trade
- "Blushing Red"/"Never Never", vinyl limited edition double A-side, 1987 Furry/Rough Trade
Kasie Sharp
- "Pulling the Strings" (mixes by StonebridgeStonebridge (DJ)StoneBridge is the pseudonym for the Swedish DJ and record producer, Sten Hallström.-History:StoneBridge won international renown with the remix of the 1993 hit "Show Me Love" with Robin S. Until then, he had been running the Swedish DJ/remix outfit Swemix, formed at the end of the 1980s...
, Sharp Boys, Kamasutra), Undiscovered, 1996
One Horse Man
- "Fuego"/"Bamba Generation", double A-side 12" vinyl, Royal/Arcade
Marshall Star
- "Get On"/"Heaven Help Me", 2000, Furry, promo CD and download only
- "Any Second Now"/"Dream On", double A-side vinyl, Furry, 2003
Albums
Spizz- Do a Runner (as Athletico Spizz 80) (July 1980: A&M)
- Spikey Dream Flower (as The Spizzles) (April 1981: A&M)
Big Country
- Rarities IV TRA1037 (October 2003) - Lost Patrol, The Crossing, Echoes, Wake
Scary Thieves
- Scary Thieves – Inside the Night (3:46)/Game of Love (4:19)/Tell Me Girl (6:37)/The Waiting Game (4:26)/Halloween (3:07)/Live In Another Day (2:55)/Dying In Vain (3:17)/Fascination (3:44)/Somebody Somewhere (3:54)/Thieves of Virtue (5:18)
Barra
- Eternal Magus – English Garden/Hi-Note Music, 2002 (Eternal Magus, Gifts for Violet, Gnosis, Green Man, Journey, Palestine, Seafever, Universe, Battlescars, Badda, Never Never, Silverman, Blushing Red, Power of Three, Seafever [version 2])
Marshall Star
- Uncontrollable – Furry KCF 114, 2004 Everybody, Fallen Angel, Wish I, My Love, Never met a Man, Love is All, Dream On, Will you (turn it up), Superstar, Sweet Sensation, Never Mind
- Cosmos – Furry KCF 115, 2008 (Goodbye Truly, Hopes & Aspirations), Indiana, The Pleasure Seekers, A promise for Tomorrow, The Visionary, Slipped Away, Keep it Up, Seagull, The Dotted Line, My Last Goodbye, Take Me
Compilation albums
Spizz- Spizz History (November 1983: Rough Trade)
- The Peel Sessions (February 1987: Strange Fruit)
- Unhinged (March 1994: Damaged Goods)
- Spizz Not Dead Shock: A Decade of Spizz History 1978 – '88 (May 1996: Cherry Red)
- Where's Captain Kirk (May 2002: Cherry Red)
- Urgh! A Music War (October 1989: A&M Records)
- Various – New Wave Soft Class-X 1 (AS5085: Antler Subway)
- Ausweis – Ausweis - Red And Black (Spizzenergi) (Paris - Théâtre De L'Eldorado Concert WW - 30/03/84) (No.13: V.I.S.A)
Scary Thieves;
- December 84 – Previews (1984) – Tell Me Girl 12"
- Hardest Hits Volume One (1991) – The Waiting Game 12"
- Hardest Hits Volume Two (1992) – Tell Me Girl 12"
- 'Techno Pop 2 (Contraseña 1998) – Tell Me Girl 12"
Kasie Sharp
- Full On House, 1997, (featuring mixes by Fat Boy Slim)
Further reading
- Mercer, MickMick MercerMick Mercer is a journalist and author best known for his photos and reviews of the goth, punk, and indie music scenes. He has photographed the bands Tragic Venus and Blondie in the UK and Europe.He publishes a monthly online magazine called "The Mick"....
. Gothic Rock Black Book, Omnibus Press, 1988. ISBN 978-0711915466
External links
- http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/marshalls2
- http://www.john-moore.net/category/videos/
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1365590/Stuart-Adamson.html
- http://www.discogs.com/artist/Athletico+Spizz+'80
- http://www.last.fm/music/Athletico+Spizz+80
- http://www.manchesteracademy.net/Artist%20Pages/bigcountry.html
- http://www.bigcountryinfo.com/pages/originals/balcony.htm
- http://www.jpop.com/Scary%20Thieves
- http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/artists/Big-Country/biography/
- http://www.wbshop.com/Urgh-A-Music-War/1000112990,default,pd.html
- http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-GB&family=editorial&assetType=image&ep=4&p=spizz#
- http://www.muzu.tv/johnmoore/something-about-you-girl-music-video/237325