Colin Gibson (musician)
Encyclopedia
Colin Gibson is a bass player and composer.
were childhood friends and played together in a band called The Primitive Sect, wth Bob Sergeant on organ. In summer 1966, Gibson and Turnbull joined unsigned, Newcastle band The Chosen Few. With Graham Bell
joining on vocals, the band changed its name to Skip Bifferty
and secured gigs in London. The band then secured a deal with RCA in summer 1967 under manager Don Arden
and went on to release three singles "On Love" which made a minor chart appearance, "Happy Land" and "Man in Black" produced by Steve Marriot & Ronnie Lane. Despite being championed by John Peel, with a handful of "Top Gear" appearances, RCA seemed oblivious to their popularity. An LP, Skip Bifferty was recorded at Decca Studios West Hampstead, but witheld by RCA for almost a year before its release in 1968 and later as a double set The Story of Skip Bifferty (Castle Music, 2003), by Sanctuary Records, along with Top Gear sessions and unreleased material,
The band began work on a follow-up LP, to be called Skipzophrenia, with Gibson doing artwork for the album, but their contract was not extended. Unhappy with manager Arden, the band announced they were disbanding in November 1968, while they were actually still working together in the Isle of Wight and trying to find a new record deal. This they did with Chris Blackwell of Island Records and they released a 45 under the name Heavy Jelly, keeping their identities secret. Issued in a picture sleeve, "I Keep Singing That Same Old Song"/"Blue", written by Gibson, was released in June 1969. Arden worked out who Heavy Jelly were and Blackwell backed out. The band broke up for real.
Gibson joined the short-lived Griffin in 1969 with Kenny Craddock
, Pete Kirtley and Alan White, later joined by Graham Bell; they released a 45. liner notes Gibson joined Ginger Baker's Air Force
, replacing Ric Grech
. He and Craddock appeared on Ginger Baker's Air Force 2
(1970), and contributed songs to Alan Price, and Rosetta Hightower (album "Hightower").Later, Gibson was re-united with fellow Griffin members Pete Kirtley
, Kenny Craddock
and Alan White
and the horn section of the now defunct Airforce in Simpson's Pure Oxygen.
The early 70s also saw a lot of session work including Stefan Grossman ("Hot Dog!" 1972 Transatlantic), Alan Hull
("Pipedream 1973, "Squire" 1975 and "Phantoms" 1079), Alvin Lee ("Pump Iron" 1975), Steve HoweYes
, Steve Howe
, Beginnings
' 1975, Graham Bonnet ("Graham Bonnet" 1977), Mickey Jupp ("Legend" 1978, Stiff Records), Cuckoo ("Iona" 1978).
Gibson, Kirtley, Craddock and White also worked together on White's 1976 solo album, Ramshackled
. Gibson contributed bass and percussion, and co-wrote five of the nine tracks. Gibson, Kirtley and White all appeared on Johnny Harris
' All to Bring You Morning (1973). and Shirley Bassey's 1972 album "Something". .
Gibson went on to work with Mark-Almond
for a 3-month US tour supporting Joe Cocker and played on their LP "Rising"on Harvest (With Mingus drummer Danny Richmond).
In July 1973, he joined Pete Solley
(organ), ex-Procol Harum
drummer Bobby Harrison (vocals, percussion), and ex-Tramline members Micky Moody
(guitar) and Terry Popple (drums) in Snafu
. They recorded three albums in 1973-75, "Snafu", "Situation Normal" and "All Funked Up".
Gibson went on to join Radiator with Craddock, Kirtley, Alan Hull, Terry Popple (album "Radiator"-Rocket Records) and and worked on all three of Alan Hull
's 1970s solo albums: Pipedream (1973, Charisma), Squire
(1975, Warner), Phantoms (1979, Rocket). Gibson co-wrote three songs with Craddock that appear on Lindisfarne
's 1973 album Roll On, Ruby, but does not appear himself.
Gibson went on to work with Kevin Coyne, Carol Grimes,The Movies, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Bert Jansch
("When the Circus Comes to Town")
sitcom Little Armadillos
with Pete Richens
of the Comic Strip. Little Armadillos was an alternative comedy
sketch show in sitcom format that aired in the United Kingdom in 1984. Set in a nightclub run by the psychotic brothers Wayne and Donny Armadillo, the show ran for seven 30-minute episodes from 13 September to 25 October 1984 and has never been repeated or released on video or DVD. It starred Steve Steen
and Jim Sweeney
as Wayne and Donny respectively and co-starred Daniel Peacock, Helen Lederer
, Phil Nice, Steve Frost and Mark Arden, among other members of the alternative comedy scene of the early 1980s. The show also featured The Flatlettes, who sang short songs within the show which were written by Gibson and Craddock. The show was directed by Bob Spiers
. The British Sitcom Guide described the show, "Those that can remember this dark 'alternative comedy' have fond memories of it."
and the series Upline by Howard Schuman, and Small World
by David Lodge
(screenplay by Schuman), The Love Child (with Sheila Hancock
, Peter Capaldi
, Alexi Sayle), Wild Flowers, Funny Business (1992 physical comedy with Rowan Atkinson
), Didn't You Kill My Brother? (Comic Strip Presents 1988, Alexi Sayle, Beryl Reid
) and Steven Moffat
's sitcom Joking Apart
. They also worked on the movie "Kevin of the North
" (aka: Chilly Dogs) featuring Leslie Neilson.
' band Moire Music, appearing on "With one Voice", and later touring the world with the 1989 offshoot, Moiré Music Drum Orchestra.
In 1990, Gibson formed Buick6 with Roger Hubbard and Liam Genockey
. They released 4 CDs: Cypress Grove (1990), Juice Machine (1995), Foolin' with this Heart (1997) and Live at the Telegraph (2010).
In 1997, Gibson produced Peter Kirtley's solo album Bush Telegraph with Liane Carroll
, Geoff Leppard and Steve Lamb.
Further work includes Pass the Cat (Peach, 1999 and 442, 2004), Nightshift (Under the Basement, 2008), John Pearson (Eucalypto Furioso, 2007) and designs with Guano Grafix, producing many CD covers. Gibson also runs the magazine website The Lyer.
Gibson has two CDs out with songwriting partner Jack Pound under the name Guano Poundhammer: Domestic Bliss, 1999, and People Who Are Dead And Don't Know That They Are, 2010. He is also working on solo projects under the name Bird Guano.
Gibson currently also works with The Hunt Cult, a loose collective of film makers and artists, and collaborates with artist Alan Rankle
on installation projects which have featured in several galleries and museums in the UK and abroad.
Biography
Gibson and guitarist John TurnbullJohn Turnbull
John Turnbull is an English pop and rock guitarist and singer.He has played in bands such as Skip Bifferty, The Chosen Few, Arc, Loving Awareness, Glencoe, Nick Lowe, Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys, Eurythmics, Talk Talk, Londonbeat, Paul Young, Bob Geldof, World Party, Kaos Band and Ian...
were childhood friends and played together in a band called The Primitive Sect, wth Bob Sergeant on organ. In summer 1966, Gibson and Turnbull joined unsigned, Newcastle band The Chosen Few. With Graham Bell
Graham Bell
Graham Bell may refer to:*Alexander Graham Bell , Scottish/Canadian/American inventor*Graham Bell , former Scottish Advocate Depute*Graham E. Bell, astronomer*Graham J...
joining on vocals, the band changed its name to Skip Bifferty
Skip Bifferty
Skip Bifferty was an English psychedelic rock band formed in early 1966. The band featured future members of Ian Dury and The Blockheads.-History:...
and secured gigs in London. The band then secured a deal with RCA in summer 1967 under manager Don Arden
Don Arden
Don Arden , born Harry Levy, was an English music manager, agent and businessman, best known for overseeing the careers of rock groups Small Faces, Electric Light Orchestra and Black Sabbath....
and went on to release three singles "On Love" which made a minor chart appearance, "Happy Land" and "Man in Black" produced by Steve Marriot & Ronnie Lane. Despite being championed by John Peel, with a handful of "Top Gear" appearances, RCA seemed oblivious to their popularity. An LP, Skip Bifferty was recorded at Decca Studios West Hampstead, but witheld by RCA for almost a year before its release in 1968 and later as a double set The Story of Skip Bifferty (Castle Music, 2003), by Sanctuary Records, along with Top Gear sessions and unreleased material,
The band began work on a follow-up LP, to be called Skipzophrenia, with Gibson doing artwork for the album, but their contract was not extended. Unhappy with manager Arden, the band announced they were disbanding in November 1968, while they were actually still working together in the Isle of Wight and trying to find a new record deal. This they did with Chris Blackwell of Island Records and they released a 45 under the name Heavy Jelly, keeping their identities secret. Issued in a picture sleeve, "I Keep Singing That Same Old Song"/"Blue", written by Gibson, was released in June 1969. Arden worked out who Heavy Jelly were and Blackwell backed out. The band broke up for real.
Gibson joined the short-lived Griffin in 1969 with Kenny Craddock
Kenny Craddock
Kenny Craddock was an instrumentalist, composer and producer. Throughout his career he worked with artists including Ringo Starr, Ginger Baker, Billy Bragg, Gerry Rafferty and Alan White...
, Pete Kirtley and Alan White, later joined by Graham Bell; they released a 45. liner notes Gibson joined Ginger Baker's Air Force
Ginger Baker's Air Force
Ginger Baker's Air Force was a jazz-rock fusion band comprising Ginger Baker on drums, Steve Winwood on organ and vocals, Ric Grech on violin and bass, Jeanette Jacobs on vocals, Denny Laine on guitar and vocals, Phil Seamen on drums, Alan White on drums, Chris Wood on tenor sax and flute, Graham...
, replacing Ric Grech
Ric Grech
Richard Roman Grech was a British rock musician.-Career:Grech originally gained notice in the United Kingdom as the bass guitar player for the progressive rock group Family. He joined the band when it was a largely blues-based live act in Leicester known as the Farinas; he became their bassist in...
. He and Craddock appeared on Ginger Baker's Air Force 2
Ginger Baker's Air Force 2
Ginger Baker's Air Force 2 was the second and final album by Ginger Baker's Air Force, released in 1970 . In Germany it was released with a different track listing, including previously unreleased songs....
(1970), and contributed songs to Alan Price, and Rosetta Hightower (album "Hightower").Later, Gibson was re-united with fellow Griffin members Pete Kirtley
Pete Kirtley
Pete Kirtley is an English multi-platinum and Ivor Novello Award winning songwriter, record producer and recently established publisher. He has produced over 150 records worldwide with sales exceeding 10 million, including four number one hits worldwide, eight UK top ten hits and twenty top forty...
, Kenny Craddock
Kenny Craddock
Kenny Craddock was an instrumentalist, composer and producer. Throughout his career he worked with artists including Ringo Starr, Ginger Baker, Billy Bragg, Gerry Rafferty and Alan White...
and Alan White
Alan White (Yes drummer)
Alan White is an English rock drummer known for his work with the progressive rock band Yes. White was also a member of the Plastic Ono Band, playing live in 1969 at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival, which was recorded and released three months later as Live Peace in Toronto 1969...
and the horn section of the now defunct Airforce in Simpson's Pure Oxygen.
The early 70s also saw a lot of session work including Stefan Grossman ("Hot Dog!" 1972 Transatlantic), Alan Hull
Alan Hull
Alan Hull was an English singer-songwriter and founding member of the Tyneside folk rock band, Lindisfarne.-Career:...
("Pipedream 1973, "Squire" 1975 and "Phantoms" 1079), Alvin Lee ("Pump Iron" 1975), Steve HoweYes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
, Beginnings
Beginnings (Steve Howe album)
Beginnings is the title of Yes guitarist Steve Howe's first solo album. It was released in 1975.The five Yes band members each did a solo album in 1975/6 and then current Yes members Alan White and Patrick Moraz guest on Beginnings, while Howe guested on White's Ramshackled album...
' 1975, Graham Bonnet ("Graham Bonnet" 1977), Mickey Jupp ("Legend" 1978, Stiff Records), Cuckoo ("Iona" 1978).
Gibson, Kirtley, Craddock and White also worked together on White's 1976 solo album, Ramshackled
Ramshackled
Ramshackled is the debut solo album by Alan White, drummer for British progressive rock band Yes. It was released in 1975 on Atlantic Records, during a period when all five of the Yes band members released solo albums.-About the album:White had worked with Pete Kirtley and Kenny Craddock in the...
. Gibson contributed bass and percussion, and co-wrote five of the nine tracks. Gibson, Kirtley and White all appeared on Johnny Harris
Johnny Harris (musician)
Johnny Harris is a Scottish born composer, producer, arranger, conductor and musical director. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland; and a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music in London. He has lived in the US since 1972...
' All to Bring You Morning (1973). and Shirley Bassey's 1972 album "Something". .
Gibson went on to work with Mark-Almond
Mark-Almond
Mark–Almond were an English band of the late 1960s and early 1970s, who worked in the territory between rock and jazz.In 1970 Jon Mark and Johnny Almond formed Mark-Almond...
for a 3-month US tour supporting Joe Cocker and played on their LP "Rising"on Harvest (With Mingus drummer Danny Richmond).
In July 1973, he joined Pete Solley
Pete Solley
Peter "Pete" Solley is a Hammond organ player, pianist and a Grammy-nominated record producer. He has recorded with Eric Clapton, Al Stewart and Whitesnake as well as producing records for Ted Nugent, Oingo Boingo, Motörhead, The Romantics, Peter Frampton, The Sports, Wreckless Eric and many...
(organ), ex-Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
drummer Bobby Harrison (vocals, percussion), and ex-Tramline members Micky Moody
Micky Moody
Michael Joseph "Micky" Moody is an English guitarist, and a former member of the rock bands Juicy Lucy and Whitesnake. He was also a founder-member of Snafu. Together with his former Whitesnake colleague Bernie Marsden he founded the Moody Marsden Band, and later, The Snakes...
(guitar) and Terry Popple (drums) in Snafu
Snafu (band)
Snafu was a British rhythm and blues/rock band of the 1970s featuring vocalist Bobby Harrison and the talented slide guitarist Micky Moody.-History:...
. They recorded three albums in 1973-75, "Snafu", "Situation Normal" and "All Funked Up".
Gibson went on to join Radiator with Craddock, Kirtley, Alan Hull, Terry Popple (album "Radiator"-Rocket Records) and and worked on all three of Alan Hull
Alan Hull
Alan Hull was an English singer-songwriter and founding member of the Tyneside folk rock band, Lindisfarne.-Career:...
's 1970s solo albums: Pipedream (1973, Charisma), Squire
Squire (Alan Hull album)
Squire is the second solo album by Alan Hull. Recorded at Morgan Studios December 1974 & January 1975 except "Waiting" which was recorded at Trident Studios with Roy Baker in March 1973. Squire was released on Warner Brothers, K56121, in 1975...
(1975, Warner), Phantoms (1979, Rocket). Gibson co-wrote three songs with Craddock that appear on Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne (band)
Lindisfarne were a British folk/rock group from Newcastle upon Tyne established in 1970 and fronted by singer/songwriter Alan Hull. Their music combined a strong sense of yearning with an even stronger sense of fun...
's 1973 album Roll On, Ruby, but does not appear himself.
Gibson went on to work with Kevin Coyne, Carol Grimes,The Movies, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
Herbert "Bert" Jansch was a Scottish folk musician and founding member of the band Pentangle. He was born in Glasgow and came to prominence in London in the 1960s, as an acoustic guitarist, as well as a singer-songwriter...
("When the Circus Comes to Town")
Little Armadillos
In 1984, Gibson co-wrote the Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
sitcom Little Armadillos
Little Armadillos
Little Armadillos was an alternative comedy sketch show in sitcom format that aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom in 1984. Set in a nightclub run by the psychotic brothers Wayne and Donny Armadillo, the show ran for seven 30-minute episodes from 13 September to 25 October 1984 and has never...
with Pete Richens
Pete Richens
Peter "Pete" Richens Richens is perhaps best known as the writing partner of Peter Richardson, writer/director/star of the long-running TV series The Comic Strip Presents.-Biography:...
of the Comic Strip. Little Armadillos was an alternative comedy
Alternative comedy
Alternative comedy is a term that originated in the 1980s for a style of comedy that makes a conscious break with the mainstream comedic style of an era, and typically avoids relying on a standardised structure of a sequence of jokes with punch lines. Patton Oswalt defines it as "comedy where the...
sketch show in sitcom format that aired in the United Kingdom in 1984. Set in a nightclub run by the psychotic brothers Wayne and Donny Armadillo, the show ran for seven 30-minute episodes from 13 September to 25 October 1984 and has never been repeated or released on video or DVD. It starred Steve Steen
Steve Steen
Steve Steen is a British actor and comedian best known for his improvisation partnership with Jim Sweeney.The pair met at school in London and joined a theatre club in 1972. The two then wrote and starred in a show which parodied much of the other shows being held in London that year...
and Jim Sweeney
Jim Sweeney
Michael James Dominic Sweeney , best known as Jim Sweeney, is an English actor and comedian, best known for his improvisation partnership with Steve Steen....
as Wayne and Donny respectively and co-starred Daniel Peacock, Helen Lederer
Helen Lederer
Helen Lederer is a Welsh comedienne, writer and actress who emerged as part of the alternative comedy boom at the beginning of the 1980s.-Career:...
, Phil Nice, Steve Frost and Mark Arden, among other members of the alternative comedy scene of the early 1980s. The show also featured The Flatlettes, who sang short songs within the show which were written by Gibson and Craddock. The show was directed by Bob Spiers
Bob Spiers
Bob Spiers was a director. He is particularly noted as the director of the early series of Absolutely Fabulous , the musical comedy Spiceworld, and of the second series of Fawlty Towers . He also worked with Steven Moffat on Press Gang and Joking Apart...
. The British Sitcom Guide described the show, "Those that can remember this dark 'alternative comedy' have fond memories of it."
Soundtrack work
In 1984, Craddock and Gibson founded Invisible Studios specialising in film and TV soundtracks, often for director Bob Spiers. In the 1990s, they provided the incidental music to "It's a Small World" with Alexei SayleAlexei Sayle
Alexei David Sayle is a British stand-up comedian, actor and author. He was a central part of the alternative comedy circuit in the early 1980s. He was voted the 18th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-ups in 2007...
and the series Upline by Howard Schuman, and Small World
Small world (TV miniseries)
Small world is a 1988 TV miniseries based on David Lodge's novel of the same name.- Cast :* Stephen Moore - Philip Swallow* John Ratzenberger - Morris Zapp* Sarah Badel - Hilary Swallow* Rachel Kempson - Miss Maiden* Finbar Lynch - Persse McGarrigle...
by David Lodge
David Lodge (author)
David John Lodge CBE, is an English author.In his novels, Lodge often satirises academia in general and the humanities in particular. He was brought up Catholic and has described himself as an "agnostic Catholic". Many of his characters are Catholic and their Catholicism is a major theme...
(screenplay by Schuman), The Love Child (with Sheila Hancock
Sheila Hancock
Sheila Cameron Hancock, CBE is an English actress and author.-Early life:Sheila Hancock was born in Blackgang on the Isle of Wight, the daughter of Ivy Louise and Enrico Cameron Hancock, who was a publican. Her sister Billie is seven years older...
, Peter Capaldi
Peter Capaldi
Peter Dougan Capaldi is an Academy Award and BAFTA award winning Scottish actor and film director. In 1995, his short film Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life won the Academy Award for Live Action Short Film...
, Alexi Sayle), Wild Flowers, Funny Business (1992 physical comedy with Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Sebastian Atkinson is a British actor, comedian, and screenwriter. He is most famous for his work on the satirical sketch comedy show Not The Nine O'Clock News, and the sitcoms Blackadder, Mr. Bean and The Thin Blue Line...
), Didn't You Kill My Brother? (Comic Strip Presents 1988, Alexi Sayle, Beryl Reid
Beryl Reid
Beryl Elizabeth Reid, OBE was a British actress of stage and screen.-Early life:Born in Hereford, England in 1919, Reid was the daughter of Scottish parents and grew up in Manchester where she attended Withington and Levenshulme High Schools.-Career:Reid applied for and was accepted in a revue in...
) and Steven Moffat
Steven Moffat
Steven Moffat is a Scottish television writer and producer.Moffat's first television work was the teen drama series Press Gang. His first sitcom, Joking Apart, was inspired by the breakdown of his first marriage; conversely, his later sitcom Coupling was based upon the development of his...
's sitcom Joking Apart
Joking Apart
Joking Apart is a BBC television sitcom written by Steven Moffat about the rise and fall of a relationship. It juxtaposes a couple, Mark and Becky , who fall in love and marry, before getting separated and finally divorced...
. They also worked on the movie "Kevin of the North
Kevin of the North
Kevin of the North is a 2001 film about an Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The film, set in Alaska, stars Skeet Ulrich as Kevin Manley, a man whose grandfather has passed on and now must participate in the state's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in order to prove he's worthy enough for his...
" (aka: Chilly Dogs) featuring Leslie Neilson.
Later album work
In 1988, Gibson joined altoist Trevor WattsTrevor Watts
Trevor Charles Watts is an English jazz and free-improvising alto and soprano saxophonist. He is largely self-taught, having taken up the cornet at age 12 then switched to saxophone at 18. While stationed in Germany with the RAF , he encountered the drummer John Stevens and trombonist Paul...
' band Moire Music, appearing on "With one Voice", and later touring the world with the 1989 offshoot, Moiré Music Drum Orchestra.
In 1990, Gibson formed Buick6 with Roger Hubbard and Liam Genockey
Liam Genockey
Liam Genockey is an Irish drummer.Liam Genockey was born in Dublin, Ireland. During the 1960s he lived in Plymouth, Devon, U.K, playing in local semi-pro groups, then in the early 70's playing with Torbay based rock band Adolphus Rebirth...
. They released 4 CDs: Cypress Grove (1990), Juice Machine (1995), Foolin' with this Heart (1997) and Live at the Telegraph (2010).
In 1997, Gibson produced Peter Kirtley's solo album Bush Telegraph with Liane Carroll
Liane Carroll
Liane Carroll is an English pianist/vocalist who grew up in a musical family. She has played professionally since she was 15....
, Geoff Leppard and Steve Lamb.
Further work includes Pass the Cat (Peach, 1999 and 442, 2004), Nightshift (Under the Basement, 2008), John Pearson (Eucalypto Furioso, 2007) and designs with Guano Grafix, producing many CD covers. Gibson also runs the magazine website The Lyer.
Gibson has two CDs out with songwriting partner Jack Pound under the name Guano Poundhammer: Domestic Bliss, 1999, and People Who Are Dead And Don't Know That They Are, 2010. He is also working on solo projects under the name Bird Guano.
Gibson currently also works with The Hunt Cult, a loose collective of film makers and artists, and collaborates with artist Alan Rankle
Alan Rankle
Alan Rankle is a British artist, born in Oldham, Lancashire, England in 1952. He studied at RochdaleSchool of Art , and Goldsmiths, University of London . He is one of the leading artists of his generation to explore social and environmental issues of the day through Landscape Art...
on installation projects which have featured in several galleries and museums in the UK and abroad.
External links
- Little Armadillos at the Internet Movie Database(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086751/usercomments)
- Little Armadillos at the British Comedy Guide(http://www.sitcom.co.uk/sitcoms/little_armadillos.shtml)