Corduroy (band)
Encyclopedia
Corduroy were a four-piece acid jazz
outfit
based in London, formed around twin
s Ben Addison (drum
s/vocals
) and Scott Addison (keyboards
/vocals
), who were previously in Sire Records
act Boys Wonder (Scott had been guitarist with Boys Wonder, while Ben had been the lead vocalist). Joining the twins in the band were Richard Searle
and guitarist
Simon Nelson-Smith. Searle had been bass
player with Doctor and the Medics
, who topped the UK Singles Chart
in 1986 with a cover version
of "Spirit in the Sky
". Searle had joined the Addison twins in the final incarnation of Boys Wonder, before the band gradually evolved into Corduroy in 1991, initially forming for a one-off New Year's Eve party.
The self-dubbed "fabric four" primarily recorded
in a film soundtrack style, and many of their tracks were instrumental
s. On the release of their first album
Dad Man Cat
, Paul Moody wrote in the New Musical Express
: “Whereas the rest of the Acid Jazz roster fidget around in a world of skinny ribbed roll-necks comparing sideburn growth, Corduroy manage to swagger through the same po-faced domain with a couldn’t-care-less braggadocio... Corduroy have got their collective tongue stuck firmly in someone else’s cheek here and it feels staggeringly good.”
Releasing three albums on Eddie Piller
's Acid Jazz Records
, they received radio
airplay for their single
"Something In My Eye" in 1993, but national chart success evaded them, although several singles from their 1993 album High Havoc
charted in the UK Independent Chart. Their 1994 album, Out of Here
, reached number 73 in the UK Albums Chart
.
They remained a popular live attraction, particularly on the college circuit. They also gained a healthy following in Japan, making the first of several trips to the country in 1993, and the following year they recorded a live album
, Quattro - Live In Japan. After leaving Acid Jazz Records they signed to Big Cat Records
, releasing two further albums: The New You!
(April 1997) and the Rob Playford produced
Clik! (August 1999). But when they discovered that their record label
, Big Cat, had been dropped by parent company V2
, Corduroy decided to split up.
Corduroy reformed and played two sell-out nights at the Jazz Cafe in Camden
, London, on 16 and 17 June 2007. Searle is not involved with the new incarnation of the band, now working under the name of Corduroy Industries. The latest news on their Myspace site states that they have completed an album of Motown covers.
Ben has also released an album of Beatles covers under the name of 'Ben from Corduroy'
Acid jazz
Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop, particularly looped beats. It developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and could be seen as tacking the sound of jazz-funk onto electronic dance: jazz-funk musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd and Grant Green are...
outfit
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
based in London, formed around twin
Twin
A twin is one of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy. Twins can either be monozygotic , meaning that they develop from one zygote that splits and forms two embryos, or dizygotic because they develop from two separate eggs that are fertilized by two separate sperm.In contrast, a fetus...
s Ben Addison (drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s/vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
) and Scott Addison (keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
/vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
), who were previously in Sire Records
Sire Records
Sire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
act Boys Wonder (Scott had been guitarist with Boys Wonder, while Ben had been the lead vocalist). Joining the twins in the band were Richard Searle
Richard Searle
Richard Searle is a 1960s influenced musician best known for reaching number one in the pop charts, in the psychedelic glam band Doctor And The Medics in 1986.-Doctor And The Medics:...
and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Simon Nelson-Smith. Searle had been bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
player with Doctor and the Medics
Doctor and the Medics
Doctor and the Medics are a London based psychedelic rock band which enjoyed greatest success in the 1980s and are best known for their UK No. 1 song, "Spirit in the Sky"...
, who topped the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1986 with a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Spirit in the Sky
Spirit in the Sky
"Spirit in the Sky" is a song written and originally recorded by Norman Greenbaum and released in 1969. The single sold two million copies in 1969 and 1970 and reached number three in the U.S. Billboard chart, as well as number one on the UK, Australian and Canadian charts in 1970. Rolling Stone...
". Searle had joined the Addison twins in the final incarnation of Boys Wonder, before the band gradually evolved into Corduroy in 1991, initially forming for a one-off New Year's Eve party.
The self-dubbed "fabric four" primarily recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
in a film soundtrack style, and many of their tracks were instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
s. On the release of their first album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Dad Man Cat
Dad Man Cat
Dad Man Cat was the first LP to be released by Corduroy. It is primarily an instrumental album, full of what has become the classic Corduroy sound.-Track listing:# "Chowdown" # "Long Cool & Bubbly"...
, Paul Moody wrote in the New Musical Express
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
: “Whereas the rest of the Acid Jazz roster fidget around in a world of skinny ribbed roll-necks comparing sideburn growth, Corduroy manage to swagger through the same po-faced domain with a couldn’t-care-less braggadocio... Corduroy have got their collective tongue stuck firmly in someone else’s cheek here and it feels staggeringly good.”
Releasing three albums on Eddie Piller
Eddie Piller
Eddie Piller is an English DJ and record label entrepreneur.Starting his career in the 1980s as a part of the English mod revival, Piller launched the underground fanzine Extraordinary Sensations and operated as a DJ and concert promoter. In 1985, he started the Countdown Records label, through...
's Acid Jazz Records
Acid Jazz Records
Acid Jazz is a record label based in east London. It takes its name from acid jazz, a genre of jazz music. Alternative version states that the genre itself was named after the record label...
, they received radio
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
airplay for their single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Something In My Eye" in 1993, but national chart success evaded them, although several singles from their 1993 album High Havoc
High Havoc
High Havoc is the second LP offering from Corduroy. Billed as a concept album, it features several top ten singles - and many favourite Corduroy tunes.-Track listing:# "High Havoc" – 4:10# "London England" – 3:22# "The Corduroy Orgasm Club" – 1:46...
charted in the UK Independent Chart. Their 1994 album, Out of Here
Out of Here (Corduroy album)
-Personnel:*Ben Addison - Vocals, drums*Scott Addison - Vocals, keyboards*Simon Nelson-Smith - Guitars*Richard Searle - Bass...
, reached number 73 in 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...
.
They remained a popular live attraction, particularly on the college circuit. They also gained a healthy following in Japan, making the first of several trips to the country in 1993, and the following year they recorded a live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
, Quattro - Live In Japan. After leaving Acid Jazz Records they signed to Big Cat Records
Big Cat Records
Big Cat Records is a UK record label. It launched around 1990 and originally specialized in industrial and noise-rock releases. Operated a US office in NYC for a few years. Purchased by V2 Records in 1996, at which point their roster became much more diverse in style...
, releasing two further albums: The New You!
The New You!
* Ben Addison - Vocals, drums* Scott Addison - Vocals, keyboards* Simon Nelson-Smith - Guitars* Richard Searle - Bass* Donald Gamble - Percussion* Sid Singh - Percussion* Mike Smith - Saxophone* Dennis Rollins - Trombone* Sid Gauld - Trumpet...
(April 1997) and the Rob Playford produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Clik! (August 1999). But when they discovered that their record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, Big Cat, had been dropped by parent company V2
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
, Corduroy decided to split up.
Corduroy reformed and played two sell-out nights at the Jazz Cafe in Camden
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
, London, on 16 and 17 June 2007. Searle is not involved with the new incarnation of the band, now working under the name of Corduroy Industries. The latest news on their Myspace site states that they have completed an album of Motown covers.
Ben has also released an album of Beatles covers under the name of 'Ben from Corduroy'
Albums
- Dad Man CatDad Man CatDad Man Cat was the first LP to be released by Corduroy. It is primarily an instrumental album, full of what has become the classic Corduroy sound.-Track listing:# "Chowdown" # "Long Cool & Bubbly"...
(1992) Acid JazzAcid Jazz RecordsAcid Jazz is a record label based in east London. It takes its name from acid jazz, a genre of jazz music. Alternative version states that the genre itself was named after the record label...
JAZID 60 - High HavocHigh HavocHigh Havoc is the second LP offering from Corduroy. Billed as a concept album, it features several top ten singles - and many favourite Corduroy tunes.-Track listing:# "High Havoc" – 4:10# "London England" – 3:22# "The Corduroy Orgasm Club" – 1:46...
(1993) Acid Jazz JAZID 85 - Out of HereOut of Here (Corduroy album)-Personnel:*Ben Addison - Vocals, drums*Scott Addison - Vocals, keyboards*Simon Nelson-Smith - Guitars*Richard Searle - Bass...
(1994) Acid Jazz JAZID 107 - The New You!The New You!* Ben Addison - Vocals, drums* Scott Addison - Vocals, keyboards* Simon Nelson-Smith - Guitars* Richard Searle - Bass* Donald Gamble - Percussion* Sid Singh - Percussion* Mike Smith - Saxophone* Dennis Rollins - Trombone* Sid Gauld - Trumpet...
(April 1997) Big CatBig Cat RecordsBig Cat Records is a UK record label. It launched around 1990 and originally specialized in industrial and noise-rock releases. Operated a US office in NYC for a few years. Purchased by V2 Records in 1996, at which point their roster became much more diverse in style...
ABB 139 - Clik! (July 1999) Big Cat ABB 1008391
- Quattro - Live In Japan 1994 (2001) Castle MusicCastle CommunicationsCastle Communications was a British independent record label founded in 1983 by Terry Shand, Cliff Dane and Jon Beecher. The company was acquired by the American music distributor Alliance Entertainment in 1994 and in 2000 it was absorbed into Sanctuary Records Group...
Compilations
- Mini!: The Best of Corduroy (1998) Music Club
- London, England (2001) Castle Music
- The Fabric Four: The Best of Corduroy (2002) Felicity
- Something in My Eye: The Best of Corduroy (2004) Castle Music
Singles
- Something In My Eye (1993) Acid Jazz JAZID 68
- The Frighteners (1993) Acid Jazz JAZID 80
- Motorhead (1993) Acid Jazz JAZID 95
- Mini (1994) Acid Jazz JAZID 105
- The Joker is Wild (1997) Big Cat ABB 129
- Moshi Moshi (1999) Big Cat ABB 5007353
- Thing For Love (1999) Big Cat ABB 5008836