Gutter Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Gutter Brothers are an English skiffle
and rock band which was active from 1985 until 1993. Since 2003 they have occasionally performed live together and in January 2008 recorded a new album which is due for release in August 2008.
They formed in early 1985 after singer and washboard player Tony Green arrived in London from his native New Orleans and met Tea Chest Bass player Dennis Johnson performing on the street in Covent Garden with skiffle duo Slap and Tickle. Over the course of the following eighteen months there were several personnel changes but towards the end of 1987 the line up had stabilised with the addition of guitarists Chris Cawte and Steve Turner and drummer Jeff Walker.
Up to this point their repertoire had largely consisted of skiffle versions of blues and R'n'B standards. During the preceding year Dennis Johnson had started producing lyrics which the rest of the band had begun putting to music and so in early 1988 they wrote and recorded a self financed album entitled Isometric Boogie which they sold on the street and at an increasing number of self promoted gigs in and around London. The album was produced by old friend Jez Coad
(who subsequently produced all the rest of the band’s released material) and went on to sell around 30,000 copies.
Whilst still in the process of recording the album they were spotted playing on the street and invited to play on the LWT series First Exposure alongside a then relatively unknown Steve Coogan
. This led to them being asked to play live on MTV Europe
, the first band to do so on the recently launched channel. Other TV appearances over the following year included ITV
’s Night Network
and Juke Box Jury
hosted by Jools Holland
.
Through 1989 and 1990 the band moved away from the skiffle style of Isometric Boogie towards a harder rock based sound. A second album was written and recorded with a London based production company but the major label release they sought didn’t materialise so the deal was scrapped and the album never released. Meanwhile the band was touring relentlessly through the UK and Europe, building up a large following in the process.
In the autumn of 1991 they were approached by Central TV to write the theme music for a comedy drama series starring Harry Enfield
, Alison Steadman
, Jim Broadbent
and Warren Clarke
called Gone to the Dogs. The soundtrack was released on the Demon Records F-Beat label, and at the end of the year they provided the soundtrack music for the Only Fools and Horses
Christmas special Miami Twice, which included a cover version of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s Summer in the City
.
In mid 1992 Dennis Johnson announced he would leave the band as a performing member having grown tired of the constant touring but would continue in his role as lyricist. Steve Turner moved to electric bass, the band released the Failsafe EP to showcase the altered line up and embarked upon a national UK support tour with Dr. Feelgood
. More material was written and a new album was mooted but in early 1993 the band decided to call it a day. A final concert at London’s Mean Fiddler
was filmed and subsequently released through the band’s fan network as the live album and video Already Dead.
Following Dennis Johnson’s untimely death in 2002, the rest of the band reunited at his funeral and wake where they were persuaded to play a few songs. This led to plans for a memorial concert in London the following year, and the enthusiastic response convinced them to continue to perform live on an occasional basis. More appearances followed on a roughly annual basis until 2007 when they decided to write some new material around previously unused Dennis Johnson lyrics. The resulting album El Krusho (the title refers to an old nickname of Dennis’s) was released through the band website in August 2008. There were three live appearances to launch the album in London Bush Hall, Sheffield Boardwalk
and Portsmouth Eastney Cellars on August 8, 9 and 10th respectively.
Skiffle
Skiffle is a type of popular music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, usually using homemade or improvised instruments. Originating as a term in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, it became popular again in the UK in the 1950s, where it was mainly...
and rock band which was active from 1985 until 1993. Since 2003 they have occasionally performed live together and in January 2008 recorded a new album which is due for release in August 2008.
They formed in early 1985 after singer and washboard player Tony Green arrived in London from his native New Orleans and met Tea Chest Bass player Dennis Johnson performing on the street in Covent Garden with skiffle duo Slap and Tickle. Over the course of the following eighteen months there were several personnel changes but towards the end of 1987 the line up had stabilised with the addition of guitarists Chris Cawte and Steve Turner and drummer Jeff Walker.
Up to this point their repertoire had largely consisted of skiffle versions of blues and R'n'B standards. During the preceding year Dennis Johnson had started producing lyrics which the rest of the band had begun putting to music and so in early 1988 they wrote and recorded a self financed album entitled Isometric Boogie which they sold on the street and at an increasing number of self promoted gigs in and around London. The album was produced by old friend Jez Coad
Jez coad
Jez Coad is a British record producer and musician. He has played and toured with his band, The Surfing Brides.Coad produced the 2005 album, Black & White 050505, by the Scottish rock group Simple Minds. Coad wrote and arranged parts of the album, and worked with Bob Clearmountain in the mixing...
(who subsequently produced all the rest of the band’s released material) and went on to sell around 30,000 copies.
Whilst still in the process of recording the album they were spotted playing on the street and invited to play on the LWT series First Exposure alongside a then relatively unknown Steve Coogan
Steve Coogan
Stephen John "Steve" Coogan is a British comedian, actor, writer and producer. Born in Manchester, he began his career as a standup comedian and impressionist, working as a voice artist throughout the 1980s on satirical puppet show Spitting Image. In the early nineties, Coogan began creating...
. This led to them being asked to play live on MTV Europe
MTV Europe
MTV Europe is a pan-European 24-hour entertainment cable and digital television network launched on August 1, 1987. Initially, the channel served all regions within Europe being one of the very few channels that targeted the entire European continent...
, the first band to do so on the recently launched channel. Other TV appearances over the following year included ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
’s Night Network
Night Network
Night Network, Night Time and Night Shift were names given to the overnight schedule of the ITV network in the United Kingdom. The first ITV company began 24 hour broadcasting in 1986, with all of the companies broadcasting through the night by 1988...
and Juke Box Jury
Juke Box Jury
Juke Box Jury was a musical panel show which originally ran on BBC Television from 1 June 1959 until December 1967. The programme was based on the American show Jukebox Jury, itself an offshoot of a long-running radio series....
hosted by Jools Holland
Jools Holland
Julian Miles "Jools" Holland OBE, DL is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, and television presenter. He was a founder of the band Squeeze and his work has involved him with many artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Who, David Gilmour and Bono.Holland is a...
.
Through 1989 and 1990 the band moved away from the skiffle style of Isometric Boogie towards a harder rock based sound. A second album was written and recorded with a London based production company but the major label release they sought didn’t materialise so the deal was scrapped and the album never released. Meanwhile the band was touring relentlessly through the UK and Europe, building up a large following in the process.
In the autumn of 1991 they were approached by Central TV to write the theme music for a comedy drama series starring Harry Enfield
Harry Enfield
Henry Richard "Harry" Enfield is a BAFTA-winning English comedian, actor, writer and director.-Early life:...
, Alison Steadman
Alison Steadman
Alison Steadman OBE is an English actress. She established her career with roles such as Beverley in Abigail's Party and Candice Marie in Nuts in May for the director Mike Leigh, to whom she was once married. In addition to her stage and radio work, she has had lead roles in The Singing Detective,...
, Jim Broadbent
Jim Broadbent
James "Jim" Broadbent is an English theatre, film, and television actor. He is known for his roles in Iris, Moulin Rouge!, Topsy-Turvy, Hot Fuzz, and Bridget Jones' Diary...
and Warren Clarke
Warren Clarke
-Biography:Clarke was born in Oldham, Lancashire. His first television appearance was in the long running Granada soap opera Coronation Street, initially as Kenny Pickup in 1966 and then as Gary Bailey in 1968. His first major film appearance was in Stanley Kubrick's controversial A Clockwork...
called Gone to the Dogs. The soundtrack was released on the Demon Records F-Beat label, and at the end of the year they provided the soundtrack music for the Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses is a British sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003...
Christmas special Miami Twice, which included a cover version of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s Summer in the City
Summer in the City
"Summer in the City" is the title of a song recorded by The Lovin' Spoonful, written by Mark Sebastian and Steve Boone. It came from their album Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1966...
.
In mid 1992 Dennis Johnson announced he would leave the band as a performing member having grown tired of the constant touring but would continue in his role as lyricist. Steve Turner moved to electric bass, the band released the Failsafe EP to showcase the altered line up and embarked upon a national UK support tour with Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood may refer to:In music:*Dr. Feelgood , an album by American band Mötley Crüe**"Dr. Feelgood" , a single and the title track from that album*"Dr. Feel Good", a song by Travie McCoy on the album Lazarus...
. More material was written and a new album was mooted but in early 1993 the band decided to call it a day. A final concert at London’s Mean Fiddler
Mean Fiddler
The Astoria 2, subsequently known as the LA2 then the Mean Fiddler, was a nightclub at 165 Charing Cross Road in London, England.The venue was connected to the London Astoria such that the two venues could function as a single venue where needed...
was filmed and subsequently released through the band’s fan network as the live album and video Already Dead.
Following Dennis Johnson’s untimely death in 2002, the rest of the band reunited at his funeral and wake where they were persuaded to play a few songs. This led to plans for a memorial concert in London the following year, and the enthusiastic response convinced them to continue to perform live on an occasional basis. More appearances followed on a roughly annual basis until 2007 when they decided to write some new material around previously unused Dennis Johnson lyrics. The resulting album El Krusho (the title refers to an old nickname of Dennis’s) was released through the band website in August 2008. There were three live appearances to launch the album in London Bush Hall, Sheffield Boardwalk
Boardwalk (nightclub)
The Boardwalk was a bar/nightclub based on the corner of Snig Hill and Bank Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The venue played host to many up-and-coming home-grown bands, as well as smaller touring bands and cover acts. In November 2010, the landlord of the venue voluntarily placed the...
and Portsmouth Eastney Cellars on August 8, 9 and 10th respectively.
Discography
- Isometric Boogie (1988)
- Gone to the Dogs (1991)
- The Failsafe EP (1992)
- Already Dead (1993)
- El Krusho (2008)