History

The Lost Cherrees were formed in 1979/1980 by Steve Battershill (drums), Dave Greaves (guitar

Guitar

The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

) and Siân Jeffreys vocalist. After a period of rehearsal, six demo tracks were recorded and released on a tape cassette 'The Worst Demo Ever Recorded At Hark Studios, Kingston', this was a split release with other local punk band Warning.
A first gig was played in front of a small crowd at a party held at singer Sian’s house in Sutton Surrey in the summer of 1981. Soon after this Greaves left the band and Andy Rolfe took his place as guitarist, Steve switched to playing bass and Nuts (Warren Samuels) joined as the new drummer.
The new Lost Cherrees line-up of Andy, Nuts, Sian & Steve recorded a second demo in 1982, some tracks of which were to eventually feature on a release on the Subhumans label Bluurg.

Their first proper gig was at the Swan pub in Kingston in July 1983 with Riot/Clone

Riot/Clone

Riot/Clone was a punk band often associated with the anarcho-punk scene, active from 1979–1983 and then revived in the early 90's until they split up again in 2005. The band were originally known as Riot but the name became Riot/Clone after two members of the original lineup wanted the band's name...

. Having struck up a close friendship and working relationship with Dave Floyd and Riot/Clone, they played many gigs across the UK together and eventually were offered a release on the Riot/Clone label. No Fighting, No War, No Trouble, No More was released in late 1983. A week after its release, Radio 1 DJ John Peel played it and expressed an unlikely fondness for it. Subsequently, John Peel often played Lost Cherrees records on his show, until, a good three years after, a chance meeting with the Cherrees (whilst out promoting the Unwanted Children EP) outside the BBC building resulted in an early evening impromptu beer or two at a local pub with himself, his producer John Walters, the Cherrees and Alison (George Cheex) from Action Pact.

As the Lost Cherrees reputation grew, and with the first EP under their belts, the band were offered gigs with Conflict and the Subhumans. The second record, a five track EP A Man's Duty, A Woman's Place was recorded at Jon Hiseman's (Colisseum) newly built Sutton studio and released in 1984. It was originally planned for a release on Bluurg records but Conflict singer Colin Jerwood persuaded the Cherrees to let him release it on Mortarhate Records. 'A Man's Duty, A Woman's Place' spent several months in the UK Independent Music Top 50 Chart, peaking at number 4.

The band played gigs with Flux of Pink Indians

Flux Of Pink Indians

Flux of Pink Indians were an English anarcho-punk/post punk band, that originated from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England.-Biography:...

, Rudimentary Peni

Rudimentary Peni

Rudimentary Peni are a British anarcho-punk/deathrock band formed in 1980.-Line-up:*Nick Blinko - guitar, vocals, artwork, lyrics*Grant Matthews - bass guitar, lyrics*Jon Greville - drums-History:...

, DIRT

DIRT (band)

DIRT were an anarcho-punk band from the UK. Initially formed in 1980 , the band frequently played with fellow anarchists Crass, before releasing their first EP, Object, Refuse, Reject, Abuse on the Crass Records label...

, Chumbawamba

Chumbawamba

Chumbawamba is a British musical group who have, over a career spanning nearly three decades, played punk rock, pop-influenced music, world music, and folk music...

, Icons of Filth

Icons of Filth

Icons of Filth were an influential British anarcho-punk band that disbanded in 2004, after the unexpected death of its lead singer Andrew Sewell, or Stiggy Smeg.-Early history:...

, Subhumans

Subhumans

Subhumans may refer to:* Subhumans , featuring singer Dick Lucas*Subhumans , featuring singer Wimpy Roy and bass player Gerry Hannah...

, Conflict

Conflict (band)

Conflict is an English anarcho-punk band originally based around Eltham in South London. Formed in 1981, the band's original line up consisted of: Colin Jerwood , Francisco 'Paco' Carreno , Big John , Steve , Pauline , Paul aka 'Nihilistic Nobody' . Their first release was the EP "The House That...

, Omega Tribe, Hagar The Womb, The Partisans, Icon AD, Youth In Asia, Brigandage, Rubella Ballet, Anthrax and many others during this time. These gigs were all in the UK and included appearances at the legendary 100 Club, Feltham Football Club, The Brixton Ace, and, in a gig organised by Cherree's drummer Nuts, an infamous event at the Surbiton Assembly Rooms which ended in a pitched battle on the streets of suburban Surbiton with the SPG (Special Patrol Group) and reported as riots in the next day's national press. It was during this period that the band grew in numbers, with Gail Thibert, ex lead singer on electronic indie band Adventures In Colour, joining on keyboards, Beverly Cook-Abbott on joint lead vocals with Sian, and when Sian announced her plans to move on, Debbie McKenna joined to act as her eventual replacement. However, Sian stayed for quite a while longer and the band ended up playing live with seven members and then going on to record the debut album with three female vocalists.

In 1984, the track 'The Wait' and another track, ‘Poem’were recorded at The Greenhouse and was released on the Mortarhate compilation LP Who? What? Why? When? Where?, an album which also featured Poison Girls, Hagar The Womb, Anthrax, Exit-Stance, Karma Sutra, Vex and, of course, Conflict. A few weeks after the Greenhouse sessions The Lost Cherrees entered Ariwa studio in Brixton, engineered by legendary artist the Mad Professor and Patrick Donegan, and recorded a 16 track album. 'All Part of Growing Up', the band's first album was released on Fight Back records (through Conflict and Mortarhate) in 1985.
Sometime between its recording and release, Sian eventually left to join Joseph Porter's Blyth Power collective.

The Lost Cherrees had always been recognized as a band always looking to push the boundaries of the genre. They were one of the first of the wave of female fronted 'Anarcho' bands, they experimented with keyboards, as big fans of the Clash and the Ruts they often used reggae stylings to flavour their songs, and in 1985 decided to feature a brass section (Pigbag's no less!) on their next release, a four track 12" EP named after the title track, Unwanted Children. This was recorded at Alaska Studio in Waterloo.

It signalled a growing up for the band in musical terms, but also alienated many of their hardcore fans who still preferred the bands early style. This became a source of some frustration for the band, who had worked hard at improving and developing their sound. A frustration, which manifested itself, in petulant fashion. When asked by their record label Mortarhate to contribute a track to an anti-war release, 'We Don't Want Your Fucking War'. The Cherrees went into the studio and recorded 'War pts 1&2', the first part of which was a parody of thrash punk, and the second half a conversation set to music, mocking the fundamental naivity of the movement's understanding of the subject. It was an offering designed to challenge the project, but to Colin Jerwood's great credit, seeing through its frustrated tones and mocking subtext, he included it on the LP (notwithstanding a return 'dig' on the vinyl’s run off scratch).

In early 1986, after the disappointing sales and lack of airplay of the Unwanted Children EP, the Cherrees began to struggle with their belief in the movement and its future progression. Rehearsals slowed, occasional arguments developed, and an increasing reluctance to play the role of headlining band led to one awful January mid-week night at the Mermaid pub in Birmingham, when during a particularly average live performance by the band, singer Bev took exception to sexist comments from a small pocket of idiots in the crowd, and after a prolonged bout of 'discussion' with said idiots, decided to announce that this would be the band's final gig. The fact that no one in the band disgreed with Bev, was not only a sign that this was a terrible gig but also that each member had by now become disillusioned to the point of not caring any longer.
At a post-rehearsal meeting held the following Sunday in a Surbiton pub, the Lost Cherrees decided to split up.

During the 17 or so years that the Cherrees were separated, various members continued pursuing music projects. Andy and Nuts, created and played, together and apart, in several incarnations, including Good Question and Pipe. Whilst Bev joined her brothers' bands The Gotham City Wreckers and the Bubble Eyed Dog Boys.

In early 2003, Steve, inspired by how many people were sharing files of Cherrees tracks on Napster, began to track down the other members. They reformed with Andy, Bev, Nuts and Steve. After a prolonged but fruitless attempt to locate Debbie, Gail and Sian, the four piece rehearsed hard for several months, with Andy taking over as second vocals as well as guitar. They began contacting old friends still connected with the genre and making an early contact with Colin Jerwood was once again a huge help. Colin was delighted to have the Cherrees back 'on the firm' and offered an immediate reissue of the entire back catalogue, with gigs to follow.

Their first gig after reforming was a squat gig in Hackney and a benefit for the DSEI. Out of the blue, Gail and Debbie turned up to lend their support, with Debbie joining Bev on stage in a version of Unwanted Children. The band were gigging once again, and early appearances took place in Leicester, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Brighton, Newport and Derby among many others. The highlight of the early gigs after reforming was undoubtably the Gathering Of The Thousands, on 21st September 2003 at the Forum, Kentish Town, London, with Conflict, Subhumans, Anti Flag, Blaggers AKA, Icons Of Filth, Inner Terrestrials, Active Slaughter and more.

In The Beginning... was the CD album release that included the back catalogue. Featuring all works released on Mortarhate and a few of the debut single on Riot/Clone. The album was an immediate sell out on pre-release and firmly cemented the bands re-emergence.

The Cherrees, now working out of the studio in drummer Nuts' basement, recorded a cover version of the Clash's Safe European Home for a Joe Strummer tribute album on Mortarhate (an album that was also due to feature the Subhumans massive version of Complete Control), though sadly, this project never saw the light of day. The version became a popular encore track over the following couple of years.

As a thankyou to all the people in the US who had responded so supportively when the Lost Cherrees first announced that they were to reform, a five track, vinyl only, limited edition EP called 'Another Bite Of The Cherrees' was released in early 2004. There was only 1000 pressed with 100 on clear vinyl.

Aside from a busy gigging schedule, the band had several other projects on the go at the start of 2004. A benefit EP for the high profile protest group Fathers4Justice, with whom bassist Steve was a front line activist member, was written, recorded and released in June 2004. This release was subsequently deleted by the band in response a television expose of an undesirable underlying element that had infiltrated Fathers4Justice, seeking to discredit the cause and it's followers. All but a few hundred copies were destroyed.

Throughout 2004, the band were writing and recording for an all new studio album touted for a release towards the end of the year.
In July of that year, the Cherrees eagerly accepted the offer of two gigs in the US and readily committed to all travel arrangements. However, due to a relentless 18 months of hard work, the strain had started to take it's toll on singer Bev, who was diagnosed with nodules on her vocal chords and ordered to rest. In order that Bev could make the trip, a second singer, Joey Hill joined to help split the set and provide Bev with some much needed cover. Joey, amazingly, with only a couple of rehearsals and a rush-organised gig at the Cartoon, Croydon, was able to make the US shows.
So it was, that in September 2004 the Cherrees set off for New York with Conflict, to play two nights at the legendary CBGB. The venue was tragically due to close down the next month due to a redevelopment of the area so it quite literally was 'now or never' for the Lost Cherrees to play the birthplace of US punk. Across the two nights, the band made many friends and secured a stateside distribution deal, through Mortahate, with S.O.S.

Early 2005 saw the band complete the new album, and simultaneously put together a special edition of the back catalogue CD released the previous year. In two crazy weeks in April 2005, Free to Speak.... But Not To Question, a 17 track all new studio album AND In The Very Beginning... the massive, 65 track, double CD special edition of the back catalogue were released on Mortarhate, through Cherry Red. The exhaustive back catalogue release now included for the first time, all the early demos, some remixes, early live recordings and deleted songs from the first album. Both albums received a simultaneous release in Europe and America through the new Mortarhate/S.O.S. deal.
More to follow....

The subject of their songs often included feminism

Feminism

Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...

, anarchism

Anarchism

Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...

, and several notable songs regarding animal rights

Animal rights

Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...

, including "Poem", "Yet Still Comes The Rain" and "You Didn't Care", which were all included in the controversial This Is The Alf compilation album

Compilation album

A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...

, released by Mortarhate Records in 1998.
From 2010 Steve Battershill has also been playing bass in London based punk band Condition:Dead.

External links

• Official website
• [ Allmusic.com's entry on Lost Cherrees]