Stackridge
Encyclopedia
Stackridge are a British
folk
, pop
and progressive rock
group who were at the height of their success during the early 1970s. The band's output is characterized by quirky humour and rhythmic catchy sing-along tunes.
Stackridge mix clever lyrics and tuneful melodies with innovative arrangements. The group has claimed a wide range of influences including The Beatles
, The Beach Boys
, Frank Zappa
, Syd Barrett
, Robin Williamson
, The Marx Brothers, Flanders and Swann
, Bing Crosby
, Tom Lehrer
, Gilbert & Sullivan, Frederick Delius
, J.S. Bach and Igor Stravinsky
.
by Andy Davis and James "Crun" Walter during 1969 in the Bristol
/Bath area of the UK. After initial experimentation the word Lemon was dropped from the band's name. The band played its first London gig at The Temple in Wardour Street
on 6 February 1970. Stackridge were the opening and closing act at the first Glastonbury Festival
between 19 September and 20 September 1970. During 1970 the band shared a communal flat as their headquarters at 32, West Mall in Clifton, Bristol
, the address of which Davis and Warren later used as the title of a song which appeared on the debut album.
During 1971 Stackridge began serious gigging although Crun left to take up bricklaying. The group (Davis,Warren,Bent,Evans,Slater) embarked on a UK tour supporting Wishbone Ash
. Later in the year they signed to MCA Records
and recorded their first album Stackridge
, at De Lane Lea Studios
, London. They toured the UK as headliners with Renaissance
supporting and played their first John Peel
session for the BBC
which included a version of The Beatles
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
.
The group continued on a year of touring, again with Wishbone Ash
and Forever More
. The second album Friendliness
was quickly recorded in August 1972 and released in November with some songs that had started life in pre-Stackridge days. By this time Crun had rejoined the band which consisted of Davis, Warren, Slater, Evans, Walter and Billy Sparkle.
In February 1973 the band made their first television appearance on BBC2's "The Old Grey Whistle Test". They then toured during February and March with Camel
in support. The third album The Man In The Bowler Hat
was recorded during 1973 at AIR Studios, London
with producer George Martin
. The album was released in February 1974 to excellent reviews, but failed to sell in large quantities. This was their highest charting album in the UK, reaching #23. A different version of the album was released in the U.S. under the title Pinafore Days
and became their only U.S. chart entry, peaking at #191 although a US tour never materialised. Almost as soon as the album was finished Warren, Walter, Evans, Sparkle and Mutter Slater were replaced by Paul Karas (bass) from the band Rare Bird, Keith Gemmell from the band Audience
and Roy Morgan (drums) as Andy Davis took control. The group that went on tour to support the album sounded quite different than the one on the record.
The fourth album Extravaganza
on Elton John
's Rocket Records
label was recorded at AIR Studios with Tony Ashton
producing and Rod Bowkett joining to contribute to the songwriting.The band now consisted of Davis,Bowkett, Gemmell,Slater (who had rejoined),Karas and Morgan. Non-Stackridge written songs and cover versions became more prevalent.The band seriously missed James Warren's input.With more touring and an appearance at Wembley Stadium
concert with Elton John
and The Beach Boys
, 1975 saw the eventful recording of the band's fifth outing in the studio, the concept album Mr. Mick
based on stories/poems by Steve Augard which was eventually recorded at Ramport Studios, Putney with the revised line-up of Davis, Slater, Walter, Gemmell plus the addition of Dave Lawson on keyboards (Greenslade) and Peter Van Hooke on drums.
On something of a downward slide by this time, the album Mr. Mick
suffered at the hands of the record label Rocket Records
due to editing and the insistence on a Beatles cover song 'Hold me tight'. The album did receive some good press but some shows were abandoned on the grounds that the stages were too small as the band seemed to be taking themselves too seriously.They performed a final show in April 1976 and shortly after the band disintegrated. MCA Records
released the compilation Do The Stanley
late in 1976 which contained songs from the first three albums along with singles and a previously unreleased song 'Let there be lids' taken from their live performances.
Stackridge officially announced in 1977 that they had disbanded; James Warren and Andy Cresswell-Davis formed The Korgis
a few years later, and had some commercial success in the early 1980s.
Looking back at their recording career, clearly UK & US MCA Records had no idea how to promote this eccentric pop band. They simply issued records without much promotion. Their rather odd image didn't help them much, either. By the time they moved to UK Rocket and US Sire, they were on the decline.
John Sherry, Roy Morgan and Rod Lynton proposed a reunion tour, which never materialized.
During 1996 talks were held between original members about possible reunion and recording started. And the following year, 1997 Stackridge - The Radio One Sessions was released by Strange Fruit Records
.
By June 1999, the Come Back To Front Uk tour was under way and June that year saw Something for the Weekend released, featuring the line-up;
James Warren, Jim "Crun" Walter, Mike Evans, Richard Stubbings, John Miller
, and Tim Robinson
.This album sounded more 'Korgi's' than 'Stackridge' and featured the catchy 'Something about the Beatles'.
Then in 2001 Pick Of The Crop and The Original Mr Mick were released on Stackridge's own DAP Records.Mike and Jennie Evans were responsible for re-marketing the band including setting up a web-site and there were infrequent live guest appearances by Mike 'Mutter' Slater. However further turmoil within the band occurred as attempts to re-unite the original band led to the Evans's falling out with the Warren, Walter and Slater as Davis came back to the fold.
2005 saw the release of the album Sex and Flags
on Angel Air
Records, a collection comprising many songs from 'Something for the Weekend', all six songs from the fan release only limited edition 'Lemon' CD in 2002, and two Andy Davis demo recordings. The album was the first since 1973 (apart from the 'Lemon' mini CD) to feature the core foursome of Warren, Davis, Walter and Slater.
A Spring 2007 tour was announced featuring this line-up, along with additional musicians. A show at The Rondo Theatre, Bath, on April 1, 2007 was filmed for a DVD
, released under the title Forbidden City (also available as a CD release). The band continued to perform during 2008.
Stackridge signed up with reissue experts Angel Air in 2005 and all the albums listed in the discography below have the latest Angel Air CD/DVD catalogue numbers ascribed to them. All the CDs have extensive sleevenotes, pictures of memorabilia and bonus tracks and two, 'Mr Mick' and 'Forbidden City' are double CD sets.
In 2008 they returned to the Glastonbury Festival to play the acoustic stage on the Sunday afternoon. They also appeared at the 2008 Rhythm Festival in Bedford, England and Fairport's Cropredy Convention.
A new album ("A Victory For Common Sense" - including a rework of the Korgi's "Boots and Shoes") was released 13 July 2009 on Helium Records.
As of June 12, 2010, it was announced that Mutter Slater resigned from Stackridge. The stated reason was that, because of his full-time job, he could not always accept weekday bookings without taking a day out of his holiday entitlement.
The announcement concluded "The rest of the band are very sorry to see him go, but will continue as a seven piece at least until the end of the year. Rehearsals will take place over the next two months to create a new direction, ready for Autumn/Winter gigs.
"2011 looks very promising with more gigs, several Festivals pencilled in, new songs, more writing & recording on the cards with a revamped line-up."
On March 14, 2011, the band performed live on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
doing their classic "The Last Plimsoll".
On April 7, 2011, Sarah Mitchell replied to a query on Facebook confirming her departure, which, as of 7 May 2011, has not been announced by the band.
Stackridge 1999
Stackridge 2000
(both 1999 and 2000 line-ups occasionally augmented by:
The Stackettes
Stackridge 2007-8:
In Stackridge 2007-08 up to and including Rhythm Festival gig on 31 August 2008:-
Also formerly in Stackridge 2007 (one gig only each):
Stackridge 2007 also included (but for final three '07 gigs)
Stackridge 2007:
Accompanied by:
Stackridge 2009:
Accompanied by:
Stackridge 2010:
Their accompanying musicians are:
Their accompanying musicians are:
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...
folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
group who were at the height of their success during the early 1970s. The band's output is characterized by quirky humour and rhythmic catchy sing-along tunes.
Stackridge mix clever lyrics and tuneful melodies with innovative arrangements. The group has claimed a wide range of influences including The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
, Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
, Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
, Robin Williamson
Robin Williamson
Robin Williamson is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, songwriter and storyteller, who first made his name as a founder member of The Incredible String Band.-Career:...
, The Marx Brothers, Flanders and Swann
Flanders and Swann
The British duo Flanders and Swann were the actor and singer Michael Flanders and the composer, pianist and linguist Donald Swann , who collaborated in writing and performing comic songs....
, Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
, Tom Lehrer
Tom Lehrer
Thomas Andrew "Tom" Lehrer is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, mathematician and polymath. He has lectured on mathematics and musical theater...
, Gilbert & Sullivan, Frederick Delius
Frederick Delius
Frederick Theodore Albert Delius, CH was an English composer. Born in the north of England to a prosperous mercantile family of German extraction, he resisted attempts to recruit him to commerce...
, J.S. Bach and Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
.
Classic period
Stackridge Lemon was formed from the remains of Grytpype ThynneHercules Grytpype-Thynne
Hercules Grytpype-Thynne was a character from the British 1950s comedy radio programme The Goon Show. He was voiced by Peter Sellers. In the episode "Who Is Pink Oboe?", Valentine Dyall filled-in for the role in Sellers' absence....
by Andy Davis and James "Crun" Walter during 1969 in the Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
/Bath area of the UK. After initial experimentation the word Lemon was dropped from the band's name. The band played its first London gig at The Temple in Wardour Street
Wardour Street
Wardour Street is a street in Soho, London. It is a one-way street south to north from Leicester Square, up through Chinatown, across Shaftesbury Avenue to Oxford Street.-History:...
on 6 February 1970. Stackridge were the opening and closing act at the first Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
between 19 September and 20 September 1970. During 1970 the band shared a communal flat as their headquarters at 32, West Mall in Clifton, Bristol
Clifton, Bristol
Clifton is a suburb of the City of Bristol in England, and the name of both one of the city's thirty-five council wards. The Clifton ward also includes the areas of Cliftonwood and Hotwells...
, the address of which Davis and Warren later used as the title of a song which appeared on the debut album.
During 1971 Stackridge began serious gigging although Crun left to take up bricklaying. The group (Davis,Warren,Bent,Evans,Slater) embarked on a UK tour supporting Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...
. Later in the year they signed to MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
and recorded their first album Stackridge
Stackridge (album)
Stackridge is the 1971 debut album by the English group Stackridge. It was one of the first releases on the MCA Records label in the U.K. It first appeared on CD in 1997 released by Demon Records in the U.K. In 2006 it was re-issued again by Angel Air....
, at De Lane Lea Studios
De Lane Lea Studios
De Lane Lea Studios is a recording studio, currently based in Dean Street, Soho, London, England, UK. Although the studios have mainly been used for dubbing feature films and television programmes, major artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink...
, London. They toured the UK as headliners with Renaissance
Renaissance (band)
Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, most notable for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock classics like "Carpet of the Sun", "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning".-Original incarnation :...
supporting and played their first John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
session for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
which included a version of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
"Norwegian Wood " is a song by The Beatles, first released on the 1965 album Rubber Soul....
.
The group continued on a year of touring, again with Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...
and Forever More
Forever More (band)
Forever More was a late 1960s and early 1970s Scottish progressive rock band, featuring Alan Gorrie and Onnie Mair , who would later go on to form the Average White Band...
. The second album Friendliness
Friendliness (album)
Friendliness is the second album by the British rock group Stackridge. The album was produced by Stackridge and Victor Gamm at Sound Techniques, London. This was the only Stackridge album to be released on the MCA Records label both in the U.K. and the U.S.The album has a wide variety of songs...
was quickly recorded in August 1972 and released in November with some songs that had started life in pre-Stackridge days. By this time Crun had rejoined the band which consisted of Davis, Warren, Slater, Evans, Walter and Billy Sparkle.
In February 1973 the band made their first television appearance on BBC2's "The Old Grey Whistle Test". They then toured during February and March with Camel
Camel (band)
Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in 1971. An important group in the Canterbury scene, they have been releasing studio and live recordings steadily, with considerable success, since their formation.-1970s:...
in support. The third album The Man In The Bowler Hat
The Man in the Bowler Hat (album)
The Man In The Bowler Hat is the third album by the British rock group Stackridge. The album was produced by George Martin at AIR Studios, London and released in the UK by MCA Records. This was their highest charting album, peaking at number 23 in the UK Albums Chart.A different version of the...
was recorded during 1973 at AIR Studios, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
with producer George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
. The album was released in February 1974 to excellent reviews, but failed to sell in large quantities. This was their highest charting album in the UK, reaching #23. A different version of the album was released in the U.S. under the title Pinafore Days
The Man in the Bowler Hat (album)
The Man In The Bowler Hat is the third album by the British rock group Stackridge. The album was produced by George Martin at AIR Studios, London and released in the UK by MCA Records. This was their highest charting album, peaking at number 23 in the UK Albums Chart.A different version of the...
and became their only U.S. chart entry, peaking at #191 although a US tour never materialised. Almost as soon as the album was finished Warren, Walter, Evans, Sparkle and Mutter Slater were replaced by Paul Karas (bass) from the band Rare Bird, Keith Gemmell from the band Audience
Audience (band)
Audience is a cult British art rock band which existed between 1969 and 1972, and reformed in 2004.The original band consisted of Howard Werth on nylon-strung electric acoustic guitar and vocals, Keith Gemmell on tenor...
and Roy Morgan (drums) as Andy Davis took control. The group that went on tour to support the album sounded quite different than the one on the record.
The fourth album Extravaganza
Extravaganza (album)
Extravaganza is the fourth album by the British rock group Stackridge. The album was produced by Tony Ashton at AIR Studios, London.The album was originally released in the UK on Elton John's Rocket Records label. Stackridge was the first group signed to the new label.A different version of the...
on Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's Rocket Records
Rocket Records
The Rocket Record Company was a record label founded by Elton John, with Bernie Taupin, Gus Dudgeon and Steve Brown among others, in 1972. The name is from the hit, "Rocket Man"...
label was recorded at AIR Studios with Tony Ashton
Tony Ashton
Tony Ashton was an English rock pianist, keyboardist, singer, composer, producer and artist.-Biography:...
producing and Rod Bowkett joining to contribute to the songwriting.The band now consisted of Davis,Bowkett, Gemmell,Slater (who had rejoined),Karas and Morgan. Non-Stackridge written songs and cover versions became more prevalent.The band seriously missed James Warren's input.With more touring and an appearance at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
concert with Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
, 1975 saw the eventful recording of the band's fifth outing in the studio, the concept album Mr. Mick
Mr. Mick
Mr. Mick is a rock album released by the British group Stackridge in 1976. Originally on Rocket Records, its catalogue number was ROLL 3.-Overview:...
based on stories/poems by Steve Augard which was eventually recorded at Ramport Studios, Putney with the revised line-up of Davis, Slater, Walter, Gemmell plus the addition of Dave Lawson on keyboards (Greenslade) and Peter Van Hooke on drums.
On something of a downward slide by this time, the album Mr. Mick
Mr. Mick
Mr. Mick is a rock album released by the British group Stackridge in 1976. Originally on Rocket Records, its catalogue number was ROLL 3.-Overview:...
suffered at the hands of the record label Rocket Records
Rocket Records
The Rocket Record Company was a record label founded by Elton John, with Bernie Taupin, Gus Dudgeon and Steve Brown among others, in 1972. The name is from the hit, "Rocket Man"...
due to editing and the insistence on a Beatles cover song 'Hold me tight'. The album did receive some good press but some shows were abandoned on the grounds that the stages were too small as the band seemed to be taking themselves too seriously.They performed a final show in April 1976 and shortly after the band disintegrated. MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
released the compilation Do The Stanley
Do the Stanley
Do The Stanley is a compilation album of songs by the British group Stackridge. It was released in the U.K. by MCA Records after their break-up in 1976. The album contains some of the most popular tracks from their first three albums as well as songs from singles. The last song on the album "Let...
late in 1976 which contained songs from the first three albums along with singles and a previously unreleased song 'Let there be lids' taken from their live performances.
Stackridge officially announced in 1977 that they had disbanded; James Warren and Andy Cresswell-Davis formed The Korgis
The Korgis
The Korgis are a British pop band, originally composed of singer / bassist James Warren and singer / drummer Andy Davis , both former members of 1970s band Stackridge, along with unofficial members violinist Stuart Gordon and keyboardist Phil Harrison.-Career:The Korgis released their first single...
a few years later, and had some commercial success in the early 1980s.
Looking back at their recording career, clearly UK & US MCA Records had no idea how to promote this eccentric pop band. They simply issued records without much promotion. Their rather odd image didn't help them much, either. By the time they moved to UK Rocket and US Sire, they were on the decline.
Revival period
Stackridge Live In Concert was released by Windsong, which raised renewed interest in the band.John Sherry, Roy Morgan and Rod Lynton proposed a reunion tour, which never materialized.
During 1996 talks were held between original members about possible reunion and recording started. And the following year, 1997 Stackridge - The Radio One Sessions was released by Strange Fruit Records
Strange Fruit Records
Strange Fruit Records was an independent record label in the United Kingdom.The label, established by Clive Selwood and John Peel in 1986, was the primary distributor of BBC recordings, including Peel Sessions....
.
By June 1999, the Come Back To Front Uk tour was under way and June that year saw Something for the Weekend released, featuring the line-up;
James Warren, Jim "Crun" Walter, Mike Evans, Richard Stubbings, John Miller
John Miller (musician)
John Miller is an American musician and actor known for his work on Broadway. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1968....
, and Tim Robinson
Tim Robinson
Tim Robinson is an English former cricketer, and current cricket umpire, who played in 29 Tests and 26 ODIs for England from 1984 to 1989....
.This album sounded more 'Korgi's' than 'Stackridge' and featured the catchy 'Something about the Beatles'.
Then in 2001 Pick Of The Crop and The Original Mr Mick were released on Stackridge's own DAP Records.Mike and Jennie Evans were responsible for re-marketing the band including setting up a web-site and there were infrequent live guest appearances by Mike 'Mutter' Slater. However further turmoil within the band occurred as attempts to re-unite the original band led to the Evans's falling out with the Warren, Walter and Slater as Davis came back to the fold.
2005 saw the release of the album Sex and Flags
Sex and Flags
Sex and Flags is an album of songs by the British group Stackridge. It was released in the U.K. by Angel Air.- Track listing :#"It's a Fascinating World" #"The Final Bow" #"Someday They'll Find Out"...
on Angel Air
Angel Air
Angel Airlines, trading as Angel Air, was an airline based in Bangkok, Thailand, which was operational between 1997 and 2006.-Fleet:Over the years, Angel Airlines operated the following aircraft types:...
Records, a collection comprising many songs from 'Something for the Weekend', all six songs from the fan release only limited edition 'Lemon' CD in 2002, and two Andy Davis demo recordings. The album was the first since 1973 (apart from the 'Lemon' mini CD) to feature the core foursome of Warren, Davis, Walter and Slater.
A Spring 2007 tour was announced featuring this line-up, along with additional musicians. A show at The Rondo Theatre, Bath, on April 1, 2007 was filmed for a DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, released under the title Forbidden City (also available as a CD release). The band continued to perform during 2008.
Stackridge signed up with reissue experts Angel Air in 2005 and all the albums listed in the discography below have the latest Angel Air CD/DVD catalogue numbers ascribed to them. All the CDs have extensive sleevenotes, pictures of memorabilia and bonus tracks and two, 'Mr Mick' and 'Forbidden City' are double CD sets.
In 2008 they returned to the Glastonbury Festival to play the acoustic stage on the Sunday afternoon. They also appeared at the 2008 Rhythm Festival in Bedford, England and Fairport's Cropredy Convention.
A new album ("A Victory For Common Sense" - including a rework of the Korgi's "Boots and Shoes") was released 13 July 2009 on Helium Records.
The announcement concluded "The rest of the band are very sorry to see him go, but will continue as a seven piece at least until the end of the year. Rehearsals will take place over the next two months to create a new direction, ready for Autumn/Winter gigs.
"2011 looks very promising with more gigs, several Festivals pencilled in, new songs, more writing & recording on the cards with a revamped line-up."
On March 14, 2011, the band performed live on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson is a Peabody Award-winning American late-night talk show hosted by Scottish American comedian Craig Ferguson. Ferguson, the third regular host of the Late Late Show franchise, follows Late Show with David Letterman in the CBS late-night lineup...
doing their classic "The Last Plimsoll".
On April 7, 2011, Sarah Mitchell replied to a query on Facebook confirming her departure, which, as of 7 May 2011, has not been announced by the band.
Classic lineup
that is - Stackridge II (1971–1973)- Andy Cresswell-Davis - guitar/keyboards/vocals
- James Warren - guitar/vocals
- Mike Evans - violin/vocals
- Mike "Mutter" Slater - flute/vocals
- Jim "Crun" Walter - bass
- Billy Bent aka Billy Sparkle - drums
Reunion line-ups
These were:-Stackridge 1999
- James Warren - guitar/vocals
- Mike Evans - violin/vocals
- Jim "Crun" Walter - bass/mobile telephone
- Richard Stubbings - flute/accordion/keyboards/guitar/pennywhistle/vocals/whistling
- Tim Robinson - drums
- John Miller - keyboards/vocals
Stackridge 2000
- James Warren - guitar/vocals
- Mike Evans - violin/vocals
- Jim "Crun" Walter - bass
- Richard Stubbings - flute/accordion/keyboards/guitar/pennywhistle/vocals/whistling
- Tim Robinson - drums
- Ian Towers - keyboards/vocals/guitar
(both 1999 and 2000 line-ups occasionally augmented by:
The Stackettes
- Ruth Evans - violin/backing vocals
- Nina Smith - violin/backing vocals
Stackridge 2007-8:
In Stackridge 2007-08 up to and including Rhythm Festival gig on 31 August 2008:-
- Andy 'Codge' Marsden - drums.
Also formerly in Stackridge 2007 (one gig only each):
- Katy Salvidge - violin.
- Eddie John - drums.
Stackridge 2007 also included (but for final three '07 gigs)
- Nigel Newton - lead guitar
Stackridge 2007:
- James Warren - guitar/vocals.
- Jim "Crun" Walter - bass/spoken word.
- Andy Davis (aka Andrew Cresswell-Davis) - lead guitar/keyboards/vocals.
- Mike "Mutter" Slater - flute/vocals/harmonica/tambourine/castanets.
Accompanied by:
- Glenn Tommey - keyboards/trombone/vocals/sticks.
- Eddie John - drums.
- Sarah Mitchell - violin/vocals/keyboards/whistle/tambourine/enthusiasm/dancing.
- Rachel Hall - Violin
Stackridge 2009:
- James Warren - guitar/vocals.
- Jim "Crun" Walter
- Andy Davis (aka Andrew Cresswell-Davis) - lead guitar/keyboards/vocals.
- Mike "Mutter" Slater - flute/vocals/harmonica/tambourine/castanets.
Accompanied by:
- Glenn Tommey - keyboards/trombone/vocals/sticks.
- Eddie John - drums.
- Sarah Mitchell - violin/vocals/keyboards/tambourine/enthusiasm/dancing.
- Clare Lindley - violin/vocals, replaced Rachel Hall when she returned to full-time education in Spring 2009.
Stackridge 2010:
- James Warren - guitar/vocals.
- Jim "Crun" Walter
- Andy Davis (aka Andrew Cresswell-Davis) - lead guitar/keyboards/vocals.
Their accompanying musicians are:
- Glenn Tommey - keyboards/trombone/vocals/sticks. Engineer/Producer for many Bath-based acts, including The KorgisThe KorgisThe Korgis are a British pop band, originally composed of singer / bassist James Warren and singer / drummer Andy Davis , both former members of 1970s band Stackridge, along with unofficial members violinist Stuart Gordon and keyboardist Phil Harrison.-Career:The Korgis released their first single...
, Peter GabrielPeter GabrielPeter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, XTCXTCXTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
, and GraduateGraduate (band)Graduate was formed in 1979, in Bath, England. Baker and Orzabal were at school together and performed as the "Baker Brothers" in local pubs and clubs from 1977 aged 16. The name Graduate came from the fact that they used to open shows with a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson", which...
. Member of Blue Meanies, The Next Best Thing, and James Warren & Friends. - Eddie John - drums. Replaced Andy Marsden after latter's entirely amicable departure after 31 August 2008 and had already deputised on a one-off basis at a Sutton gig in 2007 (see below).
- Sarah Mitchell - violin/vocals/keyboards/tambourine/enthusiasm/dancing. Sarah was also in K-Passa and the 2005-6 aggregations, The Next Best Thing and James Warren & Friends. Sarah also plays bass guitar and other instruments and has been in the Pink Floyd tribute band, Pink Flawed and in Mimsey Groves - both with her husband Chris.
- Clare Lindley - violin/vocals, replaced Rachel Hall when she returned to full-time education in Spring 2009.
Present lineup
Stackridge 2011:- James Warren - guitar/vocals.
- Jim "Crun" Walter - bass
- Andy Davis (aka Andrew Cresswell-Davis) - lead guitar/keyboards/vocals.
Their accompanying musicians are:
- Glenn Tommey - keyboards/trombone/vocals/sticks.
- Eddie John - drums.
- Clare Lindley - violin/vocals
Chronological releases
- StackridgeStackridge (album)Stackridge is the 1971 debut album by the English group Stackridge. It was one of the first releases on the MCA Records label in the U.K. It first appeared on CD in 1997 released by Demon Records in the U.K. In 2006 it was re-issued again by Angel Air....
(1971) Angel Air SJPCD 230 (original vinyl; UK MCA and US Decca) - FriendlinessFriendliness (album)Friendliness is the second album by the British rock group Stackridge. The album was produced by Stackridge and Victor Gamm at Sound Techniques, London. This was the only Stackridge album to be released on the MCA Records label both in the U.K. and the U.S.The album has a wide variety of songs...
(1972) Angel Air SJPCD 231 (original vinyl; UK MCA and US MCA) - The Man In The Bowler HatThe Man in the Bowler Hat (album)The Man In The Bowler Hat is the third album by the British rock group Stackridge. The album was produced by George Martin at AIR Studios, London and released in the UK by MCA Records. This was their highest charting album, peaking at number 23 in the UK Albums Chart.A different version of the...
(1974) Angel Air SJPCD 232 (original vinyl; UK MCA) - Pinafore DaysThe Man in the Bowler Hat (album)The Man In The Bowler Hat is the third album by the British rock group Stackridge. The album was produced by George Martin at AIR Studios, London and released in the UK by MCA Records. This was their highest charting album, peaking at number 23 in the UK Albums Chart.A different version of the...
(1974) US version of Man in the Bowler Hat, with two tracks dropped, replaced by two from Extravaganza (original vinyl; US Sire) - ExtravaganzaExtravaganza (album)Extravaganza is the fourth album by the British rock group Stackridge. The album was produced by Tony Ashton at AIR Studios, London.The album was originally released in the UK on Elton John's Rocket Records label. Stackridge was the first group signed to the new label.A different version of the...
(1975) Angel Air SJPCD 233 (original vinyl; UK Rocket and US Sire) - Mr. MickMr. MickMr. Mick is a rock album released by the British group Stackridge in 1976. Originally on Rocket Records, its catalogue number was ROLL 3.-Overview:...
(1976) (original vinyl; UK Rocket - no US issue) - Do the StanleyDo the StanleyDo The Stanley is a compilation album of songs by the British group Stackridge. It was released in the U.K. by MCA Records after their break-up in 1976. The album contains some of the most popular tracks from their first three albums as well as songs from singles. The last song on the album "Let...
(1976, compilation, one previously unreleased track "Let There Be Lids") (original vinyl; UK MCA - no US issue) - BBC Radio 1 In Concert (1996, originally Windsong WINCD 019) Strange Fruit SFRSCD 032
- The Radio 1 Sessions (1996) Strange Fruit SFRSCD 40
- More (4 alternative 'Something for the Weekend' mixes) (1998, fan club only CD)
- Something for the WeekendSomething for the weekendSomething for the Weekend was originally a euphemistic reference to a condom, and now may refer to:In television:* Something for the Weekend , a British programme mixing cooking, interviews, and general-interest clips...
(1999) Angel Air SJPCD 235 - Pick of the Crop : Official Bootleg No. 1 (2000, live at Cropredy Festival, 12 August 2000) Dap 104CD
- CD-Romp: The Official Stackridge Bootleg No. 2 (2001) Dap 105CD
- The Original Mr Mick (2001, with Rocket Records official 'butchered' version and extra CD with album as intended by band) Angel Air SJPCD 234
- Lemon 2002 (2002, fan club only)(no label)
- Sex and FlagsSex and FlagsSex and Flags is an album of songs by the British group Stackridge. It was released in the U.K. by Angel Air.- Track listing :#"It's a Fascinating World" #"The Final Bow" #"Someday They'll Find Out"...
(2005, compilation of most of 'Weekend', all of 'Lemon' plus 2 Andy Davis demos) Angel Air SJPCD 205 - Purple Spaceships Over Yatton: The Best Of [2006, 19 track compilation, with new recording of title track, October 2006] Angel Air SJPCD 228
- The Forbidden CityThe Forbidden CityThe Forbidden City is a film released in 1918 starring Norma Talmadge and Thomas Meighan and directed by Sidney Franklin. The plot centers around an inter-racial romance between a Chinese princess and an American . When palace officials discover she has become pregnant she is sentenced to death...
(2008, live at Rondo Theatre, Bath, 1 April 2007) Angel Air SJPCD 251 - Anyone For Tennis (CD and DVD set, combining 'Purple Spaceships Over Yatton: Best of' CD and 'Forbidden City' DVD with new photos and new, extensive sleevenotes, September 2008) Angel Air SJPCD 271
- A Victory For Common SenseA Victory for Common SenseA Victory For Common Sense is an album of songs by the British group Stackridge. It was released in the U.K. by Helium Records.- Track listing :#"Boots And Shoes" – 4:06...
new studio CD, released July 13, 2009, Helium B002C6K7UI http://www.heliumrecords.co.uk
DVD
- The Forbidden City (July 2007 - live at Rondo Theatre, Bath - 1 April 2007) Angel Air NJPDVD 630
See also
- The KorgisThe KorgisThe Korgis are a British pop band, originally composed of singer / bassist James Warren and singer / drummer Andy Davis , both former members of 1970s band Stackridge, along with unofficial members violinist Stuart Gordon and keyboardist Phil Harrison.-Career:The Korgis released their first single...
- another band for James Warren and Andy Cresswell-Davis
External links
- Official Stackridge Web Site
- [The Rhubarbarian - the premier fanzine for Stackridge/Rhubarb Thrashers everywhere]
- Zorgan's Daughter -The ultimate Stackridge site for Rhubarb Thrashers old and new
- Zorgan's Other Daughter - The 'overflow' Stackridge site
- Recent interview with Andy Cresswell-Davis
- BBC's John Peel tribute and Stackridge
- Stackridge - The Cavern, Liverpool – 05/07/08
- Lummy Days the Stackridge Official Podcast
- Helium Records