The Impossible Dreamers
Encyclopedia
The Impossible Dreamers were a 1980s new-wave band that had a major club hit with their 12” single “Spin”, before signing for RCA Records where they were produced by Johnny Marr
(The Smiths). The band members have gone on to work with Robert Plant
, The Pretenders
and The Lilac Time
.
The Imps (as they were nicknamed) started off as several friends at Exeter University (c1980). By the time of their first RCA single, This House Built On Sand, the band were: Nick Waterhouse (gtr, vox)/Caroline Radcliffe (vox, oboe)/Justin Adams
(gtr)/Fred Hood (drums).
The band toured extensively (originally supporting bands like Kid Creole & The Coconuts and Bad Manners
), and were courted by the NME (January 1983) and many other magazines.
The quartet stayed together until 1987/8, before going their separate ways.
Justin Adams
is a respected guitarist who now plays (and produces) with the likes of Robert Plant.
Fred Hood, a close acquaintance of Johnny Marr
, has also been the drummer/writer/producer for The Pretenders
and Moodswings (band)
, where he is often to as James FT Hood.
Caroline Radcliffe is one of the musicians on The Lilac Time
's "Paradise Circus". She co-wrote songs with Nick Duffy
and was part of his project "Bait". Together with Nick Waterhouse, Caroline organises the "Acoustic Plus" music events in Frome and they play together as Three Corners.
The Lilac Time tried to release a double album called "Tree" in 1989, but Fontana declined. So The Lilacs made "Paradise Circus" and the rest of the songs were released as "BAIT". Most of them now feature on Lilac Time CD releases.
In 2008 Radcliffe and Waterhouse released their first new music together since the last Impossible Dreamers release in 1987. Under the name “three corners” they released a new CD "stone age genes in the digital era", a limited edition on their own label (a merciful release). The follow-up CD, entitled "Express", was released in November 2010, for which the band name "three corners" became "3corners".
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
(The Smiths). The band members have gone on to work with Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
, The Pretenders
The Pretenders
The Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers...
and The Lilac Time
The Lilac Time
The Lilac Time is a British alternative rock band that was originally formed in Herefordshire, England by Stephen Duffy, his brother Nick Duffy and their friend Michael Weston in 1986. The band's name was taken from a line in the Nick Drake song "River Man."...
.
The Imps (as they were nicknamed) started off as several friends at Exeter University (c1980). By the time of their first RCA single, This House Built On Sand, the band were: Nick Waterhouse (gtr, vox)/Caroline Radcliffe (vox, oboe)/Justin Adams
Justin Adams
-Biography:The son of a diplomat, Adams grew up in the middle-east and Egypt, before settling in the UK.He began his career in music in the 1980s with the band The Impossible Dreamers...
(gtr)/Fred Hood (drums).
The band toured extensively (originally supporting bands like Kid Creole & The Coconuts and Bad Manners
Bad Manners
Bad Manners are an English 2 Tone ska band. They quickly became the novelty favourites of the UK pop scene through their bald outsized frontman's on-stage antics, earning early exposure through their Top of The Pops exploits and an appearance in the live film documentary, Dance Craze.They were at...
), and were courted by the NME (January 1983) and many other magazines.
Releases
- Books Books Books (EP single, Merciful Release MR1,, 1980)
- Spin / Life On Earth (12" single, 100ThingsToDo MR5, 1982)
- This House Built On Sand (single, RCA Arcadia iD001, 1984)
- August Avenue (12" single, RCA PB40349, 1985)
- Running For cover (single, RCA Arcadia CARO 1, 1986)
- I Had Love In My Hands (single, RCA Eurodisc LOVE 1, 1987)
- Say Goodbye to No One (single, RCA BCA 500, 1987)
- + Ready in the Rhythm Section (university album release shared with The Syndromes, 1981). Justin & Fred were originally in "rival" Exeter band, The Syndromes.
The quartet stayed together until 1987/8, before going their separate ways.
Justin Adams
Justin Adams
-Biography:The son of a diplomat, Adams grew up in the middle-east and Egypt, before settling in the UK.He began his career in music in the 1980s with the band The Impossible Dreamers...
is a respected guitarist who now plays (and produces) with the likes of Robert Plant.
Fred Hood, a close acquaintance of Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
, has also been the drummer/writer/producer for The Pretenders
The Pretenders
The Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers...
and Moodswings (band)
Moodswings (band)
Moodswings is a musical duo composed of Grant Showbiz and James F.T. Hood. Grant Showbiz was a onetime roadie and guitar tech who later produced albums by The Smiths, Billy Bragg, Silverfish, and Gong. James Hood was a former drummer for The Pretenders, The Impossible Dreamers, Kid Creole & the...
, where he is often to as James FT Hood.
Caroline Radcliffe is one of the musicians on The Lilac Time
The Lilac Time
The Lilac Time is a British alternative rock band that was originally formed in Herefordshire, England by Stephen Duffy, his brother Nick Duffy and their friend Michael Weston in 1986. The band's name was taken from a line in the Nick Drake song "River Man."...
's "Paradise Circus". She co-wrote songs with Nick Duffy
Nick Duffy
Nick Duffy is a musician, artist, illustrator, and filmmaker.Nick is the elder brother of singer/songwriter Stephen Duffy. They are both co-founders of the folk-pop group The Lilac Time. Nick is a multi-instrumentalist, and has been a frequent contributor to Stephen's solo recordings...
and was part of his project "Bait". Together with Nick Waterhouse, Caroline organises the "Acoustic Plus" music events in Frome and they play together as Three Corners.
The Lilac Time tried to release a double album called "Tree" in 1989, but Fontana declined. So The Lilacs made "Paradise Circus" and the rest of the songs were released as "BAIT". Most of them now feature on Lilac Time CD releases.
In 2008 Radcliffe and Waterhouse released their first new music together since the last Impossible Dreamers release in 1987. Under the name “three corners” they released a new CD "stone age genes in the digital era", a limited edition on their own label (a merciful release). The follow-up CD, entitled "Express", was released in November 2010, for which the band name "three corners" became "3corners".
External links
- The Impossible Dreamers Fan website