The Yo-Yos
Encyclopedia
The Yo-Yos were a rock n'roll band, formed in 1998 by ex- The Wildhearts
bassist, Danny McCormack
and singer / guitarist Tom Spencer (ex- Sugarsnatch / The Lurkers
) after the two met at a Toy Dolls recording session. The Yo-Yo's recruited Andy Selway
(Bladz) (ex- Sugarsnatch) on drums & guitarist Neil Phillips (B-Movie Heroes) to the band.
The Yo-Yo's recorded their first single, entitled "Out Of My Mind" and then joined The Backyard Babies
for a UK tour. Another single was then recorded, entitled "Rumble(d)". The Yo-Yo's continued to tour the UK and were then signed by US label Sub Pop
.
On the Sub Pop label, the Yo-Yo's released their debut album, Uppers & Downers on CD and LP
in 2000.
Despite gaining a cult following as well favourable coverage from the rock and indie press, they split up do to infighting among members.
Neil Phillips went on to play for Danny Frye & The Devildolls, and also return his concentration to his own B-Movie Heroes whilst Andy Selway went onto KMFDM
.
In 2005 the group reformed with a new lineup that included McCormack and Spencer, along with Rich Jones
(Amen
, The Black Halos) on guitar the band recorded a new EP entitled "Given Up Giving Up" and successfully toured the UK supporting 3 Colours Red
.
The EP was initially due for release on Mighty Atom Records
but was put out on Undergroove records at the last minute.
Ex-Wildhearts drummer Stidi originally took up drumming duties for the band but was replaced last minute before recording began, the job went to Craig Herdman (The Cherrykicks). The band finally walked out on McCormack half way through a tour with AntiProduct
due to further drug problems. However, Danny completed the tour in defiance, with support band 'Any Given Day' providing a backing band for him to front.
Tom Spencer
is currently fronting London based 'The Loyalties' which includes Rich Jones
, Craig Herdman and Lee Jones (ex-Deadline). Rich Jones
also plays with Bassknives
. Danny McCormack is working on his first solo album in South Shields. Neil Phillips continues to play with B- Movie Heroes.
The Wildhearts
The Wildhearts are a British rock group originally formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The band's sound is a mixture of hard rock and melodic pop music, often described in the music press as combining influences as diverse as The Beatles and 1980s-era Metallica...
bassist, Danny McCormack
Danny McCormack
Danny McCormack is a British singer and bassist.-Biography:He became the bass player in The Wildhearts in 1991 and soon relocated to London with the band, enjoying success during their commercial peak, before splitting up in 1998...
and singer / guitarist Tom Spencer (ex- Sugarsnatch / The Lurkers
The Lurkers
The Lurkers were a late 1970s English punk rock group from Uxbridge, West London, notable for being the first group ever on Beggars Banquet Records.-Career:...
) after the two met at a Toy Dolls recording session. The Yo-Yo's recruited Andy Selway
Andy Selway
KMFDM drummer Andy Selway spent his early years in Luton, England, but moved to Kirton near Felixstowe in Suffolk where he remained until his early 20s...
(Bladz) (ex- Sugarsnatch) on drums & guitarist Neil Phillips (B-Movie Heroes) to the band.
The Yo-Yo's recorded their first single, entitled "Out Of My Mind" and then joined The Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies are a rock band, from Nässjö, Sweden. The band was formed in 1987 and over the years they have released five studio albums and won a Swedish Grammy. The band is now located in Stockholm, Sweden....
for a UK tour. Another single was then recorded, entitled "Rumble(d)". The Yo-Yo's continued to tour the UK and were then signed by US label Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
.
On the Sub Pop label, the Yo-Yo's released their debut album, Uppers & Downers on CD and LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
in 2000.
Despite gaining a cult following as well favourable coverage from the rock and indie press, they split up do to infighting among members.
Neil Phillips went on to play for Danny Frye & The Devildolls, and also return his concentration to his own B-Movie Heroes whilst Andy Selway went onto KMFDM
KMFDM
KMFDM is an industrial band led by German multi-instrumentalist Sascha Konietzko, who founded the group in 1984 as a performance art project...
.
In 2005 the group reformed with a new lineup that included McCormack and Spencer, along with Rich Jones
Rich Jones
Rich Jones is an English guitarist born in Coventry in 1973. He has since lived and played music in Toronto, Vancouver, and Los Angeles before settling in London, England....
(Amen
Amen (band)
Amen is a hardcore punk-influenced band formed in 1994.The band has an almost constantly rotating lineup, with founder Casey Chaos remaining as the only constant member throughout...
, The Black Halos) on guitar the band recorded a new EP entitled "Given Up Giving Up" and successfully toured the UK supporting 3 Colours Red
3 Colours Red
3 Colours Red were a rock band from the United Kingdom. They achieved their biggest chart success at the end of the 1990s, along with other Britrock bands such as Ash and Feeder. The band was named by sticking a pin in a London listings magazine, Time Out...
.
The EP was initially due for release on Mighty Atom Records
Mighty Atom Records
Mighty Atom Records is a Welsh based record label. The company was formed in early 2000 by Dave Simpson and Roger Hopkins. It is known for having been one of a few independent record labels at the forefront of the UK emo scene in the early 2000s, due to its early involvement with Funeral for a...
but was put out on Undergroove records at the last minute.
Ex-Wildhearts drummer Stidi originally took up drumming duties for the band but was replaced last minute before recording began, the job went to Craig Herdman (The Cherrykicks). The band finally walked out on McCormack half way through a tour with AntiProduct
AntiProduct
AntiProduct are a UK-based glam punk band, fronted by Alex Kane, formerly of Clam Abuse, Enuff Z'nuff, Holland, and Life, Sex & Death.The band formed in 2000, and have played alongside acts such as Rachel Stamp, The Wildhearts, Ginger, The Quireboys, Enuff Z'Nuff, Electric Eel Shock, Tyla from...
due to further drug problems. However, Danny completed the tour in defiance, with support band 'Any Given Day' providing a backing band for him to front.
Tom Spencer
Tom Spencer
Tom Spencer may refer to:*Tom Spencer , American former Chicago White Sox outfielder and minor league baseball manager*Tom Spencer , British cricketer and international umpire...
is currently fronting London based 'The Loyalties' which includes Rich Jones
Rich Jones
Rich Jones is an English guitarist born in Coventry in 1973. He has since lived and played music in Toronto, Vancouver, and Los Angeles before settling in London, England....
, Craig Herdman and Lee Jones (ex-Deadline). Rich Jones
Rich Jones
Rich Jones is an English guitarist born in Coventry in 1973. He has since lived and played music in Toronto, Vancouver, and Los Angeles before settling in London, England....
also plays with Bassknives
Bassknives
Bassknives are a London based punk rock band featuring ex-members of 3 Colours Red and Amen. The band name is taken from the song, " In Hammersmith Palais" by The Clash...
. Danny McCormack is working on his first solo album in South Shields. Neil Phillips continues to play with B- Movie Heroes.