The Woodentops

Acquiring punk’s D.We.Con. ideals and applying these to stripped-down acoustic pop, the Woodentops accomplished significant amounts of essential success within the short time these were collectively. Formed in the first ’80s in Northhampton, Britain, the group contains Rolo McGinty (vocals, acoustic guitar), Frank de Freitas (bass), Simon Mawby (acoustic guitar), Benny Staples (drums), and Alice Thompson (keyboards). The music group released its debut solitary, “Lots,” on Meals Information; the record resulted in a agreement with Rough Trade. Throughout 1985, the Woodentops released some singles, all compiled by McGinty, that started to attract an viewers within the U.K. The group released its acclaimed debut recording, Large, in 1986. The next yr, the Woodentops started tinkering with their sound, adding tougher guitars and consumer electronics as McGinty became significantly interesting in dance music. These adjustments were particularly apparent within their live display, as demonstrated by their 1987 live documenting, Hypno Defeat Live, recording through the group’s American tour. (The tour also released new keyboard participant Anne Stephenson, previously from the Communards, who changed Thompson.) Featuring the efforts of professional studio room music artists Bernie Worrell and Doug Wimbish, amongst others, 1988’s Wooden Feet Cops on the road continuing the group’s experimentations with rhythmic and sonic textures. As the Woodentops obtained a radio strike in LA with “Prevent This Car” plus they developed a big pursuing in Japan, intensive touring in 1991 and 1992 didn’t widen their group of fans, and by the end of 1992, the Woodentops split up. Rolo McGinty proved helpful in digital music and sang with Gary Lucas’ group Gods & Monsters, while Simon Mawby was briefly an associate of the group Home of Appreciate. In 2006, McGinty set up a fresh lineup from the Woodentops for the reunion tour; signing up for original associates McGinty, Mawby, and de Freitas had been drummer Paul Ashby, pianist Richard Thomas, and keyboardist Aine O’Keeffe. The Woodentops performed live periodically on the next many years, and in 2014 they came back with their initial new record in over 25 years, Granular Stories.