Girlschool
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| Girlschool | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Years active | 1977 – present |
| Genres | Heavy metal NWOBHM |
| Labels | City Records (1979-present) |
| Members | Kim McAuliffe Enid Williams Denise Dufort Jackie Chambers |
| Past members | Deidre Cartwright Gil Weston Kelly Johnson Chris Bonacci Jackie Bodimead |
Girlschool are a long-running English all-female heavy metal band originating out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
Though enjoying little commercial success beyond the early 1980s, they maintain a worldwide cult following and were inspirational for many succeeding female bands.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] Band history
[edit] Origins
In 1977 a group of schoolgirls in London formed a band called Painted Lady, consisting of Kim McAuliffe (guitar), Enid Williams (bass), and Deidre Cartwright (drums).
A series of lineup changes followed before the lineup stabilised at Kim McAuliffe (guitar), Enid Williams (bass), Kelly Johnson (lead guitar), and Denise Dufort (drums). This was to be the original and "classic" lineup of Girlschool, the name adopted in 1979.
[edit] Career
The band obtained a single-record deal with small label City Records in 1979 and released debut single "Take It All Away". Their gigs and the single got them attention, and in a major breakthrough, a 1979-80 support slot on tour with Motörhead, with whom they would have a strong association for many years, becoming "stable mates" on the Bronze Records label.
By the close of 1980, having released debut album Demolition, the band were an integral and major force in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM).[citation needed] In 1981 the band reached the peak of their success, releasing UK top #5 album "Hit 'n' Run" and collaborating with Motörhead to produce the St. Valentine's Day Massacre EP, featuring top #5 UK single "Please Don't Touch". They played to a sold-out audience at Hammersmith Odeon and had a significant audience in Europe and North America.
From 1982 their success began to decline along with other NWOBHM bands. In that year they released the reasonably successful Screaming Blue Murder album. In October McAuliffe was nearly killed after being electrocuted on stage in Denmark, but recovered in time for a Japanese tour and European support slot with Rainbow.
There was a short hiatus after friction between McAuliffe and Williams led to the latter's departure, and her replacement by Gil Weston. The time away sapped interest in the band and by the time the Noddy Holder produced fourth album Play Dirty was released in 1983 it was evaporating fast. Play Dirty only made #66 in the UK album chart and was the last album to appear.
After the following tour Johnson left the band to live in America with ex-the Runaways bassist Vicki Blue, and was replaced by Chris Bonacci. By 1984 the band were a spent force in terms of being major recording artists, but maintained a sufficiently strong enough following to keep them in business, and supported Motörhead on tour in that year, and the reunited Deep Purple in 1985. For a short time, Jackie Bodimead was brought in as vocalist, and this line-up was captured on film at a Camden Palace show. It was released, though unofficially, on DVD in 2005 as 'Girlschool - Live In London.'
[edit] Recent events
Since 1985, the band have, with some interruptions, maintained a cult following and have continued to tour and record albums. There were many lineup changes over the succeeding years but McAuliffe has remained firmly at the helm. By 2005 the lineup contained reunited original members McAuliffe, Williams, and Dufort, with new recruit Jackie Chambers on lead guitar. In November 2005, Girlschool again supported Motörhead on their 30th Anniversary UK Tour.
[edit] Band members
[edit] Current
- Enid Williams - bass guitar, vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
- Kim McAuliffe - vocals, guitar
- Jackie Chambers - guitar
[edit] Former
- Deidre Cartwright - drums
- Gil Weston - bass guitar
- Kelly Johnson - guitar
- Chris Bonacci - guitar
- Jackie Bodimead - vocals
- Tracy Lamb - bass
- Jackie Carrera - bass
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio
- Demolition (1980)
- Hit And Run (1981)
- Screaming Blue Murder (1982)
- Play Dirty (1983)
- Running Wild) (1984)
- Nightmare At Maple Cross (1986)
- Take A Bite (1988)
- Girlschool (1993)
- Not That Innocent: 21st Anniversary (2001)
- Believe (2004)
[edit] Live
- Girlschool Live (1996)
- Girlschool Live: King Biscuit Flower Hour (1996)
- Race With The Devil Live (2000)
[edit] Videography
- Girlschool - Live In London (2005)
