The Wildhearts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Origin | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Country |  England,United Kingdom |
| Years active | 1989 - present |
| Genres | Hard rock Punk rock |
| Labels | East West Round Records Mushroom Records Snapper Records Gut Records |
| Members | Ginger C.J Scott Sorry Ritch Battersby |
| Website(s) | Official site Myspace page Second Myspace |
The Wildhearts are a rock group from Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The band's sound is a mixture of hard rock and melodic pop music. When the band released their first EP Mondo Akimbo a-Go-Go they were touted in the music press as combining influences as diverse as The Beatles and 1980s-era Metallica although this was refuted by the band themselves who saw their influences as ranging far wider, as shown in the song 29 X The Pain which details many of singer Ginger's influences. The Wildhearts were hugely influential in the mid-1990s, although they themselves never achieved huge success, owing in part to the indifference of radio stations and the mainstream music press, and also many "in camp" problems often relating to recreational drugs and depression. In the band's turbulent and unpredictable history, many members have come and gone, but they have always been based around founding member Ginger (real name David Walls), the singer, guitarist and predominant songwriter. Despite many of their singles being refused air play on the radio in their early days they still managed to enter the British charts in the top 20, and the band has remained at the forefront of the British Rock Scene since 1993.
The band has had a fairly chaotic history, splitting up several times, adding and subtracting various members, and their career has been blighted by drug and alcohol related problems throughout. Much of the band's career was affected by sometimes bitter feuds with their record company, East West.
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[edit] History
[edit] Early years
The Wildhearts formed in late 1989, after Ginger was sacked from the Quireboys.
The following myth is often told about Ginger's decision to form the band. The bottom had fallen out of his world, and all that he had left, all that he cared about was the bottle of Jack Daniel's he was swigging from. Walking down some steps to the London Underground, he fell. As he lay on the floor, he decided that if the bottle was smashed, he would kill himself. If the bottle remained intact, he would start a band. The bottle was intact.
Ginger wanted to form a band where he could apply himself as a songwriter, rather than merely a guitarist as in his previous bands, inspired by the likes of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, and throughout the band's early career he wrote nearly all the songs himself. Initially called The Wild Hearts (two words), Snake (ex-Tobruk) was the frontman of the band followed by a brief stint from Duncan F. Mullet (ex-Mourneblade). Snake returned briefly to the band for a few months following the departure of Duncan. 9 demos were recorded in 1989 and 1990 with Snake singing on 4 and Duncan on 5. These demos remain unreleased and find the band sounding more like Guns N Roses than the later sound that would evolve. Some of the demos were produced by famed producer Ric Browde and intended for an EP release that never materialized. These demos can be found from time to time. In March 1991, Ginger reluctantly took over on lead vocals despite his reservations. He has never thought himself a good singer.
[edit] The first album
In 1993, to follow up The Wildhearts' first two EPs, Mondo Akimbo a-Go-Go & Don’t Be Happy…Just Worry, the band recorded demos for its first full-length album. These were deemed so good that they were released as Earth Vs The Wildhearts without re-recording. Singles "Greetings From Shitsville" and "TV Tan" were underground hits in 1993. Stidi left the band shortly afterwards to be replaced by Ritch Battersby, just in time for the recording of the single "Caffeine Bomb", a UK chart hit at the beginning of 1994, helped by a memorable video in which Ginger appeared to vomit into, guitarist and backing vocalist, C.J's face. The band appeared on Top of the Pops wearing green welding goggles. The debut album was reissued in late 1994 with "Caffeine Bomb" tacked on, and "Suckerpunch" was another 'almost' hit.
[edit] The follow-up
The Wildhearts had grand plans for a double album, but East West vetoed this plan during the recording sessions, forcing the band to release a collection of 6 of the more eclectic tracks on a fan club only release entitled Fishing For Luckies in early 1995. An instant classic, Fishing For Luckies included "Geordie In Wonderland" (offered to Kevin Keegan and Newcastle United F.C. as their anthem, but graciously turned down, and played on Top of the Pops with Wolfsbane's Jeff Hateley, painted in Toon Army colours, on Mandolin), "If Life Is Like A Lovebank (I Want An Overdraft)" and the legendary tracks "Schitzophonic" and "Sky Babies", an 11.24 minute epic that fans screamed for at every subsequent gig, but was rarely played, reputedly because of Danny McCormack's inability to remember his bass parts throughout the whole song (the band did eventually play the song on every night of a post-reformation tour with John Poole on bass).
The second album proper was to be known as 'P.H.U.Q.'. After the departure of CJ, midway through the recording sessions, the album was completed without a second guitarist. P.H.U.Q. was released in May 1995 and reached number 6 in the British charts, making it the band's most successful record. Shortly after the album's release, Mark Keds of Senseless Things was drafted in on guitars, but lasted just one recording session for three songs, one of which was called "Friend For 5 Minutes" which turned out to be ironic as within a few weeks Keds was sacked after disappearing to Japan for a farewell tour with his old band. The Wildhearts were again down to a three-piece for a few months, and even performed a few gigs like this. This arrangement was not perfect, however, and the band felt that a second guitarist was required. After requesting demos and holding auditions, the job went to the previously unknown Jef Streatfield.
By late 1995 the band were finally fed up with their record label and set out to tour Japan and the UK, determined that they would split up the band unless East West would release them from their contract. The tours were a resounding success and eventually the band managed to escape their record contract.
[edit] Round Records era
In early 1996 the Wildhearts were in an upbeat mood, claiming to have recorded two new studio albums, which would be released via East West on the band's own record label, Round Records. Only one of these records saw the light of day, a revamped version of the previously fan club only 'Fishing For Luckies' with eight new tracks bringing it up to full album length. The other album was never quite finished, although leaked copies were distributed as the Shitty Fuckin' Stupid Tracks bootleg, and finally received an official release in 1998 as part of the Landmines and Pantomimes rarities compilation, although the band urged fans to boycott this record which they had not approved. The tracks from this album were never officially acknowledged as part of the band's corpus of material, although one song, "Tom Take the Money", has since been performed a number of times by Ginger at his solo acoustic appearances.
[edit] Endless Nameless era
In 1997 the band signed to Mushroom Records, and set about making another album. This album, recorded during a traumatic time for the band, abandoned the band's former pop rock leanings in favour of a more distorted and less commercial, "everything louder than everything else" sound. Fans were initially confused by the first single, "Anthem", released in July 1997, and by the time the album itself, Endless, Nameless, was released, the opinion of fans was totally divided, some calling it a masterpiece, others an aberration.
All was not harmonious inside the band either and drug problems, particularly affecting bassist Danny McCormack, were putting a strain on the band in late 1997. Things came to a head in November of that year when Ginger decided to split the band, shortly before the release of Endless Nameless, and before a scheduled British tour, which was then cancelled.
[edit] Multi-Formatting and Singles
It was during the 1997 era that The Wildhearts began to release multiple formats of singles. The band had, up until this point, always been strenuously against multi-formatting seeing the practice as a rip-off to fans. The Wildhearts pre-1997 would release one version of a single which would contain 3 b-sides. The b-sides themselves were never covers or album off-cuts but always brand new songs recorded specifically for that single. As such the quality of Wildhearts b-sides has always been high, and indeed fan favourite "29 X The Pain" was a b-side from the "Suckerpunch" single.
However, during the Endless, Nameless run the band released the two singles from the album as multi-format consisting of two CD singles with two b-sides on each and a 7" single with one b-side, with several of the songs being covers. Many of the band's fan base were angry at this change and even went so far as handing out flyers against the practice outside Wildhearts shows. Ginger reacted with frustration, saying that they were simply trying to bring more music to the fans.
The band have continued to multi-format since 1997, in particular with the single for 'Top Of The World' consisting of 3 CD singles, two with two b-sides and one with one b-side and the video for the song. However, the band have also continued to specifically re-enter the studio to record brand new songs for b-sides. This means that since the Wildhearts reformation(s) they have amassed enough b-sides for Gut Records to release a b-side only album, Coupled With.
[edit] Hiatus 1997-2001
For several years the band members concentrated on their respective side projects, although the lineup of Ginger, Danny, Ritch and Jef reformed a few times for one off gigs and tours of Japan, where the band had always had a strong following.
[edit] Reformation(s)
In early 2001 Ginger shocked and delighted fans of the band by announcing that he was reforming the Earth Vs The Wildhearts- era lineup of the band for a tour later that year. This lineup of the band ran into difficulties at first due to Danny's battle against heroin addiction, and on several dates of the comeback tour Toshi from support band AntiProduct stood in as bassist. By 2002 Danny was once again clean and the band started recording a new mini-album and also toured the UK. The tracks intended for the album were released in late 2002 across three formats of the Vanilla Radio single in the UK, and as the mini-album Riff After Riff After Motherfucking Riff in Japan. The Vanilla Radio single reached the Top 30 in the UK, and in early 2003 work began on a full-length album. However, during recording, Danny checked himself into a rehabilitation centre to deal with an alcohol problem, leaving Ginger himself to play the bass parts on the album. Danny's place in the live band was filled by "Random" Jon Poole, who had already worked with Ginger on his Silver Ginger 5 side-project.
The album 'The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed' had a very commercial sound, full of short simple pop songs with little of the heavier rock style which often featured on previous albums. It seemed that things were finally looking up for the band when they managed to get a US record deal with Gearhead Records, and arranged to tour the US and release 'Riff After Riff', a compilation of songs from the UK post-reformation singles.
This was The Wildhearts' first US release since Earth Vs The Wildhearts in 1994. The release was also promoted by a tour, mostly as the support band for their ex-support band, The Darkness.
Then in early 2005, Ginger dissolved The Wildhearts again and briefly joined The Brides of Destruction (featuring Tracii Guns on guitar) before setting out on his own as a full-time solo artist. In typically unpredictable Wildhearts style Ginger then reformed The Wildhearts again for a one-off gig at Scarborough Castle on 17 September 2005. The 1994-1995 line-up of Ginger, Danny McCormack, CJ and Ritch Battersby played at this gig.
In December 2005 / January 2006, Ginger released the Valor Del Corazon double album on Cargo / Round records to the great acclaim of critics and fans alike. The first single from Valor Del Corazon, Yeah Yeah Yeah, was released in November. The split single featured Round Records artist Howling Willie Cunt - who performed a country and western version of the Wildhearts song Caffeine Bomb. Ginger's next solo effort Yoni, was released in January 2007 on Round Records.
Danny McCormack reformed his band The Yo-Yos, although they split up mid-way through a tour shortly after releasing a new E.P on Undergroove. He recently finished recording 4 songs for a new solo E.P. C.J also just finished recording the album for his solo project, C.J & The Satellites. It is due for release on Cargo Records summer 2007.
Once again, the Wildhearts reformed in December 2006 and played a single live show at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton. This line-up saw Ginger joined again by CJ, Rich Battersby and a new bassist, Scott Sorry (ex Amen).
In mid-January 2007, Ginger revealed on BBC 6music during an interview that original Wildhearts lead singer Snake (ex-Tobruk, real name Stuart) had drunk himself to death. He passed away on 20th December of congestive heart failure[verification needed]. His funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, there were so many that they could have filled the place 5 times over[verification needed].
A new album, titled The Wildhearts, is due for release on 23 April 2007 and there will be a tour to support the album. The tour dates are:
- 23rd April - Southampton, The Brook
- 24th April - Bristol, University
- 25th April - Cardiff, The Point
- 28th April - Oxford, Zodiac
- 29th April - London, KOKO's
- 30th April - Wolverhampton, Wulfrun
- 2nd May - Leeds, Rios
- 3rd May - Sheffield, Corporation
- 4th May - Manchester, Academy
- 5th May - Nottingham Rockcity
- 7th May - Newcastle, Academy
- 8th May - Glasgow, Garage (Moved from the Cathouse)
- 9th May - Belfast, Spring and Airbrake
- 10th May - Aberdeen, Moshulu
- 12th May - Blackpool, Riffs
- 13th May - Mansfield, Town Mill
- 14th May - Norwich, Waterfront
- 16th May - Milton Keynes, Woughton Centre
- 17th May - Leicester, Charlotte
The band were to play a handful of shows across America, but due to delays in their Visa application they were forced to cancel the US tour, the band then announced that they would play the shows in the US at a later dates, no dates have been released as of yet.
On April 9th the band released new single, The Sweetest Song, as a download only release. Ginger has said the edit of the song will not be available on the new album, nor will it be found anywhere else.
[edit] Members
Most recent members:
- Ginger - vocals and guitar (1990-present)
- Scott Sorry - Bass and vocals (2006-present).
- C.J - guitar and vocals (1990-1994, 2001-present)
- Ritch Battersby - drums (1994-1998, 2005-present)
Former members:
- Danny McCormack - Bass and vocals (1991-2003, 2005-2006).
- Stidi (Andrew Stidolph) - drums (1992-1993, 2001-2004)
- "Random" Jon Poole - Bass (2003-2004)
- Toshi - Bass (2001)
- Simon Gonk - Drums (One gig 2001)
- Jef Streatfield - guitar and vocals (1995-1998)
- Mark Keds - guitar and vocals (1995)
- Devin Townsend - guitar and vocals (1994).
- Willie Dowling - keyboards and piano (1994)
- Snake - vocals (1990)
- Duncan F. Mullet - vocals (1990)
- Bam - drums (1991)
- Jools - Bass (1990-1991)
- Pat Walters - Drums (1990-1991)
[edit] Formations (since 1990)
| 1990 |
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| 1990 |
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| 1990-1991 |
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| 1991-1993 |
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| 1993-1994 |
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| 1995 |
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| 1995-1998 |
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| 1998-2001 |
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| 2001-2003 |
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[edit] Discography
- For more details on this topic, see The Wildhearts Discography.
[edit] Related bands/side projects
The band members have all been in other bands and projects,
- Prior to the Wildhearts, Ginger was in the UK band "The Quireboys" and the US band "The Throbs".
- During his time in the Wildhearts, Ginger formed the bands "Ginger And The Sonic Circus", "Silver Ginger 5" with Conny Bloom, "Clam Abuse" with Alex Kane from AntiProduct, and "Supershit 666" with Dregen (Backyard Babies) and Nicke Royale (Hellacoptors), as well as releasing material and touring as a solo artist, often accompanied by Hot Steve, the Wildhearts' guitar tech, and "Random" Jon Poole (often billed a "Ginger and Friends").
- Danny McCormack formed The Yo-Yos and The Chasers. Confusingly an early (1998) form of the Yo-Yos was also known as The Chasers. The Yo-Yos were briefly resurrected in 2005.
- CJ and Stidi were both members of The Jellys
- CJ and Willie Dowling were members of Honeycrack in the late '90s. CJ was a member of the Tattooed Love Boys before joining the Wildhearts, he recently recorded the debut album for his solo project, C.J & The Satellites.
- Willie Dowling was the founder member of The Grip, and is now recording and touring with Jackdaw4, previously known as The Celebrity Squares. He also founded the Sugar Plum Fairies, and released one album under this moniker. As well as these bands, he works frequently with Midge Ure from Ultravox and has written numerous TV themes and incidental music used in commercials and television programmes.
- Jef Streatfield is a member of Plan A and Sack Trick
- Ritch Battersby was in Grand Theft Audio (along side Danny McCormacks brother Chris of 3 Colours Red), and briefly joined Ginger in Silver Ginger 5, plus he joined Ginger, Random Jon Poole and Willie Dowling for Ginger's 40th Birthday Party (17/12/04). He also was in New Disease who released an E.P through Changes One in 2001.
- "Random" Jon Poole was a former member of Cardiacs and is now in a band called God Damn Whores.
- Devin Townsend is a successful recording artist, being in two main projects currently, The Devin Townsend Band, and Strapping Young Lad.
- Pat and Jools became members of Guns n' Wankers.
[edit] Trivia
- The only Wildhearts song not to feature Ginger was an early version of "The Song Formerly Known As", featuring Ritch on lead vocals, which was recorded in Ginger's absence. The song was later re-recorded by the full band and released as a b-side to the "Anthem" single.
- Random Jon Poole is also a member of the Cardiacs.
- The Wildhearts also spent some time rehearsing with Devin Townsend at Arcadeia Rehearsal Studios, Birmingham, England.
- The controversial video of "If Life Is Like A Lovebank, I Want An Overdraft" was of a highly suggestive sexual nature that contained nudity and concerned supposed sex phone line ads such as two twins cavorting next the tag line 'Keep It In The Family'. It was edited by the BBFC as it was deemed too pornographic. The originals were ordered to be destroyed and two versions were released to the public - a censored 'adult' version and a 'children's' version (the latter removing the nudity and replacing the suggestive tag lines with things like 'pretty shoes' and 'I love lollypops').
- This song led to another odd piece of trivia. The Wildhearts are the only band in the history of the now defunct BBC staple chart show Top Of The Pops to play the B-Side instead of the A-side of a single. It is somewhat of a mystery as to why "If Life Is Like A Lovebank, I Want An Overdraft" was not played as although the video for the song was notoriously controversial, there was nothing at all controversial in the actual song or its lyrics. The song that was performed instead was the B-side, the Pogues-esque singalong "Geordie In Wonderland".
- One of the 3 guitar solos on My Baby Is A Headfuck is by Mick Ronson, most famous for his guitar work with David Bowies Spiders from Mars and with Ian Hunter in Mott The Hoople. This is widely belived to be Mick last recording before he passed away.
- The album Landmines and Pantomimes actually consists of several half-finished recordings from a session which ultimately led nowhere. The album was released without the band's knowledge, causing much tension with East West Records. Ginger has encouraged fans to copy the music (including on his Grievous Acoustic Behaviour live double album), rather than pay for an unofficial, poor quality release.
[edit] Cover versions
- Pump It Up by Elvis Costello. This song was performed live many times in the Earth Vs era. Two recorded versions exist: The first recordng is from BBC Radio 1 Session, and can be found on the Anarchic Airwaves compilation. This recording is a "pumped up" version of Costello original. The second recorded version of the song was first released to radio stations as an unlabelled CD, and DJs were left to guess the identity of the band. Since the style of the recording was heavily distorted, very much like the album Endless Nameless recorded at the same sessions, few guessed the true identity of the band, with one DJ believing it to be Ministry The song was available on a free CD with Q magazine in 1997, and on the Japanese version of Endless Nameless.
- The recorded version of the song My Baby Is A Headfuck on the Earth Vs album features an interlude with the guitar riff from the Beatles' "Day Tripper". When performing this song live the band often replace this interlude with a short excerpt from another cover versions, which have included...
- The theme from the 1980s sit-com Cheers - "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" features as a b-side to the single "Top Of The World". This was played repeatedly by Chris Moyles on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show.
- "White Lies" by Jason and The Scorchers - played live at most gigs in 1997 and a studio version appeared as a b-side to the "Anthem" single.
- The Wildhearts played "1000 Miles From Me" by Danny McCormack's other band The Yo-Yos on their tour of Japan in 1998. Danny sang lead vocals.
- "Time to Let You Go" originally by Enuff Z'Nuff appeared as a b-side to the "Anthem" single.
- "Lost Highway" originally by Hank Williams appeared as a b-side to the "Anthem" single.
- "So Good To Be Back Home" originally by The Tourists appeared as a b-side to the "Anthem" single.
- "He's A Whore" originally by Cheap Trick appeared as a b-side to the "Urge" single - the Wildhearts version sounding more similar to that recorded by Big Black than to the original.
- "Heroin" on Endless Nameless is a cover of the Dogs D'Amour track "Heroine" with slightly altered lyrics.
- In 2001 the band recorded a version of Jimmie Rodgers' "Last Blue Yodel" with Jason Ringenberg. This has not yet been released.
[edit] Meanings behind songs
- "..And The Bullshit Goes On" ( a b-side to "Caffeine Bomb") was originally about one night stands, and was called "Just Stay". After an argument with a record company executive, Ginger rewrote the lyrics entirely to complain about the record company's attitude towards the band. Apparently no-one at East West records realised the meaning behind the new lyrics, despite Ginger cheekily including the line 'it's just different words, in the same old fucking song'! The original version appeared on an Angel Biscuits bootleg CD-R.
- Arguably the fans' favourite Wildhearts song is Suckerpunch b-side "29 x The Pain" (derived from Hüsker Dü's song "59 Times the Pain"), which is about the uplifting effect music has on a fan and is an homage to Ginger's influences, namechecking The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Stars, Big Black, the Queen album Sheer Heart Attack, Cheap Trick, The Clash album London Calling, Jason And The Scorchers, Stiff Little Fingers, Blue Öyster Cult, Kiss, Heart, The Damned, Stiff Little Fingers, Kurt Cobain, ....amongst others... The song was re-recorded in 1996 with the line about Kurt Cobain replaced with a reference to Richey James Edwards. The relevance of the number "29" has caused a great deal of speculation- the most likely explanations being that Ginger was 29 when he wrote it and that when the Wildhearts songs are listed in order of their release and track listing, the song is indeed the 29th Wildhearts song.
- "Jonesing For Jones" (on P.H.U.Q.) is about the similarities between coming off drugs and splitting up with a girlfriend.
- "Turning American" (from Don't Be Happy... Just Worry) is about people, particularly successful musicians who do not stick to their roots. It was not written as an anti-American statement as some listeners incorrectly assumed.
- "Nita Nitro" (on P.H.U.Q.), Ginger uses the line Locos Tambien. He spotted it in an early 90's comic book called 'Love and Rockets', which apparently is a Spanish phrase meaning "crazy also".
- "V-day" (on P.H.U.Q.). is all about the day that all of the shit makes sense.
- "Everlone" (from Earth Vs The Wildhearts) is about people pretending to be miserable in order to seem 'deep', or fit into a current musical trend of cultivating misery for profit, while some people have legitimate mental health problems, that they would gladly exchange for a normal, happy life.
- "Cold Patootie Tango" (on P.H.U.Q.) is when sex goes bad.
- "Nexus Icon" (on The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed)is about musical icons. Icons seem to follow a pattern, a mother complex, massive insecurity problems and the belief that their audience loves them as much as they themselves do. It is a comment on the 'conveyor belt' attitude and mentality of the music business, and its unfortunate victims.
[edit] Rock n roll behaviour
- Ginger once claimed that during a recording session he stole a tractor and drove it into an outside swimming pool.
- Danny's audition to the band involved taking LSD for the first time and going to a Cardiacs gig.
- The band vandalised the offices of Kerrang! magazine following a story which claimed Ginger had locked the rest of the band out of the studio. Eastwest ended up footing a £2000 bill.
- Danny was once stranded on tour after selling his passport in order to buy heroin. He was also one of the reasons why the first reformation tours lost momentum, as he managed to fall asleep onstage under the influence of the drug.
- On signing their new record deal to Mushroom Records the band made a ceremoney of the event by doing it on the front doorstep of East West records. Reputedly the director of EastWest commented, when leaving the building, that he had no idea who the band were.
- The original sleeve for the single of "Greetings From Shitsville" had to be scrapped as it was deemed too offensive. The picture consisted of the band's manager of the time defecating into a piece of pitta bread which was being held by all four members of the band. On a similar vein, the band's 2000 era t-shirts with the slogan "Louder Than God, Better Than Fucking" was detained by the police.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Wildhearts Official Site
- The Wildhearts Mailing List
- Official Myspace Page
- Fivemiles Wildhearts Section
- Fivemiles Ginger Section
- Longhair's Wildhearts Pages
- Sonicshake.net
- Wildhearts Lyrics
- Plan A Official Site
- Ginger and the Sonic Circus Official Site
- USA fan page for Ginger
- OneMetal.com Interview with CJ Wildheart
