The Woodentops

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For the television series, see The Woodentops (TV series)

The Woodentops were a British independent label rock band that enjoyed considerable critical acclaim, and moderate popularity in the mid-1980s. Taking their name from a slang expression referring to an acoustic guitar, the band formed in South London, England, in 1983.

1 History
2 Line-up
3 Discography
- 3.1 Albums
- 3.2 Singles

[edit] History

Signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records, they released a series of singles in 1985 and their debut album, entitled Giant, in 1986. Generally well received by critics, the album's sound was characterised by acoustic guitars, but also featured accordion, marimba, strings, and trumpet sounds, showing influences of Suicide. The band then became more experimental and frenetic live using more electric guitar and electronic sounds. This first became apparent in their live shows, as documented on the live album Hypno Beat (1987), which was recorded in Los Angeles in 1986. The singer appeared nude for a London Red Wedge political benefit. The band became more raw live and unpredictable becoming one of the most exciting independent groups from the UK, whilst gaining an early hit on the burgeoning clubfloor scene in Ibiza with '"why why why". The more experimental mood was continued on the second album Wooden Foot Cops on the Highway released the following year, which failed to live up to the expectations set by the debut. However, most notably, the listeners of Los Angeles radio station KROQ voted their song "Stop This Car" number 15 out of 106 in the KROQ Top 106.7 Countdown of 1988, out performing many more established acts.

Although the Woodentops continued to play live, touring the world in 1988 utll 1992, records such as "Tainted World" became a regular on New York radio station Kiss Fm with dj Tony Humphries.

Vocalist and guitarist Rolo McGinty, who also wrote all Woodentops songs, resurfaced with the dj band Pluto in the 1990s, "Dogs deluxe " electronica project also providing vocals for Gary Lucas "Gods and Monsters" The Woodentops have a myspace.com/thewoodentops page and returned to live performance in September 2006, beginning with a warm-up gig in Northampton on 10 September 2006.