The Sinceros

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The Sinceros
Origin London, England
Genre(s) New Wave, Power pop
Years active 1978 - 1981
Label(s) Epic Records
Columbia Records
Members
Mark Kjeldsen
Ron François
Don Snow
Bobby Irwin

The Sinceros were a new wave, power pop band from London, England who recorded two albums for Epic Records, The Sound of Sunbathing (1979) and Pet Rock (1981). Both albums were released worldwide and achieved moderate commercial success, neither album has received a CD release with the exception of the song - Take Me To Your Leader, which is included on the compilation albums; New Wave Hits Of The 70's & 80's, Big Hits, Skinny Ties: New Wave In The U.K. and Readers Digest Sounds Of The Seventies 1979 Box Set.

Contents

[edit] Career

Mark Kjeldsen, Bobby Irwin and Ron François first played together in a London R&B band called The Strutters. The Sinceros were primarily a vehicle for Mark Kjeldsen's composing talents, he sang lead vocals on most of the band's material although Ron François contributed more songs on their later albums. Prior to signing their Epic Records deal, the rhythm section, Bobby Irwin and Ron François, participated in the recording of Stiff Records recording artist Lene Lovich's Stateless album. Don Snow joined them in support of the record on the 1978 "Be Stiff" Tour. Their first album, The Sound of Sunbathing, was produced by Joe Wissert and recorded at Wessex Studios in London. The band achieved considerable radio play with its first single, Take Me To Your Leader. They toured extensively after the release of the album riding on the heels of the then thriving new wave music scene. However, not as extensively as was originally planned due to band management and record company squabbles over financing, undeterred the band continued to accept studio session work with other artists, with the talents of drummer, Bobby Irwin, and keyboardist, Don Snow, particularly in demand.

An attempt at a follow-up album entitled, 2nd Debut, produced by Paul Riley was shelved by Epic Records and was essentially reworked into, Pet Rock, under the guidance of producer Gus Dudgeon.

Several FM radio recordings of the band circulate notably one from 13 December 1979 at The Palladium in New York City that was broadcast by WNEW-FM. Dubbed the "$5 Rock and Roll Show," the bill also featured Bruce Woolley, Paul Collins' Beat and 20/20 and was attended by Mick Jagger. The band also made appearances at the Hurrah nightclub in New York City. Kjeldsen wears a T-shirt featuring this club's logo on the Pet Rock album cover.

The Sinceros disbanded in 1981. After their demise Mark Kjeldsen performed with the Danny Adler Band (ex-Roogalator), a live album featuring Kjeldsen on rhythm guitar was recorded at the Winterthur - Switzerland on 10th August 1982 and released in 1983. In the 1990s, Kjeldsen reportedly worked driving a taxi-cab in Holland and has since died from AIDS. Don Snow joined Squeeze as a replacement for Paul Carrack. Ron François joined The Teardrop Explodes and stayed with Epic Records releasing a solo single "If You Love Me" in 1982 before departing to live in Australia where he has worked with local artists such as, James Reyne, Wendy Matthews, and The Eurogliders. Bobby Irwin resumed working with Nick Lowe before departing in 1985 to live and work in San Antonio, Texas, upon his return to England in 1992, he has worked with Nick Lowe and Van Morrison amongst others.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

  • 1979 - Take Me To Your Leader
  • 1979 - Worlds Apart
  • 1980 - Are You Ready
  • 1980 - Disappearing
  • 1981 - Memory Lane
  • 1981 - Socially

[edit] Performances

[edit] Concerts: 1978

August

September

October

November

December

[edit] Concerts: 1979

January

February

March

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

[edit] Concerts: 1980

January

  • 18 - Goldsmith College, London
  • 19 - The Midem Festival, Cannes (with The Inmates and Marquis de Sade)

March

May

  • 22 - The Venue, Victoria, London (supported by Jules and the Polar Bears)

June

July

August

[edit] Concerts: 1980 - The Sinceros (Hall & Oates Tour)

September

[edit] Radio Shows: 1979

June

  • 01 - BBC Radio One session, BBC Maida Vale Studios, London
  • 20 - Radio One In Concert - Paris Theatre Studios, London

[edit] Radio Shows: 1981

July

  • 15 - Radio One In Concert, London

[edit] TV Shows: 1979

October

[edit] TV Shows: 1980

February

  • 02 - 'Chorus TV', Paris (with Ellen Foley)

March

  • 17 - Live TV show, Paris

June

July

August

[edit] References

  • Colin Larkin, The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music - Page 3578, Guinness, 1995, ISBN 1561591769

[edit] External links

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