Blueboy (band)

Blueboy
Origin Reading, Berkshire, England
Genres Indie pop
Years active 1989–1999
Labels Sarah Records
Shinkansen Recordings
Associated acts Another Sunny Day, Arabesque, Lovejoy, Beaumont
Past members
Keith Girdler (deceased)
Paul Stewart
Gemma Townlet
Harvey Williams
Mark
Lloyd
Martin Rose
Cath Close
James Neville
Ian Gardner

Blueboy were an indie pop band formed in Reading, Berkshire who were signed to Sarah Records and later Shinkansen Recordings. Core members Keith Girdler and Paul Stewart also recorded as Arabesque and Beaumont.

Contents

History

Blueboy formed around 1989 and initially consisted of Keith Girdler (on vocals) and Paul Stewart (on guitars), formerly of little-known band Feverfew.[1][2] They soon signed to Sarah Records, releasing the home-recorded single "Clearer" in 1991, and took on more members, including singer/cellist Gemma Townlet and second guitarist Harvey Williams (of The Field Mice/Another Sunny Day).[1] "Clearer" was followed by several singles and two albums on Sarah, If Wishes Were Horses and Unisex.[1] In October 1994, Blueboy recorded a session for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show.[3] Their final release, The Bank of England, was released in 1998 on Sarah head Matt Haynes' new label, Shinkansen Recordings.[2] By then, Girdler and Stewart were the only original members of the band. Girdler and Stewart were also involved in two other bands, Arabesque and Beaumont,[1] and Girdler also recorded with Lovejoy.[2] Townlet later joined Trembling Blue Stars, as did Williams.

On May 15, 2007, Keith Girdler died after being diagnosed with cancer in 2004. Prior to his death, he was working as volunteer manager for Age Concern, in Eastbourne.

In 2008, Siesta Records issued a compilation album called Country Music (Songs for Keith Girdler). The compilation was put together by Richard Preece (of Lovejoy) to raise money for the Martletts Hospice in Hove who cared for Girdler.

Discography

Albums

Year Album Label
1992 If Wishes Were Horses Sarah Records
1993 Speedboat Quattro Records
1994 Unisex Sarah Records
1998 The Bank of England Shinkansen Recordings

Singles

Arabesque

Beaumont

Compilation album appearances

References

  1. ^ a b c d Ankeny, Jason "Blueboy Biography", allmusic.com, Macrovision Corporation
  2. ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 633-4
  3. ^ Details of Blueboy's Peel session from the BBC's Keeping It Peel site

External links