John Wicks (singer)

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This article is about the British singer/songwriter. For the American drummer, see John Wicks (drummer).

John Wicks is a British record producer and songwriter, working with numerous artists in the United States and the United Kingdom. Wicks is best known as the lead singer-songwriter from the UK powerpop band, The Records, who formed in London from the ashes of the The Kursaal Flyers, during the 1977 punk rock movement.

Career

As a British powerpop band, The Records recorded 3 albums for Virgin Records: "Shades In Bed" (1979), "Crashes" (1980), and "Music On Both Sides" (1982). Unlike many bands, The Records lasted through the punk era and into the new wave music scene, before going their separate ways in 1982. Wicks became a respected producer and songwriter in addition to his work as a solo artist.

Wicks recorded a series of high quality demos in the early 1980s, including "The Way That Love Goes", "Prisoner Of Love" and "Nowhere Left To Run".[1] "The Way That Love Goes" was later covered by Dominique. Produced by Ahmet Ertegun, it was the B-side of her 1984 single on Atlantic Records, "Change of Heart". [2]

In 1988, British rock enthusiasts petitioned Virgin Records to release the music of The Records on CD. The fans had their wish when Caroline Records released a best-of collection entitled - "Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses" - that same year. In 1990, Line Records Germany remastered and released an album of rhythm and blues flavored punk entitled "A Sunny Afternoon In Waterloo".

In 1990, The Records temporarily reunited to record a version of "Darlin'" for a Brian Wilson tribute CD that was being put together for DeMilo Records in New York, the same year that the US release of - "Paying For The Summer of Love" - a compilation of 1978 demos by the group, was released on CD, vinyl & cassette.

In 1994, John emigrated from the UK to the US and formed a new incarnation of the band, under the moniker - "John Wicks and The Records" - booking shows primarily in the US.

By the middle of 1995, John Wicks and The Records recorded "Solace In Wonderland" a limited edition promo cassette of country-rock/folk tinged songs, reminiscent of Wilco, Whiskeytown and Ryan Adams.

A full length album - "rock 'ola" - was released by Rock Indiana in March 1998, to coincide with a John Wicks and The Records tour of Spain.

In 2001, Angel Air Records released a repackaged CD of - "Paying For The Summer Of Love" - with all-new artwork and liner notes by John.

In 2002, John's lyricist partner, Will Birch licensed the back catalog from UK Virgin to his On The Beach record label, releasing a deluxe CD edition of - "Shades In Bed" - which featured 10 bonus tracks, including every cut from the "High Heels" EP. This was followed by the 2005 release of the deluxe CD edition of - "Crashes" - which included 6 bonus tracks. Then in 2007, he released the deluxe CD edition of - "Music On Both Sides" - which also included 6 bonus tracks.

In April 2007, Wicks released a new 12 track CD entitled - "Rotate" - on the Kool Kat Musik label. Although described as an anthology "Rotate" contained several new tracks along with 3 remastered versions, and 1 new version of previously issued songs. 5 bonus tracks were also featured on a special, signed, limited edition 2 disc version. Also included on the CD, is a cover version of The Beatles song "We Can Work It Out". [3]

In 2008, Japanese label, Air Mail Recordings, released a 17 track CD entitled - "The Records Play Live In Evanston 1980". This performance featured The Records with John Wicks on rhythm guitar, Will Birch on drums, Phil Brown on bass and Jude Cole on lead guitar. The same year, a 10 track 'budget' version of - "Rotate" - was released on the Collectables label.

In 2009, Wicks embarked on a nationwide acoustic tour with Paul Collins.[4]

In 2011, Kool Kat released - "Lessons Learned" (Live & Unplugged) - a 9 track DVD, recorded live at McCabe's in Santa Monica, California, August 28th 2010.

November 2011, under the moniker of - "The Records - featuring John Wicks" - The Fuel Label Group released a repackaged and remastered CD of - "Rotate" - this time with a 14 track listing, which includes the brand new version of "Starry Eyes". A brand new version of "Teenarama" has also been recorded, and will surface at a later date.

2012 Kool Kat released a 12 track John Wicks compilation CD-R, entitled - "Works In Progress".

The songs of John Wicks & Will Birch, have been recorded by 1960s British Invasion band The Searchers (with John McNally and Mike Pender), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Too Much Joy, Michael Monroe from Hanoi Rocks, Dominique and numerous other artists. Although The Records went their separate ways in 1982 - Wicks remains musically active, writing, recording and performing new material, also co-writing, recording and performing with several artists, including Bangle, Debbi Peterson and emerging young singer-songwriter, Dani Lee, amongst others. In addition to working on his new full-length CD, John has plans to record an acoustic album to complement his solo acoustic performances. Tentatively entitled - "Chasing Angels" - inspired by its namesake song, which he wrote and dedicated to the memory of former bandmate, bassist, Phil Brown, who passed away on February 2nd, 2012. On the band front, John is currently working with industry folks on future dates with Debbi Peterson and also Records' shows, the latter of which will showcase an all new line up, billed as: The Records - featuring John Wicks.

Discography

  • The Records: "Shades In Bed" LP (Virgin 1979)
  • The Records: "High Heels" EP (Virgin 1979)
  • The Records: "Crashes" LP (Virgin 1980)
  • The Records: "Music On Both Sides" LP (Virgin 1982)
  • The Records: "A Sunny Afternoon In Waterloo" 8 Track CD (Line 1988)
  • The Records: "Smashes Crashes And Near Misses" 20 Track Compilation CD (Caroline 1988)
  • The Records: "Paying For The Summer Of Love" 14 Track Compilation CD (Skyclad 1990)
  • John Wicks: "Solace In Wonderland" (6 Track Promo Cassette 1994)
  • John Wicks and The Records: "rock 'ola" 10 Track CD (Rock Indiana 1998)
  • The Records: "Paying For The Summer Of Love" 14 Track Compilation CD (Angel Air 2001)
  • The Records: "Shades In Bed" reissue CD + bonus tracks (On The Beach 2002)
  • The Records: "Crashes" reissue CD + bonus tracks (On The Beach 2005)
  • The Records: "Music On Both Sides" reissue CD + bonus tracks (On The Beach 2007)
  • John Wicks and The Records: "Rotate" 12 Track CD (Kool Kat 2007)
  • The Records: "The Records Play Live In Evanston 1980" 17 Track CD (Air Mail 2008)
  • John Wicks and The Records: "Rotate" 10 Track CD (Collectables 2009)
  • The Records - featuring John Wicks: "Rotate" 14 Track CD - includes brand new version of Starry Eyes
  • (Remastered & Repackaged, by The Fuel Label Group 2011)
  • John Wicks: "Lessons Learned" (Live & Unplugged) 9 Track DVD (Kool Kat 2011)
  • John Wicks: "Works In Progress" 12 Track Compilation CD-R (Kool Kat 2012)

References

  1. ↑ Pat Horgan (1980-09-07). "Pat Horgan Talent". Bookclassicrock.com. Retrieved 2013-04-06. 
  2. ↑ "The psychological and developmental process of maintaining a positive lesbian identity". Copyrightencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2013-04-06. 
  3. ↑ Dennis Patience (2007-04-30). "John Wicks and The Records | Rotate | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2013-04-06. 
  4. ↑ "Live Review: John Wicks And Paul Collins, Campbell, CA, June 6, 2009". Magnetmagazine.com. 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2013-04-06. 

External links

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