The Cravats
The Cravats are a punk rock band originally from Redditch, England, founded in 1977 by Robin Dallaway (vocals, guitar) and The Shend (real name Chris Harz) (bass, vocals). Further members were Svor Naan (real name Richard London) (saxophone) and Dave Bennett (drums).
History
The first single from the Cravats was the self-financed "Gordon", released in 1978. On 31 July 1979 they recorded their first session for the John Peel show on BBC Radio 1. Soon after they received a recording contract with Small Wonder Records. Three further Peel Sessions followed on 6 October 1980, 18 August 1981 and 15 November 1982.
The band had a rest in 1982, with Dallaway and The Shend forming The Very Things, as well as DCL Lococmotive and The Babymen.[1]
The Cravats original members The Shend and Svor Naan put together a 'live ensemble' for the Rebellion Punk Festival in August 2009/2010.[2] The Cravats live ensemble have continued to play live with gigs in Dublin, London and a further appearance at Rebellion in August 2011. They will also be performing at the Incubate Festival in Tilburg, Holland in September and are special guests of Steve Ignorant (Crass) at the final 'Last Supper' show on November 19 at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London.
A CD reissue of their first LP, 'The Cravats In Toytown' is planned for October 2011 which will be accompanied by a CD featuring a complete remoulding of the original 'In Toytown' 8 track masters by Penny Rimbaud (Crass).
Discography
Chart placings are from the UK independent chart.[3]
Singles
- "Gordon"/"Situations Vacant" (September 1978, Cravats, 7", CH 004, Small Wonder stamped on some copies)
- "Burning Bridges"/"I Hate The Universe"/"The End" (June 1979, Small Wonder, 7", SMALL 15)
- "Precinct"/"Who's In Here With Me" (August 1980, Small Wonder, 7" SMALL 24) No. 3 9
- "Firemen"/"A Flux in 3D: Divide" (March, 1981, Split Flexi Disc, issued free with Dutch magazine Vinyl)
- "You're Driving Me"/"I Am The Dreg" (March 1981, Small Wonder, 7", SMALL 25)
- "Off The Beach"/"And The Sun Shone" (November 1981, Small Wonder, 7", SMALL 26)
- "Terminus"/"Little Yellow Froggy" (February 1982, Glass Records, 7", GLASS 021)
- "Rub Me Out"/"When Will We Fall" (July 1982, Crass Records, 7", 221984/4) No. 15
- "In The Land Of The Giants" (February 1986, Reflex, 12", 12RE 10) No. 44
- "Seance" (with Paul Hartnoll) (2006, Caroline True Records)
Albums
- The Cravats In Toytown (October 1980, Small Wonder, CRAVAT 1) No. 19
- The Colossal Tunes Out (1986, Corpus Christi, CHRIST IT'S 8)
- The Cravats - In the Land of the Giants (November 2006, Overground Records, OVER 112VP)