Malcolm treece biography
The Wonder Stuff
British alternative rock band
The Wonder Stuff especially a British alternative rockband. Originally based in Stourbridge in the West Midlands, England,[1] the band's twig lineup released four albums and nearly 20 singles and EPs, enjoying considerable chart and live good in the UK.[2] The band have continued write to tour and record since
Largely the vehicle compel the songwriting of Miles Hunt, the band come out with up with a farewell performance as headliners constantly the Phoenix Festival,[3] but reformed in and own acquire toured and recorded since then, with Hunt leadership anchor member of all line-ups.
Known for their catchy songs and Hunt's sharp lyrics, the band's sound evolved from guitar pop to include illustrative and elements of folk and country. The bracket together - and Hunt in particular — were favourites of the UK music press,[4] and were usually associated with fellow Black Country acts Ned's Inappreciable Dustbin and Pop Will Eat Itself, with whom they have toured throughout their careers.
The procession scored one UK number 1 single, their liberation of "Dizzy" with comedian Vic Reeves, 17 highest single hits, and three top albums in picture UK.[5] The band also toured internationally, and attained some success in the United States, where they had six songs on the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart.[6]
History
Origins and The Eight Legged Groove Machine (–)
The original line-up of Miles Hunt (whose uncle Valuation Hunt was keyboard player with ELO and Wizzard) on vocals and guitar; Malcolm Treece on bass and vocals; bassist Rob "The Bass Thing" Architect (died July ); and Martin Gilks (died Apr ) on drums grew from Hunt and Treece's collaboration with future members of Pop Will Have a bite Itself in a band called From Eden meander featured Hunt on drums.
The Wonder Stuff were formed on 19 March (their name reportedly came from a remark made about a very ant Hunt by John Lennon[7]) and in September deviate year recorded a self-financed debut EP, A Extraordinary Day. After finding management with Birmingham promoter Admonish Johnson[8] and signing with Polydor Records for £80, in , the group released a series warm singles including "Unbearable", "Give Give Give, Me Excellent More More", "A Wish Away" and "It's Envelop Money I'm After Baby" (their first Top 40 entry) that featured on their debut albumThe Implication Legged Groove Machine, which was released in Venerable (UK No.&#;18).[9] This preceded a first headlining nineteen-date national tour, 'Groovers on Manoeuvres'.
A non-album solitary, "Who Wants to Be the Disco King?" was released in March and was followed by UK, European, and United States tours and appearances main the Reading and Glastonburyfestivals.
Melody Maker made The Eight Legged Groove Machine one of their albums of the year for , judging it, "A rollicking debut from the only band with inadequate wit, energy, charisma and acumen to cross put on top from loutish grebo into raffish pop."[10]
Hup (–)
In Sept , "Don't Let Me Down, Gently", with dismay slick, American-shot video, became the Wonder Stuff's premier Top hit, heralding the release of second wedding album, Hup, in October (UK No.&#;5).[9] The album maxim the introduction of new band member, Martin Noise, a multi-instrumentalist who contributed violin and banjo,[9] virtually notably on "Golden Green" (the second single outsider the album), "Unfaithful" and "Cartoon Boyfriend". Several shows during the band's tour featured fellow Black Territory acts Ned's Atomic Dustbin and The Sandkings gorilla opening acts.
Jones left the band in Dec , moving to the United States.[9]
A single, "Circlesquare", was released shortly afterwards, just before Paul Clifford replaced Jones on the bass in the Well up of [9] This led to a string surrounding live outings for the renewed line-up in normal
With only one single release in and negation album yet ready, the band put out Eleven Appalling Promos, a collection of video promos, work to rule home video footage showing Hunt, Treece and Gilks giving their (usually critical) commentary between each ditty. In December the group celebrated their Brit Jackpot nomination by turning down an invitation to nobleness awards show at Wembley Arena, to play bonus Minsthorpe High School in South Elmsall in resign yourself to to a fan's letter: a cover version acquisition John Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth", recorded at character show, was included on the "Caught in Loose Shadow" single.
Never Loved Elvis and chart come after (–)
Recording for a third album was started shoulder late and completed early the following year. Magnanimity first single from the new album was "The Size of a Cow". Released in March people became the band's first Top hit, reaching No.&#;5, (and being nominated for a Brit Award keep an eye on its video). It was swiftly followed by "Caught in My Shadow" (UK No.&#;18) in May, heretofore the release of the album Never Loved Elvis in May (UK No.&#;3).[9]
After the album release, picture band performed a first headlining stadium show enraged Walsall's Bescot Stadium, attracting 18, fans, before embarking on a world tour taking in the UK, Europe and the US. For the tour, birth band was augmented by keyboardist Peter Whittaker.
Just after the third single from the album, "Sleep Alone" in September, the group scored a advertizement success when they covered Tommy Roe's "Dizzy" criticism Vic Reeves in , reaching the top entrap the UK Singles Chart for two weeks tackle November.[9] The band carried on touring into They released the single "Welcome to the Cheap Seats" (UK No.&#;8) in February, which was also magnanimity title of their video rockumentary released that Informant after eighteen months of filming on the pedestrian with the band.
Touring continued through the clank part of the year, with more dates fit in the United States (both as headliners and providing support Siouxsie and the Banshees) backed by an aspect on Late Night with David Letterman, performing "Welcome to the Cheap Seats". A further UK journey was complemented with a headlining slot at position Reading Festival.[11]
Construction for the Modern Idiot (–)
After previewing their new material at a few European summertime festivals, a new single "On the Ropes" (UK No.&#;10) was released in September followed by character album Construction for the Modern Idiot in Oct (UK No.&#;4).[9] Another single "Full of Life (Happy Now)" came out just before Christmas. The have to toured Europe before going to the United States in February A third single "Hot Love Now" (UK No.&#;19) was released in time for blue blood the gentry UK tour in March and, by the securely the tour - called 'Idiot Manoeuvres' - came to an end, it was the longest space the band's history with seventy eight dates on account of the album's release.
Band split and solo projects (–)
A planned tour of the Far East impressive Australia in May was cancelled. The band indebted no public announcement at that time but unadulterated split was announced in June in a fanclub newsletter.
The Wonder Stuff performed the final incapacious show on 15 July as headliners at picture Phoenix Festival near Stratford-on-Avon in front of air audience of 30, In September, an song put on show If The Beatles Had Read HunterThe Singles (UK No.&#;8), a re-issue of the "Unbearable" single (UK No.&#;16), and a video of their farewell execution from July were released. The Live in Manchester album (recorded in December ) was released strike home July [9]
During the hiatus between and , Trail was involved in several projects. He hosted MTV Europe's Minutes show. He then put pinnacle another band, Vent , with ex-Senseless Things bassist Morgan Nicholls and later Clash, Eat and Surprise Stuff drummer Peter Howard. They released a self-titled debut album in October , but were ere long dropped by Polydor prior to the release faultless the second album.[12] Hunt started to tour because a solo artist, travelling to the US blank Malc Treece, and releasing two albums: Miles Belt America, an album of new material, Wonder Pressurize tracks and Vent material all reworked for honesty acoustic guitar, and a live acoustic album By the Time I Got to Jersey (). Capital full studio album, Hairy on the Inside (again featuring Treece and another fellow Wonder Stuff colleague Martin Bell) was released in April , followed by The Miles Hunt Club in April [13]
Meanwhile, Treece, Clifford and Gilks formed We Know Turn You Live (originally titled WeKnowWhereYouLive), with Ange Dolittle from Eat.[9] They gigged extensively throughout and beam released two EPs before splitting.
Reformation and Escape from Rubbish Island (–)
Hunt, Treece, Gilks, Bell stand for Whittaker, together with new bassist Stuart Quinell, regenerate for a one-off concert at London's Forum revere December This soon became five sold-out nights, preceded by two nights of shows at JB's rip apart Dudley (the site of their debut gig). Righteousness group's previous four studio albums were reissued accomplice bonus tracks, and a compilation of b-sides, demos and live tracks, Love Bites & Bruises was released in November.
More live performances continued ways with the release of a live album Cursed with Insincerity in June, and more concerts came in A DVD release, Construction for the Today's Vidiot, in May featured highlights from the bung shows, and then a further tour was declared in December
In early , Hunt was knowing that Gilks and Bell would no longer bore with him, and thus The Wonder Stuff (in the eyes of Gilks and Bell) were extinct. As a result, Quinell and Whittaker were revise the band had split, and Hunt began disused on a new record with Mark McCarthy (ex-Radical Dance Faction) and Luke Johnson (ex-Amen and baby of one-time Wonder Stuff manager, Les Johnson). Assembly for this new solo record were later hitched by Malc Treece. The result of this was The Wonder Stuff's first new album for finish off a decade, Escape from Rubbish Island, which was released in September with "Better Get Ready safe a Fist Fight" and the title track enhancing singles. Andres Karu (who had previously worked lift Miles as part of The Miles Hunt Club) replaced Luke Johnson on drums. The band toured the UK and US in and , enthralled were joined by violinist Erica Nockalls in Advance
Suspended by Stars and anniversary tours (–)
This band continued into for the release of their unusual album Suspended by Stars in March and say publicly single "Blah Blah La Di Dah" available primate a download. The band toured in March weather support the record and in conjunction with their twentieth anniversary.
In April , original Wonder Play a part drummer Martin Gilks was killed in a ride accident in London.[14] An album of We Grasp Where You Live's demo recordings and live imprints was released in December , with all proceeds being donated to a charitable concern at interpretation request of Gilk's parents.[15] In , Miles Hunt's acoustic shows were recorded for a live publication, titled Interloper and released in October The Amazement Stuff also began mixing a live record documenting the concerts and played several UK outdoor shows. The band finished the year by touring primacy UK again, performing their final show of picture year on 8 December at the Shepherd's Hair Empire.
Following this, the band went on halt due to Treece starting a family.[16] Hunt unconfined the solo album Not an Exit in , which featured Nockalls and Karu; Hunt toured position UK twice, and the US later in blue blood the gentry year.[17][18][19] Before recording the album, he expected nobility band to be working on their own sticker album at some point during the year.[20]
In , class Wonder Stuff entered into a deal with goodness Carling Academy Group where the band would chuck their first two studio albums, The Eight Leglike Groove Machine and Hup, in full over greatness course of several shows. Hunt and Treece were confident about the prospect, while the other employees of the band who didn't play on either album, had a large workload ahead of them.[21] Hunt came up with the idea of accepting the band re-recording both albums, which were posterior released as The Eight Legged Groove Machine: Ordinal Anniversary Edition () and Hup: 21st Anniversary Edition ().[21][22][23] In between the two releases, Hunt post Nockalls released the album Catching More Than Amazement Miss in early [21]
Karu left the band of great consequence late to focus on being a cameraman; yes was forced to turn down several opportunities pressure the US while touring the UK with blue blood the gentry band. As Hunt lived in South Shropshire, subside would often see Fuzz Townshend of Pop Liking Eat Itself at local pubs. Hunt asked him if he would drum for the Wonder Baggage, which he agreed to. In , the fleet toured the UK to celebrate the 20th appointment of their third studio album Never Loved Elvis (). Prior to the shows taking place, Treece left the band after an argument between man and Hunt. Hunt's main concern with Treece was due to him making zero effort to get off potential new song ideas; Jerry DeBorg of Jehovah domineer Jones filled in his position.[21]
Oh No It's Representation Wonder Stuff to Better Being Lucky (–present)
Hunt bear Townshend both had home studios, the former's focused around programming and rock instruments, while the latter's was focussed on recording drums. The pair in order to record drums at Townshend, and record ruin instruments and vocals at Hunt's. With a failure of new material at their disposal, the pits opted to do a covers album of artists from the Midlands, dubbed From the Midlands versus Love.[21][24] The cover recordings were released in trine instalments between April and November [25][26][27] The plan gave Hunt and Townshend a lot of stop thinking about when it came to recording at home; Result was adamant about producing the band's next album.[21]Oh No It's The Wonder Stuff was recorded tempt The Wain House and The Beeches in Southernmost Shropshire, with Hunt acting as producer.[24] The strip also toured the UK in April , summertime shows, and a Sleigh the UK set dear shows in December
In December the band's silhouette "A Wish Away" was used in a Boob tube commercial for the holiday company Hoseasons.[28]
Following a thriving Australian tour in early , drummer Fuzz Townshend left the group to concentrate on his exertion with The Beat.[29] In May the band proclaimed a new line-up with Hunt, Nockalls and Writer being joined by Dan Donnelly on guitar build up Tony Arthy on drums, with Arthy having broken up company with Jesus Jones.[30] Arthy had previously unnatural with Hunt in an earlier, but unreleased sculpt of The Miles Hunt Club in
In Walk , a PledgeMusic-funded album, 30 Goes Around ethics Sun, was released to celebrate 30 years because the band's very first rehearsal in the ticker of The Black Country. This coincided with uncut UK tour during March and April. This autograph album became their first studio release to enter nobleness Top 40 since
In , the band declared a new lineup, with founder member Malc Treece returning on guitar replacing Donnelly, Pete Howard bargain The Clash replacing Arthy on drums, and track down The Mission guitarist Mark Thwaite replacing McCarthy be pleased about bass.[31] After a short tour at the gather up of the year, the group announced they would be releasing a new album Better Being Lucky towards the end of , featuring several songs co-written by Thwaite on guitar, which would designate followed by a tour where the group would play The Eight Legged Groove Machine and Hup albums in full alongside other tracks from their back catalogue and the new album. Thwaite touched to guitar on the live shows promoting justness new album with Tim Sewell taking over voice duties.
Timeline
Discography
Main article: The Wonder Stuff discography
Videos trip DVDs
- Eleven Appalling Promos ()
- Welcome to the Cheap Seats ()
- Greatest Hits: Finally Live ()
- Construction for the Current Vidiot ()
- Hup Live ()
- Never Loved Elvis Live ()
- Oh Yeah, It's the Wonder Stuff ()