BOB (the name always in capitals) were an Indie pop band from North London, England, formed in 1985. The initial line-up was Richard Blackborow (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Simon Armstrong (guitar, vocals). Jem Morris (bass), joined the duo in 1986, and, augmented with a drum machine, they recorded the band's debut release, a flexi disc, released in 1986 on their own House Of Teeth label, and containing three short songs: "Prune (Your Tree)", "Groove" and "Brian Wilson's Bed". The band gave a copy to John Peel in a fortuitous encounter in the Rough Trade record shop, and he played it several times. The drum machine was replaced by Gary Connors (drums) in 1987, and this line-up recorded 1987's What a Performance EP and the first of three BOB John Peel sessions. Early in 1988, Gary Connors was replaced by former Jamie Wednesday drummer Dean Legget, and the band recorded their second single, the Kirsty EP, a session for BBC Radio One's Simon Mayo, and their second John Peel session. Both singles were played heavily by John Peel.[1] The two singles were compiled together with the earlier flexi disc as Swag Sack, which was their final recording for the Sombrero label. All future releases would be on their own House Of Teeth label. In 1989, the band released the Convenience EP (which reached no.31 in John Peel's Festive Fifty at the end of the year),[2] followed by a limited edition/fan club release containing three songs: "Esmerelda Brooklyn", "I Don't Know" and "Sink". After their third and final John Peel session, Morris was replaced by ex-Caretaker Race bassist Stephen 'Henry' Hersom,[3] and this final line-up recorded the Stride Up EP in 1990, an LP Leave The Straight Life Behind and the Tired EP in 1991, and a final single, the Nothing For Something EP in 1992. BOB became one of the victims of the demise of Rough Trade's distribution arm, which limited sales of the album and forced them to tour for an extended period to recoup the album's costs. A general disillusionment with the 'business' side of the music caused a dip in morale, and they broke up early in 1995. The band also recorded three sessions for John Peel's BBC radio show,[4] and one for Simon Mayo's BBC Radio One Evening Show.
Contents |
Discography
Singles
- Flexi Disc (1986, House Of Teeth, HOT 001) 7" flexi-disc
- What A Performance EP (1987, Sombrero, 12", Sombrero One)
- Kirsty EP (1988, Sombrero, 12", Sombrero Two) (UK Indie #17)[5]
- "Convenience" (1989, House Of Teeth, 7"/12", HOT7002/HOT12002)
- Fan Club/Limited Edition EP (1989, House of Teeth, 12" Vinyl in 2 different sleeves, and 7" white-label, HOT 7003/12003)containing 'Esmerelda Brooklyn', 'I Don't Know' and 'Sink'. (UK Indie #12)[5]
- Stride Up EP (1990, House Of Teeth, 12", HOT12004)
- Tired EP (1990, House of Teeth, 12", HOT12005) also a 7" white-label promo
- Nothing For Something EP (1991, House Of Teeth, 12", HOT12006)
Albums
- Swag Sack (1988, Sombrero, LP, Sombrero Five)
- Leave The Straight Life Behind (1991, House Of Teeth, LP/CD, HOT13013)
References
- ^ Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/b/bob/
- ^ Larkin, Colin:"The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music", Guinness, 1992, ISBN 0-85112-579-4
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/b/bob/
- ^ a b Lazell, Barry:"Indie Hits 1980-1989", 1997, Cherry Red Books, ISBN 0-9517206-9-4
