- The Mothmen
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The Mothmen Origin Manchester, England Genres Punk rock, Post-punk, Indie, New Wave Years active c. 1979–1982 Labels Absurd, On-U Sound Associated acts Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias, The Durutti Column, Pauline Murray And The Invisible Girls, London Underground, Motivation, Simply Red Past members Dave Rowbotham
Tony Bowers
Chris Joyce
Bob Harding
Ronnie Hardman
Charlie GriffithsThe Mothmen were a short-lived post-punk band from England, formed around 1979 by Dave Rowbotham, Chris Joyce and Tony Bowers, shortly after they left The Durutti Column, including ex-Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias singer Bob Harding.
Contents
History
In 1978, The Durutti Column was formed by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, with guitarists Vini Reilly and Dave Rowbotham, bassist Tony Bowers (formerly of Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias), drummer Chris Joyce and vocalist Phil Rainford. After releasing two songs in a various artist compilation, A Factory Sample, that year, the Durutti Column became the sole concern of Reilly and Bowers, Rowbotham and Joyce departed. They formed The Mothmen alongside former Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias singer Bob Harding. So, the first line up comprised Joyce on drums, Bowers on guitar, bass, vocals, violin, and percussion, Rowbotham on guitar and bass, and Bob Harding on bass, organ, guitar, vocals and percussion. In 1979, they released their debut single on Absurd Records, "Does It Matter Irene?".[1]
The recording of an album's worth of material in the first half of 1980 left the group without a label to release it on. Thus in stepped the assistance of a young and cash-strapped Adrian Sherwood, having just launched On-U Sound. A deal was done and in 1981 Pay Attention! appeared as its second album. The arrangement and production work remained the Mothmen's own with AMS playing no part in its creation. In fact Sherwood's only direct involvement with the band was when he provided a dub mix of "Afghan Farmer Driving Cattle" [Rhythm 137] on On-U's first compilation release – Wild Paarty Sounds Volume 1.
During this period Joyce also found time to be the drummer for another one of On-U Sound's first generation 'crew', London Underground, as well appearing on Judy Nylon's "Pal Judy" set for the label. However, the Mothmen soon left for Do-It Records and in the process Rowbotham was replaced by Ronnie Hardman (bass) and Charlie Griffiths (synthesisers). The new line-up produced a handful more singles and a further album, One Black Dot, before they split for good in early 1982.
Of the Mothmen's former members, Joyce and Bowers were to have the greatest subsequent commercial success, forming part of the first Simply Red rhythm section between 1984 and 1989. The On-U association with Joyce and Bowers had two final outcomes in the UK, in the form of Sherwood providing flip-side mixes, to Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years" and "Infidelity" 12" singles. Through the Sly & Robbie connection, Sherwood also contributed to Simply Red's 1997 "Night Nurse" cover of Gregory Isaacs' song.
In 1991, founding guitarist Dave Rowbotham was murdered. Bowers is living in Italy, where he is currently working in a musical project called Plantation, while the whereabouts of Joyce are unknown.
Discography
- "Does It Matter Irene?" 7″ single (Absurd, September 1979)
- Pay Attention! album (On-U Sound, 1981)
- "Show Me Your House And Car" 7" and 12" singles (Do It!, July 1981)
- "Temptation" 7" single (Do It!, October 1981)
- One Black Dot album (Do It!, January 1982)
- "Wadada" 7" single (Do It!, March 1982)
References
External links
Categories:- English indie rock groups
- On-U Sound Records artists
- Musical groups from Manchester
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