The Snapdragons

The Snapdragons (sometimes referred to as 'The Snapdragons UK', to distinguish them from the later US band of the same name) were an indie-rock band from Leeds, England led by singer and main songwriter James Taylor (not to be confused with The Prisoners mainman or the American singer-songwriter of the same name).

They released two albums and four singles in the late 1980s, early 1990s while signed to the independent UK label Native Records. The album "Dawn Raids on Morality" is rated by Native and many aficionados of UK Indie music as an undiscovered gem with thoughtful lyrics and classy guitar work and was produced by Pat Collier.

The band toured the UK and supported other Native acts, such as The Darling Buds and Richard Hawley's debut band Treebound Story. However inconsistent performances by the band and the departure of John Sullivan and later "Spike" Mullings hindered the band's ability to reach a wider audience.

The follow up album "The Eternal in a Moment" is a compilation of tracks from singles and EPs not found on the first album and includes two standout tracks 'The Things You Want' and 'The Eternal in a Moment' which were the band's first two singles. This compilation album was released by the label as the single were now deleted but against the wishes of the band.

A second studio album entitled "Mass" was recorded with Nigel Lister replacing John Sullivan on guitar however this was not issued by Native due to legal problems which effectively saw the demise of band.

Both Native albums appeared on vinyl and CD and may occasionally be found at online auction sites with a few being still available directly from Native Records.

Drummer Pel Riccardi went on to join the very successful Utah Saints.

The Snapdragons' best known single was perhaps 'Dole Boys On Futons' (the opening track on their first album and written by James Taylor and John Sullivan) - the song described the incongruous, but growing phenomenon of unemployed youths living designer lives - all summed up with the ingenious chorus;

" The state of the Art, is the Art of the state"

In 1989, they recorded a session for the UK DJ and independent music champion John Peel.

Personnel

*James Taylor (vocals, guitar, main songwriter)
*John Sullivan (guitar, piano, songwriter)
*Simon "Spike" Mullings (bass guitar)
*Pellegrino "Pel" Riccardi (drums)

Discography

7" singles

*1988 "The Things You Want " - 7NTV 37
*1989 "The Eternal in a Moment - 7NTV 47

12" singles

*1988 "The Things You Want" - 12NTV 37
*1989 "Dole Boys On Futons" - 12NTV 41
*1989 "No Expectations" - 12NTV 46
*1989 "The Eternal In A Moment" - 12NTV 47

*1989 "Dole Boys on Futons" - CD NTV 41 (3inch CD)

Albums

*1989 "Dawn Raids On Morality" - NTVLP 42
*1989 "Dawn Raids On Morality" - NTVCD 42
*1990 "The Eternal In A Moment" - NTVLP 54 (Compilation )
*1990 "The Eternal In A Moment" - NTVCD 54 (Compilation)
*1989 "Track 'The Things You Want' on Indie Top Twenty Vol VI CD TT06CD/LP
*1991 "Track 'Dreamtime' on 'Guitars and Drums - A Native document' NTVCD/LP55
*1998 "Track 'Dole Boys On Futons' on Indie Pop NMWM1726 MC/CD TV1

*1990 "Dawn Raids On Morality" - ELCID/RADCD 10
*1991 "The Eternal In A Moment" - ELCID/RADCD 16

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/1980s/1989/Oct01snapdragons/ BBC John Peel - The Snapdragons at Maida Vale]

* [http://www.nativerecords.co.uk Official Native Records website]