Gay Dad

Gay Dad were one of the last UK Britpop bands to be launched in the late 1990s. They generated massive news media interest and had moderate chart success, but they failed to sustain their popularity and broke up in 2002. The original line-up consisted of Cliff Jones (guitarist/vocalist), James Riseboro (keyboardist), Nigel Hoyle (bassist), Charley Stone (guitarist) and Nicholas "Baz" Crowe (drummer).

Musical career

Early history

Gay Dad was first formed in 1994 by former Mojo and The Face journalist Cliff Jones along with his Berkshire teenage friends Dominic Stinton (vocals), Tim Forster (keyboards), Nick Crowe (drums), and bassist Nigel Hoyle, who had originally played in a band called Brutus with Stinton a year or two earlier. Jones, Stinton, Forster and Crowe had played together in various incarnations of Gay Dad ten years previously, such as The Timothy and the Astral Projection Society, performing songs about 'freaking out in Sunninghill Sky St (sic)' etc. Their first demo, consisting of earthy psych songs heavily indebted to Gene Clark, Sandy Denny and Dennis Wilson, was produced by Jim Irvin and funded by legendary Rolling Stones record producer, Andrew Loog Oldham and his original Immediate business partner Tony Calder. Gay Dad went on to make their live debut in 1995 at the now defunct Orange Club in West Kensington. Early gigs were often a shambles, and by 1996 the band had fallen apart. Jones, Crowe and Hoyle however rose from the ashes to create a new incarnation of the band with a slicker, more futuristic sound, with elements of krautrock and glam thrown in for good measure.Joined by new keyboardist James Riseboro , they recorded several new tracks at Raezor Studio, Wandsworth, including a song called "To Earth With Love". Although it was only intended to win them some live dates, the demo attracted keen record company interest and the band signed to London Records in December 1997. With (female) guitarist Charley Stone (formerly of Salad) they toured the UK in early 1998 before starting recording sessions at The Dairy studio in Brixton with producers/sound engineers Gary Langan (ex-Art of Noise) and Chris Hughes (ex-Adam and the Ants).

The band's controversial name and their eye-catching blue and white "Walking Man" logo designed by notable graphic artist Peter Saville generated a huge amount of interest from the media, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0,,296865,00.html] and Gay Dad were hailed as the "saviours" of British rock.

Leisurenoise 1999-2000

Their debut single "To Earth With Love" entered the UK Singles Chart at #10 in January 1999. Their debut album "Leisure Noise", co-produced by Tony Visconti and Mark Frith, was released in June 1999. Despite initial good reviews it only made #14, although American sales topped 25,000.

The second single "Joy!" reached #22 in the UK, but the third single from the album, "Oh Jim", only made #47. Disappointing reviews for some of their live shows started a general media backlash. Frontman Jones was criticized for his pretentious statements, and the band’s whole authenticity was questioned due to his connections with the music press. After a U.S. tour Stone left the band. Stone left the band and was temporarily replaced by bass player Andy Bell (who had previously been guitarist with Ride and later joined Oasis). They started to work on a second album but keyboard player Riseboro also left the band due to musical differences. The band parted with London Records the following November.

Transmission 2001-2002

Jones, Hoyle and Crowe signed a new record deal with smaller indie label B-Unique and began work on a new album "Transmission". In 2001 the leading single, "Now Always and Forever" was released and fell just short of the Top 40. An extensive UK tour was followed by a limited edition single "Harder, Faster". The third single "Transmission" was released just before the album came out in late 2001. Although critically acclaimed, it had disappointing sales and failed to make any commercial impact.

Gay Dad played a one-off show in Houston, Texas in the summer of 2001. It was at this show that Cliff shared a bill with an up and coming Austin band, Young Heart Attack. Smitten with the energy and drive of the band, Cliff struck up a friendship with them and played a key role in getting the band signed in England. A new song "Young Heart Attack" later appeared as a b-side to one of the singles off the "Transmission" LP.

The Carling Festival saw the bands final two full appearances headlining the New Bands Tent. Their Leeds appearance was initially delayed by technical issues and then was cut short by the stage hands. In response Cliff smashed his Guitar and lead the crowd in an accapella version of "Joy!".

Having left the stage to the crowd chanting their name the two nights before there Reading appearance saw people attempting the cram into a full tent to throw things at the group. These people found themselves unable to reach the band and the set was successful with the band able to perform Joy!, with crowd sing-along, in a less AD HOC nature.

Band split

Rumours of a split started circulating in 2002, and Jones finally announced the break up of the band on the eve of the U.S. release of "Transmission", citing the excessive press hype the band had received and the pressures resulting from it, as well as negative reactions to the band’s controversial name. "We got shot out of the cannon," said Jones, "Then things started to get out of control, and as rapidly as we went up, we came down again."

Jones claimed that one negative reaction came from Capitol Records, which had planned to release the album in America. "Someone in radio promotion said he'd resign if he had to work a band called Gay Dad". [ [http://www.andrewkeith.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/GayDad/Akcliffintnov2002.htm News ] ] Instead, "Transmission" was put out by indie label Thirsty Ear.

Later that year Gay Dad's second single, "Joy" was used in a Mitsubishi car advertisement. [ [http://www.andrewkeith.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/GayDad/joyminisite.htm New Page 1 ] ]

Nigel Hoyle eventually ended up working with Freelance Hellraiser recording a track for the Ian Brown remix album.

Hoyle then found himself working with Dylan Rippon and Crispin Hunt (of the defunct Longpigs) in a new outfit called Gramercy. The band posted numerous songs on their website then split, right before they were to release their debut EP "Hold On" through Redemption Records.

Discography

Album

*"Leisure Noise" (1999) - #14
*"Transmission" (2001)

ingle

*1999"To Earth With Love" - #10
*1999"Joy!" - #22
*1999"Oh Jim" - #47
*2001"Now, Always And Forever" - #41
*2001"Harder, Faster" - Did not chart (Limited Edition Release)
*2001"Transmission" - #58

Notes

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/gaydad Gay Dad on MySpace]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:qhuf6j6o7180~T0 Gay Dad on All Music Guide]
* [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/Members/keith.dumble/180199.html Single review, 18th January 1999]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0,,296865,00.html Article in The Guardian, May 28, 1999]
* [http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul99/articles/tracks.htm Article in SOS magazine, July 1999]