Stump (band)

Stump were an Anglo-Irish indie/experimental/rock group featuring Mick Lynch (vocals), Kev Hopper (bass), Rob McKahey (drums) and Chris Salmon (guitar) formed in London in 1983. Their first release was a four track EP "Mud on a Colon" issued in 1986 through the Ron Johnson record label. This was followed by a self released mini album "Quirk Out" produced by Hugh Jones which included their cult hit "Buffalo". "Buffalo" appeared on NME's influential "C86" compilation and a video was made by Channel 4 which was shown on The Tube. Continuous UK touring, regular coverage in the UK music press - including cover features in both the NME and Melody Maker, and a return to The Tube for a memorable live performance of "Tupperware Stripper", ensured that "Quirk Out" stayed in the UK Indie Charts for 26 weeks, peaking at number 2 ["Indie Hits 1980-89" complete listings of the UK Independent charts 1980-89 [http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/s.htm] ] . Sessions for the John Peel radio show recorded during this time were released as a Peel Sessions album on Strange Fruit Records in 1987. Following these successes the band were signed to Ensign Records.

Their only full-length release, "A Fierce Pancake" released in 1988 was recorded in Berlin and London produced by Holger Hiller with assistance from Stephen Street and was mixed by Hugh Jones after an unsuccessful session with US producer John Robie. The recording process was, however, often fraught with arguments amongst the band as to the sound and direction of the album [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kevin.hopper1/Stump.html] . However, the group were pleased with the finished results and three singles were released from the album: "Chaos", "Charlton Heston" and a re-released "Buffalo" (the latter only featuring on the US edition of the album). The album did not bring the crossover success the label had hoped for and, after recording a few b-sides and some demos, a demoralised group split at the end of the year.

Stump's persistent and growing cult following prompted the release of "A Fierce Pancake" on iTunes; Hopper had previously reported on his website that their entire catalogue had been out of print since 1990. The "Pancake" download prompted the release of a 3-CD set containing "Mud on a Colon", "Quirk Out" and "A Fierce Pancake" as well as the group's post-"Pancake" b-sides and demos and their sole compilation appearance, "Big End". This was released by Sanctuary Records in 2008 under the title "Stump - The Complete Anthology".

Discography

* 1986 - "Mud on a Colon"
* 1986 - "Quirk Out"
* 1987 - "Peel Sessions"
* 1988 - "A Fierce Pancake"
* 2008 - "The Complete Anthology"

Members

* Mick Lynch - Vocals
* Kev Hopper - Bass
* Chris Salmon - Guitar
* Rob McKahey - Drums

External links

* Kev Hopper's [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kevin.hopper1/Stump.html "Stump Story"] gives a comprehensive history of the band included pictures and press cuttings - this effectively formed the sleeve note to "The Complete Anthology" and, in addition, details the group's personal reunion of 2006.

References