Colenso Parade

Colenso Parade
Origin	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Genres	Alternative rock
Years active	1984 - 1986
Labels	Goliath, Fire Records (UK)
Associated acts	The House of Love, Salad
Members
Oscar Linda Clandinning Neil Lawson Jackie Forgie (1984-1985) Robert Wakeman (1984-1986) Terry Bickers (1985-1986) John Watt (1986) Owen Howell (1986)

Colenso Parade were an alternative rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland formed in 1984. Taking their name from a street in the Stranmillis area of their native city, the original line-up was Oscar (Thomas) Askin (vocals), Linda Clandinning (keyboards), Neil Lawson (bass guitar), Jackie Forgie (guitar) and Robert Wakeman (drums).^[1] After releasing two singles on their own Goliath label, they moved to London and signed to their manager Dave Bedford's Fire Records,^[2] with Forgie being replaced by future The House of Love/Levitation guitarist Terry Bickers. After an EP and LP on Fire, Bickers departed to join The House of Love, to be replaced by John Watt (previously of Kissed Air and currently composer for BBC's Dragons' Den). Wakeman also left, his replacement being ex-Big Self drummer Owen Howell.^[2] Their next release, "Fontana Eyes" was arguably their best, receiving heavy airplay,^[2] although they split soon after, in 1986. Singer Oscar was offered the job of replacing Ian McCulloch in Echo & the Bunnymen but declined, and went on to work in corporate events as MD of the Technical Production company Metro Ecosse. Drummer Wakeman later resurfaced in the band Salad.^[1]

Discography

Singles

• "Standing Up" (1984, Goliath)
• "Down By The Border" (1985, Goliath)
• "Hallelujah Chorus" (1986, Fire)
• "Fontana Eyes" (1986, Fire)

Albums

• Glentoran (1986, Fire)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Indie & Alternative Discography", 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
2. ^ ^{a b c} Larkin, Colin: "The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music", 1992, Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0-85112-579-4