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The Wildhearts

The Wildhearts' most common logo
The 'Smileybones' mascot
Origin Newcastle upon Tyne
Country Flag of EnglandEngland,United Kingdom
Years active 1989 - present
Genres Hard rock
Punk rock
Labels East West
Round Records
Mushroom Records
Snapper Records
Gut Records
Members Ginger
C.J
Scott Sorry
Ritch Battersby
Website(s) Official site
Myspace page
Second Myspace

The Wildhearts are a rock group from Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The band's sound is a mixture of hard rock and melodic pop music. When the band released their first EP Mondo Akimbo a-Go-Go they were touted in the music press as combining influences as diverse as The Beatles and 1980s-era Metallica although this was refuted by the band themselves who saw their influences as ranging far wider, as shown in the song "29 X The Pain" which details many of singer Ginger's influences. The Wildhearts were hugely influential in the mid-1990s, although they themselves never achieved huge success, owing in part to the indifference of radio stations and the mainstream music press, and also many "in camp" problems often relating to recreational drugs and depression. In the band's turbulent and unpredictable history, many members have come and gone, but they have always been based around founding member Ginger (real name David Walls), the singer, guitarist and predominant songwriter. Despite many of their singles being refused air play on the radio in their early days they still managed to enter the British charts in the top 20, and the band has remained at the forefront of the British Rock Scene since 1993.

The band has had a fairly chaotic history, splitting up several times, adding and subtracting various members, and their career has been blighted by drug and alcohol related problems throughout. Much of the band's career was affected by sometimes bitter feuds with their record company, East West.

Contents

  • 1 History
    • 1.1 Early years
    • 1.2 The first album
    • 1.3 The follow-up
    • 1.4 Round Records era
    • 1.5 Endless Nameless era
    • 1.6 Multi-Formatting and Singles
    • 1.7 Hiatus 1997-2001
    • 1.8 Reformation
    • 1.9 The New Era 2007
  • 2 Members
  • 3 Formations (since 1990)
  • 4 Discography
  • 5 Related bands/side projects
  • 6 Trivia
    • 6.1 Cover versions
    • 6.2 Rock n roll behaviour
  • 7 See also
  • 8 External links
  • 9 Notes and references

History

Early years

The Wildhearts circa 1992
The Wildhearts circa 1992

The Wildhearts formed in late 1989, after Ginger was sacked from the Quireboys.

The following myth is often told about Ginger's decision to form the band. The bottom had fallen out of his world, and all that he had left, all that he cared about was the bottle of Jack Daniel's he was swigging from. Walking down some steps to the London Underground, he fell. As he lay on the floor, he decided that if the bottle was smashed, he would kill himself. If the bottle remained intact, he would start a band. The bottle was intact.

Ginger wanted to form a band where he could apply himself as a songwriter, rather than merely a guitarist as in his previous bands, inspired by the likes of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, and throughout the band's early career he wrote nearly all the songs himself. Initially called The Wild Hearts (two words), Snake (ex-Tobruk) was the frontman of the band followed by a brief stint from Duncan F. Mullet (ex-Mourneblade). Snake returned briefly to the band for a few months following the departure of Duncan. 9 demos were recorded in 1989 and 1990 with Snake singing on 4 and Duncan on 5. These demos remain unreleased and find the band sounding more like Guns N Roses than the later sound that would evolve. Some of the demos were produced by famed producer Ric Browde and intended for an EP release that never materialized. These demos can be found from time to time. In March 1991, Ginger reluctantly took over on lead vocals despite his reservations. He has never thought himself a good singer.

The first album

Earth vs The Wildhearts lineup
Earth vs The Wildhearts lineup

In 1993, to follow up The Wildhearts' first two EPs, Mondo Akimbo a-Go-Go & Don’t Be Happy…Just Worry, the band recorded demos for its first full-length album. These were deemed so good that they were released as Earth Vs The Wildhearts without re-recording. Singles "Greetings From Shitsville" and "TV Tan" were underground hits in 1993. Stidi left the band shortly afterwards to be replaced by Ritch Battersby, just in time for the recording of the single "Caffeine Bomb", a UK chart hit at the beginning of 1994, helped by a memorable video in which Ginger appeared to vomit into, guitarist and backing vocalist, C.J's face. The band appeared on Top of the Pops wearing green welding goggles. The debut album was reissued in late 1994 with "Caffeine Bomb" tacked on, and "Suckerpunch" was another 'almost' hit.

The follow-up

The Wildhearts had grand plans for a double album, but East West vetoed this plan during the recording sessions, forcing the band to release a collection of 6 of the more eclectic tracks on a fan club only release entitled Fishing For Luckies in early 1995. An instant classic, Fishing For Luckies included "Geordie In Wonderland" (offered to Kevin Keegan and Newcastle United F.C. as their anthem, but graciously turned down, and played on Top of the Pops with Wolfsbane's Jeff Hateley, painted in Toon Army colours, on Mandolin), "If Life Is Like A Lovebank (I Want An Overdraft)" and the legendary tracks "Schitzophonic" and "Sky Babies", an 11.24 minute epic that fans screamed for at every subsequent gig, but was rarely played, reputedly because of Danny McCormack's inability to remember his bass parts throughout the whole song (the band did eventually play the song on every night of a post-reformation tour with John Poole on bass).

1995 lineup
1995 lineup

The second album proper was to be known as 'P.H.U.Q.'. After the departure of CJ, midway through the recording sessions, the album was completed without a second guitarist. P.H.U.Q. was released in May 1995 and reached number 6 in the British charts, making it the band's most successful record. Shortly after the album's release, Mark Keds of Senseless Things was drafted in on guitars, but lasted just one recording session for three songs, one of which was called "Friend For 5 Minutes" which turned out to be ironic as within a few weeks Keds was sacked after disappearing to Japan for a farewell tour with his old band. The Wildhearts were again down to a three-piece for a few months, and even performed a few gigs like this. This arrangement was not perfect, however, and the band felt that a second guitarist was required. After requesting demos and holding auditions, the job went to the previously unknown Jef Streatfield.

By late 1995 the band were finally fed up with their record label and set out to tour Japan and the UK, determined that they would split up the band unless East West would release them from their contract. The tours were a resounding success and eventually the band managed to escape their record contract.

Round Records era

In early 1996 the Wildhearts were in an upbeat mood, claiming to have recorded two new studio albums, which would be released via East West on the band's own record label, Round Records. Only one of these records saw the light of day, a revamped version of the previously fan club only 'Fishing For Luckies' with eight new tracks bringing it up to full album length. The other album was never quite finished, although leaked copies were distributed as the Shitty Fuckin' Stupid Tracks bootleg, and finally received an official release in 1998 as part of the Landmines and Pantomimes rarities compilation, although the band urged fans to boycott this record which they had not approved. The tracks from this album were never officially acknowledged as part of the band's corpus of material, although one song, "Tom Take the Money", has since been performed a number of times by Ginger at his solo acoustic appearances.

1996-1997 lineup
1996-1997 lineup

Endless Nameless era

In 1997 the band signed to Mushroom Records, and set about making another album. This album, recorded during a traumatic time for the band, abandoned the band's former pop rock leanings in favour of a more distorted and less commercial, "everything louder than everything else" sound. Fans were initially confused by the first single, "Anthem", released in July 1997, and by the time the album itself, Endless, Nameless, was released, the opinion of fans was totally divided, some calling it a masterpiece, others an aberration.

All was not harmonious inside the band either and drug problems, particularly affecting bassist Danny McCormack, were putting a strain on the band in late 1997. Things came to a head in November of that year when Ginger decided to split the band, shortly before the release of Endless Nameless, and before a scheduled British tour, which was then cancelled.

Multi-Formatting and Singles

It was during the 1997 era that The Wildhearts began to release multiple formats of singles. The band had, up until this point, always been strenuously against multi-formatting seeing the practice as a rip-off to fans. The Wildhearts pre-1997 would release one version of a single which would contain 3 b-sides. The b-sides themselves were never covers or album off-cuts but always brand new songs recorded specifically for that single. As such the quality of Wildhearts b-sides has always been high, and indeed fan favourite "29 X The Pain" was a b-side from the "Suckerpunch" single.

However, during the Endless, Nameless run the band released the two singles from the album as multi-format consisting of two CD singles with two b-sides on each and a 7" single with one b-side, with all the songs from the Anthem being covers of other songs. Many of the band's fan base were angry at this change and even went so far as handing out flyers against the practice outside Wildhearts shows. Ginger reacted with frustration, saying that they were simply trying to bring more music to the fans.

The band have continued to multi-format since 1997, in particular with the single for 'Top Of The World' consisting of 3 CD singles, two with two b-sides and one with one b-side and the video for the song. However, the band have also continued to specifically re-enter the studio to record brand new songs for b-sides. This means that since the Wildhearts reformation(s) they have amassed enough b-sides for Gut Records to release a b-side only album, Coupled With.

Hiatus 1997-2001

For several years the band members concentrated on their respective side projects, although the lineup of Ginger, Danny, Ritch and Jef reformed a few times for one off gigs and tours of Japan, where the band had always had a strong following.

Reformation

In early 2001 Ginger shocked and delighted fans of the band by announcing that he was reforming the Earth Vs The Wildhearts- era lineup of the band for a tour later that year. This lineup of the band ran into difficulties at first due to Danny's battle against heroin addiction, and on several dates of the comeback tour Toshi from support band AntiProduct stood in as bassist. By 2002 Danny was once again clean and the band started recording a new mini-album and also toured the UK. The tracks intended for the album were released in late 2002 across three formats of the Vanilla Radio single in the UK, and as the mini-album Riff After Riff After Motherfucking Riff in Japan. The Vanilla Radio single reached the Top 30 in the UK, and in early 2003 work began on a full-length album. However, during recording, Danny checked himself into a rehabilitation centre to deal with an alcohol problem, leaving Ginger himself to play the bass parts on the album. Danny's place in the live band was filled by "Random" Jon Poole, who had already worked with Ginger on his Silver Ginger 5 side-project.

2004 lineup
2004 lineup

The album 'The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed' had a very commercial sound, full of short simple pop songs with little of the heavier rock style which often featured on previous albums. It seemed that things were finally looking up for the band when they managed to get a US record deal with Gearhead Records, and arranged to tour the US and release 'Riff After Riff', a compilation of songs from the UK post-reformation singles.

This was The Wildhearts' first US release since Earth Vs The Wildhearts in 1994. The release was also promoted by a tour, mostly as the support band for their ex-support band, The Darkness.

Then in early 2005, Ginger dissolved The Wildhearts again, citing a mixture of his own personal problems and a lack of committment within the band. He and briefly joined The Brides of Destruction (featuring Tracii Guns on guitar) before setting out on his own as a full-time solo artist. In typically unpredictable Wildhearts style Ginger then reformed The Wildhearts again for a one-off gig at Scarborough Castle on 17 September 2005. The 1994-1995 line-up of Ginger, Danny McCormack, CJ and Ritch Battersby played at this gig.

In December 2005 / January 2006, Ginger released the Valor Del Corazon double album on Cargo / Round records to the great acclaim of critics and fans alike. The first single from Valor Del Corazon, Yeah Yeah Yeah, was released in November. The split single featured Round Records artist Howling Willie Cunt - who performed a country and western version of the Wildhearts song Caffeine Bomb. Ginger's next solo effort Yoni, was released in January 2007 on Round Records.

Danny McCormack reformed his band The Yo-Yos, although they split up mid-way through a tour shortly after releasing a new E.P on Undergroove. He recently finished recording 4 songs for a new solo E.P. C.J also just finished recording the album for his solo project, C.J & The Satellites. It is due for release on Cargo Records summer 2007.


Once again, the Wildhearts reformed in December 2006 and played a single live show at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton. This line-up saw Ginger joined again by CJ, Rich Battersby and a new bassist, Scott Sorry (ex Amen).

In mid-January 2007, Ginger revealed on BBC 6music during an interview that original Wildhearts lead singer Snake (ex-Tobruk, real name Stuart) had drunk himself to death. He passed away on 20th December of congestive heart failure[verification needed]. His funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, there were so many that they could have filled the place 5 times over[verification needed].

The New Era 2007

In January 2007, The Wildhearts spent a week in Tutbury Castle recording vocals and finishing their new self titled album.

The band were to play a handful of shows across America, but due to delays in their Visa application they were forced to cancel the US tour, the band then announced that they would play the shows in the US at a later dates, which have now been stated as New York dates in October.

On April 9th the band released new single, The Sweetest Song, as a download only release. Ginger has said the edited version of the song will not be available on the new album, nor will it be found anywhere else.

On April 23rd the band released their long awaited self-titled album. Critical acclaim followed, with an array of glowing reviews including the Sun newspaper giving it 5 out of 5 ("probably the rock album of the year")and Rocksound magazine also giving it full marks (10 out of 10).

An extensive UK tour followed from 23rd April to the 17th May, including a sold out show at London's KOKO's.

At the last show of the tour (Thursday 17th May 2007 - The Charlotte - Leicester) Ginger said on stage that it would be the last time The Wildhearts would play intimate venues. The Charlotte, while having alot of history as part of the alternative circuit, is a very small venue. Ginger continued to say goodbye to such places, indicating that he intends for the next bunch of Wildhearts shows to be on a much bigger scale. There will be a new tour in December.

A video for the new single 'The New Flesh' is due to be released October 1st.

A Christmas Wildhearts show has been announced on Gingers birthday (17th December) at The Civic Hall in Wolverhampton.

Members

Most recent members:

Former members:

Formations (since 1990)

1990
  • Duncan - Vocals
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Jools - Bass
  • Pat - Drums
1990
  • Snake - Vocals
  • Ginger - Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Jools - Bass
  • Pat - Drums
1990
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Jools - Bass
  • Pat - Drums
1990-1992
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Danny - Bass
  • Bam - Drums
1992-1993
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Danny - Bass
  • Stidi - Drums
1993-1994
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Danny - Bass
  • Ritch - Drums
  • Willie - Keyboards
1994
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • Devin - Guitar
  • Danny - Bass
  • Ritch - Drums
  • Willie - Keyboards
1995
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • Mark Keds - Guitar
  • Danny - Bass
  • Ritch - Drums
1995-1998
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • Jeff Streatfield - Guitar
  • Danny - Bass
  • Ritch - Drums
1998-2001
  • On Hiatus
2001-2003
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Danny - Bass
  • Stidi - Drums
  • Toshi (Bass) and Gonk (Drums) for 1 gig only
2003-2004
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Jon Poole - Bass
  • Stidi - Drums
2004-2005
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Jon Poole - Bass
  • Ritch - Drums
2005-2006
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Danny - Bass
  • Ritch - Drums
2006-present
  • Ginger - Vocals and Guitar
  • CJ - Guitar
  • Scott Sorry - Bass
  • Ritch - Drums

Discography

For more details on this topic, see The Wildhearts Discography.

Related bands/side projects

The band members have all been in other bands and projects,

Trivia

Cover versions


Rock n roll behaviour

See also

External links

Notes and references

The Wildhearts

Band members: Ginger - C.J.(Chris Jaghdar) - Scott Sorry - Ritch Battersby

Former members: Danny McCormack - Andrew "Stidi" Stidolph - Jef Streatfield - Jon Poole - Bam Bam - Devin Townsend
Discography
Studio Albums: Earth Vs The Wildhearts - Fishing for Luckies - P.H.U.Q. - Endless Nameless - The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed - The Wildhearts


Singles and EPs: Mondo Akimbo a-Go-Go - Don’t Be Happy…Just Worry - Greetings From Shitsville - TV Tan E.P. - Caffeine Bomb - Suckerpunch - If Life Is Like A Lovebank I Want An Overdraft / Geordie in Wonderland - I Wanna Go Where The People Go - Just in Lust - Sick of Drugs - Red Light - Green Light E.P. - Anthem - Urge - Vanilla Radio - Stormy In The North, Karma In The South - So Into You - Top of the World- The Sweetest Song- The New Flesh


Compilations: The Best of The Wildhearts - Anarchic Airwaves - Landmines And Pantomimes - Moodswings And Roundabouts - Anthem: The Single Tracks - Riff After Riff After Motherfucking Riff - Coupled With
Live Albums: Tokyo Suits Me - The Wildhearts Strike Back -Geordie in Wonderland



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