The Mothmen

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The Mothmen
OriginManchester, England
GenresPunk rock, post-punk, indie rock, new wave
Years activec. 1979–1982
LabelsAbsurd, On-U Sound, Do It Records
Past membersDave Rowbotham
Tony Bowers
Chris Joyce
Bob Harding
Ronnie Hardman
Charlie Griffiths

The Mothmen were a short-lived

Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias
singer Bob Harding.

History

In 1978,

Phil Rainford. After releasing two songs in a various artists compilation, A Factory Sample, that year, the Durutti Column became the sole concern of Reilly and Bowers, as Rowbotham and Joyce departed and formed The Mothmen, alongside former Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias singer Bob Harding. So, the first lineup comprised Joyce on drums; Bowers on guitar, bass, vocals, violin, and percussion; Rowbotham on guitar and bass; and Bob Harding on bass, organ, guitar, vocals, and percussion. In 1979, they released their debut single on Absurd Records, "Does It Matter Irene?"[1]

The recording of an album's worth of material in the first half of 1980 left the group without a label to release it on. Thus in stepped the assistance of a young and cash-strapped

On-U Sound
. A deal was done and in 1981 Pay Attention! appeared as its second album. The arrangement and production work remained the Mothmen's own with Sherwood playing no part in its creation. Sherwood's only direct involvement with the band was when he provided a dub mix of "Afghan Farmer Driving Cattle" [Rhythm 137] on On-U's first compilation release – Wild Paarty Sounds Volume 1.

During this period Joyce also found time to be the drummer for another one of On-U Sound's first generation 'crew', London Underground, as well appearing on Judy Nylon's "Pal Judy" set for the label. However, the Mothmen soon left for Do-It Records and in the process Rowbotham was replaced by Ronnie Hardman (bass) and Charlie Griffiths (synthesisers). The new line-up produced a handful more singles and a further album, One Black Dot, before they split for good in early 1982.

Of the Mothmen's former members, Joyce and Bowers were to have the greatest subsequent commercial success, forming part of the first

Sly & Robbie connection, Sherwood also contributed to Simply Red's 1997 "Night Nurse" cover of Gregory Isaacs' song.[citation needed
]

In 1991, founding guitarist Dave Rowbotham was murdered.[2] Tony Bowers lives between Italy and Ireland where he works on various musical projects . Chris Joyce shares further details of his life and career, up to and beyond his work with Simply Red, on his biography in Chris Joyce School of Drums.[3]

Discography

  • "Does It Matter Irene?" 7″ single (Absurd, September 1979)
  • Pay Attention! album (On-U Sound, 1981)
  • "Show Me Your House And Car" 7" and 12" singles (Do It!, July 1981)
  • "Temptation" 7" single (Do It!, October 1981)
  • One Black Dot album (Do It!, January 1982)
  • "Wadada" 7" single (Do It!, March 1982)

References

  1. ^ "On-U Sound in the Area - Mothmen discography". Skysaw.org. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  2. ISBN 978-1-55652-754-8
    .
  3. ^ "Biography". Chris Joyce School of Drums. Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.

External links

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