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The Rockingbirds

 
Artist: The Rockingbirds
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists

Similar Artists:

Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, R.E.M.

Influenced By:

The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons

Performed Songs By:

Alan Tyler

Formal Connection With:

The Weather Prophets
  • Formed: 1990, London, England
  • Disbanded: 1995
  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "Whatever Happened to the Rockingbirds

Biography

The Rockingbirds were an anomaly, a British country-rock band on the hip Heavenly label whose peak activity unfortunately coincided with the fallow period between the roots-rock movement of the 1980s and the "No Depression" resurgence of the mid-'90s. Formed in London in 1990, the Rockingbirds were founded by singer/songwriter Alan Tyler, singer/tambourine player Sean Reed guitarist Andy Hackett, pedal steel guitarist Patrick Arbuthnot, bassist Dave Goulding and former Weather Prophets drummer Dave Morgan. The success of their debut singles "A Good Day for You" and "Jonathan, Jonathan" (a tribute to Jonathan Richman) led to the release of their 1992 eponymous debut, which earned a warm critical response but met with commercial failure. A cover of Right Said Fred's "Deeply Dippy," released on an EP of Fred covers recorded with Heavenly labelmates Saint Etienne and Flowered Up, garnered some airplay, but a subsequent EP, Rockingbirds R Us, also stiffed. After 1995's oft-delayed but excellent Whatever Happened to the Rockingbirds met a similar fate, the group disbanded. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: The Rockingbirds
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The Rockingbirds
Origin London
Genre(s) Country rock
Years active 1990-1995, 2008 - present
Label(s) Heavenly, Cooking Vinyl
Former members
Alan Tyler
Sean Read
Andy Hackett
Patrick Arbuthnot
Dave Goulding
Dave Morgan
Tim Kent
Chris Clarke
Trevor Smith

The Rockingbirds were a British country-rock band, formed in London in 1990. They disbanded in 1995, but reformed in 2008 for the Heavenly Records 18th Anniversary shows. They began to tour again in spring 2009 and are booked to play the 2009 Glastonbury festival in June.

Contents

History

1990-1995

The band's original line-up featured songwriter Alan Tyler (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Sean Read (backing vocals and tambourine), Andrew Hackett (electric guitar), Patrick Arbuthnot (pedal steel guitar), Dave Goulding (bass) and former Weather Prophets drummer Dave Morgan.[1] Their first single release on Heavenly Records was 1991's "A Good Day For You Is A Good Day For Me", followed by a tribute song to Jonathan Richman entitled "Jonathan, Jonathan" in 1992. That same year also saw the release of their eponymously titled debut album (produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley), which included the "Gradually Learning" single. This gained some radio play and Heavenly (backed by a Sony distribution deal) produced a video filmed in Austin, Texas. 1993 saw Heavenly release a 4 track E.P. entitled Rockingbirds-R-Us featuring brand new songs. The band's new line-up now featured Tim Kent on banjo, Chris Clarke replacing Gould on bass, and new drummer Trevor Smith. Their second album, Whatever Happened to the Rockingbirds?, was released in 1995 via Cooking Vinyl and featured production from Edwyn Collins. This was preceded by a single "Band Of Dreams" - released on 7" vinyl only - but the band split a few months later in November '95, with a farewell gig at The Garage in North London. [2]
Alan Tyler has continued to record and play live both as a solo-performer and with his new band Alan Tyler and the Lost Sons of Littlefield. The new band includes Rockingbirds bass player Chris Clarke and occasionally Sean Read.

2008 Reformation

After reforming for a Heavenly Records 18th Anniversary show at London's Royal Festival Hall in 2008 The Rockingbirds played a series of gigs in April 2009 to support a 2-disc re-issue of the first album. This remastered version now features tracks from the Rockingbirds-R-Us E.P. as well as B-sides and live tracks culled from the single releases. A 500 run limited edition 7" single of new Rockingbirds material was also released on 6th April 2009 featuring the tracks "Man In The Moon" / "Lookingback Lullaby". [3]

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

  • "A Good Day For You Is A Good Day For Me" (1991, Heavenly)
  • "Jonathan, Jonathan" (1992, Heavenly)
  • "Gradually Learning" (1992, Heavenly)
  • Rockingbirds-R-Us EP (1993, Heavenly)
  • "Band of Dreams" (1995, Cooking Vinyl)
  • "Man In The Moon / Lookingback Lullaby" (2009 Heavenly)

References

  1. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "The Rockingbirds biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kvfexqrgld0e. Retrieved on 2009-05-18. 
  2. ^ "The Rockingbirds - When Camden went country!". Ready-Steady-Go. http://www.ready-steady-go.org.uk/rockingbirds.htm. Retrieved on 2009-05-18. 
  3. ^ Garratt, Rob (14 April 2009). "Interview: The Rockingbirds". Norwich Evening News. http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/GoingOut/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=GoingOutMusic&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=GoingOutMusic&itemid=NOED14%20Apr%202009%2012%3A19%3A35%3A100. Retrieved on 2009-05-18. 
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The Rockingbirds (Rock Band, '90s)
Whatever Happened to the Rockingbirds (1995 Album by The Rockingbirds)
The Weather Prophets (Rock Band, '80s)

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