Scary Thieves
Encyclopedia
The Scary Thieves were a short-lived English 1980s New Wave
band, best known for their 1984 hit "Tell Me Girl" and their 1985 hit "The Waiting Game". Both songs are included on the "Hardest Hits" compilations, which focus on obscure New Wave/Synth bands that have little to big cult followings.
The music is melodic New Wave/Electro-Pop with male vocals.
-Sharp (born Clive Parker
) (drums), in a small rehearsal room in Camden Town
, London
, and later Ralph St.Rose (guitar). Clive was previously of bands Spizzenergi /Athletico Spizz '80 (Rough Trade
/A&M records
), and Big Country
. After a number of showcases for record companies they signed to Parlophone Records (EMI
) by manager Andy Ferguson who also managed The Undertones
/Feargal Sharkey
, Kevin Armstrong and Thomas Dolby
. The A&R
person at EMI was Hugh Stanley-Clarke. Chris and Phil shared a local authority flat in Camden Town where they wrote the songs together.
The band recorded an album with Steve Nye
, who was chosen for his austere electronic work with Japan (band)
. Recording the initial album was not an easy affair, some friction with Nye, and many changes of recording studio, including Abbey Road, Wessex, Martin Rushent's Genetic, Virgin's Manor Studios (etc.), prolonged the process. The use of electronic drums (Simmons Drums) mixed with drum machines and acoustic drums, and layers of analogue keyboards was time consuming, and, along with Nye's fastidiousness caused tension and frustration, and the resignation of one sound engineer. The final record lacked the dynamism of the initial demos, nevertheless EMI went ahead with a set of releases and remixes, including extra productions with Scott Litt
(producer of R.E.M.
), and J. J. Jeczalik (Art of Noise). The band toured with Nik Kershaw
building a solid 'teenybop' following, and took advantage of the their striking image with a series of pop magazine interviews and photo sessions. Differences led to the sacking of Clive Parker, and the band were dropped from EMI after poor material was presented for the second album and some dates at The Marquee in London (with session musicians on bass and drums) didn't elicit the excitement of the original line-up. There is speculation that a complex relationship problem, (Phil Manikiza seeing a record company executives girl-friend) ultimately stymied the band's progress but this has not been verified by Manikiza.
The album remained un-released, and the band split up. Parker went on to play session drums for John Moore (musician) (ex-Jesus & Mary Chain) in the Expressway (Polydor), touring the USA and UK, and wrote for his own folk-rock outfit Barra (Sony-ATV/Hi-Note Records). Chris Youdell joined Presence
and Then Jerico
. Phil Manikiza became an in-house writer at Hit & Run Music Publishing
writing for Rozalla and others. Ralph St.Rose formed a duo and signed a short-lived recording contract.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
band, best known for their 1984 hit "Tell Me Girl" and their 1985 hit "The Waiting Game". Both songs are included on the "Hardest Hits" compilations, which focus on obscure New Wave/Synth bands that have little to big cult followings.
The music is melodic New Wave/Electro-Pop with male vocals.
History
Scary Thieves were formed by Phil Manikiza (vocals) and Chris Youdell (keyboards) in 1983. They auditioned Clive ParkerClive Parker
Clive Parker also known as Clive Parker-Sharp, is a British drummer, active in the punk, post-punk and New Wave genres. He was a member of the bands The Members, Spizzenergi/Athletico Spizz 80, Big Country, and Scary Thieves...
-Sharp (born Clive Parker
Clive Parker
Clive Parker also known as Clive Parker-Sharp, is a British drummer, active in the punk, post-punk and New Wave genres. He was a member of the bands The Members, Spizzenergi/Athletico Spizz 80, Big Country, and Scary Thieves...
) (drums), in a small rehearsal room in Camden Town
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and later Ralph St.Rose (guitar). Clive was previously of bands Spizzenergi /Athletico Spizz '80 (Rough Trade
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
/A&M records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
), and Big Country
Big Country
Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife in 1981. They were most popular in the early to mid-1980s, but they still release material for a cult following...
. After a number of showcases for record companies they signed to Parlophone Records (EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
) by manager Andy Ferguson who also managed The Undertones
The Undertones
The Undertones are a punk rock/new wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975.The original line-up of the Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums — The Undertones , Hypnotised , Positive Touch and The Sin of Pride — before disbanding in July 1983.Music guide Allmusic...
/Feargal Sharkey
Feargal Sharkey
Feargal Sharkey is a singer from Northern Ireland who first found fame as the lead vocalist of pop punk band The Undertones...
, Kevin Armstrong and Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!", he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician.-Early life:Dolby was born in London, England, contrary to information in early 1980s...
. The A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
person at EMI was Hugh Stanley-Clarke. Chris and Phil shared a local authority flat in Camden Town where they wrote the songs together.
The band recorded an album with Steve Nye
Steve Nye
Steve Nye is a music producer for several artists. Some of his better known artists include Bryan Ferry , Penguin Cafe Orchestra, XTC , Japan , David Sylvian , Clannad, TM Network, Scary Thieves , as...
, who was chosen for his austere electronic work with Japan (band)
Japan (band)
Japan were a British New Wave group, formed in 1974 in Catford, South London. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they were often associated with the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement .- History :The band began as a group of friends...
. Recording the initial album was not an easy affair, some friction with Nye, and many changes of recording studio, including Abbey Road, Wessex, Martin Rushent's Genetic, Virgin's Manor Studios (etc.), prolonged the process. The use of electronic drums (Simmons Drums) mixed with drum machines and acoustic drums, and layers of analogue keyboards was time consuming, and, along with Nye's fastidiousness caused tension and frustration, and the resignation of one sound engineer. The final record lacked the dynamism of the initial demos, nevertheless EMI went ahead with a set of releases and remixes, including extra productions with Scott Litt
Scott Litt
Scott Litt is an American record producer who mostly works with artists in the alternative rock genre and is best known for producing six R.E.M. albums.-Biography:...
(producer of R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
), and J. J. Jeczalik (Art of Noise). The band toured with Nik Kershaw
Nik Kershaw
Nik Kershaw is an English singer-songwriter. The one time jazz-funk guitarist was a mid-1980s teen idol. His 50 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1984 beat all other soloists...
building a solid 'teenybop' following, and took advantage of the their striking image with a series of pop magazine interviews and photo sessions. Differences led to the sacking of Clive Parker, and the band were dropped from EMI after poor material was presented for the second album and some dates at The Marquee in London (with session musicians on bass and drums) didn't elicit the excitement of the original line-up. There is speculation that a complex relationship problem, (Phil Manikiza seeing a record company executives girl-friend) ultimately stymied the band's progress but this has not been verified by Manikiza.
The album remained un-released, and the band split up. Parker went on to play session drums for John Moore (musician) (ex-Jesus & Mary Chain) in the Expressway (Polydor), touring the USA and UK, and wrote for his own folk-rock outfit Barra (Sony-ATV/Hi-Note Records). Chris Youdell joined Presence
Presence (band)
Presence was a short-lived British new wave band started by Gary Biddles, Lol Tolhurst, and Michael Dempsey. Dempsey and Tolhurst were founding members of The Cure, and Biddles was a former Cure roadie who previously played in Fools Dance with Simon Gallup...
and Then Jerico
Then Jerico
Then Jerico are a British rock band who became popular in the late 1980s.-Career:Mark Shaw formed the band at the age of 21, recruiting bassist Jasper Stainthorpe and drummer Steve Wren and poaching guitarist Scott Taylor from Belouis Some....
. Phil Manikiza became an in-house writer at Hit & Run Music Publishing
Hit & Run Music Publishing
Hit & Run Music Publishing in the United Kingdom founded in 1977 by Tony Smith and Jon Crawley. Hit & Run's clients include Phil Collins, Genesis, Mike & the Mechanics and Kula Shaker, among others. The company owned publishing rights to such songs as the 1991 Grammy Award winning "Record of the...
writing for Rozalla and others. Ralph St.Rose formed a duo and signed a short-lived recording contract.
Discography
- Tell Me Girl (3:48) / Only Fascination (3:45) (7" Parlophone R-6085, 1984)
- Tell Me Girl (6:37) / Tell Me Girl (3:48) / Only Fascination (3:45) (12" Parlophone 12-R-6085, 1984)
- Dying In Vain (3:11) / Behind The Lines (4:00) (7" Parlophone R-6090, 1985)
- Dying In Vain (Extended Version) / Dying In Vain (Remix) / Behind The Lines (12" Parlophone 12-R-6090, 1985)
- The Waiting Game (Extended Version) (6:19) / The Waiting Game (Radio Version) (4:13) / Live In Another Day (2:55) (12" Parlophone 12-R-6094, 1985) — first pressing with limited edition poster
- Tell Me Girl (Extended Version) (6:29) / Tell Me Girl (Radio Version) (3:54) / Only Fascination (3:45) (12" More Disco MORE-09, 1994)
Albums
- Scary Thieves — Inside the Night (3:46) / Game of Love (4:19) / Tell Me Girl (6:37) / The Waiting Game (4:26) / Halloween (3:07) // Live In Another Day (2:55) / Dying In Vain (3:17) / Fascination (3:44) / Somebody Somewhere (3:54) / Thieves of Virtue (5:18)
Compilation appearances
- December 84 - Previews (DMC 1984) — Tell Me Girl 12"
- Hardest Hits Volume One (SPG 1991) — The Waiting Game 12"
- Hardest Hits Volume Two (SPG 1992) — Tell Me Girl 12"
- Techno Pop 2 (Contraseña 1998) — Tell Me Girl 12"