Simon Cousins
Encyclopedia
Simon Cousins is an English
singer-songwriter
and musician
, who was a member of Liverpool indie country rock band The Onset
and folk rockers Ophiuchus
. He studied music at the Liverpool
Music College and has a degree in philosophy from Liverpool University. His solo work is in an acoustic, folk / country genre, described by Tim Peacock of Whisperin and Hollerin' online magazine as "showcasing a fluid finger-picking style and a gentle, unobtrusive voice which nonetheless carries a determined presence." Seph Ong of Glasswerk National stated that Cousins' songs were "derived from real life experience" and that as a performer he "presents a series of tales that gradually unravel to build a story of the mystery of life."
, near Chippenham in Wiltshire. The Band's original members were Andrew Hawker (vocals), David Clifford (drums), Jon Cousins (vocals, guitar) and Si Cousins (vocals, bass). The So! started out as a Punk Rock outfit, covering the songs of other bands, but soon became a vehicle for the Cousins Brother's early song writing efforts. The original So! performed only one concert before it disbanded, at Grittleton House School in 1979.
Simon Cousins continued to work with his brother, with their musical styles beginning to reflect the influence of Lou Reed
, David Bowie
and Marc Bolan
. In October 1981 the Cousins Brothers, now attending the 6th Form at Chippenham's Sheldon and Hardenhuish Schools, reformed The So! with former Sheldon Students Mark Dunn (keyboards) and Richard Pearson (Drums). The new So! played their first gig on March 15, 1982, and the event was covered by the Wiltshire Times and News, which reported that "Chippenham rock group, The So, got their first big break on Monday night when they performed at the Stonehouse, Bristol." In May 1982 Jon Cousins invited fellow Hardenhuish student Myke Vince to join The So! to play drums. June 11, 1982, Wiltshire Times and News reported that the So! had decided to change their name to Random Gender. The article states that "The group's last gig as The So will be a private party for their fans at Kington St. Michael." This gig was at the Jolly Huntsman Pub, Kington St. Michael, Wiltshire.
Throughout his time with Random Gender, Cousins’ songs became more progressive, introducing dynamics and themed movements to create mood and contrast, using keyboards, guitar and saxophone to provide texture in melody and harmony. Mark Ashton, writing in Bristol and Bath's Biggest What’s On Guide, “The Venue”, commented that the band “like tangibility, emotion and fun in their music.” Lyrics of songs like “Ten Words”, “Spirit” and “Running Through The Sky”, reflected Cousins’ growing interest in Earth mysteries, myth and folklore. Dave Massey reviewing Random Gender for Sounds Music Paper in July 1984 commented that he felt “cross-eared... with the intrigue of untangling what precisely Random Gender are all about.” In an interview with Susan Hampton for Wiltshire Gazette and Herald in March 1985, Simon Cousins stated “We don’t know what to call it – really it’s a mixture of all our influences.” Al Read, in his 2003 publication, “The Granary Club” describes Random Gender as being a “Velvet Underground meets King Crimson
type outfit.”. Simon Kinnersley of Bath and West Evening Chronicle tried to pin down the Gender Sound, writing “they’ve been aligned to King Crimson and Velvet Underground, which they should take as something of an insult, because they are rather more dashing and positive than that.” The classic band line up saw Simon Cousins (bass and vocals) and Jon Cousins (guitar and vocals) team up with Myke Vince (drums), Richard Hughes (keyboards) and Pat D’Arcy (saxophone). Jon Cousins later coined the term “Progressive Garage” to describe Random Gender’s music. Simon Cousins summed the band up in an interview with Karen Mills of Salisbury’s Portfolio Magazine, “Pat’s influences are soul and rhythm and blues, I’m basically influenced by Genesis and Bowie, Myke’s influenced by Japan, Bowie, Talking Heads and Psychedelic Furs. Jon has a strong Folk influence, which is good for the band, and Rich doesn’t seem to be influenced by anyone!”
Redirect to Random Gender
main article.
in Warminster that year. They quickly established a residency at Pee Wee’s Real Ale Bar in Trowbridge. Ophiuchus’ music was grounded in a fusion of punk, progressive and folk rock. Lyrically, the Cousins Brothers were writing songs about stone circles, green men and solstice. Jon Cousins being interviewed for the Mardenbeat Magazine in 1987 explained that “A lot of pop music has its roots in Black American music, but we want to go back to more traditional English sounds, particularly from this part of England.” Si Cousins’ compositions such as “A Time Of Changes”, “The Healing” and “Children Of The Moon”, were a result of his interest and experiences of New Age
, Occult
and Wiccan Cultures. Simon Jones writing in Folk Roots commented that "Ophiuchus weave their own dreamy, rustic idyll.” The Venue Magazine billed them as “The best thing out of Wiltshire that isn’t made by Wadsworth.” Although he left Ophiuchus in 1987, Cousins has a cameo appearance as a Guest Snare Drum Player on their Debut LP; “Pronounced Offee-ick ‘Cus”, released on Probe Plus Records in 1989.
Redirect to Ophiuchus
main article.
. The band was described by Pete Frame
, author of Rock Family Trees, as "The most arresting group in captivity - younger than yesterday, fresher than tomorrow". Mike Badger in interview with Tim Peacock of Whisperin and Hollerin Magazine in 2008, stated “This meant a lot to us, as did any good wholesome thing said about us. It drove us on because we had no real income from the band save for funding itself. We had distribution at times when we had no airplay, or we had airplay at times of no distribution and great press when there was no record.”. Their classic line up was Mike Badger
(vocals, acoustic guitar), Simon Cousins (bass, vocals), Danny Dean (lead guitar), Paul Hemmings
later of the Lightning Seeds
,(rhythm guitar, slide, mandolin) and Tony Russell (drums). Mike Badger called their sound as “a sort of Punk Cajun”. This appealed to Geoff Davies the legendary Record Producer of Liverpool’s Probe Plus
Label, who signed up the band stating they were “Irresistible salad of rootsy pop... Lovely stuff, warm, human, spiritual, compassionate.”.
The Onset was primarily a vehicle for Mike Badger’s song writing, with Cousins and the other members contributing to arrangements rather than composition. Cousins does have joint music credit on The Onset’s “Sun and Moon”, “Two Step Angels”, “First I Feel You”, “What Say You”, “Love's Inspiration”, “I Do What I Can” and “Touch The Moon”. He also contributed one of his own songs to the band “Mother England”, commenting on the impact of the recession in the late 80s. The music was heavily influenced by the Senegalese Mbalax
style with a Hawaiian lap steel lead played by Paul Hemmings.
Redirect to The Onset
main article.
Music College during this time and rejoined the Onset in 1994 for their final recording sessions in Ian Broudie’s Liverpool Studios.
, The Viper Label
and Mike Badger
’s Generator Label.
In 2009, Cousins began performing live after a 13 year hiatus. He has played concerts throughout the UK including the famous Cavern Club Liverpool (May 2010) and the Members Room, St.Helens Town Hall (June 2010). Tim Peacock from Whisperin' and Hollerin' Online Magazine reviewing Cousins' music stated "There's a mission to both soothe your soul and quietly sweep you off your feet going ahead here, so you'd be foolish not to succumb."
In April 2010, Si Cousins joined his brother Jon to reform Ophiuchus
with fellow members, Pat D'Arcy (Saxophone), Glenn Wardle (Hammer Dulcimer), Pete Causer (Melodeon), Richard Hughes (Piano Accordion), Xavier Tutien (Bass), Myke Vince (Drums), Jack "WestWayy" Cousins (Percussion), Mike Slater (Cruel Driver) and Dick (Mumming Memento Mori). The Group had not played together for 23 years. In an interview with journalist Nick Cook, Cousins commented that "planning rehearsals with band members in Chippenham, Swindon, Bristol, Glastonbury, Liverpool and Paris was a logistical nightmare.". The reformed band played on the Bandstand Stage at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts
on Sunday, June 27, 2010.
On 1 June 2011, the Liverpool Echo announced that Cousins was to return Glastonbury as a solo artist to play four shows at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival. Cousins' shows were in the Green Futures Field where he played the Tadpole Stage on Wednesday 22 June and the Mandala Stage on Thursday 23rd, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26 June.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, who was a member of Liverpool indie country rock band The Onset
The Onset
The Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Mike teamed up with local Liverpool legend Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on Piano and Colin Becket on Drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 2006 compilation CD, Lo Fi Electric...
and folk rockers Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus (band)
Ophiuchus are a folk/roots rock group from Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England, formed in 1986 by twin brothers - guitarist Jon and bassist Simon Cousins, with saxophonist Pat D'Arcy and photographer, graphic designer Martin Tom Sawyer....
. He studied music at the Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
Music College and has a degree in philosophy from Liverpool University. His solo work is in an acoustic, folk / country genre, described by Tim Peacock of Whisperin and Hollerin' online magazine as "showcasing a fluid finger-picking style and a gentle, unobtrusive voice which nonetheless carries a determined presence." Seph Ong of Glasswerk National stated that Cousins' songs were "derived from real life experience" and that as a performer he "presents a series of tales that gradually unravel to build a story of the mystery of life."
The So!
The So! formed in 1978 when Simon Cousins and his twin brother Jon were pupils at Grittleton House SchoolGrittleton House School
Grittleton House School is a small, family-run independent school and children's daycare provider situated in the village of Grittleton near Chippenham in Wiltshire. The school is co-educational with around 300 pupils and toddlers aged 2-16....
, near Chippenham in Wiltshire. The Band's original members were Andrew Hawker (vocals), David Clifford (drums), Jon Cousins (vocals, guitar) and Si Cousins (vocals, bass). The So! started out as a Punk Rock outfit, covering the songs of other bands, but soon became a vehicle for the Cousins Brother's early song writing efforts. The original So! performed only one concert before it disbanded, at Grittleton House School in 1979.
Simon Cousins continued to work with his brother, with their musical styles beginning to reflect the influence of Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
. In October 1981 the Cousins Brothers, now attending the 6th Form at Chippenham's Sheldon and Hardenhuish Schools, reformed The So! with former Sheldon Students Mark Dunn (keyboards) and Richard Pearson (Drums). The new So! played their first gig on March 15, 1982, and the event was covered by the Wiltshire Times and News, which reported that "Chippenham rock group, The So, got their first big break on Monday night when they performed at the Stonehouse, Bristol." In May 1982 Jon Cousins invited fellow Hardenhuish student Myke Vince to join The So! to play drums. June 11, 1982, Wiltshire Times and News reported that the So! had decided to change their name to Random Gender. The article states that "The group's last gig as The So will be a private party for their fans at Kington St. Michael." This gig was at the Jolly Huntsman Pub, Kington St. Michael, Wiltshire.
Random Gender
The Chippenham New also ran the story on The So changing its name to Random Gender, reporting that the band “had been off the scene for a few months rehearsing a new set.” This is indicative of the transition to Random Gender, which marked a new phase of song writing for Simon Cousins, with his songs Stage, Night and Day and The Man With The Face being recorded as demo singles during 1983 and 1984.Throughout his time with Random Gender, Cousins’ songs became more progressive, introducing dynamics and themed movements to create mood and contrast, using keyboards, guitar and saxophone to provide texture in melody and harmony. Mark Ashton, writing in Bristol and Bath's Biggest What’s On Guide, “The Venue”, commented that the band “like tangibility, emotion and fun in their music.” Lyrics of songs like “Ten Words”, “Spirit” and “Running Through The Sky”, reflected Cousins’ growing interest in Earth mysteries, myth and folklore. Dave Massey reviewing Random Gender for Sounds Music Paper in July 1984 commented that he felt “cross-eared... with the intrigue of untangling what precisely Random Gender are all about.” In an interview with Susan Hampton for Wiltshire Gazette and Herald in March 1985, Simon Cousins stated “We don’t know what to call it – really it’s a mixture of all our influences.” Al Read, in his 2003 publication, “The Granary Club” describes Random Gender as being a “Velvet Underground meets King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
type outfit.”. Simon Kinnersley of Bath and West Evening Chronicle tried to pin down the Gender Sound, writing “they’ve been aligned to King Crimson and Velvet Underground, which they should take as something of an insult, because they are rather more dashing and positive than that.” The classic band line up saw Simon Cousins (bass and vocals) and Jon Cousins (guitar and vocals) team up with Myke Vince (drums), Richard Hughes (keyboards) and Pat D’Arcy (saxophone). Jon Cousins later coined the term “Progressive Garage” to describe Random Gender’s music. Simon Cousins summed the band up in an interview with Karen Mills of Salisbury’s Portfolio Magazine, “Pat’s influences are soul and rhythm and blues, I’m basically influenced by Genesis and Bowie, Myke’s influenced by Japan, Bowie, Talking Heads and Psychedelic Furs. Jon has a strong Folk influence, which is good for the band, and Rich doesn’t seem to be influenced by anyone!”
Redirect to Random Gender
Random Gender
Random Gender were a Wiltshire Progressive Garage band founded in 1982 by twin brothers Jon and Simon Cousins; who later went on to be prominent members of Wiltshire folk rockers Ophiuchus and Liverpool's indie rock group The Onset respectively...
main article.
Ophiuchus
In 1986 the Cousins Brothers and D’Arcy split from Random Gender to form the Progressive Folk Rock outfit Ophiuchus. They played their first gig supporting Culture ShockCulture shock
Culture shock is the anxiety, feelings of frustration, alienation and anger that may occur when a person is emplaced in a new culture.One of the most common causes of culture shock involves individuals in a foreign country. Culture shock can be described as consisting of one or more distinct phases...
in Warminster that year. They quickly established a residency at Pee Wee’s Real Ale Bar in Trowbridge. Ophiuchus’ music was grounded in a fusion of punk, progressive and folk rock. Lyrically, the Cousins Brothers were writing songs about stone circles, green men and solstice. Jon Cousins being interviewed for the Mardenbeat Magazine in 1987 explained that “A lot of pop music has its roots in Black American music, but we want to go back to more traditional English sounds, particularly from this part of England.” Si Cousins’ compositions such as “A Time Of Changes”, “The Healing” and “Children Of The Moon”, were a result of his interest and experiences of New Age
New Age
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...
, Occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
and Wiccan Cultures. Simon Jones writing in Folk Roots commented that "Ophiuchus weave their own dreamy, rustic idyll.” The Venue Magazine billed them as “The best thing out of Wiltshire that isn’t made by Wadsworth.” Although he left Ophiuchus in 1987, Cousins has a cameo appearance as a Guest Snare Drum Player on their Debut LP; “Pronounced Offee-ick ‘Cus”, released on Probe Plus Records in 1989.
Redirect to Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus (band)
Ophiuchus are a folk/roots rock group from Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England, formed in 1986 by twin brothers - guitarist Jon and bassist Simon Cousins, with saxophonist Pat D'Arcy and photographer, graphic designer Martin Tom Sawyer....
main article.
The Onset
In January 1987, Cousins moved to Liverpool to join Mike Badger, the founder of Liverpool’s Britpop band The La’s, who was working with guitarist Dan Dean to develop an indie/country/roots sound as The OnsetThe Onset
The Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Mike teamed up with local Liverpool legend Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on Piano and Colin Becket on Drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 2006 compilation CD, Lo Fi Electric...
. The band was described by Pete Frame
Pete Frame
Peter 'Pete' Frame is a music journalist, who produced outlines of the history of rock bands for various magazines . He founded the English Alternative rock magazine ZigZag in April 1969 and acted as its editor, from its beginning until February 1973, and again from March 1976 until July 1977...
, author of Rock Family Trees, as "The most arresting group in captivity - younger than yesterday, fresher than tomorrow". Mike Badger in interview with Tim Peacock of Whisperin and Hollerin Magazine in 2008, stated “This meant a lot to us, as did any good wholesome thing said about us. It drove us on because we had no real income from the band save for funding itself. We had distribution at times when we had no airplay, or we had airplay at times of no distribution and great press when there was no record.”. Their classic line up was Mike Badger
Mike Badger
Michael Clifford "Mike" Badger is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, artist and sculptor from Liverpool, England. He was co-founder of The La's and went on to form alternative country/roots rockabilly band The Onset in 1988 and The Kachinas in 1996...
(vocals, acoustic guitar), Simon Cousins (bass, vocals), Danny Dean (lead guitar), Paul Hemmings
Paul Hemmings
Paul Hemmings is a Liverpool based musician and photographer. He played with The La's, Mike Badger and The Onset and Ian Broudie and the Lightning Seeds...
later of the Lightning Seeds
Lightning Seeds
The Lightning Seeds are an English alternative rock and pop band from Liverpool, England formed in 1989 by Ian Broudie , formerly of the Big in Japan band....
,(rhythm guitar, slide, mandolin) and Tony Russell (drums). Mike Badger called their sound as “a sort of Punk Cajun”. This appealed to Geoff Davies the legendary Record Producer of Liverpool’s Probe Plus
Probe plus
Probe Plus is a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink"....
Label, who signed up the band stating they were “Irresistible salad of rootsy pop... Lovely stuff, warm, human, spiritual, compassionate.”.
The Onset was primarily a vehicle for Mike Badger’s song writing, with Cousins and the other members contributing to arrangements rather than composition. Cousins does have joint music credit on The Onset’s “Sun and Moon”, “Two Step Angels”, “First I Feel You”, “What Say You”, “Love's Inspiration”, “I Do What I Can” and “Touch The Moon”. He also contributed one of his own songs to the band “Mother England”, commenting on the impact of the recession in the late 80s. The music was heavily influenced by the Senegalese Mbalax
Mbalax
Mbalax is the national popular dance music of Senegal and The Gambia. Mbalax is a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal...
style with a Hawaiian lap steel lead played by Paul Hemmings.
Redirect to The Onset
The Onset
The Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Mike teamed up with local Liverpool legend Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on Piano and Colin Becket on Drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 2006 compilation CD, Lo Fi Electric...
main article.
The Catfish
Si Cousins left The Onset in late 1991 to join up with The Catfish, a group of musicians who had all played or recorded with The Onset at various stages. They were Roger Llewellyn (vocals, banjo, acoustic guitar), Simon Cousins (bass, vocals) Nick Hrydowy (lead guitar, mandolin) and Brian Morrow (percussion, drums). Cousins contributed a number of songs to The Catfish’s set including Jump Into The Fire, which saw him return to the themes of symbolism and folklore. The Catfish sound owed more to West Coast Pop than the Country Rock style of the Onset. They performed for just over a year before Roger Llewellyn and Brian Morrow joined The Onset in 1993. Simon Cousins studied music at the LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
Music College during this time and rejoined the Onset in 1994 for their final recording sessions in Ian Broudie’s Liverpool Studios.
Solo performer
Since the Onset folded in 1995, Simon Cousins has continued to write songs, developing as an acoustic guitarist with an intimate vocal style and poignant lyrics. He recorded at Pat D’Arcy’s studio during the 90s and with Jon Cousins on the Liberty Blake sessions in 2008. His recordings with The Onset continue to be released through Probe PlusProbe plus
Probe Plus is a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink"....
, The Viper Label
The Viper Label
The Viper Label is an independent record label from Liverpool, England and was founded in 1999 by Paul Hemmings and Mike Badger who were key figures in the Liverpool music scene; both ex members of the La's and The Onset. Hemmings also played with Ian Broudie in The Lightning Seeds...
and Mike Badger
Mike Badger
Michael Clifford "Mike" Badger is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, artist and sculptor from Liverpool, England. He was co-founder of The La's and went on to form alternative country/roots rockabilly band The Onset in 1988 and The Kachinas in 1996...
’s Generator Label.
In 2009, Cousins began performing live after a 13 year hiatus. He has played concerts throughout the UK including the famous Cavern Club Liverpool (May 2010) and the Members Room, St.Helens Town Hall (June 2010). Tim Peacock from Whisperin' and Hollerin' Online Magazine reviewing Cousins' music stated "There's a mission to both soothe your soul and quietly sweep you off your feet going ahead here, so you'd be foolish not to succumb."
In April 2010, Si Cousins joined his brother Jon to reform Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus (band)
Ophiuchus are a folk/roots rock group from Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England, formed in 1986 by twin brothers - guitarist Jon and bassist Simon Cousins, with saxophonist Pat D'Arcy and photographer, graphic designer Martin Tom Sawyer....
with fellow members, Pat D'Arcy (Saxophone), Glenn Wardle (Hammer Dulcimer), Pete Causer (Melodeon), Richard Hughes (Piano Accordion), Xavier Tutien (Bass), Myke Vince (Drums), Jack "WestWayy" Cousins (Percussion), Mike Slater (Cruel Driver) and Dick (Mumming Memento Mori). The Group had not played together for 23 years. In an interview with journalist Nick Cook, Cousins commented that "planning rehearsals with band members in Chippenham, Swindon, Bristol, Glastonbury, Liverpool and Paris was a logistical nightmare.". The reformed band played on the Bandstand Stage at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
on Sunday, June 27, 2010.
On 1 June 2011, the Liverpool Echo announced that Cousins was to return Glastonbury as a solo artist to play four shows at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival. Cousins' shows were in the Green Futures Field where he played the Tadpole Stage on Wednesday 22 June and the Mandala Stage on Thursday 23rd, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26 June.
Discography
- The Foxhole Sessions – Random GenderRandom GenderRandom Gender were a Wiltshire Progressive Garage band founded in 1982 by twin brothers Jon and Simon Cousins; who later went on to be prominent members of Wiltshire folk rockers Ophiuchus and Liverpool's indie rock group The Onset respectively...
, EP (1983) - Night and Day / The Journey – Random Gender, Single (1984)
- The Man with the Face – Random Gender, Single (1984)
- The Mabinogion – Jon Cousins and Random Gender, Album (1984)
- My Death – Random Gender, Single (1985)
- Chain to Break – Random Gender, Single (1985)
- The Pool Of LifeThe Pool of LifeThe Pool Of Life is the first album released by Mike Badger and The Onset. It was released by the Probe Plus Label in 1988. The story of the boundless Universe and all its wondrous Worlds. Dedicated to Rainbow Warriors, Freedom Fighters and Sun Dancers....
– The OnsetThe OnsetThe Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Mike teamed up with local Liverpool legend Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on Piano and Colin Becket on Drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 2006 compilation CD, Lo Fi Electric...
, LP (1988), Probe PlusProbe plusProbe Plus is a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink"....
(PROBE19) - Pronounced Offee-ick Cuss – OphiuchusOphiuchus (band)Ophiuchus are a folk/roots rock group from Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England, formed in 1986 by twin brothers - guitarist Jon and bassist Simon Cousins, with saxophonist Pat D'Arcy and photographer, graphic designer Martin Tom Sawyer....
, LP (1989), Probe PlusProbe plusProbe Plus is a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink"....
(PROBE23) - What Say YouWhat Say YouWhat Say You is the only EP released by Mike Badger and The Onset. It was released by the Furious Fish Label in 1990.-Track listing:All lyrics by Mike Badger...
– The Onset, EP (1990), Furious Fish Records (Onset1) - The Pool Of Life RevisitedThe Pool of Life RevisitedThe Pool Of Life Revisited is the second album released by Mike Badger and The Onset and their first on CD. It was released by the Probe Plus Label in 1994.-Track listing:# Rakin 'Em Down - 0.19# The Taker – 2:57...
– The Onset, CD (1994), Probe PlusProbe plusProbe Plus is a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink"....
(PROBE40) - Liverpool Cult Classics Unearthed - Volume TwoLiverpool Cult Classics Unearthed - Volume TwoLiverpool Cult Classics Unearthed - Volume Two is the second in a series of three volumes from the Viper Label of rare and unreleased songs by famous and not so famous Liverpool bands...
- Various Artists, CD (2001), The Viper LabelThe Viper LabelThe Viper Label is an independent record label from Liverpool, England and was founded in 1999 by Paul Hemmings and Mike Badger who were key figures in the Liverpool music scene; both ex members of the La's and The Onset. Hemmings also played with Ian Broudie in The Lightning Seeds...
(Viper009) - Lo Fi Acoustic Excursions by Mike Badger & FriendsLo Fi Acoustic Excursions by Mike Badger & FriendsLo Fi Acoustic Excursions is the first in a brace of album released by Mike Badger featuring a compilation of his various musical incarnations including the La's and The Onset. Its sister album being Lo Fi Electric Excursions. Lo Fi Acoustic Excursions was released by the Generator Label in 2004...
- Mike BadgerMike BadgerMichael Clifford "Mike" Badger is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, artist and sculptor from Liverpool, England. He was co-founder of The La's and went on to form alternative country/roots rockabilly band The Onset in 1988 and The Kachinas in 1996...
CD (2004), The Generator Label (Gen09) - The OnsetThe Onset (album)The Onset is the third album released by Mike Badger and The Onset. It was released by the Generator Label in 2005. The CD presents a selection of songs recorded during the period 1989 to 1994.-Track listing:# First I Feel You - 3.00...
– The Onset, CD (2005), The Generator Label (Gen10) - Lo Fi Electric Excursions by Mike Badger & FriendsLo Fi Electric Excursions by Mike Badger & FriendsLo Fi Electric Excursions is the second of a brace of album released by Mike Badger featuring a compilation of his various musical incarnations including the La's and The Onset. Its sister album being Lo Fi Acoustic Excursions...
- Mike Badger, CD (2006), The Generator Label (Gen11) - Mike Badger's Country SideMike Badger's Country SideMike Badger's Country Side features a compilation of Mike's country style songs from 1988 to 2008, including previously unreleased material from his solo projects and his back catelogue with The Onset...
- Mike Badger, CD (2008), The Generator Label (Gen12)