The Balham Alligators were a band from London that mixed rock 'n' roll, cajun

Cajun music

Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin...

, country

Country music

Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...

 and R&B. The band centred around singer and instrumentalist Geraint Watkins

Geraint Watkins

Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...

.

Career

The band came together by chance at a 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...

 pub in 1983. The original line-up consisted of Geraint Watkins

Geraint Watkins

Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...

, Robin McKidd, Kieran O'Connor, Arthur Kitchener, and Gary Rickard.
The Alligators played a hybrid blend of musical styles, including Rock 'n' Roll', Blues, R&B, Celtic Folk, Swamp-Pop, Country, Swing, Cajun

Cajun music

Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin...

 & Zydeco

Zydeco

Zydeco is a form of uniquely American roots or folk music. It evolved in southwest Louisiana in the early 19th century from forms of "la la" Creole music...

.

The Balham Alligators performed in venues around Europe

Europe

Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

. Early albums included The Balham Alligators and Life In A Bus Lane. The pressure of constant touring began to take its toll with the continued ill-health and eventual death of Kieran O'Connor (d. 1991), the departure of Kitchener and Kavana, and despite the recruitment of Pete Dennis to replace Kitchener convinced the remaining members it was time to call it a day.

The following years were spent pursuing individual projects with Watkins and Rickard working with Charlie Hart as, Rickard, Watkins & Hart, with Watkins eventually leading his own outfit, The Wobblers, in 1992. Robin McKidd formed The Companions of The Rosy Hours a western-swing band. Despite the four years since the original band's demise, McKidd was still receiving offers of work for the Alligators, persuading Watkins and Rickard to try out a few gigs with The Wobblers as a backing band, it became apparent that the Alligators were still a viable concern. Bolstered with morale and momentum they recruited session musician, Bobby Irwin on drums and ex-Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers

Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers

Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers were one of the main British pub rock groups of the early 1970s. Later managed by Jake Riviera, who first worked for the band as a roadie, they reached their peak as part of the "Naughty Rhythms Tour" of 1975, along with other stalwarts of the same scene, Dr...

' bass guitarist Paul Riley

Paul Riley (musician)

Paul Riley is an English bassist, singer and record producer. He was a member of Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and Roogalator in the 1970s.-Biography:...

 and by the latter half of 1995 they recorded Gateway To The South (1996) and followed by Cajun Dance Party (1997).

Balham Alligators

Track Listing

1. Balham 2 Step
2. Hey Hey, Ho Ho
3. Malhereuse
4. Sugar Bee
5. Tennessee Blues
6. Johnny B. Goode
7. Oh Siobhan
8. Let's Dance
9. Louisiana
10. Scotland / Allons a Lafayette
11. Tacos
12. Little Liza Jane
13. Hobo Blues / Balham 2 Step (reprise)

Personnel

• Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
  
   (vocals, keyboards, accordion)
• Robin McKidd (fiddle, guitar, vocals)
• Kieran O'Conner (drums, percussion)
• Gary Rickard (guitar, vocals)
• Pete Dennis (bass)

Guest musicians:

• Ron Kavana (guitar, harmonica, mandolin, percussion)
• The Panic Brothers (Reg Meuross, Richard Morton – vocals)

Production Credits

• Produced by Ron Kavana (Audio Verite Production)
• Mixed by Ron Kavana, Dave Jordan
• Engineered by David Kenny
• Recorded at Ideal Sound Recorders

----

Life In The Bus-Lane

Track Listing

1. Cajun Walk
2. Swamp
3. Big Mamou
4. I Don't Wanna Be In Love
5. Love Has No Pride
6. Alligators Grinning
7. It's My Own Business
8. Diggy Diggy
9. What've You Got To Lose?
10. Fine, Fine, Fine
11. Feel Like A Fool

Personnel

• Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
  
   (vocals, keyboards, accordion, cajun accordion, piano, clavinet)
• Peter Dennis (bass guitar)
• Robin McKidd (fiddle, guitar, vocals)
• Kieran O'Connor (drums, percussion)
• Gary Richards (guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals)
• Jimmy McKidd (backing vocals – Cajun Walk)

Production Credits

• Produced by The Balham Alligators, David Kenny.
• Recorded at Ideal Sound
• Engineer David Kenny
• Recorded at Pathway Studios
  Pathway Studios
  Pathway Studios was a North London studio in Islington run by producer Mike Finesilver for many years. Among the well-known artists who made their early recordings at Pathway Studios are Madness, Elvis Costello, The Police, Squeeze, Haircut One Hundred and John Foxx...
  
  
• Engineer Mike Finesilver

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Live Alligators

Track Listing

1. What We've Got To Lose
2. Six Days On The Road
3. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
4. Caldonia
5. Sacre Bleu (testament de la Jean Jacques)
6. White Lightening
7. Diggy Diggy
8. At The Hop
9. Hobo Blues
10. Balham Two Step
11. Oh Marie

Personnel

• Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
  
   (vocals, keyboards, accordion)
• Robin McKidd (fiddle, guitar, vocals)
• Kieran O'Conner (drums, percussion)
• Gary Rickard (guitar, vocals )
• Ron Kavana (harmonica, mandolin, percussion)
• Arthur Kitchener (bass, vocals)

Recorded live at the Half Moon, Putney, 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...

.

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Gateway to the South

Track Listing

1. Allons Rock 'n' Roll
2. Bayou Teche
3. Gotta Have Money
4. Malhereuse
5. Big Bad Dog
6. Secret Love
7. Cash On The Barrel-head
8. Too Much
9. The Last Waltz
10. Hot Rod
11. Honky Tonk
12. Johnny B Goode

Personnel

• Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
  
   (accordion, piano, vocals)
• Gary Rickard (guitar, vocals)
• Robin McKidd (fiddle, vocals)
• Bobby Irwin (drums)
• Paul Riley
  Paul Riley (musician)
  Paul Riley is an English bassist, singer and record producer. He was a member of Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and Roogalator in the 1970s.-Biography:...
  
   (bass guitar)

Gator Aid:

• Bill Kirchen (guitar, trombone – track 12)
• Steve Donnely (guitar – tracks 10, 12)
• Pete Thomas
  Pete Thomas
  Pete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
  
   (drums – track 12)
• Nick Pentelow (baritone sax, clarinet – track 12)
• Martin Belmont (acoustic guitar – track 9)

Production Credits

• Produced and recorded by Paul Riley
  Paul Riley (musician)
  Paul Riley is an English bassist, singer and record producer. He was a member of Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and Roogalator in the 1970s.-Biography:...
  
  
• Additional mixing by Neil Brockbank
• Location recording at The Weavers Arms by Neil Brockbank
• Recorded at The Bonaparte Rooms – Twickenham, The House In The Woods – Bletchingley, The Weavers Arms – Stoke Newington

----

Cajun Dance Party

Track Listing

1. Cuvee Cajun
2. Bayou Pom-Pom
3. Guerre Civille
4. Grand Texas
5. Wet And Swampy
6. Rosie Cheeks
7. Cher Mama
8. Colinda
9. Jole Blon
10. Lacassine
11. Diggy Liggy Lo
12. Last Waltz
13. Balham Two Step
14. Lache Pas Mes Patas
15. Big Mamou
16. Hobo Blues
17. Goodnight Irene

Personnel

• Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
  
   (accordion, vocals, piano)
• Robin McKidd (fiddle)
• Gary Rickard (guitar)
• Paul Riley
  Paul Riley (musician)
  Paul Riley is an English bassist, singer and record producer. He was a member of Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and Roogalator in the 1970s.-Biography:...
  
   (bass guitar, double-bass)
• Bobby Irwin (drums)
• Martin Belmont (acoustic guitar)

Production Credits

• Produced by Paul Riley
  Paul Riley (musician)
  Paul Riley is an English bassist, singer and record producer. He was a member of Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and Roogalator in the 1970s.-Biography:...
  
  
• Recorded at House in the Woods; Bletchingley, Surrey

----

A Po'boy 'n' Make It Snappy

Track Listing

1. Cuvee Cajun
2. Bayou Pom-Pom
3. Guerre Civille
4. Grand Texas
5. Wet And Swampy
6. Rosie Cheeks
7. Cher Mama
8. Colinda
9. Jole Blon
10. Lacassine
11. Diggy Liggy Lo
12. Last Waltz
13. Balham Two Step
14. Lache Pas Mes Patas
15. Big Mamou
16. Hobo Blues
17. Goodnight Irene

Personnel

• Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins
  Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
  
   (accordion, vocals, piano)
• Robin McKidd (fiddle)
• Gary Rickard (guitar)
• Paul Riley
  Paul Riley (musician)
  Paul Riley is an English bassist, singer and record producer. He was a member of Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and Roogalator in the 1970s.-Biography:...
  
   (bass guitar, double-bass)
• Bobby Irwin (drums)
• Martin Belmont (acoustic guitar)

Production Credits

• Produced by Paul Riley
  Paul Riley (musician)
  Paul Riley is an English bassist, singer and record producer. He was a member of Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and Roogalator in the 1970s.-Biography:...
  
  
• Recorded at House in the Woods; Bletchingley, Surrey