The Mothmen
Encyclopedia
The Mothmen were a short-lived post-punk
band from England, formed around 1979 by Dave Rowbotham
, Chris Joyce
and Tony Bowers
, shortly after they left The Durutti Column
, including ex-Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias
singer Bob Harding.
was formed by Tony Wilson
and Alan Erasmus
, with guitarists Vini Reilly
and Dave Rowbotham
, bassist Tony Bowers
(formerly of Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias
), drummer Chris Joyce
and vocalist Phil Rainford
. After releasing two songs in a various artist compilation, A Factory Sample
, that year, the Durutti Column became the sole concern of Reilly and Bowers, Rowbotham and Joyce departed. They formed The Mothmen alongside former Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias singer Bob Harding. So, the first line up 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?
".
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 Adrian Sherwood
, having just launched 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 AMS playing no part in its creation. In fact 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 Simply Red
rhythm section between 1984 and 1989. The On-U association with Joyce and Bowers had two final outcomes in the UK, in the form of Sherwood providing flip-side
mixes, to Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years
" and "Infidelity" 12" singles. Through the Sly & Robbie connection, Sherwood also contributed to Simply Red's 1997 "Night Nurse" cover
of Gregory Isaacs
' song.
In 1991, founding guitarist Dave Rowbotham was murdered. Bowers is living in Italy
, where he is currently working in a musical project called Plantation, while the whereabouts of Joyce are unknown.
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band from England, formed around 1979 by Dave Rowbotham
Dave Rowbotham
Dave Rowbotham was a rock musician who played guitar and bass with different Manchester bands in the 1970s and the 1980s, and as studio musician.-Biography:...
, Chris Joyce
Chris Joyce
Chris Joyce is known for being drummer with different new wave groups and with Simply Red in the 1980s.Coming from Didsbury, Manchester, he adopted the hippie lifestyle...
and Tony Bowers
Tony Bowers
Tony Bowers is a musician based in Italy who has worked with many bands, including Simply Red in the 1980s.He debuted with a blues band called Blind Eye, as second guitarist, although isn't considered as former member...
, shortly after they left The Durutti Column
The Durutti Column
The Durutti Column are an English post-punk band formed in 1978 in Manchester, England. The band is an ongoing project of guitarist Vini Reilly who is often accompanied by drummer Bruce Mitchell. Other current members are Keir Stewart and Reilly's girlfriend Poppy Morgan...
, including ex-Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias
Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias
Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias were a comedy rock band, formed in Manchester, England in 1973. Their story is told in the book When We Were Thin...
singer Bob Harding.
History
In 1978, The Durutti ColumnThe Durutti Column
The Durutti Column are an English post-punk band formed in 1978 in Manchester, England. The band is an ongoing project of guitarist Vini Reilly who is often accompanied by drummer Bruce Mitchell. Other current members are Keir Stewart and Reilly's girlfriend Poppy Morgan...
was formed by Tony Wilson
Tony Wilson
Anthony Howard Wilson, commonly known as Tony Wilson , was an English record label owner, radio presenter, TV show host, nightclub manager, impresario and journalist for Granada Television and the BBC....
and Alan Erasmus
Alan Erasmus
Alan Erasmus was the co-founder of Factory Records with Tony Wilson, which signed Joy Division and Happy Mondays.He started off his career as an actor, appearing in Coronation Street and the TV film Hard Labour by Mike Leigh....
, with guitarists Vini Reilly
Vini Reilly
Vincent "Vini" Gerard Reilly is an English musician and leader of the post-punk group The Durutti Column.-Biography:...
and Dave Rowbotham
Dave Rowbotham
Dave Rowbotham was a rock musician who played guitar and bass with different Manchester bands in the 1970s and the 1980s, and as studio musician.-Biography:...
, bassist Tony Bowers
Tony Bowers
Tony Bowers is a musician based in Italy who has worked with many bands, including Simply Red in the 1980s.He debuted with a blues band called Blind Eye, as second guitarist, although isn't considered as former member...
(formerly of Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias
Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias
Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias were a comedy rock band, formed in Manchester, England in 1973. Their story is told in the book When We Were Thin...
), drummer Chris Joyce
Chris Joyce
Chris Joyce is known for being drummer with different new wave groups and with Simply Red in the 1980s.Coming from Didsbury, Manchester, he adopted the hippie lifestyle...
and vocalist Phil Rainford
Phil Rainford
Phil Rainford is a former singer and music producer, who formed part of the Manchester music scene, in late 1970s and early 1980s, although he did few things...
. After releasing two songs in a various artist compilation, A Factory Sample
A Factory Sample
A Factory Sample is a 7-inch double sampler EP released on 24 December 1978 by Factory Records of Manchester, England. It was the first vinyl recording to be released by the label...
, that year, the Durutti Column became the sole concern of Reilly and Bowers, Rowbotham and Joyce departed. They formed The Mothmen alongside former Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias singer Bob Harding. So, the first line up 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?
Does It Matter Irene?
Does It Matter Irene? is the first disc released by post-punk group The Mothmen, on Absurd Records, in 1979. Shortly before, the band members were involved with two known Manchester bands, guitarist/bassist Dave Rowbotham, bassist/guitarist Tony Bowers and drummer Chris Joyce with The Durutti...
".
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 Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood is an English record producer best known for his work with dub music as well as for remixing a number of popular acts such as Coldcut, Depeche Mode, The Woodentops, Primal Scream, Pop Will Eat Itself, Sinéad O'Connor, and Skinny Puppy...
, having just launched 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 AMS playing no part in its creation. In fact 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
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
, as well appearing on Judy Nylon
Judy Nylon
Judy Nylon is an American artist who moved to London in 1970. She was half of the punk act called Snatch, which also featured Patti Palladin. Only those who lived in New York and London during the era that spanned glam rock, punk and no wave are likely to appreciate her importance, most of which...
'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 Simply Red
Simply Red
Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz...
rhythm section between 1984 and 1989. The On-U association with Joyce and Bowers had two final outcomes in the UK, in the form of Sherwood providing flip-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
mixes, to Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years
Holding Back The Years
"Holding Back the Years" is the 7th track of Simply Red's debut studio album Picture Book. The song was a smash success for the group and quickly rose to the top of charts across the world. It remains their most successful single, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending 12...
" and "Infidelity" 12" singles. Through the Sly & Robbie connection, Sherwood also contributed to Simply Red's 1997 "Night Nurse" cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Gregory Isaacs
Gregory Isaacs
Gregory Anthony Isaacs was a Jamaican reggae musician. Milo Miles, writing in the New York Times, described Isaacs as "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae". His nicknames include Cool Ruler and Lonely Lover....
' song.
In 1991, founding guitarist Dave Rowbotham was murdered. Bowers is living in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, where he is currently working in a musical project called Plantation, while the whereabouts of Joyce are unknown.
Discography
- "Does It Matter Irene?Does It Matter Irene?Does It Matter Irene? is the first disc released by post-punk group The Mothmen, on Absurd Records, in 1979. Shortly before, the band members were involved with two known Manchester bands, guitarist/bassist Dave Rowbotham, bassist/guitarist Tony Bowers and drummer Chris Joyce with The Durutti...
" 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)