The Motors
Encyclopedia
The Motors were a British
pub rock
/punk
band, formed in London
in 1977 by former Ducks Deluxe
members Nick Garvey and Andy McMaster together with guitarist Rob Hendry (who was replaced in May 1977 by Bram Tchaikovsky
) and drummer Ricky Slaughter. Their biggest success was with the McMaster penned
song
"Airport", a number 4 UK
hit single
in 1978.
. Following the former group's quick demise (having released only one single
before splitting) Garvey's manager Richard Ogden suggested that he form his own band. He contacted his former bandmate Andy McMaster (who had been working for a music publisher since leaving Ducks Deluxe) and they began recording
demos
together in January 1977. The Motors' debut live performance
was at the Marquee Club
in March 1977, and they recorded three songs for John Peel
's weekly BBC Radio 1
show the same month (22 March 1977).
By May they had been signed to Virgin Records
, and recorded material for another John Peel session on 12 September of that year.
Their first single was "Dancing The Night Away", which reached number 42 in the UK Singles Chart
in 1977. Two other sizeable hits
followed. In 1978 the band released "Airport" - which proved to be the band's biggest seller - and which peaked at number 4. The song was also a minor hit in the United States
. The follow-up, "Forget About You", was released two months later.
The Motors' original recording line-up released two albums, both of which met with modest success; The Motors in 1977 and Approved By The Motors the following year.
The Garvey/McMaster/Tchaikovsky/Slaughter line-up split when Tchaikovsky left in mid 1978; largely due to his frustration with being on a retainer salary, rather than a full band member like Garvey and McMaster. Slaughter also left the group soon afterwards. Tchaikovsky would subsequently release three solo
albums, the first of which took him into the American
Top 40 with the power pop
song "Girl of My Dreams".
Following the departure of Tchaikovsky and Slaughter, bassist Martin Ace and drummer Terry Williams
(who had been the rhythm section
for 1970s progressive rock
ers Man
, drummer with Rockpile & later a stint with Dire Straits) were recruited to fill out the Motors' studio
line-up. Following the release of the group's third album, 1980's Tenement Steps, which contained the minor chart
hit "Love and Loneliness", Garvey and McMaster finally announced that they had dissolved the group in 1982.
, The Cars
, and Alice Cooper
, and performed on Don Kirshner
's syndicated Rock Concert television programme. Following the release of his final solo album - 1981's Funland, produced by Garvey - he operated a recording studio during the 1980s and occasionally played blues
gigs
in the early 1990s. Garvey released one solo album - 1982's Blue Skies - following the final split with McMaster, and did session work with Paul McCartney
and others through the 1980s. McMaster is reported to still be recording music and living in a small town in the southeast of England, and Slaughter continued to play with a number of bands through the 1980s, including Fallen Angels, which included Knox
, former lead vocalist of The Vibrators
(and Slaughter's cousin
).
The band's three albums were reissued on 27 March 2006 in the UK with a variety of live tracks, b-sides
, and remix
es. Following a group relationship with Donell Turner, all members of the Band decided to call it a day.
Of Tchaikovsky's three solo albums, the first two "Strange Man Changed Man" & "The Russians Are Coming" were released on CD in 1998 as part of a "British Rock" reissue series, WEA Japan re-released both using original master tapes and artwork. In addition to the original artwork and liner notes, each CD contained extensive historical information, song lyrics and musical commentary (albeit in Japanese). These CDs were only available in Japan and are now out of production.
An expanded version of Strange Man Changed Man has appeared on CD
, with 21 tracks and includes rare b-sides and live cuts. Buyers of this expanded version of "Strange Man Changed Man" CD should be aware that the audio for this particular reissue is sourced from vinyl LPs & 45s and not the original master tapes.
In December 2007 "Strange Man Changed Man" was issued in the USA on the "Hip-O Select" label (ASIN: B000ZIZ0ZC) in perfect digital sound and with full artwork. This CD release uses the original master tapes sequenced for the original USA (LP)release. That is, the track running order is different to the original UK LP and different to the 1998 Japanese CD version.
Garvey's one solo album has yet to be reissued in any form.
Garvey appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks
in 2001 in the Identity Parade round.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
pub rock
Pub rock (UK)
Pub rock was a rock music genre that developed in the mid 1970s in the United Kingdom. A back-to-basics movement, pub rock was a reaction against progressive and glam rock. Although short-lived, pub rock was notable for rejecting stadium venues and for returning live rock to the small pubs and...
/punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band, formed 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...
in 1977 by former Ducks Deluxe
Ducks Deluxe
Ducks Deluxe were an English pub rock band of the 1970s, who have recently reformed. Usually called "The Ducks" by their fans, they were known for up-tempo, energetic performances, and the successful careers of their members, after they disbanded.-History:...
members Nick Garvey and Andy McMaster together with guitarist Rob Hendry (who was replaced in May 1977 by Bram Tchaikovsky
Bram Tchaikovsky
Bram Tchaikovsky is the lead singer of an eponymous power pop band. The group scored a U.S. Top 40 hit in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979, with "Girl Of My Dreams". In the Netherlands "Sarah Smiles" was a minor hit, reaching #33 in February 1979.Tchaikovsky was vocalist and guitarist for his band...
) and drummer Ricky Slaughter. Their biggest success was with the McMaster penned
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
"Airport", a number 4 UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
in 1978.
History
Having left Ducks Deluxe in early 1975, Garvey formed a band called The Snakes with Slaughter and vocalist Robert Gotobed, who would later form the punk band, WireWire (band)
Wire are an English rock band, formed in London in October 1976 by Colin Newman , Graham Lewis , Bruce Gilbert , and Robert Gotobed...
. Following the former group's quick demise (having released only one single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
before splitting) Garvey's manager Richard Ogden suggested that he form his own band. He contacted his former bandmate Andy McMaster (who had been working for a music publisher since leaving Ducks Deluxe) and they began recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
demos
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
together in January 1977. The Motors' debut live performance
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
was at the Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
in March 1977, and they recorded three songs for John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
's weekly BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
show the same month (22 March 1977).
By May they had been signed to Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, and recorded material for another John Peel session on 12 September of that year.
Their first single was "Dancing The Night Away", which reached number 42 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1977. Two other sizeable hits
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
followed. In 1978 the band released "Airport" - which proved to be the band's biggest seller - and which peaked at number 4. The song was also a minor hit in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The follow-up, "Forget About You", was released two months later.
The Motors' original recording line-up released two albums, both of which met with modest success; The Motors in 1977 and Approved By The Motors the following year.
The Garvey/McMaster/Tchaikovsky/Slaughter line-up split when Tchaikovsky left in mid 1978; largely due to his frustration with being on a retainer salary, rather than a full band member like Garvey and McMaster. Slaughter also left the group soon afterwards. Tchaikovsky would subsequently release three solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
albums, the first of which took him into the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Top 40 with the power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
song "Girl of My Dreams".
Following the departure of Tchaikovsky and Slaughter, bassist Martin Ace and drummer Terry Williams
Terry Williams (drummer)
Terrence "Terry" Williams is a Welsh rock drummer, whose resume includes work for Dire Straits, B. B. King, and Bob Dylan....
(who had been the rhythm section
Rhythm section
A rhythm section is a collection of musicians who make up a section of instruments which provides the accompaniment section of the music, giving the music its rhythmic texture and pulse, also serving as a rhythmic reference for the rest of the band...
for 1970s progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
ers Man
Man (band)
Man are a rock band from South Wales whose style is a mixture of West Coast psychedelia, progressive rock, blues and country-rock. Formed in 1968 as a reincarnation of Welsh rock harmony group ‘’The Bystanders’’, Man are renowned for the extended jams in their live performances, and having had...
, drummer with Rockpile & later a stint with Dire Straits) were recruited to fill out the Motors' studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
line-up. Following the release of the group's third album, 1980's Tenement Steps, which contained the minor chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
hit "Love and Loneliness", Garvey and McMaster finally announced that they had dissolved the group in 1982.
After The Motors
Tchaikovsky was - if briefly - the most visible former member of the group thanks to his solo career. His band toured with The Joe Perry ProjectThe Joe Perry Project
The Joe Perry Project is an American rock band formed by Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry. Perry started working on forming the band shortly before his departure from Aerosmith in 1979...
, The Cars
The Cars
The Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
, and Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, and performed on Don Kirshner
Don Kirshner
Don Kirshner , known as "The Man With the Golden Ear", was an American song publisher and rock producer who is best known for managing songwriting talent as well as successful pop groups, such as The Monkees, Kansas and The Archies.-Early life:Don Kirshner was born to Gilbert Kirshner, a tailor,...
's syndicated Rock Concert television programme. Following the release of his final solo album - 1981's Funland, produced by Garvey - he operated a recording studio during the 1980s and occasionally played blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
gigs
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
in the early 1990s. Garvey released one solo album - 1982's Blue Skies - following the final split with McMaster, and did session work with Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
and others through the 1980s. McMaster is reported to still be recording music and living in a small town in the southeast of England, and Slaughter continued to play with a number of bands through the 1980s, including Fallen Angels, which included Knox
Knox (musician)
Knox also known as I.M. Carnarchan is a British musician and founding member of the seminal punk band The Vibrators.-Early life:...
, former lead vocalist of The Vibrators
The Vibrators
- Early career:The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his...
(and Slaughter's cousin
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
).
The band's three albums were reissued on 27 March 2006 in the UK with a variety of live tracks, b-sides
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...
, and remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es. Following a group relationship with Donell Turner, all members of the Band decided to call it a day.
Of Tchaikovsky's three solo albums, the first two "Strange Man Changed Man" & "The Russians Are Coming" were released on CD in 1998 as part of a "British Rock" reissue series, WEA Japan re-released both using original master tapes and artwork. In addition to the original artwork and liner notes, each CD contained extensive historical information, song lyrics and musical commentary (albeit in Japanese). These CDs were only available in Japan and are now out of production.
An expanded version of Strange Man Changed Man has appeared on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, with 21 tracks and includes rare b-sides and live cuts. Buyers of this expanded version of "Strange Man Changed Man" CD should be aware that the audio for this particular reissue is sourced from vinyl LPs & 45s and not the original master tapes.
In December 2007 "Strange Man Changed Man" was issued in the USA on the "Hip-O Select" label (ASIN: B000ZIZ0ZC) in perfect digital sound and with full artwork. This CD release uses the original master tapes sequenced for the original USA (LP)release. That is, the track running order is different to the original UK LP and different to the 1998 Japanese CD version.
Garvey's one solo album has yet to be reissued in any form.
Garvey appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two...
in 2001 in the Identity Parade round.
Cover versions
- "Dancing the Night Away" was coveredCover versionIn 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...
by Cheap TrickCheap TrickCheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
on their 1983 album Next Position PleaseNext Position PleaseNext Position Please is a studio album by Cheap Trick, produced by Todd Rundgren and released in 1983. It was the band's seventh studio album and eighth release overall.- Background :... - "Love and Loneliness" was covered by Chris Thompson in 1986 for the soundtrack of American AnthemAmerican AnthemAmerican Anthem is a 1986 American film produced by Lorimar Motion Pictures and released in North America by Columbia Pictures. It was directed by Albert Magnoli, and starred Mitch Gaylord and Janet Jones. The subject of the film was a football player turned gymnast that was seeking to join the...
.
Main band personnel
- Nick Garvey - born 26 April 1951, Stoke-on-TrentStoke-on-TrentStoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
- lead vocalist / guitarist. - Bram TchaikovskyBram TchaikovskyBram Tchaikovsky is the lead singer of an eponymous power pop band. The group scored a U.S. Top 40 hit in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979, with "Girl Of My Dreams". In the Netherlands "Sarah Smiles" was a minor hit, reaching #33 in February 1979.Tchaikovsky was vocalist and guitarist for his band...
- born Peter Bramall, 10 November 1950, LincolnshireLincolnshireLincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
- guitarist / vocalist. - Andy McMaster - born 27 July 1947, GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
- bassist/keyboardist/vocalist. - Ricky Slaughter - born Richard Wernham - drummer.
Albums
- The Motors (1977) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#46 - Approved By The Motors (1978) - UK #60
- Tenement Steps (1980) - U.S.Billboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
#174 - The Motors Greatest Hit (1981) - UK
Singles
- "Dancing The Night Away" (1977) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#42 - "Airport" (1978) - UK #4; Australia #31; NZ #37; South Africa #19
- "Forget About You" (1978) - UK #13
- "Sensation" (1978)
- "Today" (1978)
- "Love and Loneliness" (1980) - UK #58; Canada #60; U.S.Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
#78 - "Metropolis" (1980)
- "That's What John Said" (1980)
Audio sample
External links
- [ The Motors biography at the AMG website]
- [ Allmusic.com review of "Airport" by Stewart Mason]