Haircut One Hundred

Last updated

Haircut One Hundred
Haircut 100 Live.jpg
Haircut One Hundred performing in January 2011
Background information
Also known asHaircut 100
Origin Beckenham, London, England
Genres
Years active
  • 1980–1984
  • 2004
  • 2009–2013
  • 2023–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Patrick Hunt
  • Phil Smith
  • Marc Fox

Haircut One Hundred (also Haircut 100) [2] are a British pop group formed in 1980 in Beckenham, London, by Nick Heyward, Les Nemes and Graham Jones. In 1981 and 1982, the band scored four UK top-10 singles: "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)", "Love Plus One", "Nobody's Fool", and "Fantastic Day".

Contents

History

Formation and Pelican West

Nick Heyward and Les Nemes had been in several bands together since 1977. They gigged under the names Rugby, Boat Party, and Captain Pennyworth, [3] but did not release any music. Their last band together, Moving England, with Sex Gang Children's Rob Stroud, released one single. [4] Heyward and Nemes moved to London in 1980 where they recruited friend and guitarist Graham Jones. During a meeting brainstorming band name ideas, Heyward suggested Haircut 100 and because it was the one "that made us laugh the most" [5] they kept it. The three were joined by drummer Patrick Hunt. Managed by Karl Adams, the band recorded some demos. Phil Smith played saxophone on the sessions and he joined the group, followed by percussionist Marc Fox. The group played some live dates and were signed by Arista Records in 1981. They entered Chalk Farm's Roundhouse studios to record their debut single, "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)", which became their first hit, reaching No. 4 in the UK Singles Chart in late 1981, [6] and resulted in their first appearance on BBC Television's Top of the Pops .

For the recording of their debut album, Pelican West , Blair Cunningham replaced Hunt on drums. Their second single, "Love Plus One", was released in January 1982 and gave the band their second UK top 10 hit. Pelican West was released in February, reaching No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart. [6] The band became internationally famous and toured the globe. "Love Plus One" reached the US top 40, and they secured further UK top 10 hits in 1982 with the singles "Fantastic Day" and "Nobody's Fool".

Heyward leaves and Paint and Paint

In late 1982, tensions began arising within the band as they struggled to record new material, which was hindered when Heyward refused to attend recording sessions. Eventually, in January 1983, the band's forthcoming single, "Whistle Down the Wind", was postponed and a statement was issued confirming that the band and Heyward were parting company. [7] At the time, Heyward told Smash Hits magazine that he had been contemplating going solo for some time and had already recorded some tracks with session musicians. [7] However, many years later, Heyward stated that he had been struggling with stress and depression at the time after a year of constant work and pressure, which led to him being, in effect, sacked by the other members of the band. [8] With the loss of the band's frontman and main songwriter, Fox took over vocal duties and the band continued to write material themselves (several B-sides during Heyward's tenure had been credited to the whole band). The band left Arista and signed with Polydor Records, but further singles by this line-up failed to reach the UK top 40 and their follow-up album, Paint and Paint (1984) failed to chart. The band split up soon after. Heyward, however, embarked on a successful solo career in 1983, and scored several chart hits (including the aforementioned song "Whistle Down the Wind", which was his first solo release in March 1983) and a top 10 album, North of a Miracle .

Reunions

In 2004, more than 20 years after their split, Haircut 100 (including Heyward) reunited for the VH1 show Bands Reunited and performed "Love Plus One" and "Fantastic Day". There were no further appearances from the band until five years later in 2009, when they rekindled their friendship via Facebook, and Heyward invited the rest of the band to perform at one of his solo gigs. [8] The band (comprising Heyward, Jones, Nemes and Cunningham) then played London's Indig02 on 28 January 2011, performing Pelican West in its entirety. [9] The performance was recorded and released as a live CD. [10] In 2013, the band's official website stated that they had been working on new material together; however, it has not been released. [11]

Though he did not mention new Haircut One Hundred material, Heyward commented in 2017 interviews that he has a "deep love" for the band, [12] and is "ever hopeful" that the band will eventually reform for a reunion show at the Roundhouse. [13]

In November 2022, Heyward announced on his Facebook page that the Pelican West album was due for a new Super Deluxe 4CD re-issue in early 2023. To celebrate the forthcoming release, Haircut 100 featured in a BBC Radio 2 Piano Room session on 16 February 2023, [14] [15] [16] [17] in which they played a cover of Harry Styles' "As It Was". They also announced a warm-up show at the O2 Academy Oxford on 6 May 2023, [18] and a one off show at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, on 12 May 2023. In June 2023 the band announced a UK tour in Oct/Nov 2023 at which old and new material will be played. Heyward has confirmed on his Patreon site that a new album's worth of material has been written.

Band members

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK
[20] 		AUS
[21] 		NZ
[22] 		SWE
[23] 		US
1982 Pelican West
  • Released: 26 February 1982
  • Label: Arista
227122931
1984 Paint and Paint
  • Released: 6 July 1984
  • Label: Polydor
–––––

Singles

YearSongPeak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)		Album
UK
[20] [25] 		AUS
[21] 		CAN
[26] 		FRA
[26] 		NZ
[22] 		US
[27]
1981"Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)"497––32–Pelican West
1982"Love Plus One"310432237
"Fantastic Day"985––29–
"Nobody's Fool"9–––––—
1983"Prime Time"46–––––Paint and Paint
"So Tired"94–––––
1984"Too Up, Two Down"125–––––

Live albums

YearAlbum
2011Live at the IndigO2 28 January 2011
  • Label: Abbey Road Live Here Now
  • Format: CD

Compilations

YearAlbum
1989Nick Heyward & Haircut One Hundred – The Best of Nick Heyward & Haircut One Hundred
1994Haircut One Hundred & Nick Heyward – The Very Best of Haircut 100 & Nick Heyward
  • Label: BMG
  • Format: CD
1996Nick Heyward & Haircut One Hundred – The Greatest Hits of Nick Heyward & Haircut One Hundred
  • Label: Camden / BMG
  • Format: CD
2003Nick Heyward & Haircut One Hundred – The Very Best Of…
  • Label: Camden / BMG
  • Format: CD
2009Nick Heyward, Haircut One Hundred – Favourite Songs: The Best Of
  • Label: Sony
  • Format: CD

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christine McVie</span> British musician (1943–2022)

Christine Anne McVie was an English musician and singer. She was the keyboardist and one of the vocalists and songwriters of Fleetwood Mac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slade</span> British rock band

Slade are an English rock band formed in Wolverhampton in 1966. They rose to prominence during the glam rock era in the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones on the UK Singles Chart. The British Hit Singles & Albums names them the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles. They were the first act to have three singles enter the charts at number one; all six of the band's chart-toppers were penned by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea. As of 2006, total UK sales stand at 6,520,171, and their best-selling single, "Merry Xmas Everybody", has sold in excess of one million copies. According to the 1999 BBC documentary It's Slade, the band have sold more than 50 million records worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ABC (band)</span> English pop band

ABC are an English pop band formed in Sheffield in 1980. Their classic line-up consisted of lead vocalist Martin Fry, guitarist and keyboardist Mark White, saxophonist Stephen Singleton, and drummer David Palmer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilbert O'Sullivan</span> Irish singer-songwriter (born 1946)

Gilbert O'Sullivan is an Irish singer-songwriter who achieved his most significant success during the early 1970s with hits such as "Alone Again (Naturally)", "Clair" and "Get Down". His songs are often marked by his distinctive, percussive piano playing style and observational lyrics using word play.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Money (That's What I Want)</span> 1959 single by Barrett Strong

"Money (That's What I Want)" is a rhythm and blues song written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford, which was the first hit record for Gordy's Motown enterprise. Barrett Strong recorded it in 1959 as a single for the Tamla label, distributed nationally on Anna Records. Many artists later recorded the tune, including the Beatles in 1963 and the Flying Lizards in 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jive Talkin'</span> Song by the Bee Gees

"Jive Talkin'" is a song by the Bee Gees, released as a single in May 1975 by RSO Records. This was the lead single from the album Main Course and hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100; it also reached the top-five on the UK Singles Chart in the middle of 1975. Largely recognised as the group's comeback song, it was their first US top-10 hit since "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" (1971).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Heyward</span> English singer-songwriter and guitarist

Nicholas Heyward is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He came to international attention in the early 1980s as the lead singer and songwriter for Haircut One Hundred. He and the band parted ways after their first album, after which he continued as a solo artist.

<i>Paint and Paint</i> 1984 studio album by Haircut One Hundred

Paint and Paint is the second and final studio album by the British new wave band Haircut One Hundred, released in 1984 by Polydor Records. It was their only album released after the early 1983 departure of lead singer Nick Heyward. As a result, the band's percussionist, Marc Fox, assumed lead vocal duties. The band's longtime drummer Blair Cunningham performs on the album, but was not listed as an official member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Long (Ace song)</span> 1975 single by Ace

"How Long" is the debut single by the English band Ace, from their 1974 debut album, Five-A-Side. It reached No. 3 in the US and Canadian charts, and No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Like Mondays</span> 1979 single by the Boomtown Rats

"I Don't Like Mondays" is a song by Irish new wave group the Boomtown Rats about the Cleveland Elementary School shooting in San Diego. It was released in 1979 as the lead single from their third album, The Fine Art of Surfacing. The song was a number-one single in the UK Singles Chart for four weeks during the summer of 1979, and ranks as the sixth-biggest hit of the UK in 1979. Written by Bob Geldof and Johnnie Fingers, the piano ballad was the band's second single to reach number one on the UK chart.

<i>Wall of Hits</i> 1991 compilation album by Slade

Wall of Hits is a compilation album by the British rock band Slade. It was released on 11 November 1991 and reached No. 34 in the UK Albums Chart. The album was issued by Polydor and included the last two singles to be recorded by the band: "Radio Wall of Sound" and "Universe".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life on Your Own</span> 1984 single by the Human League

"Life on Your Own" is a song by English synth-pop band the Human League. Written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey, keyboard players Jo Callis and Adrian Wright, it was recorded at AIR Studios during 1983–1984. Originally an album track on the band's fourth studio album Hysteria, it was then released as the second single from the album in the UK.

Leslie Alexander Nemes is an English bassist. After being in several bands with guitarist/vocalist Nick Heyward, the pair formed Haircut One Hundred in 1980. The band enjoyed considerable success in the early 1980s including a top 5 album and four top 10 singles in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Plus One</span> 1982 single by Haircut One Hundred

"Love Plus One" is a 1982 single by the British new wave band Haircut One Hundred from their debut album Pelican West. It was the band's biggest hit in their native UK, where it reached No. 3 and was certified gold by the BPI for sales in excess of 400,000 copies.

<i>Pelican West</i> 1982 studio album by Haircut One Hundred

Pelican West is the debut studio album by the British new wave band Haircut One Hundred, released on 26 February 1982 by Arista Records. It peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 31 on the Billboard 200, and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)</span> 1981 single by Haircut One Hundred

"Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" is the debut single by the British new wave band Haircut One Hundred, released in October 1981 by Arista Records. It is from their debut studio album Pelican West, released in 1982. The song reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1981 and was certified silver by the BPI for sales in excess of 200,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody's Fool (Haircut One Hundred song)</span> 1982 single by Haircut One Hundred

"Nobody's Fool" is a song by British new wave band Haircut One Hundred, released on 13 August 1982 as the band's fourth single. It reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. It is the first single of the band to not appear on any U.S. Billboard chart. The song did not initially appear on any album, but was later included as a bonus track on the 1992 reissue of Pelican West.

"Whistle Down the Wind" is the debut solo single by English musician Nick Heyward, from his debut solo album North of a Miracle. Released in March 1983, it was his first release after leaving Haircut One Hundred. The song peaked at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as reaching No. 20 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in February 1984.

<i>Woodland Echoes</i> 2017 studio album by Nick Heyward

Woodland Echoes is the ninth solo album by English singer-songwriter Nick Heyward. It was released on 4 August 2017 on Gladsome Hawk Records. He has described it as accidentally biographical and influenced by "love, nature, togetherness, ‘70s’ pop, America, open spaces and afternoon tea".

Robert Sargeant was a British musician and record producer.

References

  1. ↑ John Curley (6 December 2020). "Excellent Style Council documentary will air on Showtime". Goldmine . Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  2. ↑ https://www.oldies.com/product-view/11534O.html Favourite Songs: The Best of Nick Heyward & Haircut 100
  3. ↑ "Calling Captain Summertime – the Nick Heyward interview". writewyattuk. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "Moving England – Moving Back / Stretching Rack (Part 3)". Discogs. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  5. ↑ Schnee, Steven. "Haircut 100: An Exclusive Q&A with Guitarist Graham Jones!". Amped Distribution. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  6. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 239. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  7. 1 2 "Bitz: "Cuts Up" (Haircut 100 article)". Smash Hits. Vol. 5, no. 3. EMAP Metro. 3 February 1983. p. 13.
  8. 1 2 "Andrew Williams, "Nick Heyward: Facebook is the reason Haircut One Hundred are reuniting"". Metro.co.uk. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  9. ↑ "The O2 – Haircut 100 tickets". Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Haircut One Hundred – Live album (official website)". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "Haircut One Hundred – News (official website)". Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  12. ↑ Heyward, Nick (23 July 2017). "Loose Ends" (Interview). Clive Anderson. London: BBC Radio 4 . Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  13. ↑ Heyward, Nick (27 July 2017). "Lorraine" (Interview). Lorraine Kelly. London: ITV . Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  14. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 announces artists for its new Piano Room feature". Radiotoday.co.uk. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 - Ken Bruce, Radio 2 Piano Room - Haircut 100". BBC. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  16. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 - Radio 2's Piano Room, Piano Room Month 2023, Haircut 100". BBC. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  17. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 announces the return of Piano Room Month". Completemusicupdate.com. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  18. ↑ "Haircut 100".
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Roberts, David (1998). Guinness Rockopedia (1st ed.). London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. p.  183. ISBN   0-85112-072-5.
  20. 1 2 "Chart Stats – Haircut 100". theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  21. 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 131. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  22. 1 2 "Chart Stats – Haircut 100". charts.nz. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  23. ↑ "Chart Stats – Haircut 100". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  24. 1 2 3 "Certified Awards Search Archived 17 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine ". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 September 2011. Note: User needs to enter "Haircut 100" in the "Search" field, "Artist" in the "Search by" field and click the "Go" button. Select "More info" next to the relevant entry to see full certification history.
  25. ↑ "UK Singles Charts: 1984 (including chart panel sales)". UKMIX Forums. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  26. 1 2 "The World's Music Charts (Songs from the Year 1982)". Tsort.info. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  27. ↑ "Chart Stats – Haircut 100". Billboard. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.